Litigation lawyers advise on disputes.
They work on contentious matters, aiming to enforce or defend their clients' rights through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or - typically as a last resort - court proceedings.
Litigators juggle a variety of tasks, often dictated by the stage of the dispute.
Typical tasks include case analysis (reviewing contracts, correspondence and evidence to assess strengths and weaknesses and advising clients on risks, potential outcomes and costs), drafting court documents or instructions for barristers or experts, and legal research to establish the relevant case law and legal basis to the disputes they’re advising on.
Litigation lawyers deal with a wide range of disputes and many will often specialise to focus on one area. These include:
Litigation lawyers at the leading London law firms can expect to earn between £120,000 - £150,000 at the junior end of the associate scale (up to 2/3 years’ PQE).
Mid and senior-level associates can expect to earn north of £200,000.
We have a list of salaries paid by all of the UK’s top law firms here.
Herbert Smith Freehills is traditionally considered the best litigation firm in London, a title it shares with the likes of Freshfields and Clifford Chance today.
The rest of the Magic Circle and Hogan Lovells are also known for their heavyweight litigation practices.
US litigation specialist Quinn Emanuel is an increasingly important player as it continues to build out its practice in London.
Coming soon...
