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Senior Associate / Legal Director

We are currently looking to recruit a Senior Associate or Legal Director with strong Competition Law and +5 years’ PQE experience, to join the Corporate & Commercial team.

The firm

HFW is a global law firm with deep, sector-focused expertise. We have over 600 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients.

Whether we are solving complex issues within the construction, aviation, or shipping industries, or providing advice across insurance, commodities, and energy we are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients. We think about the commercial solution first, and then underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise.

We pride ourselves on our deep industry expertise, and our creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial culture.

The department

In London, our Corporate and Commercial team comprises 6 Partners, 8 Associates and 2 Trainees. We are true industry specialists, working collaboratively across borders to provide creative solutions throughout the energy chain within governments, regulators, national and international oil companies, service contractors, utilities, investors, financiers and insurers. Our experience extends across every stage of the energy chain within dispute resolution, M&A, joint ventures, infrastructure and projects, trading, and insurance.

The role

We are looking for an individual with strong Competition Law experience to join our Competition practice, sitting within our Corporate & Commercial group. The role will involve advising clients across a range of sectors on contentious and non-contentious competition law matters, collaborating with existing teams of lawyers to support our clients across the maritime, commodities, aviation, and insurance sectors. The ideal candidate is likely to be a Senior Associate or Legal Director, who possesses the drive and ambition to secure promotion to partnership within the next three years.

Key responsibilities

  • Provide high-quality legal advice and representation to clients on all aspects of competition law, including antitrust, merger control, state aid, public procurement, and regulatory compliance.
  • Manage complex and multi-jurisdictional cases and projects, involving coordination with other HFW offices and external counsel.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential clients and identify and pursue new business opportunities.
  • Contribute to the development and promotion of the Competition Law practice, including through thought leadership, publications, seminars, and client events.
  • Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and trainees, providing feedback and guidance on their work.
  • Work collaboratively and effectively with other teams and practice groups within HFW,
    supporting cross-selling initiatives.

Key skills & experience required

  • Qualified lawyer in England & Wales or another common law jurisdiction. Alternatively, willing to relocate to the UK and qualify within a reasonable time.
  • At least five years of post-qualification experience in competition law, preferably in a leading law firm or a competition authority.
  • Excellent knowledge and understanding of EU and UK competition law and practice, and familiarity with other key jurisdictions.
  • Strong analytical, drafting, and communication skills, and ability to deliver clear and practical advice.
  • Proven track record of managing complex and multi-jurisdictional cases and projects, and meeting deadlines and budgets.
  • Business development and client relationship skills, and ability to generate new work and
    cross-sell.
  • Team player, with leadership potential and ambition to progress to partnership.
  • Sector-focused approach, and interest and experience in working with clients in the maritime, commodities, aviation and insurance sectors, or other relevant sectors.

Additional information

Kindly note that this role profile is not contractual. It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm.

HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant’s suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process. The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For information on how the firm will process your data, please click here to view our Privacy Notice, under the section “What we collect and how we use it”.

About HFW

HFW is a global law firm with deep, sector-focused expertise. We have over 700 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. We take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients.

Whether we are solving complex issues within the construction, aviation or shipping industries, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy we are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients. We think about the commercial solution first, and then underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise.

Our core values are being entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative.

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