Commercial Litigation Senior Associate

JMC Legal Recruitment; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive law firm in South Manchester is seeking a Senior Associate in Commercial Litigation. The role offers diverse responsibilities including advising clients on complex disputes and mentoring junior staff. The firm offers a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for career progression and partnership. This is an exceptional opportunity for those looking to enhance their legal career within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

Market-leading bonus scheme

Flexible working hours

Opportunities for partnership progression

Qualifications

• 5+ years of PQE in Commercial Litigation required.
• Experience handling complex disputes autonomously.
• Strong technical skills and commercial acumen essential.
• Must have a desire to play an active role in business development.
• Looking for an appetite for career progression.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on commercial disputes including contractual and partnership disputes.
• Manage own caseload and support partners.
• Mentor junior team members.
• Shape strategic development of the litigation practice.
• Handle high-quality, sophisticated work.

Skills

Handling complex disputes with autonomy

Strong technical skills

Commercial acumen

Active role in business development

Desire for career progression

Education

5+ years’ PQE in Commercial Litigation

Job description

Commercial Litigation Senior Associate | 5+ PQE | Altrincham / Hale

This forward-thinking firm has developed an outstanding reputation across the North West, combining top‑tier quality with a personal & approachable culture. With a strong Commercial Litigation practice that continues to see increasing levels of high‑value instruction, the firm is now seeking to appoint a Senior Associate to play a key role in the team's ongoing growth.

The Firm

The practice has a strong heritage in the local market but continues to punch well above its weight. In recent years they’ve attracted talent from Top 100 UK firms, bringing big‑firm calibre expertise into a more accessible, entrepreneurial environment.

Sitting at around 60 people, the firm retains its close‑knit, collaborative culture. Partners operate an open‑door policy, avoiding the bureaucracy and red tape so often seen in larger practices. Your contributions will be visible and valued, with genuine opportunity to influence the direction of the team and grow your own profile.

Flexibility is built into the firm’s DNA. With many partners being working parents themselves, there is real understanding when it comes to balancing professional and personal responsibilities. This translates into an environment where flexible working patterns and hours are both trusted and encouraged.

The Role

As a Senior Associate within the Commercial Litigation department, you will advise an established client base on a broad diet of commercial disputes. Matters will include:

• Contractual disputes
• Shareholder and partnership disputes
• Professional negligence claims
• Debt recovery and enforcement
• Insolvency‑related litigation
• Complex multi‑party and high‑value disputes

You will manage your own caseload while also supporting partners and mentoring junior members of the team. With the firm’s litigation offering continuing to grow, there will be clear scope to step into a leadership position and shape the practice’s strategic development. The litigation team attracts high‑quality, sophisticated work, often punching above what would be expected for a firm of this size due to its growing reputation and key client wins.

Requirements

• 5+ years’ PQE in Commercial Litigation
• Experience of handling complex disputes with autonomy
• Strong technical skills and commercial acumen
• Desire to play an active role in business development and team growth
• Appetite for career progression within a supportive environment

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Clearly defined, market‑leading bonus scheme
• Genuine flexibility around working hours and patterns
• Opportunity to handle top‑calibre commercial disputes without the constraints of a large corporate firm
• Real scope for partnership progression, with the firm actively developing its next generation of leaders

This is an exceptional opportunity for a Commercial Litigation Senior Associate to join a progressive South Manchester firm at a pivotal stage of its growth.