Senior Associate

Our top-ranked Employment team at Byrne Wallace Shields is consistently recognised as a leader in employment law and we are seeking an experienced Senior Associate to join our strong and effective collaborative team.

Byrne Wallace Shields has longstanding deep employment law expertise and knowledge. Our team is consistently ranked Band 1 in both Chambers and Legal 500. Our team is a highly ranked practice providing comprehensive advice on contentious and non-contentious matters, HR policies, industrial relations, employment law advice and support on transactions and working with international legal colleagues and clients.

We are lead advisers on matters relating to protected disclosures and equality and have unrivalled experience advising large domestic and international clients on all aspects of employment law, across both private and public sectors. Our team is renowned for expertise, excellence in client service and has a proven track record in managing the most complex and novel employment issues and acting in major employment law litigation at all court levels.

Role overview

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in both contentious and non-contentious employment law, including a mix of advisory, litigation, and employment law transaction advice and support.

Key responsibilities

• Managing a varied employment law caseload covering both contentious and non-contentious matters.


• Representing clients before the Workplace Relations Commission, Labour Court, and the courts.


• Providing practical and commercially focused advice on a wide range of employment law issues.


• Maintaining and developing public and private sector client relationships.


• Advising on dispute resolution strategies and, where appropriate, participating in mediations and arbitrations.


• Training clients across areas of employment law. 

 Candidate profile

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong background in employment and equality law, with extensive knowledge and experience advising on complex and technical matters.


• Proven employment law and related litigation experience, including representation before employment and industrial relations fora and courts.


• Commercial awareness and a commitment to understanding clients’ organisations and building strong relationships.


• Business development capability.


• Ability to interpret legislation and provide practical advice.


• Excellent drafting skills.


• Strong fees and cost management proficiency.


• Effective communication skills at all levels.


• High motivation, initiative, and the ability to work independently.


• Strong organisational and time management skills.


• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Byrne Wallace Shields offers an exceptional environment for ambitious employment lawyers seeking to advance their careers within Ireland’s leading employment team.