Head of Asset Management in Bradford

Two outstanding opportunities with this well thought out, people centric, ambitious new entrant to the market.

In both cases experience in commercial debt litigation would be highly advantageous. Both of the roles would suit candidates who want to be part of the journey, who know that processes can be more agile, and that cultures can be better and so want to have a platform to make this happen and to be part of shaping and executing strategy. Both roles are on site, essential in helping to build and shape a positive culture at this stage of growth. However, there is a high degree of flexibility regarding flexible/condensed hours.

The Head of Legal Practice/Senior Solicitor will lead the delivery of high-quality legal services in commercial debt litigation, acting as the firm’s subject-matter expert in recovering and defending commercial debts through negotiation, mediation, court proceedings, enforcement action and insolvency processes. The role also holds responsibility for supervising regulated work in accordance with SRA guidance, including being nominated as the Supervising Solicitor on SRA records, and ensuring, in partnership with the firm’s COLP, robust regulatory compliance, risk management and ethical practice, safeguarding the firm’s authorisation and reputation. The Senior Solicitor will also be the firm’s MLRO, taking the lead in guarding against financial crime. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring strong technical expertise across litigation, enforcement and insolvency. Strong, effective leadership is a must.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide specialist advice and representation in commercial debt recovery and disputes, including unpaid invoices, breach of contract claims, insolvency-related matters (e.g., bankruptcy petitions, winding-up petitions/orders, and administrations), and enforcement action (e.g., charging orders, warrants of control, and third-party debt orders).
• As Supervising Solicitor, implement and maintain a system of supervision of the firm’s legal services that complies with the latest SRA guidance on Supervision, following the Mazur case.
• Line-manage the Assistant Solicitor(s) and support the development of Paralegals, fostering a collaborative team culture and building capability across the firm.
• Ensure that all staff delivering legal services are competent to carry out their role and that they keep their knowledge and skills up-to-date, as well as their understanding of their legal, ethical and regulatory obligations.
• Manage a caseload of complex litigation matters from instruction through to resolution, including drafting statements of case, preparing evidence and bundles, attending hearings, negotiating settlements, and implementing post-judgment enforcement strategies.
• Assess litigation risk and advise on merits, strategy, proportionality and costs, and appropriate dispute resolution routes (including mediation and arbitration), taking account of insolvency considerations such as creditor priorities and asset recovery.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant case law, legislation and practice (including the Civil Procedure Rules, Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act, Insolvency Act 1986 and Enterprise Act 2002) to deliver proactive, commercially focused advice on debt recovery, enforcement and insolvency.
• As MLRO, ensure that effective procedures and processes are maintained to ensure the firm meets its obligations in relation to financial crime issues, including undertaking appropriate Client Due Diligence, Sanctions Checking and matter risk assessments.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, counsel, expert witnesses, insolvency practitioners and other external stakeholders to support and grow the firm’s litigation practice.
• Provide supervisory assurance by conducting and/or overseeing file reviews and audits of litigation activity, ensuring work is delivered to required quality and compliance standards.
• If any legal, regulatory or ethical concern is identified through supervision, self-identification by staff or otherwise, investigate and resolve promptly, consulting with the COLP as appropriate where a breach has, or may have, occurred.
• If a claim against the firm (or a complaint threatening such a claim) is received, or a potential claim identified through other means, report it to the COLP and liaise with our PII providers, to manage the claim appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners on cross-practice matters, including corporate restructurings, asset tracing, and receivership-related advice.
• Review and approve the wording of template letters, emails, SMSs, Court pleadings and other documents in the case management system and amendments to them.
• Demonstrate the firm’s values of integrity, excellence and client service, managing workload effectively across fee-earning, supervision and compliance responsibilities.
• Provide regular management reports to the Senior Leadership Team, including supervision outcomes.

Key Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Qualified solicitor of England and Wales, holding a current practising certificate, free of conditions.
• At least 8 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) in commercial litigation and debt recovery, including enforcement (e.g., High Court enforcement, bailiff instructions, and judgment enforcement) and insolvency matters (e.g., CVAs, IVAs, liquidations, administrations, and creditor/debtor rights).
• Higher Rights of Audience (Civil) is desirable, enabling advocacy in the higher courts.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory capability, with experience managing small teams in a legal environment.
• Strong working knowledge of SRA regulatory requirements, compliance frameworks, and risk management.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail and the resilience to manage high-pressure litigation, enforcement, and insolvency work.
• Clear and confident written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advise clients and guide colleagues.
• Highly organised and proactive, able to prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced, small-practice setting.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office, with experience using legal case management systems.
• Proven track record of supervising legal teams and/or supporting the day-to-day management of a small practice.
• Experience within a small or boutique firm is preferred, where versatility and cross-functional working are essential.
• Evidence of strong case outcomes, including successful settlements, judgment enforcement, and effective navigation of insolvency processes, alongside a consistent record of maintaining compliance.

The Debt Solicitor role will support the Head of Legal practice in delivering high-quality legal services.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide clear, practical advice and representation on commercial debt recovery and related disputes, including unpaid invoices, breach of contract claims, insolvency matters (e.g., bankruptcy petitions, winding-up petitions/orders and administrations) and enforcement action (e.g., charging orders, writs of control and third-party debt orders).
• Support paralegals’ development through coaching, knowledge-sharing and supervision as appropriate, fostering a collaborative team culture and building capability across the firm.
• Manage a caseload of complex litigation matters from instruction through to conclusion, including drafting statements of case, preparing evidence and hearing bundles, attending hearings, negotiating settlements and progressing post-judgment enforcement.
• Assist the Senior Solicitor with risk and merits assessments, advising on prospects, costs, and appropriate dispute resolution options (including negotiation, mediation and arbitration), with due regard to insolvency considerations such as creditor priorities and asset recovery.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant case law, rules and legislation (including the Civil Procedure Rules, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts legislation, the Insolvency Act 1986 and the Enterprise Act 2002), and wider market developments, to inform proactive, client-focused strategy.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with clients, counsel, expert witnesses, insolvency practitioners and other external stakeholders to support delivery and strengthen the firm’s litigation practice.
• Provide supervisory assurance by conducting, and/or overseeing, audits and file reviews of staff undertaking litigation activities, ensuring quality, compliance and adherence to agreed processes.
• Uphold the firm’s values of integrity, excellence and client service, managing workload effectively across litigation, supervision and compliance responsibilities.

Key Experience, Skills and Attributes:

• Qualified solicitor of England and Wales with a current practising certificate.
• At least 2 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) in commercial litigation (including enforcement work such as High Court enforcement, bailiff instructions and judgment enforcement) and insolvency law (including advising on CVAs, IVAs, liquidations, administrations, and creditor/debtor rights).
• Strong working knowledge of SRA regulatory requirements, compliance frameworks, and risk management.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail and the resilience to manage high-pressure litigation, enforcement, and insolvency work.
• Clear and confident written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to advise clients and guide colleagues.
• Highly organised and proactive, able to prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced, small-practice setting.
• Evidence of strong case outcomes, including successful settlements, judgment enforcement, and effective navigation of insolvency processes, alongside a consistent record of maintaining compliance.