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https://competitionandmarkets.blog.gov.uk/2018/09/24/secondment-opportunities-for-competition-lawyers/

Secondment opportunities for competition lawyers

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We are launching a new round of secondment opportunities for competition lawyers, to start on 27 April 2020.

Following the success of the programme since its launch in June 2018, which has so far welcomed secondees from 13 different firms, we are now accepting applications for the next round. The deadline for applications is Monday, 9 March 2020.

We believe our programme offers an exciting opportunity for competition lawyers:

  • The 6 month programme encompasses work across all of our competition law functions, and is designed to offer a structured insight into the workings of the CMA.
  • Secondees have the opportunity to work within one or more of the CMA’s Legal Service, Mergers, State aid, Competition Act and Policy functions, under the supervision of our senior CMA lawyers.
  • Secondees form an integral part of our multi-disciplinary teams and have the opportunity to play a key role in delivering the CMA’s aims and strategic goals through casework or wider legal and policy work.
  • We hope that this opportunity to work with us at the CMA, will prove particularly valuable to both the secondee and their firm on their return to private practice.

Comments from secondees:

"It has been invaluable to see how the process works within the CMA, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to develop a strong UK competition law practice."

"I have been given really good quality work, have been working in very friendly teams with supportive people who have always taken the time to explain all things CMA to me. I have been able to get much more stuck in to work and teams here than I anticipated prior to starting the secondment. The insight I have gained into how the CMA works and how decisions are made will no doubt be of practical use when I return to my firm."

"I have very much enjoyed my secondment to the CMA and to the antitrust team in particular.  The work has been interesting and my colleagues are very approachable."

"I would say that the experience has been very positive and for lawyers in private practice a secondment at the CMA is certainly valuable experience"

"I’m really enjoying the secondment programme and have found it to be a very useful experience so far. It’s been good both in terms of training and hands on experience so I would definitely recommend it to others."

Application details

Our secondments are open to all UK and EU qualified lawyers currently employed in a law firm, and with previous experience working on mergers or Competition Act cases. We offer secondees a range of work suitable for their level of experience and provide training as part of the role.

Our secondments last for 6 months with two intakes annually on a rolling basis.

The CMA will contribute a flat rate to the cost of secondees, with further details available on request.

Firms that would like to put candidates forward should email a CV and covering letter for each candidate by Monday 9 March 2020 to Nigel Machin and Amy Batchelor (at the contact details set out below). As part of the covering letter, each candidate should confirm that they are able to spend 6 months with us. Candidates should be available to meet with contacts at the CMA during the weeks of 16 March 2020 or 23 March 2020 to discuss the secondment.

Please note we will not accept applications from agencies.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the benefits of the programme, please contact any of Ronan Flanagan, Rosamund Browne, Natalie Rouse, Nigel Machin, or Amy Batchelor on the numbers set out below.

Contact details for secondment programme queries:

Ronan Flanagan

Legal Director ronan.flanagan@cma.gov.uk 020 3738 6142

Rosamund Browne

Legal Director rosamund.browne@cma.gov.uk 020 3738 6177

Natalie Rouse

Legal Director natalie.rouse@cma.gov.uk 020 3738 6445

Amy Batchelor

Legal Advisor amy.batchelor@cma.gov.uk 020 3738 6080

Nigel Machin

Legal Adviser nigel.machin@cma.gov.uk 020 3738 6083

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