Antitrust Investigations Support Analyst Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Brussels, Belgium

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is one of the leading international law firms, with a total staff of approximately 5000 people, working across 28 offices in 16 countries. We provide a comprehensive worldwide service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments. 

Our Antitrust, Competition and Trade (ACT) group has more than 245 lawyers in 15 countries. Supported by our litigation practice, we advise clients across all sectors on the complete range of ACT issues. With a team of over 160 people working in the Brussels office and 20 different nationalities, we can say that we offer a truly international working environment.

Purpose of the role

The Antitrust Investigations Support Analyst is responsible for developing data management strategies in view of complex antitrust investigations and litigation, in particular designing and implementing databases for managing, sorting, indexing and abstracting large volumes of data produced in antitrust cases. He/she will be working closely with the lawyers across our ACT group to design a data management strategy most suitable for the clients’ needs and serve as the liaison between technology vendors, the in-house IT team(s), and the lawyers.

The role requires flexibility and might involve overtime, including weekend cover.

Responsibilities include

Database set-up & management

• Coordinating with lawyers to understand specific case requirements and advising lawyers on available and suitable technology and database solutions and vendors;
• Overseeing the data collection process, whether done in-house or outsourced to third party vendors;
• Setting up database and designing appropriate user interface, in close coordination with lawyers (and vendors) to cater to specific client needs;
• Importing, converting and manipulating data using Microsoft Access (including use of complex queries and VBA) and/or other database packages;
• Generating reports and visualising data using Crystal Reports and/or other software packages;
• Monitoring quality of databases, interfaces and search engines;
• Managing server and processing capacity;
• Liaising with central IT on case-specific requirements including facilitation of technical fixes for in-house software;
• Liaising with lawyers in all stages of a specific case, including on selection of third party vendor solutions, data collection and data protection issues, user interface set-up, extracting of relevant data from databases and delivery of required data;
• Preparing and managing investigation/litigation support budget for a specific case.

Vendor management

• Managing relationships with third party vendors, including database service providers and software providers;
• Piloting, testing and evaluating new third party services and new in-house software solutions;
• Maintaining and developing general commercial awareness of the evolving external marketplace both in terms of relevant systems and services;
• Attending specific trainings offered by third party vendors on their products.

In-house training and support

• Raising general awareness of the technological capabilities and solutions available;
• Providing case specific end-user system training on databases, imaging, interfaces and any other appropriate IT system;
• Developing, documenting and implementing best practices on document management, operating procedures, technology procurement and other aspects of antitrust investigations/litigation support;
• Liaising with litigation and dispute resolution technical teams in other departments/locations.

Skills and competences

• Demonstrates leadership, spots opportunities and takes ownership of tasks;
• Shows an aptitude for problem solving;
• Is comfortable working in a team and sensible to clients’ needs;
• Works with a high level of attention to detail;
• Is organised, pro-active, efficient, flexible, and not afraid to ask questions;
• Has excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including presentation skills;
• Works well under pressure and is able to cope with variable workloads and demanding deadlines;
• Is fluent in English and speaks at least one other language, preferably Dutch, German, and/or French.

Qualifications

• Previous experience with administration of investigations/litigation support systems (e.g. EnCase Forensics, Introspect, Relativity, Clearwell, Ringtail, Concordance, Summation, etc.) or alternatively, a degree in IT/ICT and a clear ability to master these systems quickly;
• Extensive IT skills, especially in Microsoft Access and VBA are required;
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and email applications;
• Competent keyboard skills;
• Experience in professional services or legal environment is a plus.

To apply for this position in our Brussels office please send your CV, cover letter and academic grades by email to Astrid Mayrhofer (HR Manager) at brusselsrecruitment@freshfields.com.