Mid-Level Associate – International Arbitration
📍 Madrid, Spain
A leading specialist international arbitration practice is seeking a Mid-Level Associate to join its growing Madrid team.
This opportunity offers exposure to some of the most sophisticated and high-profile international disputes currently in the market, working alongside internationally recognised arbitration practitioners on complex cross-border matters involving multinational corporations, sovereign entities, and major global stakeholders.
The firm operates as a specialist disputes platform with a singular focus on international arbitration. Associates work in lean, highly collaborative teams with direct partner access, substantial responsibility, and genuine involvement in strategic case development from an early stage.
The role is ideally suited to lawyers looking to build a long-term career focused exclusively on international arbitration within a high-performing international environment.
The Role
The successful candidate will work closely with partners and colleagues across multiple offices on complex international commercial and investment treaty arbitration matters involving parties across various jurisdictions.
The position offers significant exposure to all stages of arbitration proceedings, including strategy development, written advocacy, witness preparation, and hearing preparation.
Key Responsibilities
- Assisting in the development of case strategy and legal arguments on complex international disputes
- Drafting written submissions, procedural applications, memorials, and other advocacy materials
- Managing legal research and document review exercises
- Supporting the preparation of witness statements and expert evidence
- Liaising directly with clients, experts, tribunals, and opposing counsel
- Coordinating with international teams across multiple jurisdictions
- Supporting hearing preparation and broader case management responsibilities
- Contributing to the collaborative and intellectually rigorous culture of the practice
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will possess:
- A minimum of 3 years’ experience in international commercial arbitration and/or investment treaty arbitration
- Experience acting on complex cross-border disputes
- Excellent academic credentials
- Full professional fluency in both English and Spanish
- Strong drafting, analytical, and organisational capabilities
- Experience gained within an international law firm, arbitration boutique, or leading disputes practice
The following would also be advantageous:
- Familiarity with Latin American administrative or regulatory law frameworks
- Additional language capabilities
- Prior exposure to investment treaty disputes
Skills & Expertise
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Excellent written advocacy and drafting skills
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking ability
- A solid understanding of international arbitration procedure and practice
- Attention to detail, rigor, and intellectual curiosity
- The ability to manage complex factual and legal issues effectively
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Confidence operating within lean, high-performing international teams
- Commercial awareness and strong professional judgment
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This role offers:
- Exposure to market-leading international arbitration work
- Direct collaboration with highly regarded arbitration partners
- Meaningful responsibility and client exposure from an early stage
- A genuinely international and collaborative working environment
- Excellent long-term development opportunities within a specialist arbitration platform
- The opportunity to build a recognised profile within the international arbitration market
For a confidential discussion regarding the role and broader market context, please get in touch directly.