Litigation Solicitor in Crawley

Jonathan Lea Network (JLN) is looking for an experienced, commercially minded Litigation / Dispute Resolution Solicitor to join our growing team. For the right candidate, the role will come with salaried partner designation from the outset. This is an excellent opportunity to take on high-quality, varied disputes work within a firm that values initiative, collaboration and commercial thinking, without unnecessary hierarchy or formality.

The role is primarily litigation-focused including ADR, acting for businesses and individuals, with the possibility of some employment law work as part of a broader disputes practice.

About JLN: JLN is a modern, forward-thinking, full-service law firm based in Mid-Sussex, advising clients across England and Wales and internationally. We are known for combining strong technical expertise with a personable, pragmatic approach to client service. We are committed to high-quality legal work within a collaborative, supportive and open working environment, supported by a strong team culture and active social side.

Our values are central to how we operate:

• Responsive and client-centred
• Expertly insightful
• Personable and collaborative
• Innovative and technology-enabled

The Role: You will manage your own litigation and dispute resolution caseload, acting as the main point of contact for clients and delivering clear, commercially focused advice. Matters at JLN span a wide range of civil and commercial work and you will have experience in some or all of the following areas: commercial contract disputes, shareholder and director disputes, landlord and tenant, commercial property disputes, construction, intellectual property, contentious probate, employment law, a wide range of property disputes, and debt recovery.

You will have autonomy from day one and have support from a well-established mixed level team.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Managing a varied dispute resolution caseload for business and individual clients
• Running matters independently and also collaboratively with mixed level teams
• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers and paralegals
• Acting as a trusted, professional adviser to clients
• Taking introductory video calls and converting leads
• Engaging with AI and legal technology embedded in JLN’s working practices
• Contributing to marketing initiatives

The Ideal Candidate: You will be:

• A qualified solicitor with 3+ years’ PQE
• A litigation / dispute resolution specialist, ideally with some employment law experience
• Confident, personable and comfortable taking responsibility and making decisions
• Commercially aware and client-focused
• Experienced in supervising junior colleagues, or keen to take on that role
• Organised, responsive and pragmatic
• Open to innovation and comfortable working in a tech-enabled environment
• Someone who enjoys being part of a team and contributes positively to firm culture

Why Join JLN? This is a role for someone who wants high-quality work without the rigidity of a traditional firm. You’ll benefit from:

• Hybrid working with genuine flexibility
• A supportive mixed-level team structure
• A collaborative, open-plan office environment
• A firm that embraces AI and modern ways of working
• Regular team events, socialising and a friendly, inclusive culture

Benefits include:

• 22 days’ annual leave (rising to 25 days)
• NEST pension scheme
• Salary sacrifice
• WPA Precision Corporate Healthcare
• Bonus: 20% of billings above £180,000 per annum
• Commission: 15% of any work introduced by the firm

Location: This role is best suited to candidates based in Surrey, Sussex or Kent, with a hybrid working arrangement balancing office presence in Haywards Heath and remote working. However, we are also open to considering lawyers from further afield who would like to work on a fully remote basis.