Associate

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Experience level: Junior to Mid Level
Term: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time
Department: International Litigation and Arbitration
Location: London
The department

Skadden Europe’s International Litigation and Arbitration Group is a market leader with a stellar track-record of success in both arbitration and litigation mandates. It is ranked in Tier 1 by both independent directories: Chambers UK and Legal 500.  The Group is headquartered in London although it has argued cases in all of the world’s major arbitration centres and courts.  Our team is composed of English solicitors, solicitor-advocates and lawyers from several European jurisdictions. We do not separate our international litigation and arbitration departments, which enables us to provide our clients with a unified team and strategy through the lifespan of a dispute.  It also broadens the experience that our associates can obtain.   We routinely perform the advocacy in our arbitrations without external counsel.

We are focused on disputes involving great technical complexity, large sums in controversy, or high levels of commercial or political risk. In the commercial field, the team routinely represents major global corporations in cases concerning to shareholders' agreements, joint ventures, supply and distribution contracts, taxation, competition, director and manager liability, EU state aid law and licensing contracts, among others. The group is also known for its  track record in handling high-profile Investor-State arbitrations, representing both investor and sovereigns in landmark proceedings.

In litigation, we advise on some of the largest cases in the English Courts, as well as in jurisdictions that follow English law and are subject to appeals to the Privy Council. Skadden has one of the best global dispute resolution practices in the world and unrivalled capabilities managing disputes that require a coordinated strategy across multiple jurisdictions, often including the courts of the United States, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, CEE and other international forums.

The Role

The group focuses on high value complex litigation cases, international arbitration and competition litigation. We encourage associates to do their own advocacy where possible, and to take responsibility for their cases even at a junior level.

Person Specification

The new hire will join the International Litigation and Arbitration group.  We are looking for an individual with 2 – 4 years' relevant UK post qualification experience in the London market (or experience in a similar common law jurisdiction), although those with less or more relevant experience will be considered on their merits.  The successful candidate will have good generalist experience handling litigation and arbitration disputes under English law, as well as experience of EU law and/or public international law. We are also interested in candidate with experience in competition litigation.  Excellent written communication and drafting skills are also required, as well as the ability to demonstrate initiative.  They must also possess the skills to take on a high degree of responsibility.  High level of academic achievement required.  Foreign language skills are an advantage.  

Remuneration

We pay generous rates and provide our lawyers with a highly competitive benefits package.  The package includes:

  • Discretionary year-end bonus
  • Technology allowance
  • 22 days holiday and 3 personal days
  • Enhanced Family leave
  • Private medical insurance
  • Permanent health insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Interest free season ticket loan
  • Gym allowance
  • Travel Insurance

Mentoring and Hybrid Working

Associates who join Skadden laterally participate in our mentor program, Skadden Integration+, which specifically focuses on the unique needs experienced attorneys face during professional transitions. 

These efforts, along with our professional development and other Skadden benefits, including a hybrid work model (which remains subject to review), consists of working Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the office (for full-time attorneys), and living proximate to the office, underscores Skadden's long-standing commitment to investing in its people, culture and diversity.

Training and Development

Skadden has a sophisticated training programme that includes both in-house and external seminars and training sessions.  We also pride ourselves on providing our lawyers with "on-the-job" training and constructive "real-time" partner feedback.  The formal training programme includes:

  • Regular team meetings
  • Regular corporate know-how meetings.
  • Weekly and monthly training seminars and workshops for all levels covering legal topics relevant to the firm’s practice areas and skills.  These are presented by partners and associates and external specialists, QC’s and other professionals.
  • Live video-links to seminars presented across Skadden’s network of offices.

Pro bono

Skadden strongly encourages its lawyers to assist, through pro bono work, those individuals and groups unable to afford legal services. A number of pro-bono opportunities are also available to our lawyers through our pro-bono programme.  We are affiliated to LawWorks, a registered charity which supplies pro-bono projects to the firm.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our success as a global law firm, giving us a wealth of different perspectives from which to address our clients’ most pressing issues across a wide spectrum of industries, geographies and cultures. We strive to develop initiatives at Skadden to specifically address diversity, equity and inclusion goals — including for recruiting, professional development, attorney retention and advancement, and cross-cultural awareness — while also continually inculcating inclusion principles into the fabric of the firm. This includes ensuring that all job applicants are treated fairly regardless of, for example, age, disability, sex, race and sexual orientation as per our Equal Employment Opportunity statement. If you require adjustments to be made during the selection process, please speak to a member of the recruitment team (Nicola Kerley, Attorney Recruiting Manager nicola.kerley@skadden.com).