Commercial Disputes – Junior & Mid-Level Associates | Leeds | Top 30 UK Law Firm

Roles: Associate (1–3 PQE) and  Associate (2–5 PQE) Location: Leeds Type: Permanent, Full Time Salary: Competitive

The Opportunity

A leading national and international law firm is seeking two talented solicitors to join its highly regarded Commercial Disputes practice in Leeds. These are excellent opportunities for ambitious lawyers at different stages of their careers — a junior associate at 1–3 years PQE and a mid-level associate at 2–5 years PQE — to join a team with a strong market reputation, genuine progression prospects, and consistently high-quality work.

The firm is recognised by independent legal directories as one of the leading disputes and investigations practices in each of the markets in which it operates. Its client base includes blue-chip corporates, FTSE 100 companies, public sector bodies and high net worth individuals spanning sectors such as retail, energy, financial services, transport, digital, food and drink, health, and automotive.

The Team

The Commercial Disputes Group operates across all UK offices and internationally, offering clients a genuinely strategic and commercially focused approach to dispute resolution. The team handles the full spectrum of contentious work — court and arbitral proceedings, negotiation, mediation and adjudication — and is regularly instructed against magic circle, major City and US firms.

The group prides itself on deep sector knowledge and a close understanding of the transactional context underpinning the disputes it handles, working in close collaboration with non-contentious colleagues to deliver rounded, commercially astute advice. It is a busy, high-performing and cohesive team where lawyers genuinely support one another.

The Roles

Junior Associate – 1 to 3 years PQE

This is a great platform for a junior solicitor looking to build their commercial disputes practice within a supportive environment. The successful candidate will work across a broad range of contentious matters, developing their technical skills under the guidance of experienced practitioners. They will be encouraged to engage with formal training programmes, mentoring and coaching, and to begin building their own network of client and industry contacts.

Mid level Associate – 2 to 5 years PQE

This role is suited to a solicitor who is ready to take greater ownership of matters and make a meaningful contribution to client relationships. The successful candidate will be expected to think creatively and commercially, putting client objectives at the forefront of their approach — including considering how AI and other tools can enhance service delivery. They will play an active role in developing relationships both within the team and across the wider firm, and will have clear opportunities for career progression.

The Ideal Candidates

Both candidates will be qualified solicitors with relevant private practice experience in commercial disputes. They will be proactive, intellectually curious and genuinely committed to client service. A collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for continuous development are important, as is the ability to work flexibly across a varied caseload.

Why This Firm?

This is a firm that invests seriously in its people. Lawyers here work on high-calibre, complex matters alongside talented and supportive colleagues. The firm has a strong culture of collaboration, innovation and inclusion, with a range of employee networks and development programmes in place. Progression is actively encouraged and there is a clear pathway for those with ambition and drive.

To find out more or to apply, please get in touch with Kim Wilkes at Think Legal Recruitment.

kim@thinklegalrecruitment.com