Costs Lead Lawyer

Application Deadline: 6 July 2026

Department: Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Southampton

Description

• Lead and inspire a talented Costs team
• Influence firm-wide strategy
• Work on complex, high-value litigation
• Build your profile as a recognised expert in your field

What You’ll Be Doing

• Manage a caseload of high-value, complex Costs matters
• Provide expert technical guidance to your team
• Handle strategic litigation, including test cases and group litigation

• Mentor, coach, and develop Costs professionals at all levels
• Take ownership of technical quality across the team
• Support and grow assistants to meet performance and development goals

• Identify and implement new Costs initiatives and strategies
• Drive profitability and growth within your business unit
• Contribute to the Costs Strategy Group, shaping future direction

• Build strong relationships with internal teams and clients
• Deliver training and insight to clients
• Play a key role in enhancing our external profile through thought leadership

What we're looking for

• Strong knowledge of Costs law, principles, and case law
• Proven experience handling complex, high-value Costs files independently
• Expertise in strategic litigation and test cases
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative strategies
• Experience in client-facing roles and stakeholder management
• Track record of delivering training and developing others

• Confident communicator with strong advocacy and presentation skills
• Commercially aware with a strategic mindset
• Highly organised with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Natural leader who motivates, coaches, and develops others
• Analytical, solutions-focused, and calm under pressure
• Adaptable and forward-thinking, with a passion for continuous improvement

• Your expertise is valued and your voice shapes strategy
• You can build your profile nationally within your specialism
• Collaboration, innovation, and growth are truly encouraged

• We are connected
• We are dynamic
• We are innovative
• We succeed together

Job Benefits

• Davies Incentive Plan
• 25 days holiday per year which increases with level of service (opportunity to buy & sell 3 days) 
• Private Medical Insurance ( Bupa) - will automatically be at single cover level but can opt into family option within first month of joining.
• Simply Health Care Cash Plan
• WeCare – 24/7 online GP, mental health support and virtual wellbeing covering a whole host of topics to do with health, mental health, wellbeing & healthy living and financial & legal wellbeing 
• Death in Service
• Critical Illness Cover
• PHI/Income Protection ( Private health insurance)
• Pension Contribution based 5% Employee / 3% Employer 
• Cycle to Work Scheme*
• Tech Scheme*
• Season Ticket Loan*
• Gym Flex*
• Access to Online Discount Sites
• Discounted Gourmet Society Membership
• Discounted Tickets for Merlin Attractions nationwide
• Discounts at local retail outlets