Senior Associate – Commercial Disputes – Bristol – Bristol

Ruth Wagstaff Recruitment Ltd; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Chadwick Nott is recruiting for a Senior Associate in Bristol to lead insurance coverage and policyholder litigation within a premier Commercial Disputes team. The role offers hybrid working, a competitive salary of £80,000–£110,000 DOE, and exposure to high-value disputes for major domestic and international clients.

You will handle coverage advice, UK litigation/arbitration, and guidance on non-contentious insurance matters while contributing to a rapidly expanding practice and client roster.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in insurance coverage advice (policyholder or insurer side).
• Experience of UK coverage litigation and/or arbitration.
• Familiarity with multiple classes of insurance business (advantageous).
• Strong technical skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to deliver concise, practical advice.
• Collaborative mindset and confidence working independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide coverage advice to policyholders (and insurers where required).
• Handle UK coverage litigation and arbitration.
• Advise on non-contentious insurance matters.
• Work across multiple classes of insurance business.
• Deliver clear, practical guidance on a broad spectrum of insurance issues.
• Support partners on complex matters while managing your own caseload.
• Contribute to growth of the policyholder-focused practice.

Skills

Insurance coverage advice

UK coverage litigation/arbitration

Multiple classes of insurance

Attention to detail

Concise, practical advice

Independent working

Education

Job description

Senior Associate – Commercial Disputes (Insurance Coverage & Policyholder Litigation) – Bristol
Location: Bristol
Type of Role: Permanent, Full-time (hybrid working available)
Salary: £80,000 to £110,000 (DOE)

A leading national law firm is seeking an experienced litigator to join its Commercial Disputes team as a Senior Associate, with a particular focus on insurance coverage and policyholder litigation. This is an excellent opportunity to join a fast growing, specialist insurance practice within a wider commercial disputes team acting for major domestic and international clients.

The role offers the chance to work on complex, high value insurance disputes while maintaining a broader commercial litigation practice.

The Practice

The insurance team sits within a highly regarded commercial disputes group, advising on a wide range of contentious and crisis management matters for clients across technology, telecoms, life sciences, energy and other major sectors.

The team frequently acts for policyholders on complex insurance disputes, including:

• Coverage advice
• Claims preparation and advocacy
• Coverage litigation and arbitration
• Policy advisory work
• Transactional insurance advice
• Wider non contentious insurance matters

Work spans multiple classes of business including Cyber, D&O, E&O, Property, Energy, Casualty, Construction and W&I.

The Role

You will work across a varied and high quality caseload, including:

• Providing coverage advice to policyholders (and insurers where required)
• Handling UK coverage litigation and arbitration
• Advising on non contentious insurance matters
• Working across multiple classes of insurance business
• Delivering clear, practical guidance on a broad spectrum of insurance issues
• Supporting partners on complex matters while managing your own caseload
• Contributing to the continued growth of a rapidly expanding policyholder focused practice

The team is open to considering candidates at Associate or Senior Associate level.

Candidate Requirements

This role is suited to a commercial litigator with:

• Strong experience in insurance coverage advice (policyholder or insurer side)
• Experience of UK coverage litigation and/or arbitration
• Interest in developing non contentious insurance expertise
• Familiarity with multiple classes of insurance business (advantageous)
• Strong technical skills and excellent attention to detail
• Ability to deliver concise, practical advice
• A collaborative mindset and confidence working independently

Career Development

You will benefit from a structured, award winning career development programme offering:

• Clear expectations and progression pathways
• High quality clients and early responsibility
• Regular assessment and individual feedback
• Robust technical training and tailored skills development
• Reward based on contribution and potential, not PQE alone

Salary & Benefits

• The firm offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package.

At Chadwick Nott, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture as well as supporting our large client network achieve the same. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, culture or any other personal characteristic. We champion and celebrate diversity in the workplace. Where a level of experience is indicated, please note that this is only a guideline.

Job Tenure: Permanent and Full-Time
Salary: £80000 – £110000 per annum
Location: Bristol, Bristol