Partner opportunities

Join the next chapter

Leadership and opportunity at Hugh James

We’re a UK-wide law firm with more than 680 people based in Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Plymouth. For over 65 years, we’ve built our reputation on combining specialist legal expertise with a personal, down-to-earth service.

We work across the full spectrum of legal needs. On the commercial side, our teams advise businesses in sectors such as banking and finance, property and construction, technology, media and telecoms, energy, creative industries, leisure and hospitality, agriculture, insurance and health care. We also have a strong track record in the public and not-for-profit sectors, acting for the Welsh Government, local authorities and social housing providers across the UK.

Our commercial litigation lawyers handle disputes of all shapes and sizes, from professional negligence and intellectual property claims to defamation, landlord and tenant matters and contested estates.

Alongside this, we offer a comprehensive private client service, helping individuals with family matters, wills and probate, inheritance disputes and estate, tax and financial planning – supported by our in-house independent financial advisers.

We’re also known nationally for our claimant litigation work, including clinical negligence, catastrophic and serious injury claims, and large group actions involving industrial disease, product liability and environmental issues.

The opportunity

Join a firm where you can build, lead and grow without limits.

Our partnership model offers clear routes to equity participation, supported by transparent frameworks and mentoring. Whether you join as a salaried partner, fixed share or full equity partner, the route forward is open, attainable and aligned to contribution and ethos, not just metrics.

We understand that senior lawyers want more than titles, they want influence. At Hugh James, partners shape strategy, drive growth and define the client experience. You’ll have access to established business development resources, sector steering groups and a vibrant marketing platform that supports your ambitions from day one.

Beyond our client work, we host a vibrant events calendar throughout the year offering partners and clients opportunities to connect, collaborate and grow. From high-profile thought leadership sessions and roundtables to hospitality events and charity fundraisers, we create spaces where meaningful relationships flourish across our business and private wealth networks.

Business development that empowers growth

Designed for lawyers who want to build, lead and expand their client base with genuine momentum.

An entrepreneurial environment

We take an ambitious, entrepreneurial approach to business development — one that is fully backed by our Board and Partnership. Partners are encouraged to shape their own growth plans, supported by access to budgets aligned with their personal business objectives and opportunities to lead or contribute to dynamic cross-team sector groups.

Expert support and collaboration

Our 27-strong Business Development, Marketing and Communications team provides tailored, high-quality support across every aspect of profile-raising, client growth and strategic targeting.

From content and PR to tendering, CRM and campaign delivery, our team ensures partners are equipped to build market presence and deepen relationships. We also take a coordinated, firmwide approach to cross-selling, ensuring clients benefit from the breadth of our expertise.

A market-facing programme

We run an industry-leading calendar of events, hospitality and thought leadership — from high-profile sponsorships and professional memberships to sector conferences, roundtables and premium client entertainment. These programmes provide significant opportunities to strengthen networks, enhance visibility and open doors to new work. Our strong PR performance and high engagement with our content further amplify our reach across key markets.

Strategic client focus

Our well-established key client management programme ensures we are aligned with the needs and priorities of our most important clients. This includes regular relationship reviews, tailored value-add activity and a structured approach to identifying new opportunities. Our work is reinforced by panel appointments on major public sector frameworks — including CCS and WGCD — which continue to drive high-quality instructions across multiple disciplines.

Community and purpose

Our BD strategy is complemented by a dynamic approach to CSR and community engagement. These initiatives support meaningful relationships beyond pure business development, strengthening our brand and building trust with clients, referrers and the wider community.

Join a firm where you can build, lead and grow without limits.

Designed for lawyers who want to build, lead and expand their client base with genuine momentum.

Our 27-strong Business Development, Marketing and Communications team provides tailored, high-quality support across every aspect of profile-raising, client growth and strategic targeting.

People choose Hugh James for the work and stay for the culture.

Harriet Morgan wasn’t actively looking to move after 24 years at her previous firm, but she kept coming up against Hugh James. “They’re well known and always come across as a leading firm,” she says. “It made me pay attention.”

What drew her in was the chance to help grow the charity practice, bringing her governance expertise into a team with clear momentum. “It felt like a high-level, exciting opportunity, something I could genuinely shape.”

She was also struck by the ambition within the firm. “What surprised me was the self-belief here,” she explains. “There’s this ‘why can’t we do that?’ mentality and they actually follow through. They’re willing to go after things and still do.”

After such a long time in one place, the prospect of change felt energising and it was the culture that made the decision straightforward. “It’s a supportive, welcoming environment. It just felt like the right fit.”

Harriet Morgan
Partner
Head of Charities

After more than two decades in a leading legal role, Alex Madden made the move to Hugh James, a decision he describes as “too good an opportunity to turn down.

“I knew it was the right step,” he says. “This role wasn’t about slotting into something pre-built; it offered the chance to shape it.” With a strong track record and a strategic approach, Alex saw an opportunity to influence direction, address gaps, and help define the long-term vision.

A key part of the appeal was the scope to build and develop a team. “Hugh James offered both the freedom and the environment to do that well.”

In the end, three things made the decision clear:

Autonomy, trust and culture. “They trusted me from day one. I knew I’d have the space to make a real impact. Everyone was genuinely warm. After 22 years in one place, that mattered more than you’d think.”

Alex Madden
Partner
Head of Planning

Richard Pike had long known several Hugh James partners from his university days, but it wasn’t until an opportunity arose on a work trip that the idea of joining the firm began to take shape.

“We just kept talking,” he recalls. “And it became clear there was something here that really suited me. I loved what they were building. It felt exciting.”

One of the biggest attractions was the opportunity to help grow the London office. “They wanted someone who really understands City property work. It felt like the right moment to bring that experience across.”

Having spent years in major law firms, Richard noticed the contrast immediately. “I didn’t want to be a small cog in a big machine anymore,” he says. “At Hugh James, you can help build something. It’s far more satisfying.”

Ultimately, it was the culture that sealed the decision. “They’re a genuinely friendly team. It just suits me at this point in my career.”

Richard Pike
Partner
Commercial Property