Training Contract 2029 (London)

About Withers

A law firm focused on people, performance, and collaboration.

For the past 130 years, we have supported some of the world’s most remarkable people and organizations at defining moments in their lives. 40% of our business comes from Europe, 40% from the US and 20% from Asia and we are one profit sharing partnership globally.

We are united in our commitment to integrity, quality and collaboration. We have a culture of high performance and deliver excellent service consistently across the firm. We provide tailored solutions built on trust and partner with our clients to achieve their goals.

Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle some of the world’s most difficult problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice.

Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, buying a home or protecting and defending their interests.

To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. And we are agile – focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy.

Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

The Role

Our training contract is designed to provide you with the legal knowledge, practical experience and commercial understanding needed to build a successful career at Withers.

As a trainee solicitor, you'll gain exposure to a broad range of work and clients, while working closely with partners, associates and business services professionals across the firm. You'll be given early responsibility, exposure to high-quality work and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to client matters from the outset.

You will develop an understanding of our clients, our international platform and our collaborative approach to problem-solving, while building the technical and commercial skills required to become a trusted adviser.

Throughout your training contract, you'll experience the supportive and high-performing culture that underpins our approach to client service and professional development.

Seat Rotations:

During your two-year training contract, you'll complete four six-month seat rotations across a range of practice areas.

This structure is designed to provide broad exposure to our practice, helping you develop legal, commercial and client management skills whilst experiencing different areas of law and working with a diverse range of clients.

Working alongside partners, associates and business services professionals, you'll gain hands-on experience and have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to client matters from an early stage.

Our seat rotation programme allows you to build a well-rounded understanding of the firm, our clients and the collaborative way we work across teams, offices and jurisdictions.

What We're Looking For

To join us, you'll have a strong academic record, but beyond that you'll have the diversity of interests, curiosity and confidence to work with our varied client base.

As the largest law firm in the world focused on the needs of individuals, the ability to work with people from different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives is important. We are looking for individuals who are intellectually curious, collaborative and motivated to learn, with an interest in understanding the wider commercial, social and global issues affecting our clients.

Successful applicants will demonstrate:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to build relationships with a diverse range of people.
• Curiosity about the wider commercial, social and global issues affecting our clients.
• Initiative, adaptability and a willingness to embrace new challenges.
• A collaborative approach and desire to contribute to a team environment.
• Integrity, professionalism and sound judgement.

Language skills can be beneficial given the international nature of our practice, but they are not essential.

We welcome applications from all degree disciplines and value the different perspectives, experiences and interests that individuals bring to the firm.

The Essentials

• Applicants will have, or be on track to achieve:
  
  • A 2:1 degree or above.
  • A minimum of AAB at A-Level (or equivalent qualifications if educated outside the UK).
• We welcome applications from undergraduates, postgraduates, mature students and those considering a career change.
• Current trainee salaries are:
  
  • First-year trainee: £47,000
  • Second-year trainee: £52,000
• We fund the PGDL (where applicable) and SQE, together with maintenance grants towards living expenses.
• You will also benefit from a comprehensive range of firm benefits and wellbeing initiatives.

Further Information

Please refer to our Graduate Recruitment Brochure for further information.

If you have any questions, please contact the Recruitment team.

To avoid any last-minute issues, we recommend submitting your application at least one day before the deadline. Please note that we are unable to accept late applications.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withers endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withers operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

It is the policy of Withers to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.