Commercial Litigation Associate (4-5 PQE)

Harbottle & Lewis; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Harbottle & Lewis is seeking a dynamic lawyer with 4-5 years of PQE to join their Commercial Litigation Group. In this role, you will manage a diverse caseload of disputes, provide strategic legal advice, and collaborate directly with partners and clients. Ideal candidates should have strong technical skills, adaptability, and the ability to deliver high-level client service. The position is based in Greater London and offers opportunities for professional development and growth within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Practical experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload of commercial disputes.
• Strong adaptability and pro-active approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage commercial disputes including breach of contract and fraud claims.
• Conduct legal research and provide strategic advice to clients.
• Draft legal correspondence and applications.
• Liaise with counsel and stakeholders throughout proceedings.
• Support senior team members on large-scale matters.
• Manage client relationships and communications.
• Attend client meetings and court hearings.
• Engage in marketing and business development activities.

Skills

Technical excellence

Client relationship management

Legal research

Commercial awareness

Effective communication

Education

Qualified lawyer, 4-5 PQE

Job description

The firm

We are a dynamic, multifaceted law firm that provides a wide range of legal services to a creative and entrepreneurial client base. We partner with the big and the small, from cutting edge startups to global corporations, early-stage entrepreneurs to established industry leaders, and household names to private individuals and their family offices. We are renowned for our sector specialisms which we combine with expertise across all the traditional practice areas to provide our clients with tailored solutions that truly add value.

We offer a collegiate, vibrant and supportive environment, a clear path for career progression and a strong platform from which to learn and grow. We look for high performing, committed and innovative people who aren’t afraid to push themselves to be the best they can be. We take an active role in helping our people be at the top of their game. We believe our people make us stand out and we empower them to meet their ambitions. We invest time in developing their skills and knowledge and run several development and training programmes throughout the year, as well as encouraging and supporting personal involvement in other areas of expertise.

The Commercial Litigation Group

Our Commercial Litigation Group works across a broad range of litigation for clients from various industries and sectors which include, media, technology, telecoms, private capital, property, financial advisory and investment, entertainment and retail.

The role

We are seeking a lawyer, 4-5 PQE, who is technically excellent with the ability to deliver advice in a pragmatic and commercial manner. The lawyer must have practical experience of working independently on smaller matters and being part of a team on larger matters. The role will involve working directly with partners and other lawyers in the Group.

• Managing a varied caseload of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, company law disputes (including shareholder disputes), and ‘fraud’ claims.
• Conducting legal research and providing clear, strategic advice to clients.
• Legal drafting of inter-partes correspondence, evidence, and interim applications.
• Liaising with counsel, experts, and other stakeholders throughout proceedings.
• Supporting senior team members on large-scale litigation and arbitration matters.
• Co-managing client relationships and conducting day-to-day communications with clients by telephone and email.
• Attending client meetings, mediations, and court hearings.
• Taking an active role and interest in marketing and business development within the firm and across all the firm’s industries.

The ideal candidate should be capable of taking responsibility for tasks while also following direction competently and efficiently. They must demonstrate the ability to think and act independently and pro-actively when required. Adaptability is key, as they will need to handle a wide variety of tasks depending on the nature of the matter or the size of the team, and they should be willing to engage with all aspects of a matter, from the early pre-action stage through to trial. Our lawyers take ownership of the cases on which they are instructed and are expected to make a contribution to strategy and to take the lead on execution. Additionally, confidence, empathy, and availability are essential when dealing directly with clients, as is the ability to deliver a high level of client service tailored to each client’s specific priorities.