Associate

Our attorneys handle matters involving UK/EU and other non-U.S. antitrust, cartel and merger control laws, as well as a wide range of other UK/EU competition. Skadden is one of the most successful American law firms to have established a combined U.S. and European capability in Europe, developing local practices across key European jurisdictions. Our European practice extends across five offices, operating as an integrated practice group without office or jurisdictional boundaries. This approach is a critical part of our competitive advantage in Europe.

In 2021 Skadden was named ‘European Competition Team of the Year’ at The Lawyer European Awards, which “celebrate excellence across the European legal market”. In 2020, Benchmark Litigation named Skadden the ‘European Competition Firm of the Year’. In 2019, Skadden was recognized as Competition Team of the Year by Legal Business.

We also were named Transatlantic Antitrust Team of the Year by The American Lawyer and Legal Week at the 2019 and 2018 Transatlantic Legal Awards. Our antitrust/competition team has 9 attorneys listed in Who’s Who Legal: Competition at all levels of seniority: partner, counsel and associate.

We are a growing practice in London and part of the wider global antitrust team. The group focuses on high value complex UK/EU Antitrust and UK/EU Competition cases. We encourage associates to do their own advocacy where possible, and to take responsibility for their cases even at a junior level. 

The new hire will join the Competition and Antitrust group.  We are looking for an individual with 3 – 6 years' relevant UK post qualification experience in the London market (or experience in a similar common law jurisdiction), although those with less or more relevant experience will be considered on their merits.  The successful candidate will have strong experience in antitrust, excellent written communication and drafting skills are also required, as well as the ability to demonstrate initiative.  They must also possess the skills to take on a high degree of responsibility.  High level of academic achievement required.  

We pay generous rates and provide our lawyers with a highly competitive benefits package.  As of 2024, the package includes:

• Discretionary year-end bonus
• Technology allowance
• 22 days holiday and 3 personal days
• Enhanced Family leave
• Private medical insurance
• Permanent health insurance
• Life Insurance
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Gym allowance
• Travel Insurance

Mentoring and Hybrid Working

Associates who join Skadden laterally participate in our mentor program, Skadden Integration+, which specifically focuses on the unique needs experienced attorneys face during professional transitions. 

These efforts, along with our professional development and other Skadden benefits, including a hybrid work model (which remains subject to review), currently consists of working Monday to Thursday in the office (for full-time attorneys), and living proximate to the office, underscores Skadden's long-standing commitment to investing in its people, culture and diversity.

Skadden has a sophisticated training programme that includes both in-house and external seminars and training sessions.  We also pride ourselves on providing our lawyers with "on-the-job" training and constructive "real-time" partner feedback.  The formal training programme includes:

• Regular team meetings
• Regular corporate know-how meetings.
• Weekly and monthly training seminars and workshops for all levels covering legal topics relevant to the firm’s practice areas and skills.  These are presented by partners and associates and external specialists, QC’s and other professionals.
• Live video-links to seminars presented across Skadden’s network of offices.

Pro bono

Skadden strongly encourages its lawyers to assist, through pro bono work, those individuals and groups unable to afford legal services. A number of pro-bono opportunities are also available to our lawyers through our pro-bono programme.  We are affiliated to LawWorks, a registered charity which supplies pro-bono projects to the firm.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental to our success as a global law firm, giving us a wealth of different perspectives from which to address our clients’ most pressing issues across a wide spectrum of industries, geographies and cultures. We strive to develop initiatives at Skadden to specifically address diversity, equity and inclusion goals — including for recruiting, professional development, attorney retention and advancement, and cross-cultural awareness — while also continually inculcating inclusion principles into the fabric of the firm. This includes ensuring that all job applicants are treated fairly regardless of, for example, age, disability, sex, race and sexual orientation as per our Equal Employment Opportunity statement. If you require adjustments to be made during the selection process, please speak to a member of the recruitment team (Nicola Kerley, Attorney Recruiting Manager nicola.kerley@skadden.com).