Regulatory Mid-Level Associate

Our Project Development and Finance Practice specializes in advising clients on the legal and financial aspects of large-scale infrastructure and development projects. Our practice provides comprehensive support through all stages of project development, including initial planning, financing, construction and operation. Our team works with clients across various sectors such as energy, transportation, real estate and public infrastructure, offering expertise in structuring and negotiating project agreements, managing regulatory compliance and mitigating risks. We also assist clients in securing funding through various financial instruments and navigating complex financial transactions. By combining deep industry knowledge with a global perspective, our Project Development and Finance Practice helps clients successfully bring projects to fruition, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and regulatory requirements.

Associate – Public Law, Regulatory & Administrative Law

Department: Energy, Infrastructure, Project Finance & Administrative Law (EIPAF) Practice Group: Public Law & Regulatory Level: Associate (3–5 years PQE)

About White & Case and the EIPAF Team

White & Case is a leading global law firm with a long-standing presence in complex, cross-border matters. Our EIPAF team advises governments, public entities, private investors, and regulated businesses on some of the most significant public law and regulatory mandates across Spain and internationally. Our practice covers infrastructure, concessions, public procurement, energy regulation, foreign direct investment (FDI) screening, and administrative law, with a strong track record in both transactional and contentious matters before regulatory bodies and administrative courts.

The Role

We are looking for an Associate with a solid background in public law, administrative law, and regulated sectors to join our EIPAF team. The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience advising on energy regulation, public procurement, concessions, infrastructure projects, and/or FDI screening, and will be comfortable working both on advisory mandates and in contentious/regulatory proceedings.

Roles at this level focus on handling complex legal matters requiring a strong command of public and administrative law and sectoral regulation. Associates work under the supervision of partners and senior colleagues, representing clients before regulatory authorities and administrative bodies, conducting in-depth legal research, and providing essential support on high-profile mandates.

Key Responsibilities

Advises on the regulatory risk analysis of M&A transactions involving companies operating in heavily regulated sectors (energy, infrastructure, telecoms, transport, water), including the identification and assessment of regulatory exposure as part of due diligence processes

Reviews and analyses regulatory licences, authorisations, concessions, and permits held by target companies, assessing their transferability, change-of-control implications, and potential regulatory hurdles in the context of acquisitions or restructurings

Advises on FDI screening and foreign investment control procedures triggered by M&A transactions under applicable national and EU frameworks, including the preparation and coordination of filings with relevant authorities

Supports on public procurement and concession-related matters arising in transactional contexts, including the analysis of public contracts held by target companies and the regulatory consequences of a change in ownership or control

Identifies and advises on regulatory conditions, commitments, or remedies that may be imposed by sectoral regulators as part of M&A approval processes

Conducts in-depth legal research and analysis on public law, administrative law, EU law, and sectoral regulation as it intersects with corporate and investment transactions

Drafts regulatory memoranda, legal opinions, due diligence reports, regulatory filings, and administrative submissions in connection with transactional and advisory mandates

Monitors and analyses legislative and regulatory developments affecting clients and their transactions in regulated sectors, flagging material risks in a timely manner

Supports more senior members of the team in contentious and regulatory proceedings before administrative courts, arbitral tribunals, and sectoral regulatory authorities

Manages case files, organises matter materials, and ensures deadlines and procedural requirements are met across multiple simultaneous mandates

May co-ordinate the work of more junior members of the team and helps coach and develop junior lawyers.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Knowledge

3–5 years of post-qualification experience in public law, administrative law, or regulatory law, gained at a leading law firm or in a relevant public sector or regulatory body

Demonstrable experience in at least two or more of the following areas:

Public procurement and concessions

Infrastructure and project-related public law

Energy regulation (electricity, gas, renewables)

FDI screening / foreign investment control

Administrative litigation and regulatory proceedings

EU law as applied to regulated sectors

Experience working on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters in fast-paced, high-demand environments, managing competing priorities and tight deadlines without compromising on quality.

Skills & Competencies

Excellent research, drafting, and analytical skills with the ability to produce high-quality written work under time pressure

Exceptional attention to detail , with a rigorous and methodical approach to legal analysis and document review

Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage and structure large volumes of regulatory and legal information efficiently across multiple simultaneous matters

Proven ability to work effectively under pressure in demanding, fast-moving environments, adapting quickly to shifting priorities while maintaining high standards

Strong team player with a collaborative approach, committed to fostering a positive and supportive working environment within the team

Eagerness to learn and develop , with a genuine interest in public, administrative and regulatory law and a proactive approach to building expertise in the field

Strong communication and collaboration skills , both in Spanish and English (bilingual or near-bilingual level required given the international nature of the practice)

Client-focused mindset with the ability to build and maintain strong client relationships under supervision

Commercially aware and able to translate complex regulatory and legal issues into practical, actionable advice

This role reports to

Partner

Equal Opportunities

White & Case is committed to creating a fair workplace. It is our Firm’s policy to recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you require assistance and/or adjustment to participate in our application and/or interview process, please email us . We will be happy to work with you.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business—specific to the relevant office—before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.