Business Development Specialist

Career Legal; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Strong remuneration package

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Career Legal is assisting a US law firm with a London office to recruit a Business Development Specialist for the disputes and international arbitration practice. You will support Partners across the UK and US, shaping the firm’s strategy and client engagement from day one.

You will develop BD strategies, manage relationships with referral sources, and collaborate with marketing on LinkedIn, publications and directories to win cross-border mandates.

Qualifications

• Proven BD, marketing or client development experience in a law firm, ideally within disputes or international arbitration.
• Strong grasp of arbitration and cross-border disputes market dynamics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication to engage senior partners and GCs.
• Self-starter with ability to prioritise and deliver in a lean team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a BD strategy for the London disputes practice.
• Identify and pursue new instructions in international arbitration and cross-border litigation.
• Build and nurture relationships with referral sources, co-counsel, funders and other law firms.
• Prepare tailored pitches, credentials, tender responses and RFP submissions.
• Plan and manage events, webinars and thought-leadership content.
• Work with marketing on LinkedIn, publications, directory submissions and awards.
• Track market developments and client intelligence to spot opportunities early.
• Report on pipeline, conversion and ROI to the partners.

Skills

BD strategy

Client development

Strategic communications

Event planning

Pitch preparation

Relationship management

Marketing coordination

Tools

LinkedIn

Job description

Business Development Specialist: Litigation & International Arbitration

London | US Law Firm | Full-Time | Hybrid

Help grow a world-class disputes practice in the City.

A US law firm with a boutique London office are expanding their litigation and international arbitration practice. They are looking for a Business Development Specialist to directly support Partners across the UK & US.

This is a rare opportunity to join a small, ambitious team where your work is visible, your ideas are heard, and your impact is felt from day one. No layers of bureaucracy, just direct access to the Partners shaping the firm's strategy.

Some of the key responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a BD strategy for the London disputes practice, targeting corporates, funds, sovereigns and in-house counsel across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the US
• Identify and pursue new instructions in international arbitration (ICC, LCIA, ICCID, UNCITRAL) and cross-border commercial litigation.
• Build and nurture relationships with referral sources, including co-counsel, funders, insurers, expert witnesses and other law firms.
• Prepare tailored pitches, credentials, tender responses, and RFP submissions.
• Plan and manage events, speaking opportunities, webinars, and thought-leadership content.
• Work with the marketing function on LinkedIn, publications, directory submissions (Chambers, Legal 500, GAR) and awards.
• Track market developments and client intelligence to spot opportunities early.
• Report on pipeline, conversion and ROI to the partners.

The firm are keen to meet candidates:

• Proven BD, marketing or client development experience in a law firm, ideally within disputes, litigation, or international arbitration.
• A strong grasp of how the arbitration and cross-border disputes market works, including who instructs, who refers and how mandates are won.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the polish to engage senior partners and GCs.
• A self-starters' mindset: comfortable running with a brief, setting priorities and delivering in a lean team.
• Strong organisational skills and a good eye for detail.

There is a strong remuneration package on offer alongside a clear progression route.