Solicitor - Commercial Litigation

The Office

A presence in the Northwest market for more than 40 years, our Manchester office offers multiple areas of expertise and has built deep and lasting relationships with its wide variety of clients.

Working with businesses, organisations and communities in Manchester and the Northwest, we offer clients a powerful combination of detailed local knowledge and the broad perspective of an international law firm.  Our expertise takes in both public and private sectors, with a particular focus on real estate, construction, finance, disputes and employment.

With a team of almost 120 people at our offices on Princess Street, we combine the economics of working in the region with our entire firm’s experience and expertise on-tap.  For our clients – whether private developers, housing associations, investors, commercial landlords or government bodies – this means working with locally based talent that has full access to national and international resources.

Actively engaged in local industry groups such as Pro Manchester and the Our Manchester Forum, we are closely attuned to the city’s exciting growth trajectory and instrumental in helping to plan policy for the region.

For every client we offer a unique blend of public and private sector experience, long-term local knowledge and a truly international perspective.

The Role

We are a global law firm that continues to grow in size, reputation and expertise.  As a result, we are looking to recruit a junior Solicitor (0-3 PQE) to join our Commercial Litigation team in Manchester.  The role will provide exposure to an incredibly varied range of dispute resolution work of real importance, to include litigation, arbitration and ADR. 

We encourage our lawyers to think beyond the law and into the commercial by acquiring excellent technical expertise, client management and profile- raising skills.  Our team's profile is increasing within the Manchester office and beyond, and we empower our Solicitors and Associates to take ownership over their marketing efforts.  If you can bring your ideas, experiences, and expertise, we can give you an opportunity to succeed.

We know that the best solutions are found when you're collaborating which is why you will be well supported at partner level and by other fee-earners, not just in your immediate team but throughout the whole department.

What you'll do

Your caseload will consist of a variety of commercial litigation matters, to include breach of commercial contracts, claims in tort, professional negligence and other areas of our specialisms.  We have specialist experience in contentious procurement matters, reputation management work, contentious insolvency, breach of confidence, directors' duties and post termination restrictions (where we often work closely with colleagues from our employment teams).  We are regularly involved in High Court litigation, arbitration and mediation/other forms of ADR. Your work will be very varied, and you will gain experience in all of the areas in which we operate.  And you will have real opportunities to progress. 

• Handling your own caseload, with appropriate supervision.
• Assisting Partners and senior Solicitors with more substantial disputes.
• Meeting targets as agreed and managing files, time and billing efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.
• Actively participating in marketing initiatives, including attending conferences, giving and assisting with presentations, writing articles and creating marketing materials.
• Legal research.
• Building and maintaining effective client relationships.
• Participating in firm-wide and departmental training sessions.
• Training and development of junior staff (where appropriate). 
• Comply with core competencies as appropriate to the fee- earner level of qualification.
• Active participation in client and business development activities.
• Ensuring files are managed in compliance with Lexcel procedures.
   

What you'll need

The firm operates a Career Development Framework, a merit based and clearly defined career structure which sets out the competencies we expect of those at this grade and beyond.  In particular, for this role we require:

• Excellent academic record;
• Qualified Solicitor with a training seat undertaken in Commercial Litigation within a recognised Legal 500 team through to 3 PQE;
• Strong client focus and a commitment to service delivery;
• Drive and enthusiasm;
• Commercial awareness;
• Credibility; and
• Flexibility and a 'can do' attitude.
• Good team player.