Senior Associate - Employment
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Work mode
- Hybrid
- Seniority
- Senior
- Salary
- Not stated
- Department
- Employment
- Posted
- 28 Oct 2026
Verified open 28 Oct 2026 · Source: Company careers page
About the role
Current Vacancies
Current Vacancies
Senior Associate - Employment
+Executive summary
Our highly regarded Employment team is looking for a 4-6 PQE lawyer to join the team. The role is based in London, with hybrid working arrangements.
You will be an experienced Employment Lawyer with strong expertise in corporate employment matters, while being confident in advising across all areas of employment law. The role involves supporting employer clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters, as well as providing transactional and TUPE-related advice.
The successful candidate will have excellent academics or equivalent skills and will have gained experience from a top-quality commercial practice or equivalent. You will be a self-starter and able to lead matters and be willing to be involved in business development activities to benefit the team and wider firm, and to raise your own profile.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to be a part of the sustained development and fast growth of the team.
Knowledge, skills and experience:
- England and Wales qualified.
- 4-6 years’ PQE with strong experience in corporate employment law and advising employers across the full spectrum of employment matters.
- Experience advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, including Employment Tribunal claims, disciplinaries, grievances, redundancies and restrictive covenants.
- Strong transactional experience, including TUPE, employee due diligence, SPAs, APAs, shareholder agreements, service agreements and settlement agreements.
- Experience managing Employment Tribunal from inception through to resolution. Experience in County and High Court litigation is desirable, but not a requirement.
- Commercially minded with strong drafting, client management and business development skills.
- Previous experience with City, corporate or boutique employment firms working on respondent and senior executive work.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Commercial and client-focused approach.
Personal attributes:
- Strong attention to detail and technical ability.
- Able to work to tight and demanding deadlines, managing and prioritising as appropriate, with strong organisational skills.
- Able to work within a busy team.
- Energetic, proactive and collaborative.
- Calm and efficient under pressure.
- Flexibility towards new technologies.
- Ability to interact with people at all levels, both internally and externally.
Job title
Senior Associate
Recruiting Manager
Head of Employment
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Employment
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Senior Associate - New Build (Residential Real Estate)
+Executive summary
Our highly regarded New Build team, part of our wider Residential Real Estate team led by partner Goli-Michelle Banan, is seeking a lawyer with 4–6 years’ PQE.
The successful candidate will have experience in the new build sector, with expertise in residential property sales and purchases across a range of property types, including shared ownership, and in acting for HNW and UHNW clients and developers.
A self-starter, you will be able to lead matters and willing to contribute to business development activities that benefit the team and wider firm while raising your own profile.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the team’s continued development and rapid growth.
Knowledge, skills and experience:
- England and Wales qualified.
- 4-6 PQE with expertise in acting for property sales and purchases of new build property.
- Strong transactional experience reviewing and advising on planning documentation, building regulations, warranties, estate management arrangements, service charges, rights and reservations, adoption arrangements and infrastructure agreements relevant to new-build developments.
- Ability to identify and advise clients on title, construction, planning and development risks specific to new-build properties.
- Experience managing transactions from instruction through exchange, completion and post-completion, including Land Registry and SDLT requirements.
- Commercially minded with strong drafting, client management and business development skills.
Personal attributes:
- Strong attention to detail and technical ability.
- Able to work to tight and demanding deadlines, managing and prioritising as appropriate, with strong organisational skills.
- Able to work within a busy team.
- Energetic, proactive and collaborative.
- Calm and efficient under pressure.
- Flexibility towards new technologies.
- Ability to interact with people at all levels, both internally and externally.
- Able to supervise and assist with more junior members of the team.
