Legal Director Commercial Litigation

CRA Legal; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Private healthcare

Hybrid work

Bonus schemes

Discounted legal services

Retail and restaurant discounts

Job summary

CRA Consulting is partnering with a national law firm to recruit a Commercial Litigation Legal Director for its Sheffield or Leeds office. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a senior practitioner handling high-value disputes, advising clients, and guiding the team.

The firm supports strategic growth and client development, with a collaborative culture and a strong track record. The successful candidate will manage a diverse caseload including contractual and shareholder disputes,

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with substantial commercial litigation experience.
• Ability to manage high-value disputes and supervise junior lawyers.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing complex commercial disputes from instruction through to resolution.
• Advising clients on litigation strategy, risk and dispute resolution.
• Drafting pleadings, witness statements and settlement documentation.
• Managing disclosure, evidence and procedural deadlines.
• Representing clients during negotiations, mediations and hearings.
• Developing strong and trusted client relationships.
• Generating work through networking and business development.
• Identifying cross-referral opportunities.
• Supervising and mentoring other lawyers.
• Supporting departmental performance and growth.

Job description

Job Title: Commercial Litigation Legal Director

Salary: £80,000 to £150,000

Location: Sheffield or Leeds - Hybrid Working

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

Overview

CRA Consulting is working with a highly regarded national law firm to recruit a Commercial Litigation Legal Director for its Sheffield or Leeds office.

Recognised within the Legal 500, the firm has an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality commercial legal services while maintaining a collaborative, supportive and values-led culture.

This is a senior appointment within the Commercial Disputes department. It offers an experienced commercial litigator the opportunity to manage complex work, develop important client relationships and influence the continued growth of the practice.

The position may suit an established Legal Director, a Partner seeking a new platform or an ambitious Senior Associate ready to take the next step.

The Role

As Commercial Litigation Legal Director, you will manage a varied caseload of complex and high-value disputes while working closely with the department's partners and leadership team.

You will act as a trusted strategic adviser, helping clients manage commercial risk and achieve practical outcomes aligned with their wider business objectives.

Matters may include:

• Contractual and commercial disputes
• Shareholder, partnership and director disputes
• Professional negligence claims
• Corporate and transactional disputes
• Financial and business-related claims
• Injunctive and urgent interim relief
• Mediation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution
• High Court litigation

Alongside managing your own matters, you will provide technical guidance to colleagues, support the development of the wider team and contribute to departmental strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing complex commercial disputes from instruction through to resolution
• Advising clients on litigation strategy, risk and dispute resolution
• Drafting pleadings, witness statements and settlement documentation
• Managing disclosure, evidence and procedural deadlines
• Representing clients during negotiations, mediations and hearings
• Developing strong and trusted client relationships
• Generating work through networking and business development
• Identifying cross-referral opportunities
• Supervising and mentoring other lawyers
• Supporting departmental performance and growth

The Successful Candidate

You will be a qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with substantial commercial litigation experience.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong technical knowledge of commercial disputes
• Experience managing complex and high-value litigation
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills
• Commercially focused and pragmatic client advice
• A strong record of developing client relationships
• An interest in business development and practice growth
• The confidence to supervise and mentor colleagues
• A collaborative approach to working across departments

An established following or portable client base would be advantageous but is not essential. Candidates with strong professional relationships, introducer connections or a credible business development plan are also encouraged to apply.

The Opportunity

This is more than a traditional fee-earning role. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to become a senior figure within the department and make a genuine contribution to the future development of the practice.

The firm offers:

• A senior and influential position within a national practice
• Complex and high-quality commercial disputes work
• Direct involvement in departmental strategy
• Support for business development and profile building
• Responsibility for developing other lawyers
• Clear opportunities for further progression
• A collaborative and supportive culture
• Hybrid working from Sheffield or Leeds

Salary and Benefits

The role offers a salary of £80,000 to £150,000, depending upon experience, seniority and any existing client following.

Benefits include:

• Up to 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Holiday purchase and sale scheme
• Enhanced pension arrangements
• Private healthcare
• Individual and firm-wide bonus schemes
• Wellbeing, charity and volunteering days
• Reward and recognition initiatives
• Discounted legal services
• Retail and restaurant discounts
• Hybrid and flexible working