HR Business Partner, Disputes

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Key Responsibilities

The primary focus of this role is to act as the key contact for the London Disputes practice and pro-actively deliver HR support and services to the group.

Business partnering and day to day operations

• Work closely with Disputes groups to understand how HR can support their people and operational priorities;

• Act as a trusted adviser and sounding board for Disputes Group Heads and People Partners;

• Where relevant attend management meetings for the Disputes group;

• Coordination of Disputes Associate Discussion Group meetings;

• Coordination of the Disputes Mental Health Champions meetings;

• Work closely with the Disputes Resourcing team to ensure any capacity concerns are raised appropriately and any health and wellbeing matters are considered in allocation decisions.

• Circulate monthly people updates to each Group Head and People Partner.

• Responsibility of overseeing monthly payroll for the practice.

Employee Relations

• First point of contact for Disputes associates in relation to HR issues, provide guidance and support to ensure that all employee issues are resolved, with the emphasis on building excellent relationships and instilling trust;

• Management of flexible working requests and actively support partners through the process;

• Co-ordinate and proactively support the delivery of performance management

• Within the Disputes groups, assist with the successful implementation of new employment policies and practices;

• Support the Ask HR Team with managing the maternity leave process for associates;

• Discuss and support implementing any adjustments with new joiners (if needed);

• Conduct exit interviews and communicate feedback to the appropriate people as necessary;

• Oversee the probation review process;

• Assist with inbound and outbound international secondments. Working with International Mobility and international HR teams to support secondees in and out of the group;

• Support the client secondment process.

Reward and performance

• Co-ordinate the delivery, and drive all aspects of moderation, performance review, salary review and bonus processes in conjunction with the Reward team, alongside the Senior HR Business Partner and HR Manager;

• Support the Group Heads with recruitment and work with the Recruitment team to provide cost efficient and effective recruitment solutions which are in line with the needs of the business;

• Support Partners with drafting business cases for any recruitment, and test commercial needs where required

Development

• Support the Learning & Development team with promoting associate development programmes and coordinating programme invitations. Attend meetings with Learning and Development managers for Disputes when required;

• Maintaining materials used for new joiners into the division;

• Arrange internal (and where required) external coaching for senior associates and partners;

Project Work/ ad hoc responsibilities

• Assist and lead (where applicable) small-scale people projects for the Disputes practice groups;

• Support the Practice Director and other business services teams such as Business Finance with ad hoc requests and projects, such as projected headcount for the financial year.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• A minimum of 2 years HR generalist and business partnering experience at adviser level, preferably with some professional services experience although those with less or more experience will be considered provided they can demonstrate the core skills and experience required for the role;

• Sound understanding of current employment legislation;

• Strong influencing and negotiating skills;

• Good knowledge of employee relations process particularly in respect to performance management;

• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

• PC literate (Microsoft Office suite).

Team

Location

Contract type

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.