Litigation and Dispute Resolution at Addleshaw Goddard | Career Guide

AG's disputes practice is regarded as a full-service team that combines court litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution to advise major corporates, financial institutions, sponsors and insolvency practitioners. The team is typically instructed on high-value and complex matters and acts across multiple sectors including real estate, financial services, energy and infrastructure, private equity and construction.

The team's strengths are often described in market directories such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, where you will find rankings and client feedback that give a sense of the firm's market positioning. Use those sources to identify which partners and lawyers within AG are highlighted for work relevant to your interests.

How this informs your application

• Tailor your evidence to AG's sectors and case types. For example, if you have experience or interest in construction disputes, highlight any coursework, moots or internships that involved contract interpretation, delay analysis or adjudication.

• Demonstrate awareness of both litigation and arbitration pathways; AG values candidates who understand procedural choices and commercial outcomes, not just textbook law.

You will encounter a mixture of contentious work. Typical matter types include cross-border commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, banking and financial services litigation, insolvency-driven claims, professional negligence and large-scale construction or engineering disputes. Cases often involve multi-jurisdictional elements and require coordination with international teams.

Examples of junior tasks (practical, day-to-day)

• Preparing chronology and bundles for hearings.

• Drafting pleadings, witness statements and witness summaries under supervision.

• Conducting legal and factual research in support of disclosure, jurisdiction or limitation issues.

• Assisting on disclosure exercises and document reviews, often using e-disclosure platforms.

• Preparing budgets and costs estimates for court-led and ADR proceedings.

What to emphasise if you lack direct litigation experience

• Transferable skills: careful legal reasoning, attention to detail, drafting clarity and project management.

• Practical examples: dissertations, negotiation moots, pro bono casework, paralegal experience or summer schemes where you drafted documents, liaised with clients or managed timelines.

Training contracts at AG typically provide seat-based experience across different teams; candidates aiming for litigation should seek at least one seat within the disputes team. Key elements of development include formal training, on-the-job supervision and opportunities to run discrete pieces of work for clients.

What to expect in early years

• Structured supervision from associates and partners with formal feedback cycles.

• Practical skills training: advocacy workshops, witness handling exercises and drafting masterclasses.

• Secondment opportunities to other jurisdictions or client in-house teams depending on the business area.

How to maximise progression

• Seek actionable feedback: After completing drafting or client work, ask what you could improve and implement that feedback in subsequent tasks.

• Build a record of 'small wins': Keep a tracked list of documents you drafted, hearings attended and client communications to cite during appraisals.

• Acquire technical tools: Become proficient in document management and e-disclosure software; familiarity with Relativity or similar platforms is useful. Also improve time- and project-management skills using tools such as Microsoft Project or even robust use of Outlook and Excel for case timelines.

Continued professional development

• Pursue advocacy training (Bar Council or local advocacy courses) and civil litigation CPD modules.

• For SQE candidates, integrate firm-specific training materials with broader commercial awareness updates from sources such as YourLegalLadder, Legal Cheek and Chambers Student.

Applications to AG are competitive. Use targeted evidence and structure your responses to show commercial awareness, problem-solving and teamwork. Below are specific steps and model approaches for key stages.

CV and cover letter

• Keep concise. Use a two-page CV maximum with a professional summary emphasising interest in disputes and any relevant experience.

• Quantify achievements where possible: "Drafted 10 witness statements for a multi-party commercial dispute" is stronger than "drafted witness statements".

• In cover letters, link your motivation to AG's sectors. For example, cite an AG case study or client sector and explain how your background fits the commercial issues involved.

Online assessment / application form

• Use the STAR method for competency answers: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Focus on what you specifically did and the outcome.

Assessment centre or interview day

• Prepare a short pitch about a recent commercial dispute story: summarise facts, legal issues, commercial sensitivities and possible solutions in 90 seconds.

• For case studies: Structure your answer. Use a clear framework (for example, identify the legal questions, immediate risks, tactical options and recommended next steps). Keep legal analysis grounded in client objectives and commercial risk.

Example interview question and approach

• "How would you advise a client facing a cross-border injunction?"

• Framework: Jurisdictional analysis, procedural timing (injunction timelines), interim relief options, enforcement risks, cost exposure and pragmatic settlement pathways. Conclude with the recommended immediate steps and information required from the client.

Practicals to practise

• Mock interviews and case studies with mentors. YourLegalLadder, university careers services and law societies often run mock exercises.

• Keep a bank of short summaries of recent litigation stories from The Lawyer, Financial Times and Law360 to demonstrate commercial awareness.

Culture in disputes teams tends to be fast-paced and deadline-driven. Expect periods of intense work around court dates and document disclosure deadlines, balanced by quieter periods for research and drafting.

How to thrive

• Be responsive and accurate. Timeliness and error-free drafting are highly valued.

• Communicate clearly with supervisors about realistic timelines and ask for priorities if you receive conflicting instructions.

• Network within the firm: Develop relationships with commercial teams and sector groups (for example, real estate or financial services) to build cross-selling knowledge and future client exposure.

Recommended resources

• YourLegalLadder - for firm profiles, TC application trackers, mentoring and SQE question banks relevant to AG applications.

• Chambers Student and The Legal 500 - for practice rankings and team profiles.

• Legal Cheek, The Lawyer and LawCareers.Net - for market news, firm culture snapshots and application advice.

• Advocacy and civil procedure materials - Civil Procedure Rules, Practice Directions and basic advocacy guides; online platforms such as LexisNexis or Westlaw for legal research.

Final tip

Prepare concrete examples that show you can think commercially about disputes - not only whether a claim is technically strong, but whether it is beneficial for a client to pursue given cost, time and reputational considerations. Demonstrating that balance is what will make your application stand out.