Employment Associate

Description:

We are looking for a mid-level associate to join the friendly and ambitious Employment Team at Stephenson Harwood. The team is highly regarded and recognised by the Chambers and Legal 500 directories. The team acts predominantly for employers but also has a strong senior executive practice. It attracts and retains a thriving standalone client base, as well as working extensively with clients and colleagues from other practice areas.

Clients include international banks, public and private UK companies, professional services firms, multinationals, charities and professional services firms, many of which are household names. It covers the three main areas of employment law practice: HR advisory, litigation and transactional work.

You will work closely with both partners and the wider team on a broad range of matters with high levels of responsibility and extensive client contact. Within a context of uncompromising standards of high quality legal and practical advice and commitment to client service, associates are given autonomy in running files with partner support and are fully engaged in developing client relationships and business opportunities. In combination with firm wide training and development programmes, the employment partners are committed to ensuring technical excellence and individual professional and personal development. This opportunity comes with lots of scope for professional/personal development and growth, building on the successful candidate’s established skills and experience.

Main Responsibilities
 

• Pro-active day to day matter management and advice
• Liaison with clients under the supervision of a partner
• Conducting litigation (with barristers and local advocates where appropriate)
• Managing and completing transactional support
• Respect of and adherence to client and internal deadlines
• Clear, concise and unambiguous drafting
• Maintaining up to date knowledge of law and practice
• Conducting legal research using internal and external knowledge management resources
• Developing own informal internal and external network of contacts
• Building excellent working relationships with clients and peers within SH
• Attending business development and profile-raising events (client seminars, graduate recruitment activities)
   

Attributes/Skills Required
 

• Demonstrates the Stephenson Harwood values of individuality, commitment, teamwork and straight talking
• Hard working with a commitment to excellence in all areas of the role
• Proactively seeking opportunities to become more rounded and accomplished
• Interest in international, cross-border work
• Keen commitment to business development
• Ability to acquire, consolidate and apply fundamental and up-to-date knowledge of the law
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Strong, commercial and concise drafting skills
• Organised and able to work efficiently to strict deadlines with the ability to prioritise realistically
• Flexibility in working hours and commitment to client service delivery
• Good housekeeping/file management practices; manages and records time promptly and accurately
• Resilient with the ability to handle setbacks and pressure
• Cooperative and collaborative in approach and is able to develop excellent working relationships at all levels and roles
• Ability to always operate professionally and proactively
• Active participant in self-development
• Commercial awareness
• Exhibits an understanding of the Firm’s position in UAE and broader GCC market and how it distinguishes its services from its competitors
• Excellent academic and professional qualifications
• Ideally a commitment/connection to, or familiarity with, the region