Employment Associate/Senior Associate - Leicester

Freeths Employment Associate/Senior Associate: A Career-Defining Move

Freeths, a premier UK law firm renowned for its inclusive culture and top-tier legal expertise, is hiring an Employment Associate/Senior Associate for its Leicester office. This is not just another legal vacancy—it's an invitation to join a nationally leading employment team at a pivotal moment of growth. If you are a qualified solicitor with two or more years of post-qualification experience (PQE) in employment law, this role offers a unique platform to develop your practice, engage in meaningful business development, and shape the strategic direction of a rapidly expanding team.

"We are seeking an Associate/Senior Associate, with 2 years + PQE, to join our friendly and dynamic team in Leicester. The team continues to experience rapid growth, so this role would suit someone who is looking to get involved in business development and shaping the future strategy of the team." — Freeths

Why Freeths' Employment Team Stands Out

When you apply for a role at Freeths, you're aligning yourself with a firm that has earned widespread recognition for both its legal excellence and its people-first ethos. The employment team is led by Rena Magdani, a lawyer ranked in Band 1 by Chambers & Partners and recognised as a Leader in the Field by both Chambers and The Legal 500. Under her stewardship, the team has grown to include over 45 employment specialists across the country, providing a depth of expertise that few rivals can match.

The team advises a diverse client base ranging from FTSE 100 companies (PLCs) to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This variety ensures that no two days are the same. One day you might be guiding a multinational through a complex TUPE transfer; the next, you could be defending an SME against an unfair dismissal claim. The breadth of work is staggering and invaluable for professional development.

Key Practice Areas You'll Master

• Disciplinary and grievance matters
• Unfair dismissal and discrimination claims
• TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings) and restructuring
• Whistleblowing and redundancy processes
• Strategic advice to boards and senior management
• Executive-level employment relationship issues

The firm's reputation is built on providing timely, pragmatic, and cost-effective solutions. As part of this team, you'll be expected to deliver exactly that—advice that is not only legally sound but also commercially astute. Many of Freeths' employment teams are ranked in the top tier by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, and individual lawyers are frequently named as leading practitioners. Being part of this prestigious group can dramatically boost your own professional profile.

Do You Have What It Takes? Eligibility and Skills

The formal requirement is straightforward: at least 2 years' PQE in employment law. But the role demands more than just technical legal knowledge. Freeths is looking for someone who cares deeply, communicates openly, and collaborates effectively. The firm's culture is encapsulated in its motto: Smart. Bold. Together. These aren't just words; they represent the attributes that successful candidates typically exhibit.

What Hiring Managers Will Be Looking For

• Technical excellence: A solid understanding of UK employment law, including tribunal procedures and the latest legislative developments.
• Commercial awareness: The ability to understand clients' business objectives and tailor advice accordingly.
• Client relationship skills: Confidence in building rapport with clients, from HR directors to senior executives.
• Business development mindset: A proactive approach to winning work and contributing to the team's growth strategy.
• Teamwork and inclusivity: A collaborative spirit that aligns with Freeths' award-winning diverse and inclusive culture.

If you have experience handling high-stakes disciplinary hearings, tribunal litigation, or complex restructures, you'll be a strong contender. But don't underestimate the importance of soft skills—Freeths prides itself on being an inclusive employer, and they've won the ‘Firm of the Year’ at the UK Diversity Legal Awards to prove it. Additionally, they hold Gold status in Investors in People, which indicates a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing and development.

