Litigation Solicitor (3+ PQE) at The Jonathan Lea Network

The Jonathan Lea Network; Haywards Heath; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Remote options available

Bonus and commission

Job summary

The Jonathan Lea Network in Haywards Heath, England invites a qualified solicitor with 3+ years PQE in litigation to join as a Litigation/Dispute Resolution Solicitor.

You will manage diverse disputes, supervise junior staff, and work in a tech-enabled, hybrid environment with remote options for suitable candidates. A generous package and clear progression are offered.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales with 3+ PQE in litigation and dispute resolution.
• Experience in commercial contract disputes, shareholder matters, landlord/tenant, and IP or debt recovery is valued.
• Open to technology-enabled practice and adoption of legal tech tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage own caseload from day one across civil and commercial disputes.
• Supervise junior lawyers and paralegals; mentor where appropriate.
• Develop client relationships, generate leads, and participate in business development.

Skills

Client management

Supervision

Negotiation

Commercial awareness

AI in law

Tools

AI in law

Job description

This opportunity was posted more than 30 days ago and no application deadline was provided. You can explore active listings below.

jobs Verified: 4 Aug 2026 Haywards Heath, England, United Kingdom (hybrid/remote options for suitable candidates)

Litigation Solicitor (3+ PQE) at The Jonathan Lea Network

Organising Institution / Firm

The Jonathan Lea Network

Not Specified by Organiser

Haywards Heath, England, United Kingdom (hybrid/remote options for suitable candidates)

Not Specified

Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales with 3+ years' PQE in litigation/dispute resolution. Experience in commercial contract disputes, shareholder and director disputes, landlord and tenant matters, commercial property disputes, construction, intellectual property, contentious probate, employment law, property disputes, and debt recovery. Strong client management, supervision, negotiation, and commercial awareness skills. Openness to AI and legal technology. Team player with a personable and pragmatic approach.

Why This Litigation Solicitor Role Is a Game-Changer for Your Career

The Jonathan Lea Network (JLN) has opened applications for an experienced Litigation/Dispute Resolution Solicitor with 3+ years' PQE to join its growing team in Haywards Heath, Mid-Sussex. This is not just another legal job vacancy; it's a rare opportunity to step into a salaried partner designation from day one, manage a diverse caseload, and thrive in a tech-enabled, collaborative environment. For ambitious litigators seeking autonomy without the rigid hierarchy of traditional firms, this role offers a compelling blend of responsibility, flexibility, and reward.

Based in the heart of Sussex, JLN is a modern, full-service law firm advising clients across England, Wales, and internationally. The firm describes itself as “responsive and client-centred, expertly insightful, personable and collaborative, and innovative and technology-enabled." This ethos is reflected in the role's design: you'll handle high-quality disputes work while leveraging AI and modern legal technologies, helping you deliver efficient, commercially focused advice.

“We're looking for someone who wants high-quality work without the rigidity of a traditional firm." — The Jonathan Lea Network

Salary, Bonuses, and Benefits: A Competitive Package

JLN is offering a basic salary between £60,000 and £80,000, depending on experience. But the financial upside extends beyond the base: a bonus of 20% of billing above £180,000 per annum and a 15% commission on any work you introduce to the firm, irrespective of who handles it. For a litigator with a portable client following or business development skills, this structure directly rewards entrepreneurial success.

• Annual leave: 22 days (rising to 25)
• Flexibility: Hybrid working with genuine flexibility; fully remote options considered
• Culture: Regular team events, open-plan office, and a friendly, inclusive atmosphere

This package is particularly attractive for lawyers based in Surrey, Sussex, or Kent, as the hybrid arrangement balances office presence in Haywards Heath with remote work. The firm is also open to candidates further afield who prefer a fully remote arrangement, making this an accessible opportunity for litigation solicitors across the UK.

What the Role Actually Involves: Your Day-to-Day as a Dispute Resolution Solicitor

As a Litigation Solicitor at JLN, you will manage your own caseload from day one, acting as the primary point of contact for clients and delivering clear, commercially attuned advice. The matters span a wide range of civil and commercial work, giving you exposure to:

• Shareholder and director disputes
• Landlord and tenant and commercial property disputes
• Intellectual property claims
• Debt recovery

You'll also independently run matters while collaborating with a mixed-level team, supervise junior lawyers and paralegals, take introductory video calls to convert leads, and contribute to the firm's marketing initiatives. This is a role for someone who enjoys variety and has the confidence to make decisions.

Who Is the Ideal Candidate? Eligibility and Person Specification

The firm is looking for a qualified solicitor with at least 3 years' post-qualification experience in litigation and dispute resolution. Ideally, you'll bring some employment law experience too. Key traits include being confident, personable, commercially aware, and comfortable taking responsibility. You'll need to be organised, responsive, pragmatic, and open to innovation, particularly around AI and legal technology.

Supervisory experience is valued, but JLN is also happy to support those keen to step into a mentoring role. The firm places a strong emphasis on team culture, so a positive, collaborative attitude is non-negotiable.

“Autonomy from day one, support from a well-established mixed-level team." — The role description

Career Trajectory: From Solicitor to Salaried Partner

One of the most enticing aspects of this role is the “salaried partner designation from the outset” for the right candidate. This is an accelerated path to partnership, rare in a market where many firms require years of business development before such recognition. At JLN, the flat hierarchy and collaborative culture mean your contributions are directly visible to the leadership team. If you consistently exceed billing targets and bring in new business, you’ll be well positioned to move up the ranks, perhaps even to equity partner in due course.

This role also offers exposure to a broad spectrum of disputes, which is excellent for your professional development. You'll build a versatile skill set that makes you highly marketable, whether you choose to stay at JLN long-term or move on to a larger firm or in-house role later.

Why This Opportunity Matters in the UK Legal Market

As the legal sector increasingly embraces technology and flexible working, boutique and mid-size firms like JLN are redefining what it means to be a litigation lawyer. The emphasis on AI and legal tech is forward-thinking, enabling lawyers to work smarter, not harder. By joining a firm at the forefront of this change, you position yourself as a future-ready litigator.

Moreover, with the UK's growing focus on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), the role's inclusion of ADR work ensures you remain at the cutting edge of dispute resolution practice. This is not just a job; it’s an investment in your long-term career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the key eligibility criteria for the Litigation Solicitor role?

You must be a qualified solicitor in England and Wales with at least 3 years' PQE, specialising in litigation and dispute resolution. Experience in employment law is advantageous, along with skills in supervising junior colleagues, commercial awareness, and comfort with legal technology.

2. Where is the role based, and what are the working arrangements?

The role is based at JLN's office in Haywards Heath, Mid-Sussex. The firm offers hybrid working, with candidates ideally located in Surrey, Sussex, or Kent. However, fully remote arrangements are possible for exceptional candidates from further afield.

3. How is the bonus and commission structure calculated?

You'll receive a bonus of 20% of your billings above £180,000 per annum. Additionally, you'll earn a 15% commission on any work you introduce to the firm, regardless of which lawyer handles the work. This incentivises both high-level billing and business development.

4. Does the role come with partnership prospects?

Yes. For the right candidate, the role includes a salaried partner designation from the outset, providing an immediate senior title and input into firm direction. Long-term progression to partnership is a realistic pathway.