Associate, Commercial litigation practice

White & Case LLP; Brussel Hoofdstad; Presencial; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

White & Case LLP in Brussels is seeking a junior Associate with an interest in Commercial Litigation to join our Brussel office. You will work on cross-border disputes, draft pleadings, and assist senior lawyers in trial preparation. The role requires strong academics, sharp analytical abilities, and excellent communication skills.

Fluency in English and French is expected, with Dutch a plus. You will thrive in a collaborative, global firm culture, with opportunities to learn from colleagues

Qualificações

• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity.
• Qualified, or eligible to qualify, at the Brussels Bar.
• Internship experience in top law firms.
• Excellent drafting and writing abilities.
• Ability to present arguments effectively.

Responsabilidades

• Drafting and reviewing pleadings in complex disputes.
• Organizing and supporting court representation.
• Researching legal and economic issues.
• Drafting filings to courts and authorities.
• Drafting memoranda on broad topics.
• Supporting senior lawyers in day-to-day services.
• Communicating with clients by phone and email.
• Joining educational seminars and practice groups.

Conhecimentos

Analytical thinking

Oral and written advocacy

Attention to detail

Team player

Client service focus

Time management

Formação académica

Bar admission Brussels

Internship experience in top law firms

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Our Commercial Litigation Practice specializes in representing clients in high-stakes business disputes across a wide range of industries. We provide expert legal services in areas such as contract disputes, class actions, business torts, shareholder and partnership disputes, antitrust litigation and intellectual property litigation. Our team handles all phases of litigation, from pre-litigation counseling and strategic planning to trial and appellate proceedings. By leveraging our deep legal expertise, global reach and strategic insights, we help clients navigate complex legal challenges, protect their business interests, and achieve favorable outcomes through both court proceedings and alternative dispute resolution methods.

Position Summary

We are currently looking for a junior Associate with an interest in Commercial Litigation to join our Brusselsoffice.

As well as excellent academic credentials, you should possess the analytical rigor to grasp the legal intricacies of complex, cross-border disputes, and the competitive spirit needed to thrive in the adversarial court arena. Given our practice’s focus on oral and written advocacy, you should demonstrate excellent communication skills, a flair for legal drafting, and an enthusiasm for the linguistic and technical challenge of constructing legal arguments.

Committed and cooperative, you should enjoy working within large groups of lawyers and industry professionals, and demonstrate a willingness to do whatever it takes to contribute to your team’s success. This collaborative mindset should be balanced by the independence of thought and action—an ability to proactively anticipate colleagues’ needs, and to develop original solutions to their problems.

Combining a keen eye for detail with an ability to see the bigger picture, you should be adept at distilling complex information into clear, insightful analyses that inform and strengthen your client’s position. Strong organizational and time management skills will also be significant assets, enabling you to manage multiple workstreams and produce exceptional work to tight deadlines. Ready for the challenges of joining a global law firm, you should be excited by the opportunities to learn from colleagues our international offices and practices, and to keep developing your understanding of the evolving legal landscape.

Practice Area

We represent clients in all stages of domestic and international litigation, before trial, appellate, regulatory and alternative dispute resolution tribunals across the world. Renowned for the global breadth and local depth of our experience in this field, we are trusted advisors to the world’s leading financial institutions, largest corporations, sovereign governments, executives and directors. As well as guiding clients through their most complex and significant litigation challenges, we also help them steer clear of disputes, by developing and implementing risk management and compliance measures.

As an associate joining our practice, you will be given responsibility for a wide range of tasks, spanning drafting and document analysis, legal research, correspondence and trial preparation. While you will not be required to undertake oral advocacy at a junior level, you will be closely involved in the development of trial strategy and regularly called upon to attend court hearings.

The work can be demanding, but is always rewarding—offering excellent opportunities for learning and development. We foster a collegial working environment where partners are friendly and accessible, and colleagues supportive and open to questions. Your professional development will also be enhanced by regular interaction with colleagues across the firm’s global network, with specialist knowledge of such practice areas as Antitrust/Competition, International Arbitration, Intellectual Property and Environment & Climate Change.

Duties and Accountabilities

You will be fully involved in challenging client work from day one, including:

• Assisting the team in drafting and reviewing extensive pleadings in connection with complex legal disputes in enforcement, insolvency or commercial litigation.
• Organizing and supporting the representation in court and the entire process - from the receipt of the complaint to the conclusion of the case.
• Researching legal and economic issues.
• Drafting of basic filings addressed to courts and authorities (Commercial Register, Court correspondence)
• Conducting brief or somewhat more complex research, or drafting of memoranda (search for judicature, commentaries to specific legal issues)
• Providing direct assistance to senior lawyers on matters arising during day-to-day provision of legal services to leading international and domestic corporate clients
• Communication with clients (via telephone, E-mail)
• Drafting legal memoranda on broad range of topics arising under Belgian and international law
• Joining educational seminar and practice groups

Qualifications

• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity, creative thinker
• Qualified, or eligible to qualify, at the Brussels Bar.
• Some internship experience in top law firms
• Ability to conduct thorough and creative analyses, to present arguments effectively and persuasively in writing and orally, to bring pragmatic solutions to meet our clients’ needs.
• A high degree of attention to detail, accuracy and reliability.
• An interest in technical matters and a desire for challenging work in a very pleasant team.
• Fluency in French and English with Dutch as a plus.
• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity, creative thinker
• Commercial and business awareness
• Ability to see the big picture
• Outstanding communication and negotiation skills
• Strong time management skills, ability to stay calm under pressure when juggling multiple projects
• Excellent drafting skills
• Driven by professional growth
• Strong professional presence
• Client service focus
• Team player
• Strong judgment
• Proactive, resourceful, takes initiative
• Long-term interest in business law

Location & Reporting

• This is a permanent role based in Brussels, with potential for international travel
• This role reports to the Partners and Regional Section head in the Brussels office

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

This role reports to

Partner

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.