Commercial Contracts Lawyer - Associate (2PQE+)

CRA Legal; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international law firm in Leeds is seeking a talented Commercial Contracts Lawyer with 2-5 years PQE to join their market-leading team. This role offers exposure to high-value commercial matters across various sectors and the opportunity to manage complex contracts while collaborating with partners. Candidates should possess strong technical and project management skills and a commitment to delivering excellent client service. The firm values ambition and career development in a supportive, team-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years' PQE in private practice or high-calibre in-house team.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering tailored advice.
• Commitment to excellent client service.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on complex commercial arrangements.
• Draft, negotiate and manage commercial contracts.
• Collaborate with partners on cross-border transactions.

Skills

Strong technical skills

Analytical skills

Project management skills

Commercial mindset

Client management skills

Job description

Commercial Contracts Lawyer - Associate (2PQE+)

Leeds

From £70,000+

CRA Consulting are proud to be working with a highly respected Tier 1 international law firm as they seek to appoint a talented Commercial Contracts Lawyer to join their market‑leading Commercial team. This is a standout opportunity for commercial lawyer who is looking to take a significant step forward in their career within a high‑performing, collaborative, and future‑focused environment.

The Opportunity

As an Associate within the Commercial Contracts team, you will gain exposure to a broad range of complex and high‑value commercial matters across key industry sectors, including:

• Retail & Consumer
• Sports
• Technology
• Financial Services
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Aviation
• Digital & Data
• Health

You will advise clients on the full lifecycle of commercial arrangements, acting on both customer and supplier sides. Your work will involve drafting, negotiating and managing commercial contracts, coupled with wider exposure to IT, data protection and intellectual property matters. You'll be trusted to own your matters, demonstrate strong project management skills, and collaborate with partners and managing associates on major cross‑border transactions. The firm offers excellent long‑term career prospects, a cohesive team culture, and access to client secondments for those who want them.

The Team

You will join a nationally integrated Commercial practice, recognised for its Tier 1 ranking in Leeds and known for its enviable roster of FTSE 100 and major international clients. The team includes five partners, a strong group of associates, trainees and embedded paralegals. Workstreams span commercial contracts, IT outsourcing, BPO, facilities management outsourcing, logistics, SaaS/cloud arrangements, and IP protection/exploitation. The culture is built on high‑quality work, high‑quality people, and a genuine commitment to continuous development and progression.

What We're Looking For

To succeed in this role, you will likely bring:

• 2‑5 years' PQE gained in a comparable private practice or high‑calibre in‑house team
• Strong technical, analytical and project management skills
• A commercial mindset with a solutions‑driven approach
• A track record of delivering pragmatic and tailored advice to sophisticated clients
• Demonstrable client management skills and consistent financial performance

Desirable Experience

• Exposure to IP and IT transactions, such as software licensing, SaaS, hardware procurement and managed services
• Experience supporting large‑scale, complex commercial or technology‑driven projects
• A genuine commitment to excellent client service and “going the extra mile”
• Ambition to take on leading roles and stretch yourself on headline‑making matters

Why Apply?

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a premium, international law firm known for its market‑leading work, people‑centric culture and commitment to helping lawyers thrive. If you are ambitious, commercially minded and ready for your next step, we would love to hear from you.

How to Apply:

Let’s talk. I’m Ross Roberts and I’m managing the recruitment for this position. Feel free to call me on 0114 241 8030 for a confidential chat or click “apply” if you’re ready to take the next step.

Want to see what else is out there? Visit www.craconsultants.com/jobs to view more opportunities.