Job title
Senior Associate – New Build (Residential Real Estate)
Recruiting Manager
Head of New Build
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
New Build (Residential Real Estate)
Working hours
Monday to Friday (9.00 to 17.30)
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Competitive
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Solicitor - Construction
+Executive summary
Lawrence Stephens is seeking a 2-4 PQE Solicitor to join our growing Construction team. Based in our Farringdon office, with hybrid working available, this is an excellent opportunity to develop a broad construction practice with exposure to both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Working closely with Partners and experienced fee earners, you will support and advise a diverse client base across construction, real estate, development and related commercial projects. The role offers high levels of responsibility, direct client contact and the opportunity to play an active role in the continued growth of the practice.
We are looking for a commercially minded and organised solicitor with strong technical skills and a proactive approach to client service. Ideally, you will have gained experience in construction law and be confident advising on a range of contentious and/or non-contentious construction matters.
Key responsibilities
- Assist with drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction contracts, including standard form and bespoke documents.
- Support construction due diligence exercises in connection with real estate, development and finance transactions.
- Draft and review collateral warranties, professional appointments, consultant appointments, sub-contracts and other ancillary project documentation.
- Advise clients on live construction projects, including contractual interpretation, risk management, project delivery issues and dispute avoidance strategies.
- Assist with contentious construction matters, including adjudication, arbitration, litigation and Technology and Construction Court proceedings, as required.
- Undertake legal research and prepare clear, commercially focused advice and briefing notes for clients and colleagues.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, lenders, agents, solicitors and other project stakeholders.
- Work closely with colleagues across the Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Dispute Resolution, Corporate and Commercial, and other specialist teams to deliver integrated legal advice.
- Assist with business development and networking activities.
- Take an active role in your ongoing professional development, technical learning and achievement of billing and performance objectives.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- A solicitor with 2-4 years’ post-qualification experience in construction law would be ideal. However, candidates with previous construction experience gained through a training seat or other relevant role will also be considered, provided they can demonstrate a genuine interest in the sector and a strong aptitude for the work.
- Exposure to, or a keen interest in developing expertise across both contentious and non-contentious construction matters;
- An understanding of standard form construction contracts, including JCT and NEC. Familiarity with FIDIC contracts would be advantageous;
- Strong academic background and sound technical legal knowledge;
- Excellent drafting, analytical and legal research skills, with the ability to produce clear and commercially focused advice.;
- High levels of accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines;
- Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel; and
- Ability to communicate complex legal issues in a clear, practical and client-focused manner.
Personal attributes
- Commercially aware, pragmatic and solutions-focused in approach;
- Personable, confident and able to build effective relationships with clients, colleagues and other professional contacts;
- A collaborative team player who is equally comfortable taking ownership of matters and working independently when required;
- Well organised, resilient and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment;
- Proactive, enthusiastic and committed to developing a successful career in construction law; and
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, combined with sound judgement and professionalism.
Job title
Solicitor
Recruiting Manager
Head of Construction
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Construction
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Solicitor - Commercial Real Estate
+Executive summary
Lawrence Stephens is seeking a 2-4 PQE Solicitor to join our strongly established Real Estate team with a focus on commercial property.
Based in our Farringdon office, with hybrid working available, you will have the opportunity to work the full range of commercial real estate disciplines from property investment, acquisitions and disposals, development, landlord and tenant work and property management.
Working closely with Partners and experienced fee earners, you will support on a broad range of domestic and international clients including institutional and private investors, funds and developers, institutional lenders, and private banks.
The successful candidate will be comfortable dealing with all disciplines of commercial property law. You will be a self-starter with the ability to understand clients’ objectives and deliver solutions-focused advice. You will be willing to be involved in business development activities to benefit the team and wider firm, and to raise your own profile.
Key responsibilities
- Work across a varied caseload of commercial real estate transactions.
- Manage smaller matters with minimal supervision, knowing when to seek support from senior team members.
- Ensure proactive and efficient case management from start to finish, following the firm’s processes with a good awareness of compliance.
- Demonstrate excellent commercial knowledge, proactivity, and collaboration.
- Have an ability to work to tight and demanding deadlines with a calm and efficient manner.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- England and Wales qualified.
