Employment Solicitor advising national Education and Charity clients

Background             

Established in Bath in 1785 with offices in London, Cambridge, Bath and Leeds, Stone King has expanded significantly on its thriving private and commercial practice to establish a nationwide reputation for the provision of legal advice to the education and not for profit sector. 

The firm works proactively within the education and charity sectors as well as in the commercial sector and a key area of work is employment and HR.  The firm’s Employment Team comprises of 6 lawyers and 5 HR Consultants, spread across the Bath, London, Cambridge and Leeds offices working principally across our schools, charities, and business sectors.

General

The Firm’s work, particularly in the Education and Charity field, has expanded significantly over recent years with a consequent increase in employment related work.  The Firm is in an extremely strong position to build on that growth and employment services are a key element in both achieving and servicing that growth.

Although the focus of the role is likely to be in the Education field and in particular the independent school sector, the candidate should be willing to carry out work across all of the Firm’s sectors, i.e. business, charity and social enterprise and to a lesser extent private client.

The appointee will be expected to show an ability to work on their own when required but also to learn from other team members, particularly in relation to specialized aspects of the firm’s work and client sectors.

Experience and knowledge of working within the independent school sector is desirable. An interest in the state funded sector and willingness to assist in the employment work in that sector is important.

As a member of the Team it will be important that the appointee is able to assist clients as and when they require as well as occasional travel around the UK. 

Main Purposes

To provide employment advice and assistance to the firm’s clients and prospective clients both in the independent school sector and the maintained school sector, out of the London [or Cambridge] office to include:

• reviewing and drafting Policies, Handbooks and Contracts;
• advising with regard to disciplinary and grievance issues and procedures;
• advising with regard to TUPE issues;
• preparing bespoke contracts and advising with regard to implications eg., secondment and consultancy agreements;
• advising in relation to potential discrimination issues, particularly disability, age, religious/belief and sex discrimination;
• assisting clients in negotiations with regard to termination and addressing issues eg., Settlement Agreements;
• a general understanding of potential pension implications;
• to prepare cases for Tribunal hearings, principally on behalf of Respondents including carrying out advocacy prior to final hearing;
• to provide general advice with regard to childcare issues where they impact on employment matters;
  • Advising existing clients on other employment and related issues as they arise speedily and efficiently with ‘can do’ attitude;
  • Addressing both contentious and non contentious employment issues with a particular focus on preventative practical advice;
  • Meeting clients both at their premises and at any of our offices to advise, assist and as part of an ongoing client contact initiative;
  • Actively marketing the Employment law team in conjunction with other Team members and other Teams in order to develop the firm’s client base;
  • Working with other teams in the firm as required;
  • Such other reasonable duties as requested; and
  • Attend training and to develop relevant knowledge and skills.

The post holder will also be required to provide legal support to the HR Consultants based in the London, Bath and Leeds offices in conjunction with the other Employment solicitors, including:

• reviewing e.g. draft policies etc. prepared by the HR Consultant;
• liaising with the HR Consultants to ensure that matters are being dealt with at appropriate level e.g. understanding when a matter is becoming an employment law matter and liaising with the client in that respect

The post-holder will also be responsible for helping develop the employment practice.

The post-holder will have access to secretarial support and legal support. 

The post-holder will report to the Head of Employment team.

Working hours

9.00am – 5.30pm

Salary and benefits

Competitive salary

Private Medical Insurance

Life assurance (4 x salary)

Pension scheme

Stone King Core Values

Team working

• We enjoy working together in a collegiate, collaborative and supportive environment with our colleagues and our clients
• We work effectively as a team beyond geographical or organisational boundaries to achieve excellent results.

Respect

• We have a long history of caring about our people and communities
• We are committed to acting ethically; with integrity and mutual respect.

Understanding

• Communication is open, clear, honest and respectful
• Individuals build loyal and effective relationships with colleagues and clients

Specialist

• Our experience, commitment, training and knowledge make us specialists in all we do and in the Sectors we serve
• We offer practical advice and solutions
• We focus on innovation.

Talented

• We are professionally equipped to give our clients outstanding service
• Continuous development is a focus for individuals and Teams
• We strive for excellence in everything we do, encouraging individuality and focusing on consistency and a ‘one firm’ approach through effective leadership.