Litigation Junior Associate

William James Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary starting at £100K

Bonus structure

Hybrid working

Collaborative culture

Additional benefits package

Job summary

A premium litigation boutique is seeking a Junior Associate (NQ–2 PQE) to take on high-profile, complex disputes with direct Partner access. Candidates should have 1-3 years of experience in commercial litigation from a leading firm, with strong analytical skills and the ability to work collaboratively. The role offers a starting salary of £100K and a hybrid working arrangement. This is a unique opportunity for ambitious lawyers eager for responsibility and growth within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years’ PQE from a leading firm or equivalent.
• Experience with high-value disputes.
• Confident in lean team settings.

Responsibilities

• Involvement in complex, high-value litigation matters.
• Direct access to Partners and clients.
• Responsibility from day one in a collaborative environment.

Skills

Analytical skills

Drafting skills

Team collaboration

Commercial awareness

Education

Strong academic background

Job description

William James Recruitment is instructed on a confidential search for a Junior Associate (NQ–2 PQE) to join a fast-growing, premium litigation boutique that competes directly with Magic Circle, Silver Circle and US firms on complex, high-value disputes.

The firm is led by highly regarded City litigators and has built a strong reputation for handling sophisticated commercial litigation, large-scale civil fraud and banking and financial markets disputes. The partnership comprises recognised practitioners who have previously held senior positions at leading international firms, and the team has continued to strengthen through strategic hires from top-tier UK and US practices.

The practice acts on cutting-edge and high-profile matters before the English courts and internationally. Work spans commercial litigation and arbitration, civil fraud and asset tracing, banking and financial services disputes, insolvency, reputation and information protection, sanctions, and white collar crime. The team is regularly instructed on matters ranging from £2.5m to multi-billion-pound disputes and frequently acts opposite leading City and international firms.

This is an opportunity for a junior lawyer to gain genuine responsibility from day one, with meaningful involvement in complex, high-value matters within a collaborative, high-calibre environment. The firm offers a clear and meritocratic platform for progression, with demonstrated examples of rapid advancement internally.

The Candidate

• 1 – 3 years’ PQE from a leading City, national or international firm (or equivalent platform)
• Strong academic background and technical grounding in commercial litigation or related contentious work
• Experience assisting on complex, high-value disputes
• Commercially minded with strong analytical and drafting skills
• Confident working in lean teams with direct Partner exposure
• Ambitious, proactive and keen to take on early responsibility
• Collaborative and personable in approach

Why This Opportunity

• Confidential opportunity with a premium litigation boutique
• Exposure to high-profile, complex disputes typically associated with Magic Circle and US firms
• Direct access to highly regarded Partners and meaningful client contact
• Genuine responsibility from an early stage
• High-quality work without excessive billing pressure

Benefits & How to Apply

• Competitive salary starting at £100K
• Bonus structure from 1,500 billable hours
• Hybrid working (3 days in the office, 2 days from home)
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial culture
• Additional benefits package

Apply in the strictest confidence online or via telephone.

Contact: Alice Winter (Retained Consultant)

Direct Dial: 020 3918 1665

Email: [e-mail]