- 2-4 PQE solicitor with recent experience gained in Commercial Real Estate transactions.
- Experience with City, corporate or boutique employment working with a broad range of clients including but not limited to SMEs, private investors funds and developers both domestically and internationally.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Commercial and client-focused approach.
Personal attributes
- Strong attention to detail and technical ability.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Able to work to tight and demanding deadlines, managing and prioritising as appropriate.
- Confident managing own matters with minimal supervision.
- Energetic, proactive and collaborative.
- Calm and efficient under pressure.
- Flexibility towards new technologies.
- Ability to interact with people at all levels, both internally and externally.
Job title
Solicitor
Recruiting Manager
Head of Commercial Real Estate
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Commercial Real Estate
Working hours
Monday to Friday (9.00 to 17.30)
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Associate - Corporate and Commercial
+Executive summary
We are looking for a 3 – 5 years PQE Associate with expertise in Corporate M&A to join our fast-paced and highly regarded Corporate and Commercial team. This role offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of complex and varied corporate transaction acting for buyers and sellers.
The successful candidate will have experience supporting corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations and investment rounds, and will be confident drafting and negotiating a wide range of corporate and commercial documentation for private companies. They will demonstrate strong commercial awareness, work collaboratively with colleagues across the firm, and contribute positive to a growing, relationship-driven practice.
The role is based in our London office located in Farringdon.
Key responsibilities
- Advise clients across the full corporate lifecycle, including business set‑up, growth, investment, restructuring, and exit transactions, working with owner‑managed businesses, SMEs and private equity‑backed clients.
- Support and manage transactional matters, including share and business/asset sales and purchases, M&A transactions and reorganisations, with responsibility for coordinating workstreams through to completion.
- Draft, review and negotiate a range of corporate and commercial documentation, including share sale and purchase agreements, business & asset sale and purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, articles of association, commercial contracts, and terms and conditions of business.
- Assist with due diligence exercises, maintaining transaction checklists, and ensuring key issues are identified to the client, pragmatic solutions are recommended and progressed efficiently through to completion.
- Demonstrate strong commercial awareness by understanding clients’ business objectives and advising pragmatically on legal and commercial risk at each stage of the business lifecycle.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across different practice areas, including Tax, Employment, Intellectual Property, Real Estate and other specialist teams, to ensure joined‑up advice on transactions with cross‑disciplinary elements.
- Build and maintain effective client relationships, communicating clearly and confidently with clients, and contributing to a high standard of client service.
- Contribute to business development and networking activity, supporting the growth of client relationships and the firm’s corporate and commercial practice.
- Coach, support and delegate work to trainees and paralegals as appropriate, contributing to their development through ongoing guidance and feedback.
- Uphold a collaborative team culture, working positively with colleagues and contributing to the overall success and smooth running of the corporate and commercial team.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Experience advising on corporate and commercial matters across the full business lifecycle.
- Practical experience supporting corporate transactions, including M&A, from instruction through to completion.
- Strong drafting and negotiation skills across core corporate and commercial documents.
- Sound knowledge of corporate governance, shareholder matters and general company law, delivering clear and pragmatic advice.
- Demonstrated commercial awareness, with the ability to advise proportionately on legal and commercial risk in line with clients’ business objectives.
- Experience working collaboratively on cross‑disciplinary transactions, liaising effectively with Tax, Employment, Intellectual Property, Real Estate and other specialist teams.
- Experience using document management systems, databases, virtual data rooms and other transaction tools in a fast-paced legal environment.
- Ability to take ownership of workload, exercising sound judgement on prioritisation and escalation.
Personal attributes
- Commercially minded, with a practical and solutions-focused approach to legal advice.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with clients and colleagues at all levels.
- Well organised and detail-orientated, with the ability to manage competing priorities and transaction timetables effectively.
- A collaborative team player who contributes positively to a supportive, high-performing team culture.
- Confident working as part of a wider transaction team, while also able to take responsibility for allocated matters and workstreams.
