Associate Commercial Disputes

Associate – Dispute Resolution – Manchester

Regulatory Public and Commercial Disputes National Service Line (“NSL”)

The role

The Regulatory Public and Commercial Disputes NSL (RPCD) provides contentious and advisory legal services to a range of education, health, commercial and personal clients.  We are looking for a junior lawyer who is flexible in their outlook and has an appetite to work for a broad range of clients - you may be called upon from time to time to work in any part of the NSL.

The role will involve working under supervision with Richard Dawson-Gerrard and the team in Manchester giving support as necessary. Within RPCD Manchester the following key areas are represented in addition to the broad range of general commercial disputes:

• Contentious trusts and probate
• Sport
• Insolvency and Restructuring
• Reputation Management

In addition we operate as a national service line and so work is also undertaken across all our offices although generally on a remote basis.

The NSL’s work in Manchester includes:

• Representing a wide range of clients in dispute resolution processes whether through in the High Court, County Court, arbitral and other tribunals, mediation and other ADR processes.  The work includes commercial contract disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, litigation arising from corporate transactions, shareholder disputes, warranty claims insolvency litigation, intellectual property disputes, fraud, procurement issues, claimant professional negligence
• Providing corporate support on issues arising pre and post deals
• Disputes arising out of the sports sector including regulatory and contractual issues
• Advising clients in the food and agri sector on all disputes (including GSCOP)
• Advising clients on high value contentious trust and probate matters often with international aspects
• Reputation management issues in particular for education, healthcare, pharma and sports clients
• Investigating claims arising from the insolvency of companies (including breach of duty by directors, transaction at undervalue and preferences) and advising insolvency office-holders bringing proceedings
• Advising the Insolvency Service (government agency) on director disqualification proceedings and public interesting winding up.
• Work in the automotive sector

We are looking for a candidate to join the team and embrace the opportunity for broad experience and manage a varied caseload.

The person

You will be NQ+ years with experience of dispute resolution gained in private practice.

• Skills and attributes
• Good academics – 2.1 degree or equivalent and good A levels or equivalents
• Academic ability yet a practical approach
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written English and ability to produce clear, logical drafting
• An ability to seek creative solutions
• High quality analytical and technical skills
• Able to turn detailed analysis into user-friendly advice for clients (external and interna0
• Commercial awareness and common sense
• Ability to make legal/commercial judgements and offer practical advice
• Able to work to tight deadlines
• Negotiating skills
• Good research skills, including an ability to use online information sources
• Lateral thinking and problem solving skills
• Enthusiasm towards building and strengthening relationships with clients and their advisers
• Flexibility to work with several team members
• Effective time and matter management and a systematic approach to work
• Proactive team player

Desirable

• Advocacy skills

What else should I know?

Mills & Reeve is a major UK law firm renowned for its outstanding service to national and international clients, collaborative culture and for its deep sector expertise. We have over 1000 staff, with seven offices in England. Our Manchester office is based in the exciting new Circle Square development next to the Manchester Technology Centre and in Manchester’s innovation district.

The firm has a strong sector focus with expertise in agriculture, charities, education, food and beverage, health, insurance, private wealth, real estate investment, sport and technology. Clients include businesses from PLCs to start-ups, high net worth individuals and landowners, more than 120 universities, colleges and education bodies and over 100 healthcare organisations.

Mills & Reeve has been named for a record 19th year running as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the annual survey and is the only UK law firm to have achieved this.  We are also delighted to have been named by RollonFriday as one of the top law firms in the UK for the fifth year running.

This is a great opportunity to join a forward thinking law firm and our stats speak for themselves

Why not find out more about what it’s like to work at Mills & Reeve by taking two minutes to watch our video?

https://player.vimeo.com/video/157575542

Pre-employment screening

 Please note that, if we make an offer of employment, we will conduct pre-employment screening that includes checks relating to your professional and academic qualifications, references from previous employers, your eligibility to work in the UK and any disciplinary history recorded with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). You will also be required to complete a self-declaration to assess your character and suitability.

Disclosure and barring service check and security clearance

This post is also subject to a satisfactory response from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (to check for any previous criminal convictions) and, given the nature of the work-type, you may also be required to undergo national security vetting to SC level – the latter can be undertaken following commencement of employment.

And finally

Mills & Reeve is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment. We are happy to consider flexible working arrangements and endeavour to achieve the right balance for both our people and the business. This attitude to flexible working ensures we continue to provide outstanding service to our clients, whilst allowing our people to develop their careers in the knowledge that personal priorities will remain just that.

Mills & Reeve is committed to promoting equality, diversity and to providing an inclusive and supportive environment. Please click the link below to find further information regarding our diversity policy.

 https://www.mills-reeve.com/about-us/diversity-and-inclusion