Senior Associate - Legal Director in Guildford

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a senior Dispute Resolution lawyer to join a highly regarded regional law firm at an important stage in the continued development of its Guildford team. This is a key senior appointment with a remit extending beyond managing a high-quality caseload. The successful individual will play an important role in the day-to-day management, supervision and ongoing growth of the team, providing experienced support and leadership to colleagues while working closely with the wider senior team.

The role involves managing your own caseload of high-value and complex disputes and taking an active role in supporting the overall management and development of the team. Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied caseload of complex and high-value dispute resolution matters
• Advising on contractual and shareholder disputes
• Working across a broader range of commercial and civil litigation matters
• Providing day-to-day support, guidance and supervision to lawyers and junior colleagues
• Playing an active role in the management and continued development of the team
• Mentoring colleagues and supporting their professional development
• Helping to maintain high standards of client service and technical delivery across the team
• Working collaboratively with senior colleagues on particularly complex or strategically important matters
• Providing clear, pragmatic and commercially focused advice to clients
• Contributing to the continued growth and success of the practice

Experience of construction disputes would be particularly welcomed, although this is not essential.

This role requires more than technical expertise alone. We are looking for someone who combines strong dispute resolution experience with the confidence and capability to step into a senior position within the team. You are likely to have:

• Significant experience handling a broad range of complex dispute resolution matters
• Strong experience of contractual and shareholder disputes
• The technical capability to manage high-value and complex matters independently
• Previous experience of supervising, mentoring and developing other lawyers
• The confidence to support the day-to-day management and direction of a team
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A commercial, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach
• A genuine interest in developing both people and the wider practice

While the position is likely to suit an experienced Senior Associate or Legal Director, experience, capability and leadership potential are more important than title or PQE alone.

This is an opportunity to join a highly regarded dispute resolution practice in a genuinely influential position, with the scope to make a meaningful contribution to the future of the team. The role offers:

• A senior and influential position within an established practice
• High-quality, complex and interesting dispute resolution work
• Genuine responsibility for supporting the management and development of the team
• The opportunity to supervise, mentor and develop other lawyers
• Scope to contribute to the continued growth of the practice
• Excellent long-term career development opportunities
• A collaborative and supportive working environment
• Hybrid and flexible working, with alternative working patterns considered

Salary is expected to be in the region of £75,000 to £85,000+, depending on experience and level of appointment, with flexibility for an exceptional candidate.

If you are an experienced Dispute Resolution lawyer looking for a role offering greater influence, leadership responsibility and the opportunity to play a key part in the development of a successful team, we would be delighted to hear from you.