Our London Vacation Scheme lets you experience what it's like to be a trainee solicitor at Winston Taylor.
From your first day, you'll benefit from comprehensive training and support. Our induction programme will introduce you to our partners, employees and business strategy, helping you build a strong understanding of the firm and how we work.
You'll also be paired with a current trainee as your buddy, alongside a supervisor, both of whom can provide guidance, answer your questions and share their experiences.
You’ll spend two weeks immersed in two different practice areas, gaining first-hand experience under the supervision of our approachable associates and partners. You'll also be involved in socials, networking opportunities, pro bono work, and more, so you'll end the scheme with invaluable experience and a clear sense of career direction.
To be eligible, you'll need to be in the second year of your degree or beyond. We also welcome applications from those who have graduated, as well as career changers.
Completing a Vacation Scheme with us is the only way to be considered for a training contract.
Applications will open for our 2027 Vacation Schemes in September 2026.
We focus on giving our trainee solicitors a wide range of experience across the firm, so you can find the area of law you're passionate about.
You’ll have the opportunity to train across a range of practice areas - advising on life sciences M&A deals, supporting patent disputes at the cutting edge of innovation, working on complex refinancings, or contributing to the development of the built environment we live in.
From transactions to disputes, you’ll gain real insight into how different areas come together in practice, and how legal advice shapes commercial outcomes across industries, markets, and investments.
Across our two-year training contract, you'll move through four, six-months seats in different practice groups. All trainee solicitors undertake a seat in either Corporate or Finance, and at least one seat must involve
contentious work. For your remaining two seats, you’ll be able to choose from a range of our exciting practice areas.
As soon as you start, you’ll receive an in-depth induction to help you fit right in, as well as legal technical training throughout your seat. In each seat, you'll work closely with a supervisor who'll provide feedback and guidance, with the option to request a mentor to help you achieve your long-term professional goals.
We also offer client secondment opportunities and short relationship-building international secondment opportunities to boost your real-world experience. And if you like to learn at your own pace, you can sign up to personal development programmes and online learning to help you improve your interpersonal skills and increase your commercial knowledge.
We don’t believe there's a set path in law. Many of our lawyers joined the profession from different backgrounds, and we believe their diverse experiences help us find solutions others might not consider and enhance the service we provide to clients.
Our Vacation Schemes are the only route to secure a Training Contract. We encourage applications from both law and non-law students who meet our eligibility criteria. Kickstart your career with us from September 2029.
Our Dublin Training Contract starts in June 2027 with an initial pre-seat with the firm, before you attend the Professional Practice Course (PPC) at Blackhall. Following this, you'll develop your legal skills and experience through a range of seat rotations across different practice areas, working with teams from across the firm.
From day one, you'll receive a comprehensive induction designed to help you settle in quickly and gain a strong understanding of the firm, our culture and the work we do.
During each seat, you'll work closely with a dedicated supervisor who will provide regular feedback, guidance and support. You'll also be an integral part of your wider team, giving you the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues, collaborate on client matters and develop your practical legal skills through real responsibility.
Alongside your day-to-day work, you'll have access to a wide range of personal development opportunities to strengthen your interpersonal skills and commercial awareness throughout your training contract.
Applicants should either have already successfully completed all FE1 examinations or be in the process of completing them. You must pass all FE1 examinations before Spring 2027.
Applications for our 2027 Training Contract open in September 2026.
Our annual placement year lets you experience what it's like to be a trainee solicitor in a fast-paced law firm. From your first day, you’ll benefit from comprehensive training, with an induction program that introduces you to our partners, our employees, and our business strategy.
During the placement year, you’ll spend time within each of our practice areas, gaining first-hand experience under the supervision of our approachable associates and partners. You'll also be involved in socials, networking opportunities, and more.
You'll end the placement year with invaluable experience and a clear sense of career direction. To be eligible, you must be on a degree course which includes a placement year and provide permission from your university.
Our placement year runs from July each year and lasts for 12 months.
Applications for our 2027 placement year open in January 2027.
Our Dublin Summer Internship lets you experience what it's like to be a trainee solicitor at Winston Taylor. From your first day, you’ll benefit from comprehensive training, with an induction program that introduces you to our partners, our employees, and our business strategy.
During the Summer Internship, you’ll spend four weeks immersed in two different practice areas, gaining first hand experience under the supervision of our approachable associates and partners. You'll also be involved in socials, networking opportunities, and more. You'll end the internship with invaluable experience and a clear sense of career direction.
To be eligible, you must be in the penultimate or final year of your degree.
Applications for our 2027 Dublin Summer Internship open September 2026.
Limitless is our new programme designed to introduce Year 12 students to the world of law.
Featuring monthly upskilling workshops, networking opportunities, and a two-day work shadowing opportunity, Limitless will let you experience what it's like to work in a law firm. We'll introduce you to the skills you'll need for a career in law and help you kickstart your career as a solicitor.
Applications to Limitless are open to individuals who are in Year 12, have a minimum of seven GCSEs grade 7 or above, and are of Black heritage and/or are from a low socioeconomic background. You'll also need to be free to attend all the monthly sessions and the two in-person work shadowing days in October.
We don’t believe there's a set path in law - university isn't for everyone, and we appreciate that. Our six-year Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme offers school leavers with an interest in law an alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor. If you want to kickstart your legal career straight out of secondary education, read on to learn how we can help you unleash your limitless potential.
As a solicitor apprentice, you’ll join our inclusive culture that allows you to be yourself, with support to help you become who you want to be. We want to support talent from the outset, so we’ll also offer you support as you transition from school to joining the firm.
Our six-year programme has been designed to help you hit the ground running from day one. You'll work towards an LLB (Hons) law degree and a Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship. Each week you'll spend four days working in a practice area on client cases, with one day studying with our training provider, University of Law (ULaw). We'll pay for your apprenticeship tuition fee and during your apprenticeship you'll be eligible for our benefits.
When you begin your apprenticeship, you’ll be matched with an apprentice champion - an associate - who’ll introduce you to colleagues and help you settle in.
October 12-18, 2026
As part of our Taster Week, we invite you to a series of Open Days designed to provide you with valuable insights into our firm. During these events, you will have the opportunity to connect with our senior lawyers and trainee solicitors who will share their experiences and knowledge.
You'll need to complete our short application form to secure your place.
Applications open September 1, 2026.
September 28-October 2, 2026
Throughout Webinar Week, we'll host a series of online events covering the various sectors we focus on and provide guidance from our Early Talent Team. During our Sector Spotlight Series, you’ll hear from our senior lawyers about the pivotal role of each of our sectors.
You’ll also have opportunities to engage with the Early Talent Team and our lawyers through online sessions designed to offer insight into life at Winston Taylor and the application process.
Registrations open on 1 September 2026.
In June 2027 we will host our First Year Insight Day, where you'll get the chance to learn more about the firm, network, and think commercially. This is a great step to ensure you're ready to apply for our Vacation Scheme opportunities.
To apply for our 2027 First Year Insight Day, you'll need to be in the first year of your degree (studying any subject) and complete an application form to attend.
Applications for our 2027 First Year Insight Day will open on 1 February 2027.
