Commercial Litigation Associate

William James Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

William James Recruitment is seeking a Commercial Litigation Associate for its London office. The role targets individuals with 4–6 PQE to handle high-value, cross-border disputes across sectors, with a strong emphasis on strategy, client relationships and complex litigation matters.

The successful candidate will join an international disputes practice, collaborate across jurisdictions, and benefit from a non-hierarchical, meritocratic culture with significant early responsibility and ongoing

Job description

Commercial Litigation Associate | 4–6 PQE | London

We are instructed by a highly regarded international disputes firm to appoint a Commercial Litigation Associate to join its London office.

The firm has built an outstanding reputation for handling high-value, complex and often cross-border disputes, advising businesses, financial institutions, individuals and other sophisticated clients on matters where the stakes are high and conventional approaches are not always enough.

With a disputes-focused practice and an international platform, the firm brings together lawyers from different jurisdictions and areas of expertise to develop strategic solutions to some of the most challenging commercial problems faced by its clients.

The Culture

This is a firm for lawyers who enjoy thinking differently.

The culture is highly collaborative, intellectually curious and meritocratic, with lawyers encouraged to take ownership of matters and contribute ideas from an early stage. The emphasis is not simply on applying established legal principles, but on understanding the client's wider commercial problem and finding the most effective way to solve it.

The environment is non-hierarchical and team-oriented, with strong support for lawyers who want to develop their own expertise, take on responsibility and build meaningful client relationships.

The firm places significant emphasis on learning and development, recognising that the best litigators continually evolve their skills, knowledge and approach.

The Team

The London team works on a broad range of commercial disputes, investigations and contentious matters, often involving multiple jurisdictions and complex factual, legal and financial issues.

The practice has particular strength in sophisticated commercial litigation, financial disputes, contentious insolvency and restructuring-related matters, as well as disputes involving regulated industries and complex commercial relationships.

The international nature of the work means Associates regularly collaborate with colleagues across different offices and jurisdictions, giving them exposure to matters that genuinely extend beyond the UK.

The Role

This is an excellent opportunity for a 4–6 PQE Litigation Associate to take a significant role on complex and high-stakes disputes.

You will work across a varied commercial litigation caseload and will be expected to apply strong core litigation skills while developing a deeper specialism within the firm's broader disputes practice.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Acting on complex commercial disputes, often involving international or cross-border elements
• Managing substantive elements of matters from early strategy through to resolution
• Drafting pleadings, witness statements, correspondence, submissions and other key litigation documents
• Conducting detailed legal and factual research and analysis
• Working closely with clients, counsel, experts and colleagues across different jurisdictions
• Assisting with disclosure, evidence gathering, case strategy and procedural matters
• Advising on contentious insolvency, restructuring disputes and related matters where appropriate
• Developing a strong understanding of the client's commercial objectives and tailoring legal strategy accordingly
• Contributing to business development, client relationships and the firm's wider market profile

The Candidate

We are looking for a strong commercial litigator who is comfortable working on complex matters and who wants to operate in a genuinely international disputes environment.

You will be someone who enjoys complex disputes, international work and solving difficult problems, rather than simply applying a standard litigation playbook.

Why Apply?

• Join a highly regarded international disputes-focused practice
• Work on genuinely high-stakes, complex and cross-border litigation
• Exposure to a broad and varied commercial disputes caseload
• Opportunity to work alongside lawyers across multiple jurisdictions
• A genuinely non-hierarchical and meritocratic culture
• Significant responsibility and client exposure from an early stage
• Strong emphasis on training, specialisation and continuous development
• A firm that values intellectual curiosity, creativity and strategic thinking
• Excellent long-term career opportunities within an international platform
• Hybrid working, with three days per week expected in the London office

Salary & Benefits

A competitive salary and benefits package is available, alongside a discretionary bonus structure and significant investment in training and professional development.