Senior Associate/Director

Do you want to join one of the UK's leading aviation practices and let your legal career take flight?

At Burges Salmon, you will work at the forefront of the aviation sector, advising leading airlines, lessors and aviation businesses on complex, high-value disputes and regulatory matters across the UK and internationally.

You will take ownership of your work from an early stage, working directly with clients and alongside lawyers who are deeply embedded in the industry.

The Opportunity

Comprising a 100+ strong team of specialist lawyers, Burges Salmon's Dispute Resolution team advises major organisations on their most complex challenges. Our aviation practice is a key part of that offering and continues to grow strongly, sitting within our award-winning Transport sector practice, recognised for its deep market insight and collaborative, cross-firm approach to complex and high-value work.

We are building a distinctive aviation disputes and regulatory practice within a national firm, increasingly taking on work traditionally handled by international firms.

We act for world-leading airlines, lessors and aviation businesses spanning the entire industry on some of the most high-profile and technically complex matters in the sector.

The team now comprises around 10 specialist aviation lawyers across our London and Bristol offices, working closely with colleagues across the firm to deliver a fully integrated service to aviation clients.

In this role, you will:

• Manage and lead high-quality aviation disputes in the High Court, Court of Appeal and various courts of international arbitration
• Advise on cutting-edge aviation regulatory matters involving UK, European and international frameworks
• Have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues in other disciplines on wider sector matters, including sustainable aviation, government and defence projects, aviation M&A, emerging areas such as aviation autonomy, advanced transport technology and space, and broader transport and consumer issues.

This is a role for someone who wants to take ownership of their work, build client relationships and contribute to a growing and ambitious practice with a clear trajectory in the aviation market. In return, we will support your development and progression as you take the next step in your career.

The Team

You will work closely with a well-established and growing aviation team, including:

Chloe Challinor - Partner

Patrick Bettle - Director

We are a high-performing and collaborative team who take pride in producing excellent work, supporting each other and building long-term client relationships.

We work hard and hold ourselves to high standards, and we are open, straightforward and collaborative in how we do it.

What others say...

The team is ranked in The Legal 500 UK (2026) and recognised in Chambers UK, reflecting its growing presence in the aviation market.

"She can fight in the clients' corner while giving realistic advice."

''Very technically knowledgeable... with a good eye for detail."

- Chambers UK (2026)

The Firm

High-quality work, meaningful collaboration and genuine work-life balance in a firm where ambition is supported and growth is encouraged at every stage.

Investors in People Platinum accredited and voted 'Best Law Firm to Work At' by Roll on Friday

Our hybrid working model offers real flexibility, while our collective culture ensures every voice is heard and everyone can make a lasting impact.

What you'll need

We are looking for someone who combines technical excellence with sound judgement and strong interpersonal skills.

You will have:

• Strong expertise in commercial aviation disputes (non-insured experience preferred) and/or regulatory work
• Qualification as a lawyer with the SRA or in a Commonwealth jurisdiction
• Confidence to take ownership of matters and make sound decisions
• A collaborative approach and the emotional intelligence to work effectively in a close team
• Willingness to throw yourself into a rapidly growing practice and to pursue your own ambitions as part of that
• Excellent attention to detail and a genuinely commercial mindset
• An enthusiasm for business development, including proactively building your own network and supporting the development of both prospective and existing client relationships alongside the wider team
• A demonstrable interest in the aviation industry (an academic qualification in air law is helpful but not essential).

Just as importantly, you will be someone who takes pride in your work, takes a hands-on approach, and contributes positively to the team around you

Benefits

Click here for a full overview of our brilliant reward package and find out more about the benefits of a legal career with Burges Salmon, here .

It's important to us that our organisation represents the diverse community in which we operate and we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities.

As a Disability Confident employer we will provide a fully accessible recruitment process.

Get in touch!

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact Katie Harding - 0117 027826 - for an informal and confidential conversation.