Job Description
Opportunity: Employment Lawyer / Solicitor
Fast-Track to Partnership Shape & Lead the Team
Dorchester or Poole (Hybrid Working)
Salary: Up to 80,000 + Bonus
The Opportunity:
This is a rare and genuinely exciting opportunity for an ambitious Employment Lawyer to step into a senior, influential role within one of the South West's most respected and well-established law firms.
You won't be joining to "slot in". Instead, this role offers the chance to mould the position around your strengths, lead and grow the Employment offering, and fast-track your progression to Partnership.
The Employment team already has strong foundations, including:
- A highly experienced Associate with 15+ years' experience
- A 3-year PQE Solicitor
- Dedicated administrative support
We're looking for someone who's ready to step up, set direction and take ownership of the department's future.
The Role:
This is a broad, high-quality Employment Law role with a strong mix of advisory, contentious and strategic work, including:
- Managing a varied caseload of Employment Law matters
- Drafting employment contracts, policies and staff handbooks
- Advising on disputes including unfair dismissal and discrimination
- Supporting employers with HR matters such as disciplinaries, grievances and redundancies
- Advising on the Employment Law aspects of corporate transactions, including TUPE and employee due diligence
- Delivering Employment Law training to clients
- Leading, mentoring and developing junior lawyers and support staff
- Playing a key role in growing and shaping the Employment department
- You'll work closely with the Corporate & Commercial team and have real visibility across the wider firm.
What We Are Looking For:
- A qualified solicitor with 5+ years' PQE in Employment Law
- A strong technical background and genuine passion for Employment Law
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior team members (or a desire to do so)
- Someone commercially minded, confident with clients and keen to develop relationships
- A driven, proactive individual who wants to progress, lead and make a role their own
- Ambition - whether that's building a team, shaping strategy or moving into Partnership
- If you've ever felt like you've outgrown your current role or hit a ceiling, this is the kind of opportunity people wait years for.
What Is in It for You?
- Clear and transparent pathway to Partnership
- A clear, realistic and supported route to Partnership
- The chance to lead and influence rather than follow
- A collaborative, values-led firm with deep roots across Dorset & Somerset
- Hybrid working and a healthy approach to flexibility
- A genuinely supportive culture that encourages long-term careers
Benefits include:
- 25 days' annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave
- Buy & sell holiday scheme
- Pension & life assurance
- Health Cash Plan, Employee Assistance Programme & Life Assurance (4x salary)
- Sabbatical scheme
- Client referral scheme
- Discounted legal fees
Why This Firm?
The firm is known for combining high-quality legal work with a human, supportive culture. The firm is deeply embedded in the local business community and prides itself on long-term client relationships, collaboration and professional integrity.
This is a firm where senior voices are heard, ambition is supported and progression is real - not just promised.
If you're an Employment Lawyer who wants more influence, more progression and the freedom to shape something meaningful, this could be the move that changes everything.
Apply directly now or reach out for a confidential conversation - even if you're just curious.
Yolk Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer and embraces diversity in our workforce. We employ the best people for the job at hand and actively encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, educational background, parental status, gender identity or any other protected characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity at Yolk allowing our team to bring their whole selves to work.
Please note, whilst we do our best to contact all candidates, due to the high number of applications we receive we cannot guarantee this for every role. If you have not heard anything from us within 7 days of applying - then unfortunately you have been unsuccessful. Please keep an eye on our website for more opportunities.
