Blake Morgan is one of the UK's leading full-service law firms, with a strong national presence and a well-established reputation for delivering high-quality advice to private and public sector clients. Our litigation practice advises on complex commercial, regulatory and public sector disputes, including procurement challenges, contractual claims, governance-related disputes and litigation involving public bodies and organisations operating in regulated environments.
This opportunity will strengthen our procurement litigation capability in Cardiff, with a particular focus on work connected to the Welsh public sector and organisations with significant procurement, commercial contracting and dispute resolution requirements.
You will join a collaborative and ambitious litigation practice offering high-quality work, experienced colleagues and the support of specialists across public law, commercial, regulatory and projects teams.
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Associate with demonstrable procurement litigation expertise to play a central role in delivering and developing our contentious procurement offering from Cardiff. The role is suited to an experienced disputes lawyer who can lead substantial matters, build trusted client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the practice across Wales and the wider UK.
You will advise contracting authorities, public bodies, utilities, suppliers and contractors on disputes arising from procurement exercises and public contracts. Matters may include urgent pre-action strategy, challenges during standstill periods, automatic suspension and interim relief applications, disclosure, judicial review issues, contractual disputes and damages claims.
The role will involve work under the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations, together with legacy matters governed by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and other applicable procurement regimes.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage complex procurement disputes from initial risk assessment and pre-action correspondence through to resolution, trial or settlement.
- Advise on procurement challenges, including alleged breaches of procurement duties, evaluation and scoring disputes, exclusion and debarment issues, award decisions, transparency obligations and conflicts of interest.
- Provide rapid, commercially focused advice on standstill periods, limitation, automatic suspension, interim relief and litigation strategy where urgent action is required.
- Act for and advise both public sector clients and economic operators, applying a balanced understanding of the pressures affecting contracting authorities and bidders.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across commercial litigation, public law, projects, commercial contracts and regulatory teams to provide joined-up advice.
- Take responsibility for matter strategy, budgeting, resourcing, risk management and the supervision of junior lawyers.
- Develop strong client relationships and identify opportunities to broaden the support provided to existing and prospective clients.
- Contribute to business development through training, seminars, tenders, thought leadership and engagement with the Welsh procurement and public sector market.
About You
You will be an experienced litigation lawyer operating at Senior Associate level, or ready to step into that level, with a strong track record in contentious procurement work. We are interested in candidates already based in Cardiff or elsewhere in Wales, as well as those seeking to establish themselves in the region.
- Substantial experience of procurement litigation and disputes arising from public procurement processes, regulated tendering environments and contract awards.
- A sound working knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and the ability to advise on matters continuing under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and related regimes.
- Experience of urgent applications and tactical issues commonly arising in procurement challenges, including limitation, standstill, automatic suspension, interim relief and disclosure.
- Experience of advising contracting authorities, public bodies, suppliers, contractors, utilities or organisations operating in regulated sectors.
- Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, pragmatic and strategically focused advice.
- The confidence to lead matters and client relationships while working effectively as part of a wider multidisciplinary team.
- Experience of supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers and contributing positively to team delivery.
- A commitment to business development and profile raising, with the ability to support the continued growth of the practice in Cardiff and across Wales.
- An understanding of the Welsh public sector landscape and the legal, political and commercial considerations affecting clients in the market would be advantageous.
- Welsh language skills are welcomed but are not essential.
The interview process will start as soon as suitable candidates have been identified.
Blake Morgan strives to create and maintain a positive, non-discriminatory work environment. We will ensure that all applications for vacancies will be considered without discrimination against any person on the basis of race, colour, religion, disability, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or marital status. We strive to ensure that our shortlisting and interviewing panels are diverse. Further details about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion can be found here.