Litigation & Arbitration Associate (3-4 PQE)

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives. 40% of our business comes from Europe, 40% from the US and 20% from Asia and we are one profit sharing partnership globally.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle some of the world’s most difficult problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

The team

We represent a wide variety of businesses, financial institutions and government agencies. As well as acting in contractual disputes, we are known for working in: public international law, international arbitration (investment treaty and commercial), financial services, art and cultural property, equity and fraud, reputation management, insolvency, international trusts and enforcement. We have a particular knowledge and understanding of European litigation procedures, and for example are able to use our experience to ‘translate' between civil law and common law jurisdictions.

The role

• Managing a diverse caseload of commercial litigation and arbitration matters
• Assisting on a broad range of commercial litigation and arbitration cases, including complex and cross-border disputes
• Drafting, reviewing and amending key documents, including witness statements, pleadings, submissions and client briefings
• Assisting with the preparation of fee estimates, pitches and business development initiatives
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders

Key skills and experience

• Qualified solicitor admitted to practise in England & Wales
• Approximately 3-4 years' post-qualification experience 
• Excellent written communication and drafting skills, with the ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative
• Strong interest in working on complex, cross-border and international disputes
• Experience in assisting with large and complex matters, while managing a varied caseload across multiple areas
• Proven business development and client relationship management skills
• Highly analytical, detail-oriented and well organised, with strong project management capabilities
• Solid grounding in commercial litigation, with experience in areas such as insolvency, fraud and commercial arbitration being highly desirable
• Ability to manage multiple matters effectively and work collaboratively within a team
• Fluency in an additional language would be advantageous

The essentials

• Standard working hours: 9.30am – 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• Hybrid working (a minimum of 2-3 days per week on average in the office)
• Flexible benefit package

Information for Recruitment Agencies
Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 
It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion. Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.