International Arbitration Associate

International Arbitration Associate2–3 years’ PQE | LondonWe are working with an established specialist disputes firm seeking a junior associate to join its London International Arbitration team.This is an opportunity for someone who has trained and qualified within a leading arbitration practice and is looking to deepen their experience through substantial international work, close partner involvement and greater understanding of how cases develop.The firm and the workThe firm specialises in complex commercial disputes, international arbitration and investigations. Its arbitration practice is independently recognised by leading legal directories and acts in both commercial and investment treaty proceedings.The team’s work involves international businesses, investors, states and state-owned entities. Its partners have experience across sectors including energy, natural resources, infrastructure, financial services and telecommunications, frequently dealing with disputes involving multiple jurisdictions.Commercial arbitration work concerns disputes arising from business relationships and agreements. Investor-state arbitration concerns disputes between foreign investors and states, including claims under investment treaties. Both require careful analysis of the facts, the applicable legal framework and the client’s objectives.For this junior position, experience in either area is sufficient. Candidates do not need to have worked extensively in both.The working environmentThe firm’s published approach is to involve associates in matters alongside partners from the outset and, where possible, maintain continuity in case teams.It encourages direct client contact and provides opportunities for junior lawyers to gain procedural experience through attendance at hearings and work involving experts and factual witnesses. Associates are also encouraged to understand clients’ businesses and participate in business development as their careers progress.For a lawyer at 2–3 PQE, the appeal is the opportunity to connect individual pieces of work with the wider case: understanding why an argument matters, how evidence supports it and how procedural decisions affect the client’s position.Specific case allocation and the scope of day-to-day responsibilities will be explored during the interview process.The experience we would like to hear aboutWe are interested in what you have learned and contributed during your training and post-qualification experience. Helpful examples would include:

• The commercial or investor-state arbitrations on which you have worked, including the issues involved and your responsibilities.
• Legal research and analysis that contributed to a submission, procedural application or advice to a client.
• Your experience of drafting, whether submissions, correspondence, research memoranda or other case documents.
• Work involving documents and factual evidence, such as preparing chronologies, identifying relevant material or analysing competing accounts of events.
• Any exposure to witnesses, experts, hearings or the coordination of work across jurisdictions.
• Examples of responding to feedback, managing deadlines and taking responsibility for the accuracy of your work.You do not need to have led these activities. The purpose is to understand the substance of your experience, the level of supervision you have worked under and where you are ready to develop further.Essential background
• 2–3 years’ post-qualification experience.
• Experience in commercial arbitration, investor-state arbitration, or both.
• Having trained and been retained within a prestigious international arbitration team.Who might find this particularly interesting?Someone who enjoys detailed legal and factual analysis, wants to build a long-term arbitration career and is keen to take an active role in a specialist practice.The firm describes an environment that rewards initiative, intellectual curiosity and increasing self-sufficiency, supported by collaboration with colleagues. The work is demanding, and the opportunity is particularly relevant to candidates who want to understand the broader conduct of cases while continuing to strengthen their technical skills.Confidential enquiriesPlease contact Luc Fountain at Liberty Towers via LinkedIn for a confidential discussion. We would welcome a CV and a brief outline of your arbitration experience, including whether it has focused on commercial disputes, investor-state matters or both.