Competition Disputes, Associate (Mid/ Senior level)

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years. We are where you need us to be, in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.

We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas, particularly in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. We focus on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.

The Opportunity

• Practice group/team: COMPETITION, REGULATION AND TRADE

Main areas covered include competition litigation, general competition (antitrust), cartels and other behavioural investigations, merger control, regulatory matters, state aid, public procurement, EU, WTO and international trade.

Sector expertise includes energy and natural resources, financial institutions, consumer goods, infrastructure, transport, manufacturing and industrials, retail, telecoms, media and technology.

The Team

Our Competition, Regulation and Trade group is consistently rated as one of the leading practices in its field, with a team of lawyers based in Europe (London, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Madrid and Paris), Asia and across Australia. Amongst our clients are leading financial institutions, top Fortune and FTSE companies from all industry sectors, regulatory bodies and national governments.

Our team covers the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious competition, regulation and trade work globally, including:

• Competition litigation (private enforcement and appeals) including both follow-on and standalone claims and multiple collective actions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal
• Cartel and other behavioural investigations
• Merger control
• Antitrust advice
• Regulatory matters
• State aid, public procurement, WTO and trade

The Role

This role will have a predominant focus on contentious matters, particularly private enforcement and other competition disputes. We have a market-leading competition litigation practice integrated within the Competition, Regulation and Trade group. We have particular expertise in defending follow-on, hybrid and stand-alone claims across multiple jurisdictions and in collective actions before the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

This includes acting on many of the most complex recent and ongoing cases in the UK, as well as providing expert strategic advice on private enforcement risks and the relationship with the public enforcement process. The role would involve assisting in the defence of damages actions in the High Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal, and managing the response to multi-jurisdictional claims.

Recent Matters include:

• Meta in connection with a proposed collective action in the CAT alleging an abuse of a dominant position based on allegations of unfair terms and unfair pricing in respect of the Facebook social media platform
• Google in connection with claims in the CAT and across Europe seeking damages against Google for abuse of dominance
• Amazon in connection with two CPO applications alleging abuse of a dominant position in respect of the Buy Box
• Iveco and Fiat Chrysler as European coordinating competition litigation counsel in relation to follow-on damages claims stemming from the European Commission's settlement decision in Trucks
• Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in connection with litigation stemming from the European Commission's infringement findings in relation to foreign exchange trading
• Severn Trent in relation to an application for a CPO alleging an abuse of a dominant position in respect of alleged misreporting of sewage discharges

Primary Objectives include:

• Deliver excellent client service and manage and deliver discrete pieces of legal work.
• Make an effective contribution to the firm’s work by aiming to meet and exceed target hours.
• Build a solid foundation of commercial and legal expertise within a chosen area of law and strengthen relationships with clients, frequently acting as a direct point of contact.
• Be responsible for management and delegation of work to and support of junior colleagues.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Manage work to support optimal utilisation; acting as lead lawyer, proactively managing and progressing matters with partner oversight where appropriate; manage a team, including delegating and providing feedback.
• Manage, develop and strengthen client relationships through anticipating client needs and expectations; provide prompt responses and updates on progress.
• Support the firm’s initiatives, establish effective relationships with individuals and groups, uphold the firm’s values; mentor and support juniors; raise profile with external bodies and support and attend marketing/industry events.
• Comply with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation and contribute to billing, engagement and client acceptance processes.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

We expect the successful candidate to have between three and eight years of post-qualified experience in this area but are willing to consider those with less or more experience providing they meet the required competencies. Academic excellence is essential for all positions within Herbert Smith Freehills. We would always expect a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) and solicitors’ examinations to have been passed first time.

Hands-on competition experience is essential, including of competition disputes in the High Court and/or the Competition Appeal Tribunal. Candidates will need to be bright self-starters looking for a challenge. All candidates will be expected to display excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate with individuals at all levels. All candidates must be willing to supervise and develop Junior Associates and Trainees within the group.

Working Pattern: Full time

Location: London

Contract type: Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. This is essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance.