Litigation is naturally adversarial, but career influence doesn’t have to be.
In the North West litigation market, influence often determines who gets strategic input, client contact, and progression opportunities. Yet many litigators assume their work will “speak for itself”.
Sometimes it does. Often, it doesn’t. The key difference isn’t personality, it’s positioning.
Move from executor to strategist
Influence grows when you:
- Shape case strategy, not just implement it
- Offer commercial perspectives on risk
- Contribute to settlement discussions
- Demonstrate judgement under pressure
Litigators who are invited into strategic conversations early tend to build influence quickly.
Develop a recognisable professional identity
In busy litigation teams, lawyers can blur together.
Influence strengthens when colleagues associate you with:
- A particular niche
- Strong advocacy
- Tactical thinking
- Commercial awareness
You don’t need to declare it, consistency creates recognition.
Contribute to team credibility
Influence is also built internally through:
- Supporting juniors
- Improving processes
- Strengthening client relationships
- Demonstrating calm leadership during complex disputes
These behaviours signal readiness for more responsibility.
Understand how influence translates into progression
In many firms, influence precedes promotion. The lawyers who are already relied upon are often the ones formally advanced. If you’re unsure whether your current role is building that level of trust, a market sense-check can clarify your trajectory.
In litigation, influence isn’t about volume or ego. It’s about being seen as someone who improves outcomes. If you’d like to talk through how your litigation career is developing, and whether you’re building the kind of influence that leads to long-term progression, our litigation specialist Jemma Davies is always happy to have a confidential conversation.