How to Make Your Application Shine

Applying for a role at a firm like Freeths requires more than simply hitting the ‘Apply’ button on LinkedIn. Your application needs to demonstrate that you've understood the firm's ethos and the specific demands of the role. Here are some insights to help you stand out:

CV and Cover Letter Tips

• Tailor your CV: Highlight your employment law experience, particularly matters involving TUPE, discrimination, and redundancy. Quantify your achievements—e.g., ‘managed a portfolio of 50+ live tribunal cases’ or ‘advised on a complex TUPE transfer affecting 300 employees’.
• Showcase business development: If you've brought in clients, developed new services, or contributed to marketing initiatives, make sure this is prominently featured. The team is explicitly looking for someone who wants to get involved in business development.
• Emphasise culture fit: Freeths values care, openness, and collaboration. Use your cover letter to illustrate moments where you've demonstrated these qualities—perhaps leading a team, mentoring juniors, or championing diversity initiatives.
• Connect your future with theirs: Explain why you want to be part of this particular team and how your skills can help shape its future strategy. Reference Rena Magdani's leadership and the team's impressive track record to show you've done your homework.

Nailing the Interview

If you secure an interview, expect questions that probe not only your legal knowledge but also your commercial instincts and cultural alignment. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach realistic employment scenarios, such as advising a client on a mass redundancy programme or responding to a whistleblowing complaint. Also, be ready to talk about your experience with business development—how would you go about growing the employment practice in Leicester and beyond?

Career Trajectory: From Associate to Senior Associate and Beyond

This is not a dead-end job; it's a career springboard. Freeths is known for promoting from within and investing in its people. As an Associate or Senior Associate, you'll have the opportunity to progress to Managing Associate, Partner, and potentially to leadership roles within the employment team. You'll also gain exposure to high-profile clients and complex, cutting-edge employment issues that will make your CV highly marketable.

The Leicester office is part of Freeths' national network, which means you'll have the chance to collaborate with colleagues in other offices and work on cross-border matters. The firm's flexible approach to agile working also allows for career growth without sacrificing work-life balance—a key consideration for many legal professionals. With the team continuing to expand, the potential for rapid progression is real.

"We are widely recognised for our inclusive attitude and diversity, winning ‘Firm of the Year’ at the UK Diversity Legal Awards and achieving Gold in the Investors in People Award." — Freeths

Why This Opportunity Matters in the Legal Landscape

Employment law is one of the most dynamic and fast-evolving areas of legal practice. With the rise of remote work, the gig economy, and ever-changing employment legislation, businesses are increasingly reliant on expert advice to navigate these complexities. By joining Freeths' employment team, you're positioning yourself at the forefront of this practice area. The team's reputation for handling headline-worthy cases and advising industry-leading clients means you'll be exposed to the kind of high-impact work that makes legal careers memorable.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official LinkedIn job posting. The application process is managed via LinkedIn, and you'll need to create or log in to your LinkedIn account to submit your application. The deadline is not specified, so it's wise to apply as soon as possible—especially since the posting indicates you'll be among the first 25 applicants, which suggests a highly competitive selection process. There are no fees associated with this role, and the position is full-time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What qualifications are required for the Employment Associate/Senior Associate role at Freeths?
You must be a qualified solicitor with at least 2 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) in employment law. A strong track record of advising on disciplinary matters, unfair dismissal, discrimination, TUPE, whistleblowing, redundancy, and restructures is essential. Experience working with both PLCs and SMEs will be advantageous.

2. Does Freeths offer opportunities for career progression within the employment team?
Yes. Freeths has a clear pathway for career progression, with the potential to rise to Managing Associate, Partner, and beyond. The firm is committed to investing in its employees, as evidenced by its Gold Investors in People status. The national structure of the team also provides cross-office collaboration and mentorship opportunities.

3. How can I apply for the position if I am not on LinkedIn?
Since the role is exclusively advertised through LinkedIn, you'll need to create a free LinkedIn account to apply. You can also check Freeths' official careers page on their website for any alternative application routes, but as of now, the primary application platform is LinkedIn.

4. What types of clients and matters will I handle in this role?
You'll advise a broad range of clients, from PLCs to SMEs, on all aspects of employment law and HR advisory. This includes disciplinary and grievance issues, unfair dismissal, discrimination, TUPE, whistleblowing, redundancy, restructures, and strategic advice to senior management teams. The team also advises senior executives and professionals on their employment relationships.