Senior Associate - Commercial Dispute Resolution

Horwich Farrelly; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Life Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension Scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Hybrid & Flexible Working

Discounted Gym Membership

Flu & Eyecare Vouchers

Adoption Leave

Job summary

Horwich Farrelly in London is seeking a Senior Associate to join our Dispute Resolution team on a hybrid basis. You will handle high-value contractual, shareholder, civil fraud and insolvency disputes, guiding case strategy from pre-action to trial or arbitration.

The role requires strong management of complex disputes, drafting and advocacy skills, and the ability to lead junior lawyers while contributing to business development. A competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 5 years' PQE or equivalent relevant expertise.
• Experience in handling contractual breaches, shareholder & director disputes, civil fraud, professional negligence, property & insolvency litigation.
• Manage autonomous high-value caseload from pre-action analysis through trial or settlement, incl. High Court & international arbitration.
• Draft complex pleadings and witness statements; oversee counsel and experts.
• Act as a primary client-facing contact, providing strategic, commercially pragmatic advice.
• Supervise, mentor and coordinate the work of junior associates and trainees.
• Actively contribute to networking, pitching and growing the firm's dispute resolution practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage high-value caseload from pre-action to trial or settlement.
• Draft pleadings and witness statements; coordinate with counsel and experts.
• Maintain client relationships and deliver strategic advice.
• Lead and mentor junior associates and trainees.
• Support business development for disputes practice.

Skills

PQE & experience

Dispute types

Case management

Drafting & advocacy

Client relations

Team leadership

Business development

Job description

About the Role

Senior Associate – Dispute Resolution
Dispute Resolution
London
Hybrid
Contract Type – Permanent

About HF

People. Not just lawyers
We’re not your typical law firm – we’re people with a passion for helping our clients and each other achieve the best possible outcomes. We are leading legal advisers to the insurance and commercial sectors across the UK & Ireland, known for our innovation, client focus, and long-lasting relationships. We do things differently, with a forward-thinking approach built around our clients’ needs, supported by cutting-edge technology and a culture built around people from a wide range of backgrounds who are taking an equally wide range of routes to building their careers in law.

About the team

Our Dispute Resolution team has extensive experience acting for FTSE 100 and Euro 250 companies, as well as owner-managed businesses across a wide range of sectors.
We provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice and build strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients, enabling us to understand their businesses, objectives and challenges.
Commercial disputes are an inevitable part of business. Our breadth of experience allows us to quickly identify the key issues, develop effective strategies and deliver practical solutions that help clients protect their interests and achieve their commercial goals. Whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation, we guide clients through every stage of the dispute resolution process.
As our Dispute Resolution practice continues to grow, we're recruiting a Senior Associate to join the team. We welcome applications from talented lawyers who are looking to work on complex, high-quality disputes for a diverse client base that includes FTSE 100, Euro 250 and owner-managed businesses.
You can find out more about the team here - Dispute Resolution - HF

What do I need?

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

• 5 years' PQE + (or equivalent relevant expertise).
• Core Dispute Types: experience in handling contractual breaches, shareholder and director disputes, civil fraud, professional negligence, property and insolvency litigation.
• Case Management & Strategy: Manage an autonomous, high-value caseload from pre-action analysis through to trial or settlement, including High Court proceedings and international arbitration.
• Drafting & Advocacy: Draft complex pleadings, witness statements and applications, while overseeing counsel and experts.
• Client Relations: Act as a primary, client-facing contact, providing strategic, commercially pragmatic advice.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and coordinate the work of junior associates and trainees.
• Business Development: Actively contribute to networking, pitching, and growing the firm's dispute resolution practice.

What’s in it for you?

Apart from the competitive salary you’d expect, our package of benefits reflects our values of partnership, innovation, and being real people. We’re committed to creating a dynamic workplace where everyone feels supported, empowered, and part of our success.

You’ll enjoy:

• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 with service) + Holiday Buy Scheme
• Life Insurance & Income Protection
• Private Medical Insurance & Healthcare Cash Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme & Digital GP services
• Pension Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Leave
• Hybrid & Flexible Working Options
• Discounted Gym Membership & Employee Discount Hub
• Flu & Eyecare Vouchers – and more!