Litigation Junior Associate

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

William James Recruitment is actively seeking an Associate for a fast-growing, premium litigation boutique. You will gain real responsibility from day one while handling high-value disputes across commercial litigation, arbitration, and related contentious matters.

The role offers exposure to top-tier matters, direct Partner contact, and a meritocratic path for rapid progression in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Gain genuine responsibility from day one in complex, high-value disputes.
• Work with lean teams with direct Partner exposure.
• Contribute to high-profile matters across commercial litigation and arbitration.
• Collaborate in a meritocratic environment with clear progression.

Skills

PQE 1-3 years

Strong drafting skills

Commercial litigation

Partner exposure

Job description

The Role

William James Recruitment is instructed on a confidential search for an Associate 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
• Clear, transparent progression structure
• High-quality work without excessive billing pressure

• 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

Contact: Alice Winter (Retained Consultant)

Direct Dial:

Mobile:

Email: