Commercial Litigation Partner
Location: Bristol
The Opportunity
An established and highly regarded law firm in Bristol is seeking an experienced Commercial Litigation Partner.
This role offers a strategic opportunity to play a leading part in the expansion of a well‑respected disputes practice across Bristol and the wider South West. The successful candidate will bring an existing client following, a clear growth plan, and the drive to further enhance the firm’s market presence.
The team advises on a broad and diverse range of disputes, acting for large corporates, owner-managed businesses, and high-net-worth individuals across multiple sectors. The practice encompasses complex, high-value and often multi-jurisdictional matters, providing exposure to varied and intellectually challenging work.
Scope of Work
The role spans a wide spectrum of commercial disputes, including (but not limited to):
- Shareholder, partnership, and company disputes
- Contractual disputes and breach of contract claims
- Business ownership and control issues
- Professional negligence claims
- Commercial fraud and asset recovery
- Contentious insolvency matters
- Injunctions and urgent interim relief applications
- Disputes arising across sectors such as property, finance, construction, and professional services
The successful candidate will be expected to handle complex and varied litigation matters, often involving strategic input, risk management, and commercially driven outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a varied caseload of commercial litigation matters, ensuring high-quality, timely and profitable delivery
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser and consistently delivering excellent client service
- Drive business development activity, leveraging an existing network and identifying new opportunities for growth
- Contribute to and help execute the team’s strategic growth plan
- Expand the firm’s presence in the regional disputes market
- Collaborate with colleagues across practice areas to maximise cross-referral opportunities
- Supervise, mentor, and develop junior lawyers and wider team members
- Ensure effective matter management, including pricing, resourcing, and profitability
- Keep abreast of legal and market developments and contribute to ongoing service innovation
Skills, Experience & Attributes
- Senior qualified solicitor
- Proven experience handling a broad range of complex commercial disputes
- Strong track record in business development, with an established client following
- Demonstrable ability to lead, grow, and develop a disputes practice
- Commercially astute with a strategic and growth-oriented mindset
- Excellent client relationship management skills
- Experience managing and developing a team
- Clear vision and credible business plan for practice growth within the Bristol market
What’s on Offer
- Opportunity to join a well-established and forward-thinking disputes practice
- High-quality, complex, and varied contentious work across multiple sectors
- A platform to develop and grow your own practice within a supportive environment
- Collaborative culture with strong cross-practice integration
- Competitive remuneration and benefits aligned with seniority
Interested applicants should contact Sam Higgins at Simpson Judge. 07770109301 / sam.higgins@simpsonjudge.co.uk