- Proactive and engaged, with an interest in business development, networking and contributing to the growth of the firm and the corporate and commercial practice.
Job title
Associate
Recruiting Manager
Head of Corporate and Commercial
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Corporate and Commercial
Working hours
Monday to Friday (9.00 to 17.30)
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Paralegal - Corporate and Commercial
+Executive summary
We are currently looking for a detail-oriented Paralegal to assist our growing and fast paced Corporate department. This role offers the opportunity to support fee earners to ensure the smooth delivery of client work on a diverse range of complex corporate transactions.
The successful candidate should demonstrate solid knowledge of corporate transactions and have experience working within a similar role. An outstanding corporate paralegal will be someone whose expertise contributes to the timely finalisation of transactions. This role will be based at our Farringdon office.
Key responsibilities
- Assisting with general matter support and Practice Evolve (our Practice Management System) filing to support the team with administrative tasks.
- Working with and assisting a range of fee earners including Partners to provide all legal support where necessary.
- Assisting with drafting and reviewing legal documents related to but not limited to due diligence exercises and maintaining transaction checklists.
- Managing and organising client files, ensuring that all documentation is up-to-date and accurately filed.
- Have the motivation to juggle multiple assignments in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Assisting the team with general ad hoc support where necessary such as diary management and calls between the team and clients.
- Providing extra support with minutes during internal and external meetings.
- Ensuring the upkeep of client and firm spreadsheets in a proactive and timely manner.
- Analysing and reporting on financial information contained within spreadsheets for clients and stakeholders.
- Producing complex documentation with a high level of accuracy under limited supervision.
- Willingness to take on client-facing tasks, liaising directly with clients including answering legal queries in a detailed and thorough manner.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- A minimum of 12 months experience as a corporate paralegal
- Extensive knowledge of corporate documents, contracts, lifecycle and transactions
- Organisational, time management and multitasking skills
- Excellent collaboration and communication abilities
- Keen attention to detail
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Personal attributes
- Consistency
- Ability to stay calm under pressure
- Sensitivity and discretion handling employee and business data and information
- Strong organisational skills
- The ability to manage and prioritise multiple tasks running in parallel with tight deadlines
- Ability to interact with people at all levels.
Job title
Paralegal
Recruiting Manager
Head of Corporate and Commercial
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Corporate and Commercial
Working hours
Monday to Friday (9.00 to 17.30)
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Client Accounts Assistant
+Executive summary
The Client Accounts Assistant plays a key role in supporting the firm’s Legal Cashiering and Finance function by assisting with the day-to-day administration of client and office account transactions. The role is responsible for processing receipts and payments, maintaining accurate client accounting records, supporting bank reconciliations, and helping to ensure compliance with the SRA Accounts Rules and the firm’s financial procedures.
This position offers an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a career in legal finance. The successful candidate will gain practical experience in legal cashiering, client money management, regulatory compliance and law firm accounting processes, while working within a supportive and professional environment with opportunities for training and development.
Key responsibilities
Client Account Processing
- Assist with the preparation and processing of client account payments, ensuring appropriate authority and supporting documentation is obtained.
- Process client and office account transfers in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules and the firm’s internal procedures.
- Prepare electronic payments (BACS, Faster Payments and CHAPS) for review and authorisation by approved signatories.
- Maintain accurate records of all transactions and ensure supporting documentation is filed and retained appropriately.
- Assist with the investigation and resolution of payment queries raised by fee earners, clients and external parties.
Client Money and Banking
- Record and allocate client receipts accurately to the relevant client matters.
- Process banking transactions, including client and office account receipts, transfers and withdrawals.
- Monitor unidentified receipts and assist with ensuring funds are allocated promptly and accurately.
- Support the return of residual client balances in accordance with the firm’s procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Liaise with fee earners regarding client account transactions and funding requirements.
Bank Reconciliations
- Assist with daily reconciliations of client and office bank accounts, ensuring compliance with SRA Accounts Rules.
