ACT Associate (from 2 years PQE onwards ) - Brussels

Brussels Dublin Until 8/22/2026 2+ years exp H-1B sponsor history First posted March 22, 2025 Last posted March 31, 2026
Job description

The Freshfields Brussels office is recruiting ambitious, qualified lawyers with at least 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.

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; Fluency in French is an asset.
  • 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

  • Advising clients on a range of competition law and commercial issues.
  • Drafting/negotiating transaction or other contract documents.
  • Drafting submissions to competition authorities and courts.
  • Managing transactions.
  • Managing client relationships.
  • Actively participating in business development and client events.
  • Training/managing trainees/junior lawyers.

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

Advise on competition law, manage transactions, draft submissions, and client relationships.

Job title

ACT Associate (from 2 years PQE onwards) - Brussels

Experience level

2+ years

Minimum experience

2+ years exp

Industry

law

Location requirements

Brussels, relocation required, no remote work

Salary

Not specified

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

Yes

Skills & keywords

Required skills

legal expertiseadvise clientsdraftingnegotiationclient management

Preferred skills

French languageLL.M.business development

Specializations

antitrustcompetition lawtrade law
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Brussels, Belgium

On-site City

Dublin, Ireland

On-site City

Madrid, Spain

On-site City

London, UK

On-site City

Hamburg, Germany

On-site City

Frankfurt, Germany

On-site City

40 Düsseldorf, Germany

On-site City

Berlin, Germany

On-site City

Amsterdam, Netherlands

On-site City

48 Münster, Germany

On-site City

30 Hanover, Germany

On-site City

Vienna, Austria

On-site City

Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

On-site City

Paris, France

On-site City

Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy

On-site City