Full job description



Senior Associate - Employment Tribunal Advocate
Manchester | Hybrid working | Full-time, Permanent
Salary dependent on experience + bonus + exceptional benefits
Join a highly regarded specialist employment team where advocacy is genuinely at the heart of the role.
We’re partnering with a prestigious global insurer and legal business to recruit an experienced Employment Solicitor Advocate into their growing Manchester team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys tribunal advocacy, complex contentious work and building trusted client relationships, while still benefiting from genuine work-life balance and long-term progression.
The role:
This is a senior, advocacy-focused position where you’ll take ownership of Employment Tribunal matters from initial strategy through to final hearing. You’ll work with a varied client base including SMEs, professional services, retail and care-sector organisations, advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
You’ll join a collaborative and highly respected team with strong national presence, handling high-quality work without the pressure of heavy business development targets.
Key responsibilities include:
*Acting as advocate in Employment Tribunal proceedings including preliminary, merits and remedy hearings
*Conducting cross-examinations, witness handling and oral submissions
*Drafting pleadings, skeleton arguments, opinions and case strategies
*Advising clients on litigation risk, prospects and settlement strategy
*Managing complex employment disputes from start to finish
*Advising on a broad range of employment matters including:*Unfair dismissal
*Discrimination and whistleblowing
*TUPE
*Redundancy and restructuring processes
*Disciplinary, grievance and appeal matters

*Delivering client training sessions and legal updates
*Building strong relationships with HR teams, business leaders and internal stakeholders
What we’re looking for:
*Qualified solicitor with strong employment law experience
*Proven Employment Tribunal advocacy experience
*Ability to independently manage a contentious caseload
*Strong drafting, negotiation and analytical skills
*Commercial, pragmatic approach to client advice
*Excellent communication and relationship management skills
Desirable experience:
*Employer-side advisory experience
*Exposure to complex or high-value litigation
*Interest in client training and business development activities
What’s on offer:
*Competitive salary dependent on experience
*Annual bonus and exceptional benefits package
*Excellent pension contributions
*Private medical and dental cover
*Hybrid working with genuine flexibility
*High-quality work and strong career progression opportunities
*Supportive, collaborative culture with strong leadership and development programmes
This is a fantastic opportunity for an employment lawyer who enjoys advocacy and wants to join a forward-thinking legal business with an excellent reputation in the market.