Solicitor / Associate - Commercial Litigation

Job description:\\tSolicitor\\t

Job title: \\t\\tAssociate, commercial litigation 

PQE Required:\\t1-5 years +

Location: \\t\\tFarringdon, London

Reports to:\\t\\tTeam partner 

WHO WE ARE

We are a modern, ambitious law firm always on the look-out for talented individuals to join our team. 

We are recognised market experts across a number of legal areas including, commercial litigation, corporate restructuring and insolvency, specialist director advice (both pre and post commencement of proceedings), shareholder disputes, tax disputes and banking & finance work. 

We are constantly looking to develop technologically and have a focus on quality legal services and will support individuals with innovative ideas.  

Many of our solicitors previously worked at national and international law firms but have chosen to join us to work with our great team and longstanding clients. The enjoy working in a forward looking firm where collaboration and ideas are encouraged.

ROLE OVERVIEW

An opportunity for a diligent self-starting lawyer looking to join our Commercial Litigation team and to deal with cases of significant size and complexity. The successful candidate must have previous experience and have a thorough understanding of all aspects of commercial litigation. 

We require an individual capable of assisting on a range of commercial litigation cases which may comprise director and shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, arbitration proceedings, contractual disputes, tortious claims, professional negligence and injunctive proceedings (particularly freezing order applications). 

You will also be expected to be client facing, dealing with enquiries confidently and have a record of developing clients, to complement FWJ’s website and online optimisation software and CRM system.

Our people are central to the success of Francis Wilks & Jones and ensuring the successful candidate fits into our culture is important to us. We are therefore looking for candidates who 

1.\\tAre legally competent in commercial litigation and general commercial law.

2.\\tAre reactive to client needs and interested in the technical challenges of our clients’ instructions and have the ability to provide a “value added” service;

3.\\tAre energetic and enthusiastic self-starters.

4.\\tAre keen to keep themselves updated with regular training and the understanding of breaking case law which often impacts upon the services provided to our clients;

5.\\tUnderstand the needs of HNW clients and Directors/SMEs and their commercial needs in respect of the risks of litigation, the strategic use of litigation and value-added aspects of litigation strategy.

6.\\tAre keen to understand client businesses, their methodologies and their needs.

7.\\tAre experienced in commercial dispute resolution and are able to employ such knowledge for a client’s best interests

8.\\tBe experienced in modern case management systems and be open to the use of technology within the law.

9.\\tHaving some understanding or be willing to understand the use of SEO, AI and other modern marketing techniques as part of a modern legal profession.

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

The successful candidate should ideally be able to demonstrate a range of experience of general commercial litigation This should include where possible experience of the following areas:

•\\tExperience of technically complex contractual disputes, shareholder and business disputes, arbitration proceedings, tortious claims, professional negligence and injunctive proceedings (particularly freezing order applications). 

•\\tExperience of a client facing role, speaking to clients from initial enquiry through to conclusion.

•\\tConducting general commercial litigation (fast track and multi-track claims), to include a reasonably accurate understanding and experience of the CPR and how this can be used for clients strategically.

•\\tRequired skills include drafting witness statements, interim applications (security for costs, further information, strike-out), dealing with detailed disclosure exercises (including disclosure under new pilot early and extended disclosure rules), mediation / ADR, and taking all steps up to and including trial.

•\\tParticular experience of shareholder and corporate disputes desired including s.994 unfair prejudice petitions under the Companies Act 2006 and derivative claims.

•\\tAny experience or an understanding of contentious insolvency matters such as antecedent transactions, misfeasance and claims in respect of outstanding directors’ loan accounts would be beneficial (but not required). 

•\\tIt would be of interest if the candidate had any experience of director disqualification matters, either pre-action or within contested proceedings.

•\\tIt would also be advantageous if the candidate had experience of litigation funding, including CFAs, DBAs, discounted and fixed fee agreements, disbursement funding and ATE insurance products.