Senior Disputes Lawyer
Senior Disputes Lawyer
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Job Description
We are seeking a strategically minded and technically proficient Senior Disputes Lawyer to join our dynamic team in London. This critical role involves managing complex internal and external investigations and disputes as well as advising on a broad range of regulatory and other legal risks pertinent to the operations of a global law firm including those associated with emerging technologies such as Generative AI. You will work closely with the firms risk management team to proactively identify mitigate and learn from legal and operational risks contributing significantly to our firms resilience and strategic direction.
Key Responsibilities and DeliverablesAs a Senior Disputes Lawyer your responsibilities will include:
Dispute Management:Leading and managing contentious matters including internal investigations complaints and claims from clients or other third parties and regulatory investigations.
Professional Indemnity Insurance:Supporting the proper conduct of all professional indemnity claims or potential claims including drafting notifications tracking existing notifications and liaising with the firms insurers and insurance brokers.
Strategic Legal Advice:Providing legal and risk advice to senior stakeholders on dispute resolution strategy reputational impact and regulatory exposure.
Regulatory Compliance:Maintaining awareness of and advising on applicable law firm regulatory frameworks and professional indemnity insurance requirements.
Generative AI:Collaborating with innovation and tech teams to assess legal and ethical risks associated with Generative AI tools and helping to develop governance frameworks for responsible AI use.
External Counsel Management:Instructing and overseeing external counsel ensuring alignment with firm strategy and cost-effective representation.
Policy Development:Contributing to internal governance policies covering dispute resolution regulatory compliance and AI usage.
Training & Awareness:Delivering training on dispute-related risks privilege regulatory obligations and responsible technology use.
Cross-Border Coordination:Supporting international offices on multi-jurisdictional disputes and regulatory matters.
Risk Collaboration:Collaborating with the risk management team and others within the global legal department to identify emerging risks develop mitigation strategies and embed risk awareness across the firm.
Lessons Learned:Leading or contributing to post-incident reviews and lessons learned exercises following disputes or regulatory events ensuring insights are captured and translated into improved practices.
Key RequirementsWe are looking for a highly capable individual who meets the following criteria:
Qualified solicitor (England & Wales or equivalent).
Senior Dispute Resolution lawyer ideally from a top-tier law firm or in-house legal team.
Proven ability to manage complex high-value disputes with discretion and strategic insight.
Excellent communication negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
Commercial acumen and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
High integrity sound judgment and resilience under pressure.
Strong drafting and analytical skills.
Curiosity and adaptability in navigating legal innovation and regulatory change.
Proactive mindset with a commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
Experience working in a global environment is highly desirable.
Experience advising on legal risks related to emerging technologies including Generative AI is helpful but not essential.
Some understanding of law firm regulation including SRA Codes of Conduct Accounts Rules and compliance frameworks would be helpful but is not essential.
About Our Legal DepartmentThe Freshfields Legal Department comprises qualified lawyers and non-lawyers dedicated to managing the firms risk exposure and providing advice on legal and compliance issues to partners. Our core role is to support partners and staff in the effective management of regulatory legal operational and information security risks thereby preserving and maximising the firms value long-term. We aspire to be a leading department among elite law firms acknowledged internally for providing excellent commercial and empathetic service constantly adapting our techniques and objectives to address business changes and threats.
Inclusion
Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.
Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence).
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
