Geneva Opportunities

Sidley Austin LLP’s Geneva office is both a leader in shaping and enforcing international trade and investment rules as well as home to one of Europe’s foremost international arbitration and cross-border dispute teams.

The Geneva office welcomes applications for its two Trainee Lawyer programmes. Successful candidates will gain a practical understanding and experience in the two main fields of law practiced within the Geneva office, and will have the opportunity to put into practice their intellectual, analytical and problem-solving skills, and to develop their professional legal experience.

For more information on the International Trade trainee role, please click here; information on the position within the International Arbitration Group can be found here.

We further recruit graduates in our Geneva office based on our particular needs. Candidates seeking positions outside of the above trainee roles should email their CV to genevarecruitment@sidley.com.

Who we are: Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world's largest full-service law firms, providing a broad range of services to meet the needs of large and small businesses across a multitude of industries, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Sidley’s Geneva office is both a leader in shaping and enforcing international trade and investment rules as well as home to one of Europe’s foremost international arbitration and cross-border dispute teams.

The position: We regularly recruit for a Trainee Associate in our Geneva office. This is a nine-month fixed-term position, and our next role is expected to commence Autumn 2024.

What we are looking for: Candidates should have consistently exceptional academic results as a minimum. A proven interest and academic excellence in the field of International Trade Dispute Resolution is required, and practical International Trade experience within private practice, government authorities or the World Trade Organization is strongly desired. Candidates who demonstrate a keen interest and substantial knowledge and/or experience in the wider field of dispute resolution, and more particularly in the area of International Arbitration, are particularly welcomed. Candidates with current bar qualifications are preferred, although this is not required. We look for individuals with spark, enthusiasm and a real passion for their chosen profession.

What you will do: The Trainee Associate will gain a practical understanding and experience in the two main fields of law practiced within the Geneva office, working primarily with the International Trade team but also gaining experience within the International Arbitration group. The trainee will have the opportunity to put into practice their intellectual, analytical and problem-solving skills, and to develop their professional legal experience, particularly in relation to World Trade Organization (‘WTO’) dispute settlement matters. Work will be wide-ranging, and specific experience will include research, exhibit preparation, development of facts to support potential claims and preparation of submissions to WTO adjudicators and International Arbitration Tribunals.

How to apply: Applications for Autumn 2024 are now open. Please complete an application form here.

The selection process will involve a written test, taking the form of a case study on International Trade principles. Candidates who successfully complete this exam will be invited to interview with the Geneva partners.

If you would like further information, please email genevarecruitment@sidley.com.

Who we are: Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world's largest full-service law firms, providing a broad range of services to meet the needs of large and small businesses across a multitude of industries, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Sidley’s Geneva office is both a leader in shaping and enforcing international trade and investment rules as well as home to one of Europe’s foremost international arbitration and cross-border dispute teams.

What we are looking for: The Geneva office runs an International Arbitration Trainee Lawyer programme on a twelve-month rolling basis, starting on or around 1 September each year. Candidates should have consistently exceptional academic results. A proven interest and academic excellence in the field of international arbitration is required, and practical international arbitration experience within private practice and/or arbitral institutions is an advantage.

Candidates who demonstrate a keen interest and substantial knowledge and/or experience in the wider field of dispute resolution, and more particularly in the area of international trade, are particularly welcomed. Candidates admitted to the bar are preferred, although this is not required. We look for individuals with spark, enthusiasm and a real passion for their chosen profession.

What you will do: The International Arbitration Trainee Lawyer will gain practical understanding and experience within a thriving international arbitration department. The Trainee Lawyer will have the opportunity to put into practice their intellectual, analytical, problem-solving and drafting skills, and to develop their professional legal experience, particularly in relation to international arbitration and dispute settlement matters. Work will be wide-ranging, and will include legal research, development of facts to support potential claims, and drafting and preparation of submissions to international arbitral tribunals. The Trainee Lawyer may also be called upon to become involved in similar tasks within the International Trade practice.

How to apply: Applications for Autumn 2025 will open in September. If you would like further information, please email genevarecruitment@sidley.com.

Who we are: Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world's largest full-service law firms, providing a broad range of services to meet the needs of large and small businesses across a multitude of industries, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Sidley’s Geneva office is both a leader in shaping and enforcing international trade and investment rules as well as home to one of Europe’s foremost international arbitration and cross-border dispute teams.

The position: We regularly recruit for a Trainee Associate in our Geneva office for our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practice. This is a 1-year fixed-term position, and our next role is expected to commence in Autumn 2024.

What we are looking for: Candidates should have consistently exceptional academic results, with a very high level of English language proficiency. They should also have a proven interest and academic excellence in the field of European Union law, including ESG regulation (reporting and due diligence) and/or litigation; it would be desirable if you have: experience in international law relating to the environment (including climate change), labour, and/or human rights; experience in national ESG laws and regulations for jurisdictions other than the EU (including EU member States, United Kingdom, or other); and practical experience in private practice or with a government authority, international organisation and/or other institutions in the area of ESG/sustainability. Candidates with current bar qualifications are preferred, although this is not required.

We are looking for individuals with spark, enthusiasm and a real passion for their chosen profession, demonstrating high-level organization, communication and collaboration skills.

What you will do: The Trainee Associate will primarily gain a practical understanding and experience in the field of ESG regulatory compliance. The trainee will have the opportunity to put into practice their intellectual, analytical and problem-solving skills, and to develop their professional experience, particularly in relation to corporate responsibility and compliance with ESG reporting, due diligence, and communication requirements. Work will be wide-ranging, and specific experience will include research, preparation and delivery of presentations, drafting of legal advice and direct engagement with corporate clients. Day-to-day work will involve interaction and collaboration with Sidley’s global ESG team, including individuals across several Sidley offices in Europe, the United States, and Asia-Pacific.

How to apply: Applications for Autumn 2024 are now open. Please complete an application form here.

The selection process will involve a written test, taking the form of a case study on EU law and ESG principles. Candidates who successfully complete this exam will be invited to interview with the Geneva partners.