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

Brussels Dublin Until 8/21/2026 0+ years exp H-1B sponsor history First posted December 9, 2025 Last posted March 31, 2026
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.
About this role

Summary

Assist in competition and trade law cases, develop strategies, draft submissions, and participate in business development.

Job title

ACT Junior Associate

Experience level

up to 2 years PQE

Minimum experience

0+ years exp

Industry

law

Location requirements

Relocate to Brussels; remote work not specified.

Salary

Not specified

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

academic qualificationsLL.M.communicationteamworkresponsibilityclient service

Preferred skills

interest in competition and trade lawhigh responsibility handling

Specializations

competition lawtrade law
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Brussels, Belgium

On-site City

Dublin, Ireland

On-site City

London, UK

On-site City

Madrid, Spain

On-site City

Amsterdam, Netherlands

On-site City

Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

On-site City

Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy

On-site City

Paris, France

On-site City

30 Hanover, Germany

On-site City

Munich, Germany

On-site City

Hamburg, Germany

On-site City

Frankfurt, Germany

On-site City

40 Düsseldorf, Germany

On-site City

Berlin, Germany

On-site City

Vienna, Austria

On-site City

48 Münster, Germany

On-site City