ACT Junior Associate (up to 2 years’ PQE) - Brussels

Freshfields; Bayham; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global law firm in Canada is seeking ambitious junior lawyers to join its prominent antitrust practice in Brussels. Candidates with up to 2 years of post-qualification experience or those nearing qualification are encouraged to apply. Responsibilities include advising on competition law, drafting contract documents, and engaging with authorities. The firm offers competitive compensation, a collaborative environment, and professional development opportunities including training programs.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and benefits

Agile working framework

Inclusive working environment

Access to leading training and mentoring programs

Qualifications

• Up to 2 years of post-qualification experience or nearly qualified.
• Fluency in English required.
• Ability to manage a challenging workload effectively.

Responsibilities

• Analyze competition law and commercial issues to advise clients.
• Develop merger clearance strategies and draft contract documents.
• Engage with competition authorities and draft submissions.
• Participate in business development and client events.

Skills

Competition and trade law

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Team player

Proactive and solution-oriented

Education

Top-class academic qualifications

LL.M. degree preferred

Job description

The Freshfields Brussels office is recruiting ambitious junior lawyers of up to 2 years’ post-qualification experience to join its market leading global antitrust practice. Our lawyers are involved in some of the world’s most complex but rewarding mandates, and advise clients on all types of competition, regulatory and trade law issues, many of which are cross‑border or global. In addition to being involved in cutting‑edge client facing work, you will be able to contribute to the wider success of Freshfields’ global Antitrust, Competition and Trade (ACT) team through proactive involvement in business development and knowledge management.

We will also consider applications from junior lawyers who are still undertaking their professional training and who are close to qualification in their home jurisdiction, and who are looking to start their career as an associate in our leading global antitrust practice.

Your profile

• You have top‑class academic qualifications, preferably including an LL.M. degree.
• You have prior experience or a strong interest in competition and trade law.
• You have excellent written and oral communication skills and are fluent in English.
• You are a team player, motivated, and solution‑oriented.
• You are capable of handling a high degree of responsibility and managing a challenging workload.
• You are proactive and committed to providing excellent service to our clients.
• Relocating to Brussels is a requirement.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyzing a range of competition law and commercial issues to advise clients.
• Developing merger clearance strategies including drafting/negotiating transaction or other contract documents.
• Engaging with competition authorities and courts including drafting submissions.
• Actively participating in business development and client events.

What we offer

• A competitive compensation and benefits package.
• The opportunity to deliver world‑class, innovative solutions to our clients’ most complex legal issues within a truly international and highly collegiate environment.
• A global experience of working together in cross‑border, cross‑functional teams that bring together different cultures, ideas and places to drive client success.
• An agile working framework.
• An inclusive working environment where you can achieve your potential with dedicated training that includes access to Freshfields’ leading training and mentoring programs.