Bates Wells
Employment Associate
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Employment Associate
Department: Employment
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: London
Reporting To: Paul Jennings
Description
Executive Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate to join our Employment team. Our practice combines complex and ground-breaking employment litigation with pragmatic, commercially focused advice. We have a strong track record of running significant appellate cases at every level of the UK courts, including the Supreme Court, and of being involved in cases that have established important new points of employment law. Our clients range from listed companies to international charities, with particular expertise in charities, not-for-profits and businesses with a social purpose.
We are looking for a lawyer who has strong legal skills, a sound commercial approach and who is a natural advocate and strong negotiator.
The role is distinctive in its focus on our charity and not-for-profit clients, alongside a thriving commercial practice that includes a significant number of businesses operating within the impact economy. It offers a rare opportunity to combine high-quality employment work with a genuine sense of purpose, advising organisations whose work has a meaningful social impact.
You will have significant client contact from the outset, developing your own relationships and networks while taking responsibility for the day-to-day management of matters. As your experience grows, you will have the opportunity to take a leading role in client relationships, business development and the wider development of the practice.
Key Responsibilities
Key responsibilities
You will work across a broad range of contentious and advisory employment matters, including:
- Discrimination and equality issues, including high-risk and sensitive complaints.
- Whistleblowing.
- Grievances, disciplinary and performance issues.
- Board level disputes.
- TUPE and business reorganisations.
- Sensitive and complex workplace investigations.
- Redundancies, restructures and organisational change.
- Complex employee and industrial relations issues, including collective disputes and trade union matters.
- Employment status, worker and volunteer issues.
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About our Employment team
We are particularly well-known for working with charities and the not for profit sector.
We’ve handled many high-profile test cases in the higher courts, both in the UK and Europe including the recent worker status claim against Uber (acting for the test Claimants) and the Coleman v Attridge Law case which established the principle of associative discrimination.
We advise about all aspects of the employment relationship, from first query to tribunal. We also carry out investigations for clients and deliver training.
About the opportunity
- We encourage all our lawyers to pursue their personal interests through their practice, develop management skills through supervising junior fee earners, contribute to business development and work cross-departmentally through our wide range of exceptionally strong sector groups.
- Lawyers are provided with career development support, for example encouragement to co-manage client relationships with partners, support the development of recently qualified lawyers and be involved in the development of the department’s strategy.
- Our team structure ensures a supportive environment coupled with the opportunity to work collaboratively with colleagues across the department and with other teams in the firm.
- The firm has a competency framework in place which sets out the competencies we expect from our people at this stage.
- Specific tasks may change over time, so we’ll need you to be adaptable and flexible as we continue to meet our clients’ needs.
About You
About you
- You will be a UK qualified lawyer with at least 4 years post qualification experience.
- Owing to the nature of the role, you will have an enthusiasm for business development.
- You are passionate about client service, building strong relationships and excited about growing your own practice through business development opportunities with potential and existing clients.
- You share our values and want to make a difference.
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Required/essential skills
- Experience handling employment law matters, ideally including advisory, transactional, and contentious work.
- Ability to take individual responsibility while being a collaborative team member.
- Experience managing work for multiple partners and clients while maintaining and nurturing relationships.
- Experience in, or a willingness to, identify and pursue new client opportunities and contribute to business development initiatives.
- Skilled at exceeding the expectations of a demanding client base.
- Client-centric and outcome-oriented, with a focus on delivering results.
- Willing to challenge the status quo when it benefits the work.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Genuine interest in the work, with a willingness to ask questions and propose ideas.
What are we like to work for?
- Impact-Driven Purpose: We align profit with social purpose to create lasting positive impact for our people, communities, and planet.
- Committed to the Climate: Through our Climate & Nature Group, we reduce environmental impact and drive a just transition to net zero.
- Championing Inclusion: We foster a diverse, inclusive culture where creativity and innovation thrive.
- Flexible and Hybrid Working: Our hybrid model supports balance, with part-time options and at least two office days weekly.
- Progressive Benefits: We offer sustainable pensions, IVF support, private healthcare, and more for your well-being and growth.
At Bates Wells, equity, diversity, and inclusion are part of who we are and how we work. As a B Corp and purpose-driven law firm, we’re committed to building a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and representative of all.
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