Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.  

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating – full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work. 

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them. 

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams. 

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet. 
 

The role

We advise many of the world's leading companies on public and private M&A, disposals, demergers, joint ventures, restructurings and high value commercial contracts with a particular focus on complex, cross-border transactions.

Our team works closely with antitrust specialists on merger control matters and collaborates with experts across finance, capital markets, litigation, tax, pensions, employment and real estate to deliver integrated advice.

We combine international deal execution skills with deep local market knowledge and sector-focused expertise. Our practice also covers corporate governance, regulatory compliance, intellectual property and technology advisory, providing clients with comprehensive support across all aspects of corporate activity.

Who you will work with

Our clients include many of the world's leading public and private corporations, investment banks and financial institutions, governments and international bodies.
 
Our unique service offering to clients is our top tier strength across M&A, private equity, antitrust, IP and funds alongside the deep corporate client base, combined with unrivalled strength and depth of expertise across practice areas and around our network.
 
We advise our clients on strategic corporate and M&A work, both domestic and international, with a particular focus on large, complex, cross-border transactions. Our work spans Europe, the US, the Middle East and APAC. 

You will be working with a broad range of clients and the firm's other teams and practice areas, not only in London, but across the globe.

What you will be responsible for

As an Associate in our team, you will be working on some of the world's largest and most complex M&A transactions. Our lawyers provide a seamless integrated service across our network of offices and across different areas of expertise including public takeovers, private M&A, joint ventures, restructurings, secondary issues and advisory work.

You will provide legal and commercial expertise on complex M&A transactions, large-scale re-organisations and joint venture arrangements as well as corporate advisory work; across a wide range of sectors including financial services, energy and resources, consumer goods and retail, healthcare, industrials, real estate, aviation and technology.

You will be working as part of cross-border and interdisciplinary teams to advise on corporate finance activities, ensuring compliance with local laws and business requirements.

You will develop relationships with clients and actively engage in business development and thought leadership initiatives and seeking out opportunities for new work.

You will be drafting legal documents clearly and concisely, creating solutions using legal knowledge and commercial judgement to advise and support leading multi-national corporates.
 

Your experience

You will have a solid background in corporate work, gained at a city firm, or at an overseas common law practice with a highly regarded profile.   We are looking for proactive Associates who are able to think outside the box to create bespoke solutions for our clients' objectives.

You will:

•  have experience of advising on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions.
• have an outstanding academic history and proven first rate legal skills, combined with a strong reputation amongst existing clients for providing commercial solutions, excellent transactional and management skills, and be recognised as a lawyer that is sought out by existing clients.
• be able to demonstrate excellent document drafting skills, strong communication and analytical skills along with a high level of commercial awareness.
• need to demonstrate that you can thrive in a team with high professional standards and a client-focused commercial approach. You will have had strong exposure of collaborating with multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary teams.

It is also crucial that you can demonstrate an appetite for business development, client relationship management and thought leadership. 

How we will support you 

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning. 

Hybrid working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way in line with the hybrid working policy. 

What we offer including our broad range of benefits and working environment 

When you join Clifford Chance, you will have access to a broad range of benefits to support you across many aspects of your personal and professional life including financial, wellbeing, lifestyle, and family friendly benefits. For more information on what we offer specifically in the UK, please visit our What We Offer page on our career site.  

Equal opportunities 

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society. 

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.   

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement. 

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.  

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.