JMC Legal Recruitment
Commercial Associate (NQ-2 PQE)

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Commercial Associate (NQ - 2 PQE)
Location: Edinburgh
Firm: Top 25 International Firm | L500 Ranked Commercial & Data Team
Salary: Generous Salary + Excellent Benefits
The Role
This Top 25 international firm is seeking a Commercial Associate (NQ –2 PQE) to join its nationally recognised Data and Digital team in Edinburgh. Working closely with senior lawyers across the national Commercial practice, you’ll advise a prestigious client base on complex and often multi-jurisdictional matters spanning commercial contracts, data, digital and technology.
You’ll gain exposure to a broad and varied workload, including:
- Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts from both customer and supplier perspectives
- Advising on SaaS, cloud, outsourcing and licensing arrangements
- Supporting clients with GDPR and UK GDPR compliance, international data transfers, PECR, AI, data ethics, smart data and emerging cyber regulation
- Assisting with incident response, regulatory investigations and large-scale data protection and compliance projects
You’ll also have the opportunity to work alongside colleagues across Commercial, Disputes, Employment and Legal Tech.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
The role offers client exposure, with responsibility for developing relationships and providing practical, commercially focused advice. There is also scope to contribute to business development, thought leadership and client engagement, giving you the opportunity to build your profile within a growing and highly regarded national practice.
With the wider Data team operating across the firm's UK offices, you’ll benefit from a collaborative environment and access to specialist expertise across the business, while developing your own technical expertise across commercial, data and digital law.
Your Experience
- Solicitor (NQ –2 PQE), with experience gained within a commercial contracts, technology, data protection or wider commercial team
- Strong drafting and negotiation skills
- Clear passion and interest in commercial contracts, technology and data
- Commercial awareness and ability to provide practical, solutions-focused advice
- Confident communicator with the ability to build strong and trusted client relationships
- Ability to manage a varied workload and competing priorities
- Proactive approach to business development and developing client relationships
- Collaborative and curious approach with enthusiasm for technically challenging work


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Why This Role?
- Join a Top 25 international firm with a solid reputation across the UK and internationally
- Work within a nationally recognised Data and Digital practice
- Gain exposure to sophisticated, high-value and multi-jurisdictional matters
- Develop expertise across commercial contracts, data protection, technology and digital regulation
- Work with an impressive client base ranging from established corporates to innovative businesses
- Benefit from collaboration with specialist teams across the firm's UK offices
- Excellent platform for building a market-leading commercial practice
- Strong training, development and long-term progression opportunities
- Generous salary and benefits package
If you’d like to explore this opportunity further, please contact Tilly Scott on 0131 460 7747 or email tilly@jmc-legal.com for a confidential discussion.
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