Experienced Food Law Associate

Bird & Bird is committed to maintaining an inclusive working environment and we are an equal opportunities employer. We will actively support and supervise your professional development. For those with the necessary energy and ability, we will ensure that the firm is a first-class platform on which you can develop into an industry leader.

Our Brussels-based Food Regulatory team, part of our Regulatory, Public and Administrative law team, advises food & beverage companies on all economic regulations relevant to their business, both within Belgium and internationally. The assistance we provide to our food & beverage clients covers the full lifecycle of the products; we guide them from the early stages of research and development to handling food crisis management issues, and from product formulation to labelling and marketing questions. The team has a strong focus on innovation, and notably advises on novel food products and bio-based applications, as well as on emerging foodtech solutions. 

The team also advises on other categories of consumer products regulations, including cosmetic products, textiles, household detergents and chemicals to name a few. 

The range of work the team is entrusted with spans from day-to-day advice and guidance to pre-contentious and contentious work in connection with product compliance and consumer protection. 

• You will provide advice and assistance in the core areas of the practice: 
  • Product compliance with product regulations in respect of product formulation, labelling and advertising; 
  • B2B and B2C laws and regulations relevant to the trade of consumer products, including the contractual aspects;
  • Legal support in relation to product development and market entry strategies, including assistance with respect to product authorisation processes. 
• Take on responsibility from day one, enjoying challenging work with innovative clients;
• Handle complex national and cross-border matters‎, with a focus on advisory work; 
• Build your career in the firm, developing your legal, business and interpersonal skills through training, close collaboration with and feedback from leading practitioners; 
• Be actively involved in marketing and business development initiatives in a truly international firm;
• Take part in various social activities and events of our Brussels office and internationally.

You have up to 5 years’ experience as a lawyer with a strong focus on public economic law. Exposure to public, administrative or business law or experience in regulated industries (food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals) are an advantage. 

We expect you to have a law degree that’s backed up by strong academic results. A postgraduate in public and administrative law or EU law is an advantage. You are a member of the Brussels Bar or you fulfil the requirements to become a member of the Brussels Bar.

You are fluent in English and French/Dutch, with a good command of the other national language. 

You have strong writing and analytical skills that allow you to identify key issues. You are ready to roll up your sleeves together with our team around the globe, eager to grasp the latest innovations our clients developed and deliver the high-quality work they expect. You have a strong appetite for business development activities to further develop the Food Regulatory practice.

If you think you are the right fit for our Food Regulatory team in Brussels, send your cv, motivation letter and transcripts via email (click on the "Apply" button below)

Learn more about our firm at www.twobirds.com. You can find the latest updates from our team on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bird-&-bird-llp/

For any questions or if you would like more information, please contact our HR manager Anneke Vermeir on annv@twobirds.com.