Senior Commercial Litigation Solicitor
Location: Cardiff
Salary: Competitive and negotiable, dependent on PQE and experience
The Opportunity
An established and growing litigation practice in South Wales is seeking a Senior Commercial Litigation Solicitor to join its team. This role will particularly appeal to experienced lawyers who feel constrained in their current position and are looking for greater autonomy, influence and long-term professional growth.
The position is suited to a confident and well-rounded disputes specialist with experience across a wide range of commercial, property and private client-related disputes. You will be trusted to manage complex matters with minimal supervision, contribute to strategic decision-making, and play an active role in the continued development of the litigation practice.
Candidates with the ability to speak or understand Welsh are of particular interest, but this is not an essential requirement as my client offers the opportunity for candidates to learn during working time or attend refresher courses should they wish.
The Role
You will take responsibility for running your own varied caseload while also working collaboratively on larger or more complex disputes. The work is intellectually varied and client-facing, offering exposure to longstanding clients as well as opportunities to help shape the future direction of the disputes offering.
Typical matters will include:
Commercial and contractual disputes.
Shareholder and partnership disputes.
Property litigation (including landlord and tenant and development-related issues).
Contentious wills, trusts and estate disputes.
Associated advisory and strategic dispute-avoidance work.
Key Responsibilities
Managing litigation from instruction through to resolution or trial.
Drafting pleadings, applications, witness statements and settlement documentation.
Advising clients strategically on risk, costs, settlement options and dispute resolution strategy.
Conducting ADR and negotiations.
Handling interim applications and advocacy where appropriate, and instructing Counsel as required.
Building and maintaining strong client and referrer relationships.
Contributing to business development and the wider growth of the litigation practice.
Experience & Technical Ability
Essential
Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with significant post-qualification experience as a commercial litigator (applications recommended from candidates at Senior Associate level, but my client will consider applications from candidates at Associate level with particularly strong commercial litigation experience).
Experience across a mix of commercial, property and wills/trusts/estates disputes.
Proven ability to manage complex and sensitive matters with minimal supervision.
Strong drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills.
Excellent knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules.
Desirable
Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers.
Active involvement in business development or client relationship management.
Welsh language skills (spoken or written) - my client offers the opportunity to undertake courses during working time or to attend refresher courses.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
Commercially astute and solutions-focused.
Confident dealing directly with clients, Counsel and experts.
Calm, professional and pragmatic under pressure.
Well-organised and comfortable managing competing priorities.
Motivated by long-term career development rather than purely short-term metrics.
This role would suit a senior commercial litigator who wants greater responsibility, visibility and scope to grow, without the limitations often found in larger or more rigid environments.
Candidates who meet the above criteria who would like a confidential chat about this opportunity should contact Sam Higgins at Simpson Judge on (phone number removed) or via email at