- Investigate and resolve reconciling items, including unpresented payments, unidentified receipts and posting discrepancies.
- Ensure all reconciliation differences are escalated and resolved promptly.
- Maintain accurate cashbooks and banking records.
Compliance and Regulatory Support
- Assist in ensuring all client account transactions comply with the SRA Accounts Rules and internal financial controls.
- Support the completion of client account checks and reviews to ensure client money is handled appropriately.
- Maintain accurate audit trails and supporting documentation for all transactions.
- Assist with requests from auditors, accountants and compliance teams by providing information and supporting documentation.
Month-End Support
- Assist with month-end client and office account reconciliations.
- Support the Legal Cashiers and Finance Team in investigating outstanding balances and unreconciled items.
- Prepare reports and schedules as required to support month-end and year-end processes.
- Maintain accurate records and assist with data validation and housekeeping activities.
Data Entry and Record Keeping
- Accurately post client and office account transactions to the practice management system.
- Update and maintain client account records, ensuring information is complete and accurate.
- Assist with the cleansing and maintenance of financial data where required.
- Ensure all records are maintained in accordance with firm policies and regulatory requirements.
Administrative Support
- Maintain organised electronic and physical filing systems for finance and client account documentation.
- Respond to routine queries from fee earners and support staff regarding client account transactions.
- Assist with the preparation of reports, schedules and documentation for audits and compliance reviews.
- Provide administrative support to the Legal Cashiers and wider Finance Team as required.
General
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Legal Cashier Manager, Finance Manager or Head of Finance.
- Work collaboratively with fee earners and support staff to ensure an efficient and compliant client accounting function.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- GCSEs including English and Maths (Grade C/4 or above) / A-level or equivalent is desirable
- An interest in finance, legal cashiering or accounting, with a willingness to learn and develop within a legal finance environment.
- Basic understanding of accounting principles and financial controls is desirable
- Awareness of the importance of accuracy, compliance and confidentiality when handling financial information.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook, with strong data-entry accuracy
- Familiarity with accounting or practice management systems is desirable, and comfortable learning new software
- Strong numeracy skills and ability to work confidently with financial data
- Ability to navigate multiple systems, maintain accurate records and follow established procedures
- Knowledge of legal cashiering principles or the SRA Accounts Rules would be advantageous, but not essential.
Personal attributes
- Detail‑focused and accurate, with strong numeracy and confidence working with figures
- Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines
- Reliable, professional and consistent in delivering high‑quality work
- Proactive and self‑motivated, taking initiative and working independently when needed
- Supportive team player who contributes positively to the wider team
- Adaptable and able to manage changing priorities while remaining calm during busy periods
- Discreet and trustworthy, handling confidential information appropriately
- Eager to learn and develop, maintaining a positive and enthusiastic approach.
Job title
Client Accounts Assistant
Recruiting Manager
Finance Manager
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Accounts
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Billing Assistant - 6m FTC
+Executive summary
Lawrence Stephens is seeking a Billing Assistant on an initial six-month fixed term contract.
The Billing Assistant plays a key role in supporting the firm’s financial operations by ensuring the accurate and timely preparation of client invoices. Working closely with fee earners and the wider finance team, the role is responsible for draft billing, processing time entries, managing disbursements, and maintaining high-quality billing records within the practice management system.
The Billing Assistant will support the efficient operation of the full billing cycle from time recording to final invoice production. The role offers an excellent introduction to legal billing practices and opportunities to develop further technical and sector-specific knowledge within a supportive environment.
Key responsibilities
Billing preparation and processing
- Prepare draft bills for fee earner review in line with client agreements and billing guidelines.
- Produce clear and accurate billing narratives.
- Check draft bills for accuracy, completeness and compliance with client requirements.
- Process amendments and corrections to draft bills as instructed by fee earners.
- Finalise bills following fee earner approval and issue them to clients.
