Competition Associate in London

An exciting new mandate has opened up in London for an ambitious Associate (2–4 PQE) to join a highly regarded, top ranked Competition & Antitrust practice. The position offers an unusually broad mix of transactional and advisory competition work, providing the opportunity to develop genuine depth across the discipline without becoming confined to a single area of specialism.

The Firm

Our client is an elite, highly regarded law firm with an established reputation for advising major corporates, financial institutions, investment businesses and private capital clients on sophisticated matters. The firm combines the technical standards and quality of work associated with London's leading practices with a collaborative working environment and an emphasis on developing lawyers who understand both the legal and commercial implications of their advice.

The Competition practice is closely integrated with the firm's corporate teams, advising on matters where competition law has a direct bearing on transactions, commercial strategy and significant regulatory exposure.

The Opportunity

The successful Associate will join an established competition practice undertaking a varied mix of UK, EU and international competition matters. The work combines complex merger control and foreign investment advice with competition investigations, disputes and strategic advisory mandates. Associates have the opportunity to work across these areas, developing an understanding of competition law both as a transactional consideration and as a critical factor in clients' wider commercial decisions.

• Advising on UK and EU merger control, including complex transactions requiring regulatory clearance and coordination of filings across multiple jurisdictions.
• Advising on foreign direct investment screening, national security considerations and applicable foreign subsidies regimes.
• Supporting clients through competition authority investigations, including matters involving cartels, restrictive agreements and alleged abuses of dominance.
• Providing strategic advice on commercial arrangements, distribution agreements, market conduct and competition compliance.
• Advising on emerging competition and regulatory issues affecting digital markets, as well as subsidy control and sector-specific regulation.
• Working directly with clients and coordinating with overseas counsel on cross-border matters.

The Candidate

We are interested in speaking to Competition Associates with approximately 2–4 years' post-qualification experience gained within a respected UK, US or international law firm in London. You will be England & Wales qualified, having completed a training contract with a London based firm. Candidates should have a strong grounding in competition law, with experience in merger control, behavioural competition matters, investigations or a combination of these areas.

The firm is particularly interested in lawyers who demonstrate intellectual rigour, sound commercial judgement and the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory issues into clear, practical advice. Strong analytical and drafting skills are essential, as is the confidence to work closely with clients and colleagues across different practice areas.

This position will appeal to an Associate who wants to maintain a broad competition practice, undertake interesting work and develop the technical expertise, commercial understanding and client relationships that underpin a successful long-term career.