Full job description About us
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning over 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: real estate, corporate services, dispute resolution and private client.
We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges and opportunities they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.
With our ambition to succeed comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our Responsible Business strategy. Birketts is a certified B Corporation™, and diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership as of 1 April 2026.
The team you will join
Our Employment Team sits within the wider Corporate Division. The team specialise in all aspects of employment law facing employers and HR professionals - from everyday operational challenges through to advising on strategic issues.
The team currently comprises of specialist qualified employment law solicitors, including partners, working across all offices, making us one of the larger employment teams across the East and South. We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you would expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach, and timeliness of advice.

Birketts’ Employment Team has experience in all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, representing clients from a broad range of public and private organisations as well as senior executives. We are proud to act for sector leading clients nationwide and some important and high-profile businesses and institutions across a number of key sectors.
Our employment advice is supplemented by a well-developed in-house employment client training offering (known as Shaping Excellence), an immigration team, an employee incentives group and Resolve, which consists of an HR consultancy service, a workplace investigations service and a team of accredited mediators.
The work you will be doing
*Advise employers on day-to-day employment law issues, including disciplinary and grievance matters, sickness absence, performance management, discrimination, whistleblowing, family leave and flexible working.
*Draft and review employment contracts, service agreements, policies, procedures and other employment-related documentation.
*Assist with employment aspects of corporate transactions, including due diligence, disclosure exercises and drafting employment provisions for transaction documents.
*Support clients through restructures, redundancy exercises and changes to terms and conditions, including collective consultation where appropriate.
*Advise on dismissals, negotiated exits and settlement agreements, including matters involving senior employees and executives.
*Handle Employment Tribunal litigation, including drafting pleadings, preparing witness evidence, managing disclosure, instructing counsel and preparing matters for hearings.
*Advise on TUPE issues.
*Participate in client training, seminars, webinars and the preparation of legal updates and know-how materials.
*Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Employment team and with other practice areas where matters require multidisciplinary advice.
*Develop strong day-to-day relationships with clients and take increasing responsibility for managing matters as experience develops.
*Contribute to business development initiatives, including identifying opportunities to deepen existing client relationships.
What we are looking for
Birketts has designed a ’Talent Management Framework’ which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As a newly qualified Solicitor, you should have completed a recognised training contract or equivalent qualifying experience.
*Completion of a recognised training contract or equivalent qualifying experience
*Demonstrable interest and foundational knowledge in chosen practice area
*Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standard
*Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service
Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits.
Hybrid Working
Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. During your 3 month probation period, there will be a requirement to be in the office full time whilst you are developing in the role. Once you have successfully passed probation, this role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week.
We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.
Benefits
As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:
*25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
*Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
*Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
*Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
*Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
*Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
*Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
*Paid CSR Day
*Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
*Subsidised gym membership
*Electric car scheme
*Dress for your Day Policy
You can find out more on our website: https://recognition-reward-benefits/
Inclusivity and Culture
As a B Corporation, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve