Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our dynamic disputes team, handling exciting national and international cases.
- Company: CMS is a global law firm with over 5,800 lawyers in 80+ offices worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, generous holidays, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Be part of a forward-thinking firm that embraces technology and values diversity.
- Qualifications: England and Wales qualified with 4 PQE+, strong litigation and arbitration experience required.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Live in Scotland, work on national and International cases. A unique opportunity with CMS for an England and Wales Qualified Commercial Disputes Associate.
About us
CMS is a Future Facing firm with more than 80 offices in over 45 countries and 5,800+ lawyers worldwide. We combine deep local market understanding with a global perspective. We are passionate about building strong relationships with our clients, our people, and the communities we work in.
We take a bold, dynamic, and agile approach to ensure our clients are able to face the future with confidence. We are driven by emerging technologies such as generative AI and readily embrace the possibilities it opens up for developing new and better ways of working. Our aim is to inspire, impact and support our clients and our people, helping them to maximize their potential and thrive.
About the role
We are looking for motivated people to join our market-leading, hugely-successful disputes team in Scotland, which continues to grow.
Our Edinburgh-based team advises on a wide variety of international and national disputes, across all the sectors that the Firm specialises in, including TMT, financial services, energy, life sciences and more. The work we do for our clients is at the cutting edge of dispute resolution including class actions and high-profile instructions for blue-chip clients. Although this is a Scottish based Team the role is for English law work focussing on High Court litigation and international arbitration.
This team has a proven track record of providing practical and commercial advice to a wide range of clients at all stages of the dispute resolution process – from drafting dispute resolution clauses during pre-contractual negotiations, through to obtaining emergency injunctions in situations where assets may be at risk, to litigating and arbitrating complex multi-jurisdictional disputes and enforcing judgments and awards and recovering assets.
You will be expected to provide in-depth case analysis and briefings for the partners and the team whilst being able to manage substantial disputes under partner supervision. You will work directly with clients. This will include taking instructions and preparing high quality and concise party/party correspondence, instructions to Counsel, pleadings and other court and arbitration documents as required. You will also be able to support the partners with business development opportunities and you are encouraged to take the initiative in developing your own and the team’s client relationships and market profile.
About you
We will invest in your ongoing training and development to support your professional goals and help you to thrive in your role from day one. Our opportunities are open to all suitably qualified applicants, so to be considered for this role, you must meet the following skills and experience:
You will have a well-developed understanding of litigation, arbitration and ADR procedures with the ability to translate legal theory into practical commercial advice. You will be an excellent communicator. You must have solid experience within a comparable firm recognised for general disputes work and be able to handle clients in major blue-chip companies. You will be expected to work collaboratively within a team environment and support not only the development of the practice but also the team’s culture and values.
You will be England and Wales qualified and 4 PQE+.
Being Scotland qualified is beneficial but not expected.
The team is growing, and we are looking to recruit in Scotland
What’s in it for you?
We want to reward you today and help you plan for tomorrow. We appreciate that everyone is different, therefore we have designed a benefits system that offers choice and flexibility based on individual needs and lifestyles. To name a few, these include:
• Competitive basic salary (reviewed annually)
• Flexible, hybrid working policy
• Generous bonus scheme
• Up to 25 days holiday (rising to 28 days with service)
• Holiday exchange scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Enhanced parental leave
If you would like to read more information regarding our range of benefits, please visit our Rewards & Benefits page on our website.
Equal opportunities
At CMS, we place diversity and inclusion at the centre of our culture and the heart of our organisation. As a firm we recognise, celebrate, and embrace the diverse talent our society has to offer because we know that to solve big problems, we need the best and brightest minds available to us. In support of this goal, we commit to actively breaking down barriers which stand in the way of those from diverse backgrounds and play our part in levelling the playing field.
As a Future Facing Firm, we strongly believe that a career in law should be open to people from all walks of life, because not only does diversity of thought and experience make our firm a stronger and more sustainable business, but it also makes it a more rewarding place to work.
When recruiting, we prioritise attracting talented people and we actively promote a flexible working environment which enables all our team members to thrive. If you see a role you are interested in, but don’t feel you meet 100% of the criteria we encourage you to still consider making an application. We also welcome applications from those who may be looking to return to the workforce after a career break.
We are proud to say our leadership in creating an inclusive working culture has been celebrated and recognised externally, including being listed for a number of years in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women and the Social Mobility Index.
We are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer, and we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity throughout our recruitment process and in every element of the employee life cycle. If you require assistance, or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements or adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please contact a member of the Talent Acquisition team at TalentAcquisition@cms-cmno.com who will be happy to support you.
Ready to apply? Here are the next steps.
We look forward to receiving your application online via theCMS careers site. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team if you have any questions.
Please note that we have a preferred agency panel in place. Only applications submitted via the portal at the point of instruction will be accepted.
#LI-DH1
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Commercial Disputes Associate - Edinburgh employer: cms
Contact Detail:
cms Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Disputes Associate - Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with CMS's recent cases and their approach to dispute resolution. Understanding their unique strategies and the sectors they specialise in will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of CMS, especially those in the disputes team. They can provide valuable insights into the firm's culture and expectations, which can be beneficial for your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on emerging technologies in the legal field, particularly generative AI. Showing that you are proactive about integrating technology into legal practice can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with high-profile clients and complex disputes. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to manage substantial cases and provide practical commercial advice.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Disputes Associate - Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Commercial Disputes Associate position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experience in litigation, arbitration, and ADR procedures.
Craft a Strong CV: Your CV should clearly outline your qualifications, including your England and Wales qualification and PQE. Emphasise your experience with blue-chip clients and your ability to provide practical commercial advice.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the firm. Highlight specific experiences that demonstrate your skills in managing disputes and working collaboratively within a team environment.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, and that your documents are formatted professionally. A polished application reflects your attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at cms
✨Understand the Role and the Firm
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Commercial Disputes Associate and what CMS stands for. Familiarise yourself with their approach to dispute resolution and the sectors they specialise in. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an excellent communicator, it's crucial to convey your thoughts clearly and concisely during the interview. Practice articulating your experiences and how they relate to the role. Be prepared to discuss complex legal concepts in a way that is understandable, showcasing your ability to translate legal theory into practical advice.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle disputes. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully managed a dispute or provided valuable advice. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
CMS values teamwork and collaboration, so be ready to discuss how you've worked within a team in previous roles. Highlight instances where you supported colleagues or contributed to a positive team culture. This will show that you align with their values and are ready to contribute to their growing team.