- Action client-to-office transfers immediately once bills are issued.
- Ensure bills are raised in line with the firm’s billing timetable and deadlines.
- Process credit notes and adjustments as required.
Disbursement management
- Record, verify and process disbursements with correct VAT treatment.
- Include relevant disbursements on bills and resolve queries with fee earners.
- Maintain organised records of disbursement documentation.
Client-specific billing requirements
- Prepare bills in required formats, including e-billing and client templates.
- Submit invoices through client billing portals and ensure compliance with panel requirements.
- Apply client-specific billing arrangements such as fixed fees, caps or discounts.
Billing administration and record keeping
- Maintain accurate billing records, schedules and trackers within the practice management system.
- File invoices and supporting documentation to ensure clear audit trails.
- Produce billing reports for fee earners and management as needed.
Client and fee earner support
- Respond to billing queries and provide guidance on billing processes.
- Liaise professionally with clients and internal stakeholders on billing matters.
- Escalate complex issues where appropriate.
System maintenance and data quality
- Maintain accurate client and matter data in the system.
- Run data checks, support system updates and test new billing functionality.
Month-end and reporting support
- Support month-end billing runs and revenue reporting.
- Assist with billing statistics, performance data and ad-hoc analysis.
- Help coordinate billing schedules to meet deadlines.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Previous billing or accounts experience, ideally within a professional services or legal environment is desirable.
- Educated to GCSE level (English and Maths) as a minimum; A-Level or relevant billing/accounts qualifications are desirable.
- Understanding of time recording, billing principles, WIP, hourly rates, fixed fees and alternative fee arrangements.
- Basic awareness of VAT in the context of legal services.
- Experience with practice management systems and confidence navigating multiple databases.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook; strong data entry accuracy.
- Ability to produce standard system reports and maintain accurate records.
- Familiarity with e-billing systems and client portals is desirable.
Personal attributes
- Excellent communication skills with a clear, professional manner.
- Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach across all levels.
- High attention to detail, strong numeracy and commitment to accuracy.
- Organised, efficient and able to prioritise multiple matters and meet tight deadlines.
- Proactive, self-motivated and confident using initiative.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure and resilient during busy billing periods.
- Discreet, professional and able to handle sensitive information appropriately.
- Adaptable and eager to learn, with a positive and solutions-focused mindset.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and promotes the firm’s values and reputation.
- Maintains confidentiality and follows processes consistently.
Job title
Billing Assistant
Recruiting Manager
Revenue Controller
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Finance
Working hours
Monday to Friday (9.00 to 17.30)
Perm/FTC
6 month FTC
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
Senior Legal Cashier
+Executive summary
The Senior Legal Cashier is responsible for overseeing the firm’s client and office accounting activities, ensuring transactions are processed accurately, efficiently and in accordance with the SRA Accounts Rules and internal financial controls. The role combines hands-on responsibility for complex legal cashiering transactions, reconciliations and payment processing with supervision of the legal cashiering team. Working closely with the Finance Manager, fee earners and wider Finance team, the Senior Legal Cashier will maintain accurate accounting records, support audit and regulatory requirements, resolve complex client-account queries and contribute to the continuous improvement of legal-accounting systems and processes.
