Associate​/Senior Associate

Position: Associate / Senior Associate
About us Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups:
Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do.

Roll On Friday  recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026. With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership.

The team you will join Our Regulatory and Corporate Defence team sits within our wider Dispute Resolution Division. The team has significant experience in matters concerning Health and Safety, transport regulatory, environmental, Trading Standards, financial Crime and Private Criminal Defence. The team also has experience with Motoring offences, food law, premises licensing and coroner’s inquests . The work you will be doing Supporting and developing your own clients within general regulatory defence, health and safety, anti-bribery and financial crime.

Supporting investigations due to action brought via a variety of regulators including Competition and Markets Authority, the Serious Fraud Office, HSE and the Environment Agency Experience in inquests and public inquiries is beneficial. Ensuring client needs are met with the highest standard of professionalism and efficiency Maintaining and growing client relationships and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the firm Participating in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested. What we are looking for A minimum of 6 years PQE in a professional legal environment Contribute to thought leadership and sector-focused marketing initiatives Ability to mentor junior team members and contribute to team development Established client base or network (preferred but not essential) Experience building credibility and trust through effective relationships To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people.

As a Senior Associate, we typically expect candidates to have a minimum of 6 years PQE. Any information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits. Hybrid Working Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working.

This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week. We welcome applications from people looking for…