Procurement, Subsidy Control

We are working with a leading international law firm to appoint an Associate or Senior Associate to its specialist procurement, subsidy control and trade group in London or another of its well-established offices in the main legal centres in the Midlands, North West or Scotland. This is a rare chance to join a legal team working on politically significant, strategically sensitive and economically important matters, shaped by events such as Brexit.

The role

You will be part of a truly integrated cross-border team that spans the UK and Europe, working together on a single platform rather than in siloed offices. The group advises central government departments, regulators, infrastructure operators, global corporates, utilities and technology companies on complex procurement and trade issues.

The partner leading the practice is widely recognised for their deep sector knowledge, energy and enthusiasm for the work. Associates are given exceptional visibility and are encouraged to participate in high-level discussions, consultations and emerging regulatory reforms.

Illustrative examples of typical, previous and ongoing work

The team acts on some of the most fascinating and newsworthy matters in the space, such as:

• Subsidy control and supply chain restructuring for a major international manufacturer adapting operations across the UK and EU following Brexit.
• Procurement and national security advice on telecommunications infrastructure, including issues relating to cybersecurity and foreign-state influence.
• Trade law matters linked to challenges brought before the WTO, including strategic advice to corporates affected by EU–UK disputes.
• Advising UK government bodies on the development and interpretation of evolving procurement frameworks, including contributing to discussions on proposed legislation.
• Acting for regulated utilities and transport operators on public procurement challenges and complex concession arrangements.
• Supporting global businesses operating across Europe and Asia on cross-jurisdictional procurement rules and market-access issues.
• Working alongside competition lawyers to assess the overlap between procurement, subsidies, dominance concerns and wider market-structure issues.

This is work that often sits behind the headlines—work that affects industries, policymakers and multinational businesses.

Why this opportunity is different

• True front-row access to regulatory change – the team is frequently consulted on upcoming reforms and is directly involved in shaping the future of UK procurement and trade regimes.
• Exceptional exposure – the partner is one of only a handful of lawyers involved in key government-level consultation and policy-shaping exercises.
• Cross-border working as standard – you will regularly collaborate with teams in Europe as part of a unified group with shared objectives and budgets.
• Superior work quality – whilst some teams in this industry keep busy with smaller-scale local issues, this practice handles national and international mandates of real strategic importance.
• An intellectually stimulating mix – procurement, subsidies, trade and competition intertwined.

About you

We would like to hear from lawyers who are:

• England & Wales qualified, ideally 2–6 PQE including most (but not necessarily each) of: procurement, competition, public law, subsidy control, trade or regulatory matters
• Strong analytical thinkers with excellent drafting skills
• Interested in law that evolves quickly and has broad political, commercial and international dimensions
• Keen to take early responsibility and work closely with senior stakeholders
• Collaborative, proactive and intellectually curious
• Able to commute (hybrid working) to one of the main offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Who this will suit

This position is ideal for someone who wants to develop a career at the cutting edge of public-sector, regulatory and trade-related law—where the work is genuinely impactful and often shapes national policy debates.

Apply now

For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, please contact Jon Kennedy on or via