* Broad commercial litigation exposure from day one, not just debt recovery
* Clear progression path with a realistic route to senior associate as the team evolves
* Hybrid working, flexi-time and a genuinely supportive culture without city‑centre burnout
This is an ideal role for a newly qualified solicitor who wants proper exposure to commercial litigation early in their career, rather than being boxed into repetitive volume work.
Based in Greater Manchester, you’ll join a growing commercial litigation team where junior lawyers are encouraged to get involved, ask questions and develop quickly. You’ll start by running your own contested debt recovery and breach of contract matters while supporting senior lawyers on more complex disputes involving shareholders, directors, insolvency, restrictive covenants and regulatory issues.
Over your first 12 months, you’ll build confidence managing your own files independently while gaining exposure to the kind of varied, technical disputes that many NQs simply don’t see this early on. The team handles some genuinely unusual work, including specialist regulatory matters that only a handful of firms nationwide advise on.
The longer‑term opportunity is equally strong. One of the current senior associates joined as an NQ only a few years ago, which gives a good indication of how quickly people can progress here when they show the right attitude and capability.
The culture is approachable, down‑to‑earth and flexible. People are trusted to manage their work sensibly, hybrid working is genuinely embedded and there’s a strong emphasis on development without sacrificing work‑life balance.
Who we’re looking for
* Newly Qualified Solicitor with a seat or background in commercial litigation
* Strong communication skills and willingness to get involved in team discussions
* Ambitious, proactive and keen to learn from senior lawyers
* Able to manage less complex litigation matters independently with support available where needed
* Comfortable working collaboratively within a close‑knit team
* Candidates from a range of firm backgrounds considered
* Experience assisting on contested debt recovery, contract disputes or injunction matters (Desired)
* Commercially aware with a genuine interest in dispute resolution work (Desired)
What you’ll be doing
* Running your own caseload of contested debt recovery and breach of contract claims
* Assisting senior lawyers on more complex commercial disputes
* Supporting on matters involving shareholder disputes, insolvency, restrictive covenants and regulatory litigation
* Drafting correspondence, court documents and pleadings
* Liaising directly with clients and third parties
* Supporting legal expense insurer matters
* Attending team discussions and contributing to strategy on ongoing disputes
* Developing technical litigation skills across a broad range of commercial matters
Salary & Benefits
* Hybrid and agile working once settled into the team
* Flexi‑time with no expectation of excessive hours
* Strong progression opportunities within a growing litigation team
* Generous annual leave increasing with service
* Salary sacrifice pension scheme
* Life assurance
* Wellbeing package covering financial, physical and mental health support
* Free parking
* Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
* Holiday buy/sell scheme
* Season ticket and travel support
* Social events, clubs and recognition schemes
* Retail discounts and cashback schemes
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