We are looking for an ambitious and talented Associate to join our busy and growing commercial litigation team. This new position is ideal for someone with around 1-2 years’ PQE (although we may consider those with more or less PQE in exceptional circumstances), gained in a City firm or leading national or regional practice. This is a full time position.
The Commercial Litigation Team
There are currently 4 partners and 9 other lawyers in the team. We are one of the largest contentious law practices in the South East outside London and are rated in the top tiers of Chambers and Legal 500 and as a National Leading Practice in Chambers.
We handle a wide range of contentious work for a variety of clients, from individuals and owner managed businesses to household name PLCs. A large proportion of our work is international in nature, involving close collaboration with law firms in other jurisdictions. As well as handling complex High Court litigation and international arbitration we provide strategic advice on claims avoidance and risk management.
We are committed to investment in our team and have several solicitor advocates within the team as well as members of CiArb and qualified mediators. First-class support and learning and development opportunities are provided, and early responsibility is offered. The successful candidate will often work on cases directly with a partner and take responsibility for progressing cases, as well as working as part of a larger team.
Elizabeth Butler, associate, comments “I joined S&B in 2020, having trained and qualified at a regional law firm and from the outset I’ve been involved in great quality, interesting work spanning a range of different industries. As a commercial litigation associate at S&B, you’re given plenty of direct client contact and there’s a real emphasis on learning and development and equipping you with the tools you need to thrive. The team itself is incredibly supportive and encouraging and the culture of the firm is inclusive with an emphasis on bringing everyone together through regular department and firm-wide socials.”
Teja Pisk, senior associate, comments “I joined Stevens & Bolton in 2018 having trained and qualified at a City firm and have, quite frankly, never looked back. I have excellent exposure to a wide variety of stimulating cases and great levels of responsibility. The team as a whole is incredibly supportive, encouraging and friendly which makes for a fantastic working environment in which everyone is given the opportunity to thrive. The firm wide culture is a real differential – genuinely inclusive with a real sense of togetherness”.
We are looking for someone with drive and enthusiasm for a broad diet of commercial dispute resolution work. Strong experience of commercial contract disputes will be a definite advantage, as will an appetite for business development. The successful candidate is likely to:
- Be a strong team player with good inter-personal skills;
- Have good academics and high-quality experience – typically with a City or leading national/regional practice;
- Possess the ability to communicate concisely and with confidence;
- Have excellent technical ability, drafting skills and attention to detail;
- Be highly motivated and reliable;
- Be able to work both independently, running appropriate cases with minimum supervision and as part of a large team;
- Demonstrate commercial awareness;
- Be confident and personable when interacting directly with clients and provide a high level of client service; and
- Be willing to take an active role and interest in business development within both the team and across the wider firm.
Our offering
- Competitive base salary
- Pensions Scheme (5% employer contribution)
- Private medical insurance
- Permanent health insurance
- Life assurance
- Receive either the sum of £750 per annum as a travel allowance or reimbursement of carparking expenses via a pay as you go card at a local carpark (likely to be Farnham Road carpark)
- Travel – option to apply for an interest free loan for a season ticket or parking permit
- Enhanced maternity/paternity pay (after sufficient service)
- Cash back scheme
- Comprehensive flexible benefits package including:
- Critical illness insurance
- Buy/Sell holiday scheme
- Dental insurance
- Cycle to work schemes
- Taste card
- Fun pass
- Give as you earn
- Discounted gym memberships and shopping
- Profit share and discretionary bonus schemes
Stevens & Bolton – making a positive difference to your career
You’ll work with people who listen, and who actively and willingly support one another within a collaborative and engaging environment. We genuinely care about our people and strive to build and maintain a diverse, inclusive and happy workforce.
We are recognised as a top firm in The Times Best Law Firms 2024 and shortlisted for ESG Initiative of the Year at the upcoming Women, Influence & Power in Law UK 2024 Awards. We were highly commended for both “Regional/Offshore Firm of the Year” – Legal Business Awards 2023 and “Law Firm of the Year” – SLS Legal Awards 2023, commended for “Law Firm of the Year: The Independents” – The Lawyer Awards 2023, and were shortlisted for “UK Law Firm of the Year - Small/Mid Sized Firm” – The British Legal Awards 2023 and “Workplace Fit-out of the Year” – Insider South East Property Awards 2023. Our refurbished office has been awarded a RICS SKA silver certificate and a 2 star Fitwel accreditation.
We’ve made excellence the hallmark of our firm: in the clear advice we give, in the enduring client relationships we build and in our proactive and highly responsive service. We seek to recruit people who will help us maintain and build on this, and in return we offer excellent long-term career and development opportunities.
Diversity & Inclusion
We have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I). This drives a strategy which focuses on constant promotion of an inclusive culture that encourages everyone to realise their full potential and be themselves at work. Previously we have been shortlisted for “Best D&I Initiative” at The HR Awards and for “Best Talent and Inclusion Initiative” at The Lawyer Awards.