Key responsibilities
Team Leadership and Supervision
- Lead and support the legal cashiering team, overseeing day‑to‑day operations, workload allocation, and performance standards
- Provide training, coaching, mentoring, and regular feedback through team meetings and one‑to‑one reviews
- Manage absences, ensure adequate cover, and support recruitment and induction of new team members
- Identify training needs, coordinate professional development, and set clear expectations and performance objectives
Strategic Accounts Management and Oversight
- Oversee all client and office bank accounts, ensuring full regulatory compliance and robust internal controls
- Review and approve complex transactions, inter‑account transfers, BACS runs, and high‑value payments
- Manage banking relationships, liaising with bank representatives and providing strategic input on account structures and treasury management
- Monitor cash flow and liquidity across all firm accounts and oversee the firm’s approach to client‑money handling and safeguarding
Compliance, Risk Management and Regulatory Liaison
- Ensure full compliance with SRA Accounts Rules, maintain expert regulatory knowledge, and act as primary SRA liaison
- Identify, assess, and mitigate client‑money risks, maintaining robust legal‑accounting policies and procedures
- Lead compliance reviews and internal audits, resolving breaches and implementing regulatory changes
- Report compliance issues to senior management and oversee adherence to Money Laundering Regulations
- Manage external‑auditor relationships and coordinate regulatory inspections
Technical Accounting and Complex Matter Handling
- Manage complex client‑account transactions, including completion statements, multi‑party matters, legacy files, aged balances, and residual‑balance distributions
- Resolve complex accounting issues, advising fee earners and supporting partnership changes or business restructuring
- Review and approve month‑end and year‑end procedures, overseeing client‑account certificates and accountants’ reports
Reconciliations and Financial Control
- Review and approve all bank and three‑way reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely resolution of significant differences
- Maintain oversight of suspense accounts, unallocated items, key control accounts, and the integrity of the nominal ledger
- Review month‑end journals and adjustments, ensuring prompt identification and correction of errors
- Prepare and review management reports on client‑account positions
Systems Management and Process Improvement
- Oversee the legal cashiering function within the practice‑management system, ensuring strong controls, audit trails, data security, and appropriate access rights
- Lead system upgrades, implementations, and accounts‑related improvements in collaboration with IT and system providers
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and embed best practice in legal‑accounting operations
- Identify and deliver process improvements and efficiency gains across all cashiering activities
Stakeholder Management and Advisory
- Advise partners, senior fee earners, and the Finance Manager on client‑account, financial, and compliance matters
- Build strong cross‑practice relationships and coordinate with billing and credit‑control teams
- Present accounts performance, compliance issues, and key risks to management
- Liaise with external auditors and represent the firm in regulatory discussions
Audit and Reporting
- Coordinate annual external audits, preparing all required documentation and maintaining comprehensive records for regulatory inspection
- Produce accountants’ reports, management information, KPI reporting, and ad‑hoc analysis for senior management
- Report on compliance status, risks, and issues, supporting due‑diligence exercises for acquisitions or regulatory reviews
Knowledge, skills and experience
Qualifications
- AAT Level 3 or Level 4 (or equivalent professional accounting qualification) – highly desirable
- ILFM qualification or working towards – highly desirable
- Educated to A‑Level standard or equivalent
- Evidence of ongoing CPD in legal accounting
Technical Knowledge
- Extensive Legal Cashier experience (5+ years in a solicitors’ practice)
- Expert knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules and compliant legal‑accounts management
- Strong understanding of Money Laundering Regulations and their impact on client accounts
- Advanced double‑entry bookkeeping and accounting‑principles knowledge
- Experience handling complex transactions (completions, multi‑party, stakeholder matters)
- Understanding of VAT in a legal‑services context
- Knowledge of banking regulations, payment systems, and treasury management
- Experience coordinating external audits and regulatory inspections
- Familiarity with risk management in legal‑accounts environments
IT Skills
- Expert proficiency in legal practice‑management systems (e.g., Practice Evolve, Elite 3E, Aderant, Solicitors Online)
- Advanced Excel skills (complex formulas, pivot tables, macros, data analysis)
- Strong capability with Word, Outlook, and wider MS Office
- Experience with online banking platforms, BACS systems, and payment processing
- Ability to design, extract, and analyse complex financial reports
- Strong technical aptitude for learning and implementing new systems
- Understanding of system controls, security, and audit‑trail requirements
Personal attributes
- Interpersonal skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Leadership capability
- Compliance-minded
- Analytical and investigative
- Authoritative
- Strategic thinker
- Proactive
- Resilient
- Adaptable
- Quality-focused
- Professional
Job title
Senior Legal Cashier
Recruiting Manager
Finance Manager
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Accounts
Working hours
Monday to Friday (9.00 to 17.30)
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Salary
Market rate
Working Pattern
Hybrid
HR Advisor
+Executive summary
Lawrence Stephens is a fast-growing law firm and the HR function is focused on maintaining a strong service for our employees and fostering a supportive and thriving workplace and culture.
