Senior Associate -International Arbitration

Senior Associate – International Arbitration

Location: London (hybrid working with 3 days per week office based)
Practice Area: International Arbitration
Salary: £180-225k plus bonuses and excellent benefits package

Our client is a leading Tier 1 international arbitration practice dedicated to resolving complex, high-value cross-border disputes. Operating in major arbitral centres across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, the firm represents both sovereign states and blue-chip corporates in commercial, investment treaty and public international law matters.

Key Requirements

We are seeking a highly experienced international arbitration lawyer with a proven record in leading complex proceedings and mentoring junior colleagues.

Essential qualifications and experience:

• 6-8 years PQE representing clients in high-value, complex international commercial and/or investment treaty arbitration.
• An excellent academic background, ideally at postgraduate level.
• Demonstrated experience leading legal workstreams and contributing to strategic decision-making on complex arbitration matters.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present arguments persuasively and with credibility.
• Additional language skills to support the firm’s international client base are highly desirable.

Core skills and competencies:

• Strong technical expertise in contract and treaty arbitration law and procedure.
• Ability to manage and mentor junior team members, providing oversight, review, and professional development support.
• Highly effective in drafting pleadings, legal advice, and tribunal submissions.
• Proficient in overseeing complex legal research and document review exercises.
• Proven ability to develop case theory, assess risks, and identify tactical solutions.
• Confident in contributing to business development activities including publications, conference speaking, and client briefings.
• Exceptional time and project management skills, with high attention to detail and professional standards.

Role & Responsibilities

As a Senior Associate, you will act as a trusted advisor to clients and a leader within the legal team. You will support partners on key mandates and play an active role in the firm’s strategic and business development efforts.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Collaborating with partners and colleagues on the formulation of case strategy and theory.
• Taking a lead in drafting major written submissions, while managing and mentoring junior lawyers involved in the process.
• Overseeing complex research and document review projects, ensuring accuracy and relevance to the legal issues at hand.
• Contributing to the preparation of witness and expert evidence, including direct involvement in witness preparation and evidentiary analysis.
• Acting as a key liaison with clients, tribunals, witnesses, experts, and opposing counsel.
• Supporting partners on business development initiatives, including co-authoring legal publications, preparing client briefings, and representing the firm at industry events and conferences.
• Providing mentorship and guidance to junior team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team culture.

This is a leadership-track opportunity for a skilled arbitration practitioner to play a prominent role in high-profile disputes and the ongoing development of the firm’s global practice.