Commercial Dispute Resolution Associate or Senior Associate - Milton Keynes or Oxford

The Team Freeths’ national, award‑winning Commercial Dispute Resolution (CDR) team comprises over 100 lawyers across 13 UK offices. Most recently, the team successfully represented clients in the landmark Post Office litigation - one of the most significant miscarriages of justice in British legal history, led by our National Head, James Hartley. The CDR team is highly ranked in both Chambers and The Legal 500 for commercial disputes and professional negligence, handling a broad range of domestic and international matters. In the Milton Keynes office, the team is headed by Simon Hobbs, who is recognised in The Legal 500 and Chambers (2026 Edition) as an expert in dispute resolution with experience spanning commercial litigation, property disputes, and insolvency. In Oxford, the team is jointly led by Caroline Watson and Will Richmond‑Coggan. Caroline is also ranked in The Legal 500 and Chambers (2026 Edition) and specialises in complex commercial disputes, often with cross‑border elements, as well as professional negligence. Will focuses on data protection and privacy litigation, including technology and media disputes. There is an exceptional variety of work within the team, offering the successful candidate significant exposure and development opportunities. The team is known for delivering results‑driven, commercially informed, and pragmatic advice, building long‑standing relationships through a deep understanding of clients’ businesses and objectives. Areas of Specialism: • International arbitration • Defamation and data protection • Energy and waste • Financial services • Insurance (claimant and defendant) • Corporate and commercial disputes involving shareholders, partnerships, and trusts • Major projects and transport • Public sector and healthcare • Professional negligence • Contentious insolvency and enforcement • Reputational management The Role This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious, proactive, and self‑motivated solicitor with strong legal capability and excellent attention to detail. The successful candidate will quickly immerse themselves in a varied and engaging caseload. We are looking for someone who is adaptable, organised, enthusiastic, and eager to learn, with approximately 2 - 4 years’ PQE in commercial litigation. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, high‑quality training, and clear career progression opportunities. No agencies. Direct applications only. For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact the recruitment team at !recruitmentfreeths@freeths.co.uk. Smart. Bold. Together. We Are Freeths. Become part of the team at Freeths. View some of our recent highlights on our website here. Do we sound like a match? If you’re someone who cares deeply, communicates openly and collaborates effectively, then we’d love to have you join our diverse, inclusive team. We’re 1000+ Freethinkers, striving to create a better place. We’re committed to living our values – smart, bold, together – and making a positive change at every touchpoint for our colleagues, clients and communities. We’ve built our law firm on solid foundations of integrity, entrepreneurialism and expertise. This has helped us grow into one of the largest full-service law firms in the UK, with 13 offices and over 1000 colleagues, and counting. 1. Think Ambition: We’ve built our law firm on solid foundations of integrity, entrepreneurialism and expertise. This has helped us grow into one of the largest full-service law firms in the UK, with 13 offices and over 1,000 colleagues, and counting. Matching individual ambition and our firm’s ambition matters. That’s why we develop our people by making sure every one of our team feels connected through a clear progression pathway and leadership support. It’s helped us to grow an award-winning reputation in the eyes of our clients and competitors that each and every one of the Freeths team works hard to uphold in everything we do. 2. Think Recognition: Sharing success matters to us. We love to showcase excellent work across the firm and celebrate our people through our employee awards. We recognise our teams work hard together to deliver the best solutions for our clients. That’s why great work is well rewarded - our rewards and benefits are among the best in the business. 3. Think Together: Our people are at the heart of what makes Freeths such a great place to be. We’re a firm where people care about each other and employee wellbeing is high on the agenda. Our firm is set up to ensure everyone’s voice is heard, and mutual respect is shown by all. We understand that differences add strength, which means we maintain a diverse culture where everyone has the freedom to be themselves and thrive. We're committed to championing diversity and building an inclusive culture. We want to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people, regardless of their background. We welcome applications from everybody, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. We celebrate difference, encourage diversity of thought and are dedicated to continually challenging our processes to maintain fairness, equity and transparency. If you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact !recruitmentfreeths@freeths.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss. 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