Associate - Commercial Dispute Resolution

TLT LLP; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday (30 with service)

Private medical insurance

Hybrid working

Flexible working

Diversity and inclusion focus

Job summary

TLT LLP in Manchester is seeking an Associate to join its market-leading Commercial Dispute Resolution team on a permanent, full-time basis with hybrid working. The role offers exposure to a high-profile client base and clear progression prospects.

You will manage a varied caseload across litigation, arbitration and mediation, with a focus on IT disputes, procurement disputes and restrictive covenants, while supporting junior team members and business development initiatives.

Qualifications

• Solicitor with 2+ years PQE in commercial dispute resolution.
• Good knowledge of litigation principles and practice.
• Strong analytical, communication and organisational skills.
• Commercially aware with enthusiasm for business development.
• Able to manage workloads and deadlines and support junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Manage your own varied caseload across litigation, arbitration and mediation.
• Handle disputes focusing on IT, procurement and restrictive covenants.
• Contribute to growth and reputation of the practice.
• Support networking and business development initiatives.
• Develop best practice and precedent within the team.
• Support the development of more junior team members.

Skills

PQE 2+ years

Commercial dispute resolution

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organisation skills

Self-motivation

Client-focused

Job description

We are recruiting for an Associate to join our market‑leading Commercial Dispute Resolution team in Manchester. This is a permanent, full‑time role, offered on a hybrid working basis.If you are looking for a role offering professional growth, exposure to an excellent client base, and strong progression prospects, this is the role for you.

In 2025, our Commercial Dispute Resolution team won Litigation Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards, recognising the team’s high‑profile work, significant regional growth, and expertise in handling complex commercial disputes for major clients. The team is also highly ranked in the Legal Directories, and this opportunity would see you working closely with 3 Partners ranked as “Leading Individuals”.

We are committed to the development and growth of the Commercial Services Group by the appointment of a specialist Commercial Dispute Resolution Associate in Manchester. This appointment will strengthen the existing team, which operates as a national service line and the successful candidate will collaborate closely with colleagues across other office locations.

Your Role

You will work within the existing Commercial Dispute Resolution team to service the litigation requirements of the firm’s clients to:

• Contribute to the firm’s expertise in the field of commercial dispute resolution
• Work on a wide range of disputes, with a particular focus on IT disputes, procurement disputes and restrictive covenant cases
• Contribute to the growth and reputation of the firm’s commercial dispute resolution practice
• Deal with commercial disputes at all levels, including litigation, arbitration and mediation
• Support the team with networking and business development initiatives
• Contribute to best practice and precedent development
• Support with the development of more junior team members

We want you to be successful. You will manage your own caseloads ensuring your experience is varied and broad. Through our national service lines you will work with notable clients and become a sector specialist. You will receive bespoke training throughout your career ensuring you have the technical and commercial skills to build an effective and successful practice.

Your Skills and Experience

You will be/have:

• A qualified Solicitor 2+ year’s PQE, though we will consider applications outside of this PQE bracket
• A proven commercial dispute resolution background with a good knowledge of litigation principles, together with a genuine interest in commercial dispute resolution
• A forward thinker, with excellent analytical, communication and organisational skills, you will be self‑motivated with the ability to manage workloads and deadlines
• Commercially aware with enthusiasm for business development, and an appetite for keeping up‑to‑date with the latest developments in your practice area
• Able to understand your client’s business needs, and act in the best interest of the firm and the client
• An ambitious and enthusiastic team player, able to support senior fee earners and contribute to our collaborative culture

Your Team

Commercial disputes are an inevitable part of business life and resolving these issues efficiently is fundamental to commercial success. Our team is experienced in providing practical, commercial solutions ranging from advice in the first stages of a disagreement through to court proceedings and enforcement. Alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and arbitration is also a major part of our work.

We work with a wide range of businesses from plc’s, public bodies and international companies to owner‑managed businesses and non‑profit organisations. We offer genuine industry knowledge to clients spanning a variety of sectors. We regularly act in significant, high‑value contractual disputes, professional negligence claims, pensions disputes, contractual issues/disputes, restrictive covenant claims, public procurement challenges, sale of goods and services disputes, fraud and misrepresentation claims, insurance and IT disputes, as well as large, disputed debt claims and insolvency‑related issues.

About TLT

Fast paced, fast growing and forward thinking, TLT is the law firm that helps clients stay one step ahead, and we do the same for our people.

With local, national and international reach, we have over 1,800 people in offices across the UK and a network of partner firms across Europe, India and the US. Over the last few years TLT’s successful growth, delivery of high‑quality work and support for colleagues has been consistently recognised by The Times and at the Legal Business, The Lawyer and British Legal Awards.

Our ambition is to create opportunities for what comes next for our clients, recognised as their 1st tier adviser and being valued for our values. We do this in our unique way by creating social value and a dynamic environment where our people are curious, creative and ambitious for their success.

In our open and collaborative culture, we encourage everyone to be their whole self, to have a voice and to contribute to the success of TLT.

Our Benefits

We value our employees highly and we want you to feel valued. You’ll receive a competitive salary with an annual pay review. You will also have access to an extensive range of benefits via our flexible benefits scheme including 25 days holiday (which will increase to 30 days based upon length of service) and private medical insurance.

At TLT we have a progressive fully flexible working approach. We empower our people to work in a place and at a time that meets their needs, those of their clients and of the wider team and firm. Part of this agile approach is a focus on hybrid working and supporting the work/life balance of our people. We’re happy to talk about how flexible working can work for you and this role.

TLT is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and encourages applications from all suitably qualified people, regardless of disability, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by the laws in the locations in which we operate.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments, where necessary, to make interviews and jobs more accessible. Should you have any difficulty during the recruitment process, require any reasonable adjustments or an application to Access to work please contact the recruitment team on [e-mail]