Commercial Litigation Associate

Job title: Commercial Litigation Associate (1-3 yrs PQE)

Reporting to: Partner and/or Head of Department

Department: Tax Disputes

Location: London, hybrid

Working hours: Permanent, full-time

Purpose of role: To work with team of commercial litigators within the Tax Disputes team, conducting complex commercial disputes in which tax issues are central to the claim, including professional negligence claims against tax advisers, disputes concerning tax warranties and indemnities, allegations of misrepresentation and fraud, claims arising from failed transactions and investment structures, and other tax-driven commercial litigation. Clients will include corporate entities, financial institutions, professional advisers, investors and high-net-worth individuals.

Reviewed: October 2026

General overview

Qualified solicitors/barristers must be licensed to practice law to act on behalf of clients in legal matters. The specific nature of the legal work relates to the relevant specialist litigation practice areas of the firm and is set out below.

Solicitors are typically responsible to the head of a work group and/or the Head of Department.

Solicitors must have a current practising certificate, maintain their learning and development record and comply with the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s continuing competency requirements.

Standard lawyer responsibilities

• Takes initial instructions, establishing suitability of the matter by undertaking preliminary research and reviewing documentation
• Maintains regular communications with clients, solicitors, supervisors and others on the telephone and in meetings
• Explains fee structure and ensures client is kept appraised regularly of changes in any estimate of fees, providing advice at all stages, pre and post proceedings
• Prepares reports, letters of advice
• Drafts statements
• Selects and instructs experts
• Instructs Counsel
• Compiles Disclosure lists and bundles
• Conducts litigation proceedings
• Appears before the Court at interlocutory hearings
• Demonstrates relevant experience with ADR
• Prepares cost estimates and cost schedules and conducts cost assessment
• proceedings

Expert legal skills

The Tax Disputes Department specialises in both traditional HMRC-facing tax tribunal litigation and complex commercial disputes where tax issues lie at the heart of the case.

The team consists of both tax specialists and specialist commercial litigators. While the two sides of the department work closely together, commercial litigators will not generally be expected to conduct HMRC facing or tax tribunal work.

Some prior knowledge of, or interest in, tax would be preferable but is not essential, because we have the necessary tax specialism in department. However, enthusiasm and willingness to learn and engage with interesting tax issues is essential.

The team acts on a broad range of tax-related commercial litigation, including professional negligence claims against accountants, solicitors and tax advisers, disputes arising from corporate transactions, claims involving tax warranties and indemnities, allegations of misrepresentation and fraud, and disputes arising from failed tax planning arrangements and investment structures.

By combining specialist tax expertise with leading commercial litigation capability, the team is able to analyse both the underlying tax issues and the wider legal, commercial and strategic considerations that determine the outcome of a dispute. Solicitors are expected to possess:

• A sound understanding of commercial litigation principles and procedure, including a high degree of familiarity with the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), the High Court litigation process and alternative dispute resolution procedures.
• An enthusiasm to engage with complex tax issues arising within wider commercial disputes and work effectively with HMRC litigators.
• An ability to handle and assess large volumes of documentation and complex factual and technical subject matter.
• Strong analytical and drafting skills, including the preparation of pleadings, witness statements, letters of claim and settlement documentation.
• Practical experience of disclosure exercises and reviews.
• An ability to work effectively as part of a team on significant and high-value cases.
• A willingness to work independently whilst exercising sound judgement regarding supervision and escalation when required.

Supervisory skills

Senior solicitors may supervise other qualified solicitors, and most qualified solicitors will have joint responsibility for a paralegal.

They will be expected to

• Delegate effectively to junior lawyers and paralegals, set boundaries and oversee work
• Assign appropriate duties
• Give clear instructions and share information
• Provide regular feedback, offer support and guidance, coach, mentor and motivate
• Consider opportunities for growth and development
• Conduct formal performance appraisals

Financial Management skills

• Records time effectively, achieves/exceed hours and billing targets
• Assists with/manages the effective billing and cash collection
• Monitors financial performance and WIP
• Sets, manages and reviews litigation budgets and manages profitability

Business Development skills

• Undertakes research into developments in tax-related commercial litigation, professional negligence, fraud, corporate transactions and related case law to identify opportunities for new instructions and business development.
• Monitors legal and market developments that may generate potential claims involving tax issues and assists in assessing strategic opportunities for the department.
• Prepares regular updates, briefings and know-how materials for partners and colleagues on significant legal developments and emerging trends.
• Demonstrates commercial awareness and vision.
• Attends, assists with and organises networking and business development events.
• Contributes to marketing materials, thought leadership and client publications.
• Identifies, generates and follows up new and existing business opportunities.
• Develops own network and raises both personal and firm profile.
• Promotes the firm through speaking engagements, articles, publications and industry events.
• Assists with and participates in business pitches and client presentations.
• Develops recognised expertise in the field and contributes to the reputation and growth of the practice.

Knowledge-sharing skills

• Makes use of the firm’s collective knowledge resources, promotes internal knowledge-sharing
• Attends and contributes towards know-how meetings, delivers internal training sessions

Academic background

• Essential: Minimum 2:1 degree; commendation in any applicable conversion course,
• LPC or Bar Course; and/or successful completion of the SQE
• Desirable: Languages

General skills

• Well organised, uses initiative, prioritises appropriately, applies self, shows attention to detail, manages own workload and meets deadlines
• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills (respectful, positive, articulate, professional and sympathetic)
• Delivers helpful internal services with a “can do” approach, shows commercial awareness and represents the department/firm appropriately
• Shares information and ideas
• Shows sound judgement and decision-making skills; acts within boundaries
• Shows commitment, passion and enthusiasm
• Is a respectful, reliable and supportive team player
• Reflects the firm’s culture