We have a growing team providing proactive, personal advice to people and management, while driving positive change and building new processes at the same time.
This role reports to the HR Manager and provides practical support across the employee lifecycle, HR systems, people data and employee relations. The successful candidate will manage routine processes independently, while working closely with the HR Manager on more sensitive or complex matters.
Key responsibilities
- Act as a first point of contact for routine employee and manager queries, providing guidance on HR policies and processes including sickness absence, family leave, probation, career development, onboarding, leavers and recruitment. Escalate sensitive or complex employee relations matters to the HR Manager.
- Coordinate probation reviews, including sending reminders, supporting managers with the process, preparing standard letters and maintaining accurate records. Flag any performance or conduct concerns to the HR Manager promptly.
- Support HR projects and process improvements, contributing practical ideas and helping to implement agreed changes.
- Maintain HR intranet content and support employees and managers to use HR self-service systems, including resolving routine access or data queries and escalating technical issues where needed.
- Coordinate onboarding and leaver processes, ensuring documentation, systems and employee records are accurate and complete, and deliver the HR induction for new starters.
- Support the monthly payroll process by gathering and checking employee changes, reviewing information against contracts and HR records, updating the firm’s payroll system where appropriate and escalating any discrepancies.
- Support on all aspects of absence management including being a super user of the absence management system, Moorepay, and monitoring sickness absences.
- Review letters drafted by the HR Assistant and produce employee letters where appropriate.
- Coordinate performance development and improvement processes, including arranging meetings, preparing documentation, maintaining clear records and following up agreed actions.
- Support with benefit processing for business partner groups e.g. health cover for joiners and leavers.
- Maintain accurate employee data across HR systems and master spreadsheets, recording joiners, leavers and contractual changes promptly and supporting regular people reporting and recruitment tracking.
- Act as a role model within the firm and as an ambassador for its culture and entrepreneurial focus, proactively developing effective working relationships across the firm.
- Support HR projects, new initiatives and process improvements, contributing practical ideas and helping to implement agreed changes.
- Occasional delegation to the HR Assistant and offer guidance and supervision where appropriate.
- Any other duties reasonably requested by the HR Manager or Chief Operating Officer.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- Educated to degree level or equivalent.
- At least 4 years previous experience in a generalist HR Advisor role required.
- A good understanding of core HR processes and UK employment practices, with an interest in continuing to develop HR knowledge.
- Experience of maintaining HR systems and employee records with the confidence to learn new systems and identify data discrepancies.
- Previous experience working in a law firm or professional service firm.
- Enthusiasm and demonstration of expertise in HR knowledge.
- Previous experience of HR systems is beneficial.
- Proficient in use of MS Office (specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
- Good understanding of AI in HR and experience acting responsibly when using AI.
- Ability to work within a small and busy team.
- A team player who is confident sharing information across a broader team.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Organised manner with ability to prioritise workload.
Personal attributes
- Problem solver able to stay calm and efficient under pressure.
- Excellent administration, organisational and prioritisation skills with ability to manage time efficiently.
- Good attention to detail. Accurate and thorough.
- Self-motivated individual with a proactive approach.
- Consistently deliver high-quality service to stakeholders and employees.
- Sensitivity and discretion handling employee and business data and information.
- Occasional flexibility as regards to time and duties.
- Comfortable asking questions with an ability to interact with people at all levels.
Job title
HR Advisor
Recruiting Manager
HR Manager
Location
Farringdon, London
Department
Human Resources
Perm/FTC
Permanent
Working Pattern
Hybrid. 09.00am – 17.30pm with some flexibility required.
