Associate, Competition - Leading International Law Firm (2-6 PQE) in City of London

Job description

Our client, a leading international law firm, is seeking a Competition Associate to join its London office. The role provides exposure to high-profile, multi-jurisdictional antitrust and competition matters across corporate, private equity, and sponsor-led transactions. The successful candidate will work closely with experienced partners on both advisory and contentious mandates, gaining experience in merger control, cartel investigations, antitrust litigation, and compliance.

Work Overview

Merger Control & Deal Clearance:

• Conduct pre-deal risk assessments and strategic planning.
• Prepare and submit filings across the UK, EU, and other relevant jurisdictions.
• Negotiate remedies and manage review processes.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Reviews:

• Advise on national security and foreign investment requirements.
• Prepare filings and coordinate with teams across multiple jurisdictions.

Cartel & Investigations:

• Assist clients with regulatory probes, dawn raids, internal investigations, and leniency applications.

Antitrust Litigation & Disputes:

• Support follow-on damages claims, abuse of dominance, monopolisation, and exclusionary conduct cases.
• Contribute to antitrust class actions and private litigation.

Compliance & Advisory:

• Develop competition compliance programmes and training materials.
• Advise on distribution, pricing, information-sharing, and settlement strategies.

Private Equity & Corporate Transaction Support:

• Conduct competition risk screening for sponsors and corporates.
• Advise on portfolio-wide compliance and transaction structuring.

Regulatory Monitoring & Policy Updates:

• Track developments in UK, EU, and global competition regimes.
• Advise clients on new rules and provide practical guidance.

Cross-Border Coordination:

• Manage multi-jurisdictional filings and overlapping antitrust reviews.

Candidate Profile

• 2 – 6 PQE solicitor qualified in England & Wales
• Experience handling complex competition mandates, ideally within a top-tier international or City firm.
• Exposure to merger control, cartel investigations, FDI reviews, and antitrust litigation.
• Strong drafting, analytical, and negotiation skills with ability to work across teams and jurisdictions.
• Commercially aware and able to provide practical, strategic advice to corporate and sponsor clients.

Why This Role

• Transatlantic integration: Close collaboration with US-based antitrust litigators for seamless coverage across advisory and dispute work.
• Fast-growing London presence: Join a rapidly expanding team of c.240 lawyers in London, offering exposure to high-value and market-leading mandates.
• Full-service offering: Competition advice embedded within M&A, finance, restructuring, tax, and litigation for sponsor and corporate clients.
• Work on high-profile transactions including acquisitions, private equity investments, and portfolio-wide competition assessments.

Rutherford is a leading legal recruiter that also works closely with tier one sponsors, buyside firms and investment banks for in-house roles. Please get in contact if you would like to be alerted to the most exciting Counsel opportunities.

To find more of our jobs please visit our website:

https://www.rutherfordsearch.com/jobs

Job Reference: NWC5671

Keywords:

competition, antitrust, merger control, cartel investigations, FDI reviews, compliance, litigation, private equity, corporate transactions, cross-border, UK, EU, NQ–6 PQE, London, sponsor advisory, multi-jurisdictional.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

City of London

Type of Contract

Part-time jobs

Published at

06-11-2025

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English