Senior Legal Counsel - Disputes - Maternity Leave FTC (9 months)

9-month maternity leave cover The role We are looking for a commercially minded Senior Legal Counsel to join our legal team on a nine-month maternity leave cover. You will lead a varied portfolio of UK, US and other international disputes, taking ownership of disputes from early assessment, advising on dispute avoidance and distressed project remediation, through pre-action correspondence, litigation, mediation and settlement. Working closely with colleagues across the business and with external counsel, you will provide clear, pragmatic advice, manage legal and commercial risk, and help the business reach effective outcomes. This is a hands-on role requiring sound legal judgment, strong stakeholder skills and the ability to balance strategic oversight with detailed day-to-day case management. You will be adept at using AI tools responsibly to drive productivity and efficiency. Key responsibilities Lead and manage a portfolio of commercial disputes, litigation, mediations and settlements, recommending strategy in line with the company’s legal and commercial objectives. Provide clear, timely advice on dispute risk, liability, potential exposure, settlement options and next steps. Draft and review legal advice, pre-action correspondence, pleadings and other litigation documents, litigation hold notices, settlement terms and instructions to counsel. Develop case strategy and oversee key workstreams, including evidence gathering, chronologies, witness preparation, disclosure and document preservation. Work with business stakeholders to understand the facts, assess operational and reputational impacts, preserve relevant evidence and support informed decision-making. Select, instruct and manage external counsel and other advisers, including overseeing costs, internal budgets and quality of advice, and assisting with disputes-related financial reporting. Maintain appropriate privilege, confidentiality and document-handling practices throughout each matter. Support the legal response to cybersecurity events, working with relevant business, security and privacy teams and external advisers. Contribute to the development of the legal team’s processes, reporting and risk management. Managing junior disputes counsel. AI and legal technology Use approved AI tools and legal technology appropriately to support efficient, high-quality legal work. Review and validate AI-generated material before relying on it or sharing it with others. Apply sound judgment to confidentiality, privilege, accuracy, security and other risks associated with AI use. Qualified solicitor in England and Wales, with at least 8 years post-qualification experience, including substantial experience handling commercial disputes. Experience managing technology litigation and disputes with a high degree of autonomy, including providing practical advice on strategy and settlement. Strong drafting, analytical and legal research skills, with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly to non-lawyers. Experience managing external counsel, deadlines, matter reporting and legal spend. Experience with mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving environment. Experience managing juniors and supporting their continued growth and learning. Practical experience using AI tools in legal work, with a clear understanding of the need to validate outputs and protect confidential and privileged information. Willingness to attend the London office approximately two days each week. Desirable Experience with US litigation. In house experience in the IT services, technology or outsourcing sectors. Experience with intellectual property matters, including portfolio management. Discover some of the global benefits that empower our people to become the best version of themselves: Finance: Competitive salary package, share plan, company performance bonuses, value-based recognition awards, referral bonus; Career Development : Career coaching, global career opportunities, non-linear career paths, internal development programmes for management and technical leadership; Learning Opportunities: Complex projects, rotations, internal tech communities, training, certifications, coaching, online learning platforms subscriptions, pass-it-on sessions, workshops, conferences; Work-Life Balance: Hybrid work and flexible working hours, employee assistance programme; Health: Global internal wellbeing programme, access to wellbeing apps; Community: Global internal tech communities, hobby clubs and interest groups, inclusion and diversity programmes, events and celebrations. At Endava, we’re committed to creating an open, inclusive, and respectful environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be their best. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives—because we know that inclusive teams help us deliver smarter, more innovative solutions for our customers. Hiring decisions are based on merit, skills, qualifications, and potential. If you need adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know.