Dispute Resolution & Litigation Associate

We are looking for an Associate (NQ +) to join our team in Leeds.

If you've decided you're a commercial litigator during your training contract having spent time in a contentious seat or if you've qualified into this practice area we can offer a strong platform for your onward career and a broad caseload of litigation matters. We're looking for someone with an enthusiastic approach and a strong team ethos.

This role will have a broad remit with particular focus on commercial and financial litigation.

We act for a wide range of banks, finance companies and businesses for their high value, complex and cross border disputes work. We provide business solutions to our clients for their litigation needs that is commercial and is designed to maximise recoveries.

The type of work that you will complete in the role will include:
1. High value return of goods claims against customers or third parties (including injunctions).
2. Preparing money claims in the High Court against customers, guarantors or third parties.
3. Enforcement of Court Orders and Judgments in the UK and abroad.
4. Title disputes where there are 'dual interests' in the same asset and the client wants to know who has the best claim to title?
5. Advice on cases where there has been a fraud with a review of causes of action against all relevant parties.
6. Advising on quality disputes where there is an alleged problem with the goods supplied.
7. Claims against parties for breach of indemnity, breach of warranty and mis-representation.

You will be introduced to clients, will run cases, full training will be provided and you will be encouraged to progress your case load to maximise recoveries against cost spent. There will also be an opportunity for the successful candidate to present topics of interest every quarter at the firm's quarterly Asset Finance Forum and to learn about marketing and client development.

We commit to training and developing both your technical experience and also your client relationship skills with great opportunities for client contact.

If you join us, you will work with us to drive the national DR&L team forward and share our ambitious, collaborative approach.

We place a lot of belief in culture and community and genuinely think we have something different to offer you at Shoosmiths. This is reflected in everything we say and do, from our use of technology to enable effective cross-office working, to our team spirit and culture. We strive to create an inclusive and supportive workplace where employees can be themselves at work. We are proud of our active employee networks; the establishment of our Shadow Board; and initiatives such as reciprocal mentoring and inclusive leadership training, to bring diverse perspectives and recommendations to our leadership team and the firm as a whole.

The team

Our Dispute Resolution and Litigation team have highly skilled specialists with the expertise to solve whatever contentious problem you are facing. We cover a broad range of specialisms including commercial and corporate litigation, FS disputes, contract disputes, fraud, professional negligence, public procurement challenges, insurance, IT, and lending and banking disputes.

Though based across several locations, we work nationally as one, with support required across office and practice group. The Leeds team, led by Jonathan Mills and David Farnell prides itself on a collaborative, supportive ethos. The national team is well known for the responsibility, client contact and freedom it gives to its legal advisers. It consistently promotes its lawyers year on year.

We are a values-driven business - our values are at the core of the firm and we evaluate how we behave in accordance with these values through a competency framework and a formal recognition scheme where we celebrate and reward examples of living and exceeding our values. This role is considered to be at competency level 2 in our internal framework, depending on experience.

The firm

We are a top 40 law firm with over 200 partners and around 1,500 staff in total.

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world's most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve 'Platinum Standard' Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package

If you have any queries about this prospect or life at Shoosmiths before deciding whether to apply, we are always happy to have a confidential discussion with you so please get in touch with Rachel Charlton in our recruitment team (Rachel.charlton@shoosmiths.com).

Please note that we are sourcing this role directly at the moment and do not currently require support from any of our Agency partners. We will let you know if this changes.
Equal opportunities

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.

This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.