We are seeking an Associate with 1–4 years’ PQE and a strong background in employment law. Experience or interest in incentives/share plans is highly advantageous. This is an opportunity to broaden your expertise across the intersection of employment and incentives work. You will work on a variety of matters, which could include:
Contentious Employment
High Court and Employment Tribunal litigation, including employee competition, discrimination and contractual disputes.
Conducting and advising on standalone investigations into complex and reputationally sensitive issues.
Advising on employment aspects within regulatory and competition law‑related investigations.
Non‑Contentious Employment & Incentives
Advising on employment and incentives issues arising from public and private M&A, restructurings, and insolvency situations.
Supporting day‑to‑day HR matters such as senior hiring and terminations, grievances, disciplinary processes, redundancy exercises, governance and remuneration issues.
Advising on share plan rules, executive remuneration, malus and clawback, and cross‑border incentive arrangements.
Key Responsibilities
Draft clear and succinct complex legal documents.
Negotiate employment and incentive issues independently or with senior colleagues.
Take ownership of matter management, mentoring trainees and leveraging Legal Services Centre resources.
Engage in client development, seminars, training and business development initiatives.
Build strong client relationships, delivering commercially focused advice.
Maintain strong financial discipline including WIP, billing and unpaid invoices.
Requirements
Qualified lawyer with 1+ years’ PQE.
Strong academic background
Solid employment law grounding; incentives/share plans experience or interest is a strong plus.
Experience within a firm recognised for its employment practice.
Strong technical and transactional skills.
Proactive involvement in business development.
Collaborative team player.
About the Team
Our People and Reward department advises on the full spectrum of contentious and non‑contentious employment, pensions and incentives law across multiple jurisdictions. The global practice comprises 23 partners and approximately 100 lawyers across Europe, Asia and the US, with the London team consisting of six partners and around 25 associates. We support clients on strategic, high‑profile and reputationally sensitive matters and collaborate closely with other practice groups on cross‑disciplinary projects.
This role sits within our Employment and Incentives team, offering exposure to both employment and share plan matters. You will work as part of a highly regarded, collaborative and experienced team.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer London, England Office
100 Bishopsgate, London, United Kingdom, EC2P 2SR
