We’re a national law firm with a local reach. Our legal experts are here for you. Whether it’s personal or business, we understand that everyone’s situation is different. But we’re more than just a law firm – we’re a team of people working together to help individuals and businesses navigate life’s ups and downs. Working here you’ll feel a part of our friendly and inclusive environment.

We’ll value you for who you are and what you bring. We support each other and push boundaries to achieve incredible things and make a real difference to our clients and communities.

We're always looking to support our colleagues to work in a way that works best for them and everyone else, including our clients, the business and the regulators. Please speak to a member of our Recruitment and Onboarding team for more information.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our highly regarded Leeds Employment team, led by partner Jenny Arrowsmith. You’ll become part of a supportive and ambitious team of 18 employment lawyers, advising a wide range of employers and individuals.

Within this busy and growing practice, you’ll play a key role as a contentious employment specialist, working closely as part of a dedicated smaller team with a focus on supporting employment tribunal claims that are funded by Legal Expenses Insurance.

Why join us?

This is a role where you can:

• Work on hands-on tribunal matters from an early stage, with regular supervision and support.
• Manage a fast-paced caseload of contentious employment matters, representing both claimants and respondents.
• Advise clients on a broad range of contentious employment issues, including whistleblowing and discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal and higher courts.
• Develop your technical expertise through structured training, knowledge-sharing and ongoing professional development.
• Build confidence in an environment where good case management, collaboration and client care are highly valued.
• Work closely with colleagues to deliver high-quality, client-focussed service and contribute to the continued success and growth of the wider team.

You’ll join a regional team working from either our Leeds and/or Sheffield offices. We’re known for being personable, collaborative and enjoyable to work with. You’ll have the support of a close-knit team, alongside the strength and opportunity of a wider regional and national employment practice.

We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical ability with a genuine interest in Employment Tribunal litigation.

You’ll enjoy working independently, with regular supervision and support on case work and demonstrate these qualities:

• 1–5 years’ PQE.
• Experience of, and a strong interest in, contentious employment work.
• Ability to work independently, while also contributing positively to a close, collaborative team.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, busy and supportive environment.
• Well organised, with the ability to prioritise effectively and manage competing deadlines.
• Committed to excellent client care, strong case management and clear, practical technical advice.
• Experience working with volume or Legal Expenses Insurance-funded matters would be helpful, but is not essential.

If this sounds like a role you’d like to explore, we’d love to hear from you.

• 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
• Generous and flexible pension schemes.
• Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid)
• Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported.  This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over a hybrid way of working subject to role, team and client requirements.

We have been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2024!

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim. 

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

As part of the Irwin Mitchell Group’s on-boarding process all successful applicants are required to complete the group’s employment screening process. This process helps to ensure that all new employees meet our standards in relation to honesty and integrity therefore protecting the interests of the Group, colleagues, clients, partners and other stakeholders.

We carry out pre employment screening to establish your eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record and financial checks ­with our trusted 3rd parties.

The employment screening process will fully comply with Data Protection and other applicable laws.

Irwin Mitchell LLP is an equal opportunity employer.