Location: Plymouth, Devon
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience - Circa £65 to £75k
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Office-based / hybrid
Contract: Full-time
Experienced Litigation Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive sought to join a well-established Plymouth practice as Head of Litigation & Disputes.
This is a senior opportunity combining a high-quality contentious caseload with responsibility for the leadership, development and growth of the firm's Litigation & Disputes department.
The successful candidate will take a key role in shaping the future direction of the team, with responsibility for people management, business development and financial performance alongside their own complex and high-value litigation work.
Position Overview
You will manage a varied caseload of litigation and dispute resolution matters from instruction through to conclusion, including complex and higher-value disputes. Alongside your fee-earning work, you will lead and develop the wider Litigation & Disputes team.
Responsibilities will include:
- Managing a varied caseload of civil litigation and dispute resolution matters
- Handling complex and high-value disputes
- Providing commercially focused, practical legal advice to clients
- Conducting proceedings in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules and relevant pre-action protocols
- Drafting pleadings, witness statements, applications, settlement agreements and other litigation documentation
- Negotiating settlements and representing clients at mediations and settlement discussions
- Acting as a senior technical resource for the department
- Supervising and mentoring qualified fee earners, trainees, apprentices and support staff
- Supporting the allocation of work and professional development of team members
- Developing and implementing the department's annual business plan
- Building relationships with existing clients, prospective clients and professional contacts
- Identifying opportunities to generate new instructions and increase departmental revenue
- Participating in networking, marketing and other business development initiatives
- Working collaboratively with other departments to develop cross-referral opportunities
- Monitoring billing, WIP, debt management and overall departmental financial performance
- Ensuring high standards of compliance, risk management and client care
This is a genuine leadership position and would particularly suit an experienced litigator who enjoys combining technical legal work with developing people and growing a successful department.
Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with full practice rights
- Significant post-qualification experience in litigation and dispute resolution
- Extensive experience managing contentious matters independently from instruction through to conclusion
- Strong technical knowledge of civil litigation procedure and dispute resolution
- Experience handling complex and high-value disputes
- Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking
- Demonstrable business development and client relationship management experience
- Experience supervising, mentoring or developing junior lawyers
- Excellent communication, negotiation and advocacy skills
- Ability to provide commercially focused and pragmatic advice
- Strong organisational and financial management skills
- Existing professional network and/or track record of generating new business would be advantageous
- Previous departmental leadership or management experience would be beneficial
Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Additional gifted Christmas leave
- Gifted birthday leave
- Private health insurance
- Monthly wellness leave
- Regular staff social events and networking opportunities
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Free indoor bike storage
- Genuine opportunity to lead and develop an established Litigation & Disputes department
- Significant scope to influence departmental strategy, growth and future direction
- Senior position within an established Plymouth practice
This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and commercially minded Litigation Lawyer seeking a genuine Head of Department role with the autonomy to develop a team, grow the practice and play an important part in the firm's wider success.
Head of Litigation & Disputes (Permanent) in Devon employer: RLS Legal Recruitment
Join a well-established legal practice in East Cornwall that values both traditional principles and modern expertise, offering a supportive and close-knit team environment. With competitive pay rates and the opportunity to engage in high-quality work amidst the stunning scenery of the West Country, this role provides not only meaningful employment but also the chance for professional growth in a picturesque location. Embrace the opportunity to manage a diverse caseload while enjoying the benefits of a flexible working arrangement.
