Regulatory Disputes Associate

Osborne Clarke; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Osborne Clarke seeks an Associate for its Regulatory Team, focusing on technology and product regulation across high‑impact matters for leading businesses. You will advise on product regulatory requirements for hardware and software, including AI, and help develop compliance programmes while supporting contentious work and regulatory investigations.

The team operates across the UK and OC network, valuing initiative, client care, and a collaborative culture.

Qualifications

• Experience providing detailed and commercial regulatory advice.
• Drafting new compliance or governance systems.
• Liaising with regulators and advising on investigations.
• Delivering training sessions on regulatory topics.

Responsibilities

• Advising on product regulatory frameworks for hardware and software, including AI.
• Support clients through launches and regulatory investigations.
• Develop and maintain compliance programmes and governance systems.

Skills

Regulatory advice

Regulatory frameworks

Drafting systems

Regulator liaison

Training sessions

Job description

Role profile

We are seeking an Associate to join our highly regarded Regulatory Team, with a primary focus on technology and product regulation across complex, high-impact matters for leading businesses.

If your mind buzzes with the latest tech developments and you have a genuine interest in how technology products are developed and regulated, from artificial intelligence to connected devices and robotics, and you want to advise leading global businesses at the forefront of innovation within a close-knit, supportive team, then this role is for you!

The successful candidate will play a key role in advising on the product regulatory requirements that apply to hardware and software (including artificial intelligence), supporting clients through product launches, and helping to develop and maintain compliance programmes. The candidate will also support contentious regulatory work, including responding to regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings.

The Work

The team acts across the full lifecycle of regulatory risk, from horizon-scanning and advising on the application and interpretation of new and existing laws, to developing compliance programmes, counselling on product launches, engaging with regulators, managing product recalls and, where needed, robust representation in enforcement, investigations and related proceedings.

The key focus of this role is on advising and supporting clients on product regulatory frameworks as they apply to new and existing technology. It is essential to have a genuine interest in technology and how tech products are developed and brought to market.

The successful candidate will be comfortable navigating evolving regulatory frameworks and providing concise, commercially grounded guidance under time pressure and on an international basis.

Experience across other regulatory areas (healthcare/ life sciences, consumer protection law, digital regulation and/or sustainability) would be beneficial, including both advisory and contentious mandates, but is not essential. However, the successful candidate will be expected to support work across these areas as business needs arise and must therefore be flexible and adaptable.

The Team

Our regulatory team works cross-office in the UK and across the OC network of offices with a collaborative culture and clear opportunities for responsibility and client exposure. We pride ourselves on a supportive, high-performing environment that values initiative, business development contributions, and strong client care.

Illustrative Work Examples

• Advising on the application of regulations governing radio equipment, cyber security and artificial intelligence to a range of consumer and enterprise hardware products.
• Advising a global technology company on the risks associated with agentic AI, including third-party liability, and developing a regulatory guardrail framework to support development and research work.
• Developing governance systems and procedures to manage the use of artificial intelligence by technology, professional services and defence sector clients.
• Advising and managing product recalls across 20+ countries following a thermal runaway issue in product batteries.
• Working with an online marketplace to respond to a letter from the OPSS regarding requirements for the online sale of products.
• Supporting clients in their engagement with regulators and industry bodies to shape emerging legislative and regulatory proposals affecting their products and services.

We are looking for an Associate with demonstrable experience of providing detailed and commercial advice on regulatory frameworks; drafting of new systems; liaising with regulators and conducting training sessions.

Candidates who can demonstrate strong analytical skills, excellent drafting, confident client handling, and a proactive, solutions-led mindset will thrive in this role.

Your Career Development

Like all our lawyers, you will benefit from a structured and award-winning career development programme, offering clear expectations at each level, early client exposure and responsibility, thorough assessment and feedback, robust technical and skills training tailored to your development, and reward based on contribution and potential.

Salary And Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package commensurate with experience and market.

About Us

Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with over 330 Partners and more than 1,260 talented lawyers in 26 locations*. Our sector-based approach enables us to help our clients tackle the issues they are facing today, and prepare for the ones that they will face tomorrow. Advising them both comprehensively and commercially. We love working closely with our clients on new deals, products and solutions which will transform their businesses, markets and even sectors. And our unique approachable culture is not an added extra, it's fundamental to our success.

At Osborne Clarke we value difference and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and belong, and our range of interest groups and diversity networks - not to mention our great teams - are a part of making that a reality. We value the health and wellbeing of our people and our wide range of initiatives and benefits support this.

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