So you want to be a City lawyer? Taking part in one of our three annual vacation schemes is the best possible way to experience what our lawyers do every day. Try out real client work and see if our Firm is the right fit for you.
We recruit the majority of our London trainees (on average 80 percent) from our vacation schemes, with 20 participants in each intake.
Joining our vacation scheme offers unparalleled exposure to our work. You can expect:
- Hands-on experience: Engage in real client work, such as drafting memorandums, writing client alerts, researching legal areas and attending meetings or court hearings.
- Explore practice areas: Gain a comprehensive understanding of what different practice areas do, their significance and why clients seek our expertise in these fields.
- Interactive learning: Take part in sessions like our 'Carousels' with associates and formal presentations from partners and senior lawyers.
- Expert guidance: Learn directly from partners about the business of law, gaining valuable insights into navigating the complex legal landscape and building a successful legal career.
- Support network: You’ll have a dedicated supervisor and buddy to guide you daily and assign meaningful work.
- Social events: Enjoy social activities, including lunches with your supervisor and buddy, and fun activities such as visiting the iconic sites of London!
- Networking: Build professional and personal networks that will benefit your career, interacting with people across the Firm.
- Feedback: Receive feedback and advice on your work and performance.
Wherever your career takes you, we guarantee you’ll build skills and gain experiences on the vacation scheme that will last a lifetime. Seize this opportunity to kickstart your legal career and see first-hand what makes our Firm an exceptional place to work and succeed.
"The Vacation Scheme is when you really get to know the Firm. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to get to know the Firm and its lawyers on a more personal level. I spent the two weeks with the Project Finance team; I formed relationships that have continued into my training contract. It gave me unparalleled exposure to the workplace culture and indicated what working for the Firm might really be like as a trainee. From there, I was offered a training contract!" Charlotte Kail, London Trainee
Our vacation schemes:
- Winter (for finalists and graduates)
- Spring (for penultimate-year and final-year law students, final-year non-law students, and graduates from any discipline)
- Summer (for penultimate-year and final-year law students, final-year non-law students, and graduates from any discipline)
Middle East vacation scheme in Spring 2027
We aim to recruit for our GCC English Law Trainee Program through our vacation scheme, which is also an opportunity for you to find out if we are the right firm for you. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake meaningful work alongside leading lawyers in their field in one of the three locations offering our GCC English Law Trainee Program, as well as take part in learning sessions to discover more about the Firm.
Vacation scheme participants will be paid a competitive stipend to cover expenses during the program.
Assessment path
- Online application and immersive skills-based assessment.
- Video assessment - assessed by the Early Careers Legal Recruitment Team.
- Written assessment.
- Interview - with a member of the Early Careers Legal Recruitment Team and an associate.
- Assessment - During the two-week vacation scheme, assessment will include set work tasks, feedback from the Firm, an interview with two partners (including a pre-prepared commercial presentation), written assessments and a group exercise.
- Training contract offer.
