Associate - reputation law
We’re looking for qualified lawyers who want to be at the centre of high-profile, international cases and fast-moving client challenges. This is a role for those ambitious to develop market leading specialism in the reputation and privacy sphere.
About Slateford
Slateford advises the most interesting people in business throughout the world on their biggest challenges that impact reputation and their ability to operate.
We are a specialist reputation law firm whose focus is on entrepreneurial clients and their business interests, wherever in the world they occur. We are by some distance the youngest law firm in our field, bringing a challenger attitude and desire for change to our area of work, and a start-up feel to how we run the firm.
The firm’s client list includes some of the most exciting businesses in the world, as well as blue chip companies and sovereign assets; individual clients range from prominent investors and philanthropists to household name athletes. Our lawyers frequently work with clients and issues across continents. We believe in using the skills we hone working for the world’s elite to help those who would not otherwise have access to that advice, and campaign and advise on topics we believe in, particularly around online harms, intimate image abuse and social exclusion.
We set out five years ago to do things differently in how we work and how we advise, and clients see this in long-term relationships making better decisions to handle their problems.
Our work is recognised in countless awards and nominations including nominations at The Lawyer Awards 2025 for both Specialist Law Firm and Boutique Disputes Firm of the Year, nomination for the Gold Award for Reputation Management Law Firm of the Year (Magic Circle Awards 2025, we also won it in 2023) and Crisis Law Firm of the Year (British Legal Awards 2022).
The Role
As an Associate, you will be involved in complex, often international cases for clients who trust our team’s quality and responsiveness when facing critical issues. You will deliver advice and work of a high technical standard, and contribute to the good management
You will play a central role in mentoring and supervising junior lawyers, helping them to grow while safeguarding quality. You will also contribute to the smooth running of the firm: managing timetables and capacity, maintaining best practice in compliance and billing, and supporting the wider leadership team in ensuring regulatory excellence.
Beyond client work, you will be visible in the market, representing the firm at events, building relationships and helping to expand our network. Business development and knowledge-sharing are part of the role, and you’ll be expected to contribute to both – while mentoring colleagues in how to do the same.
About You
We are looking for a qualified lawyer with experience in reputation, litigation or investigations, and a passion for reputation law themes. You will combine intellectual rigour with commercial pragmatism and be able to work independently as well as with a team. We’re looking for those who are passionate, proactive, and detail-oriented — and who relishes new challenges, organisational innovation, and the level of excellence we’re known for.
This role combines the responsibility of supporting partners and senior lawyers with the independence of running matters to Associate level. You’ll be advising clients, drafting documents, managing the financial and legal aspects of cases, and staying on top of developments in reputation and media law. Alongside your own caseload, you’ll supervise trainees, review their work, and take part in developing the firm through business development activities and promoting our practice in the market.
Day to day, the work is varied: drafting and reviewing documents, researching, investigating facts, and liaising directly with clients and stakeholders. You’ll be expected to delegate work when appropriate, supervise trainees, and represent the firm at client meetings, hearings, and business development events. Beyond the casework, you’ll contribute to Slateford’s external profile by writing articles, engaging in professional development, and seeking out opportunities that extend the reach of the firm.
What we offer
We invest in our people. Slateford was shortlisted for Best Employer – Career Progression at the Citywealth Future Leaders Awards, and our very first trainee was nominated for Lawyer of the Year at the same awards. That reflects our approach: we are committed to developing lawyers who are not only technically excellent in our specialist areas, but who also excel at building client relationships, developing business, and mastering adjacent skills that deliver results few others can match.
Our salaries are competitive with specialist boutique firms. We don’t claim to pay Magic Circle rates, but equally we don’t demand Magic Circle work patterns. The nature of crisis work means that at times you will be asked to step up out of hours, including evenings and weekends, when client situations demand it but we balance this with a flexible, pragmatic approach to working. Our lawyers often work from client locations across Europe, Asia, the US and the Middle East, and we reward performance on merit – with outstanding contributions recognised with outstanding rewards.
If you’re ambitious to build a career that combines technical excellence with commercial skill and international exposure, we’d like to hear from you.
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to talent@slateford.law.