Associate, Commercial Litigation

White & Case; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

White & Case in London is seeking associates to join our Commercial Litigation practice. The role focuses on high-stakes cross-border disputes, with opportunities to work on drafting, research, and trial preparation across a global platform.

Candidates should have 3–5 years' experience at a major firm, excellent academics, strong drafting and communication skills, and the ability to work well in large teams while delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ experience within commercial litigation at a large law firm.
• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Ability to work in large groups and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Drafting and document analysis; legal research and correspondence.
• Assist in trial preparation and trial strategy development.
• Attend court hearings and support senior lawyers.
• Collaborate with partners and colleagues across the firm's global network.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Drafting skills

Time management

Team player

Proactivity

Client service

Cross-border awareness

Business awareness

Attention to detail

Education

Law degree or equivalent

Job description

Our Commercial Litigation Practice specializes in representing clients in high-stakes business disputes across a wide range of industries. We provide expert legal services in areas such as contract disputes, class actions, business torts, shareholder and partnership disputes, antitrust litigation and intellectual property litigation. Our team handles all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation counseling and strategic planning to trial and appellate proceedings. By leveraging our deep legal expertise, global reach and strategic insights, we help clients navigate complex legal challenges, protect their business interests, and achieve favorable outcomes through both court proceedings and alternative dispute resolution methods.

We are currently looking for associates with an interest in Commercial Litigation to join our London office.

As well as excellent academic credentials, you should possess the analytical rigor to grasp the legal intricacies of complex cross-border disputes and the competitive spirit needed to thrive in the adversarial court arena. Given our practice’s focus on oral and written advocacy, you should demonstrate excellent communication skills, a flair for legal drafting and an enthusiasm for the linguistic and technical challenge of constructing legal arguments.

Committed and cooperative, you should enjoy working within large groups of lawyers and industry professionals and demonstrate a willingness to do whatever it takes to contribute to your team’s success. This collaborative mindset should be balanced by the independence of thought and action and an ability to proactively anticipate colleagues’ needs and to develop original solutions to their problems.

Combining a keen eye for detail with an ability to see the bigger picture, you should be adept at distilling complex information into clear, insightful analyses that inform and strengthen your client’s position. Strong organizational and time management skills will also be significant assets, enabling you to manage multiple workstreams and produce exceptional work to tight deadlines.

Ready for the challenges of joining a global law firm, you should be excited by the opportunities to learn from colleagues in our international offices and practices and to keep developing your understanding of the evolving legal landscape. You should also be excited by our work and by a competitive salary and benefits package, passionate about service delivery and driven by a desire to maximize your talent.

Our Practice Area

We represent clients in all stages of domestic and international litigation before trial, appellate, regulatory and alternative dispute resolution tribunals across the world. Renowned for the global breadth and local depth of our experience in this field, we are trusted advisors to the world's leading financial institutions, largest corporations, sovereign governments, executives and directors. As well as guiding clients through their most complex and significant litigation challenges, we also help them steer clear of disputes by developing and implementing risk management and compliance measures.

As an associate joining our practice, you will be given responsibility for a wide range of tasks spanning drafting and document analysis, legal research, correspondence and trial preparation. While you will not be required to undertake oral advocacy at a junior level, you will be closely involved in the development of trial strategy and regularly called upon to attend court hearings.

The work can be demanding but is always rewarding, offering excellent opportunities for learning and development. We foster a collegial working environment where partners are friendly and accessible and colleagues always supportive and open to questions. Your professional development will also be enhanced by regular interaction with colleagues across the Firm’s global network with specialist knowledge of such practice areas as Antitrust/Competition, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and Environment & Climate Change.

Qualifications and Skills

• 3–5 years’ experience within commercial litigation, gained wholly or in part at a large commercial law firm
• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity, creative thinker
• Commercial and business awareness
• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills
• Strong time management skills and ability to stay calm under pressure when juggling multiple projects
• Excellent drafting skills
• Client service focus
• Team player
• Proactive, resourceful and takes initiative
• Good understanding of the key risks and issues involved in cross-border transactions

This role reports to

Partner

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.