Junior Associate, Disputes

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Primary Objectives:  

With a multi-disciplinary global disputes team of world-leading sector specialists and regional experts, we provide commercial insight and legal advice which is described by Chambers and Partners as a 'Dispute resolution powerhouse that consistently tops the rankings across the world'.  

Bringing together litigators, arbitrators, mediators, advocacy experts, regulatory specialists, and investigators, whatever the challenge or opportunity, we partner with our clients every step in the process. 

Significant clients include: 

Apple, AngloAmerican, BAT, BP, BHP, Chevron, Credit Suisse, Gilead Sciences, Goldman Sachs, Google, Marubeni, Marriott, Mitsubishi, NordStream, Sinopec, LBG, RBS, UBS and Vedanta.

Key Internal Relationships:     

Supervising lawyer, other group partners, solicitors/associates, trainees/ graduate solicitors, paralegals, secretarial staff.  

Key External Relationships:

    
Clients, peers, contacts, other firms and professions (eg financial advisers, intermediaries, experts and local lawyers).

Primary Responsibilities:

• This role could entail working on a range of contentious matters such as commercial litigation and competition litigation, including large class actions, across a range of sectors, including tech, energy, defence and aviation.  
• Manage work to support optimal utilisation; assist senior lawyers as required, acting as lead lawyer, where appropriate; delegate and provide feedback to juniors and communicate progress on tasks to supervisor and team members, consulting and offering solutions on difficult technical client issues; and manage the billing process as appropriate. 
• Manage, develop and strengthen client relationships through anticipating client needs and expectations; and provide prompt responses and updates on progress. 
• Support the firm and others - establish effective relationships with individuals and groups, across the global network; uphold the firm’s values; contribute to the firm’s initiatives (eg corporate social responsibility and diversity and inclusion activities); mentor and support juniors; raise profile by being involved with external bodies and supporting and attending marketing/industry events; and assist with internal training and preparation of legal precedents. 
• Comply with risk requirements, firm policies and all relevant professional responsibilities and legislation and contribute to billing, engagement and client acceptance processes. 

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• Qualified legal practitioner in a common law jurisdiction. 
• Between one to three years' of legal experience in dispute resolution, we are open to considering candidates with more or less experience. 
• Strong legal skills, including drafting, negotiation and project management skills; foundation level people management and business development skills.
• Good understanding of law firm profitability and key drivers for financial efficiency; and ability to help manage costs and budgets.
   

Team

Location

Contract type

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.