Where Exceptional Minds Meet
We are one of the world’s pre-eminent law firms, known for our broad spectrum of world class work and collegial team.
Who we are
Our Firm, work, and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career.
Our work has a real and meaningful impact, often demanding the kind of knowledge that only international, cross-practice teams can provide. With a formidable reputation in our field, organisations turn to us not just for legal expertise, but also for advice on their most critical business issues.
What is it like to work here?
It’s collaborative, rigorous and inspiring. Our people are highly professional and resilient, with an entrepreneurial streak. And they are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge. A common thread that runs through all of our six practice areas is a high performance, can-do culture. Partners are hands-on with the work, and newly qualified lawyers are expected to demonstrate leadership behaviour from a very early stage. Every single person is critical to the success of the team.
Our commitment to equality and diversity
We see inclusion as an intrinsic value of our firm. It is a matter of justice. It is also a core part of our identity. Our history as a firm has been anchored in innovative and diverse cultures and approaches which have both disrupted traditional attitudes and set global standards. Our goal is to deliver equality of opportunity, equality of aspiration, and equality of experience to everyone who works in our Firm.
Enhancing your wellbeing
Life can have its ups and downs, but there is lots of support available. For example, as part of our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our employees, we have developed a unique and award-winning resilience programme for our Clifford Chance trainees.
Never stop growing
We commit to investing in you from the very start to build the best foundation for your future. In fact, the sheer variety of development opportunities on offer is remarkable. They can begin even before your first day. We have partnered with over 50 organisations and core Clifford Chance business teams to offer paid summer internships to give you the opportunity to develop useful non-legal skills such as marketing, product management, and business operations which will help you to excel. From there, you can take advantage of our award-winning induction, regular feedback sessions, and a sponsor at Partner level.
We embrace a learning culture, and the Clifford Chance Global Academy provides classroom and online training for all staff. However, some things can only be learned by experience, and over a quarter of our trainees are on secondment at any one time, gaining unique international seat experiences.
Sustainability
We have a comprehensive Responsible Business Strategy in place. For instance, we align our operations to contribute towards a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on those areas where we can make the greatest contribution, and we intend to continue to do so through to 2030.
Check out our new video Step Into Clifford Chance for more information on digital learning internships and flagship learning events.
Firm Statistics
Practice Areas
Average Trainee Salary
£NQ Salary
£107,500No. of Partners
586No. of Lawyers
3,553No. of Offices
0Major UK Offices
LondonNewcastleManaging Partner
Available Opportunities
Clifford Chance – ACCESS Development Programme 2024
Clifford Chance – Global Virtual Internship
Key Info
A Training Contract with Clifford Chance will give you the full breadth of experience you
need to emerge as a confident solicitor. The contract comprises four six-month rotations,
giving you the opportunity to explore our practice areas, client and international
secondments, and our split-seat opportunities.
Clifford Chance is one of the world’s leading law firms, offering local and global clients
expert advice on all aspects of commercial law. The firm has unrivalled scale and depth of
legal resources across five continents and five core practice areas.
Give yourself the best start
As a Trainee at Clifford Chance, you will undertake seats in at least four practice areas.
Three of your seats will be in our core areas of Global Financial Markets and Corporate. One
seat could be an international secondment, a client secondment, or a split-seat. You will
therefore gain wide exposure to our business, which will allow you to determine which area
you would like to qualify into as an England & Wales qualified lawyer.
While your experience on each seat will be very different, in all of them you will develop
your legal and business skills, gain insight into our high-profile clients, and enhance your
commercial awareness. The tasks you undertake could include: drafting and proofing
documents; conducting due diligence on a client's acquisition target; attending client
meetings; preparing documents for a court hearing; researching titles and leases on a real
estate portfolio; or creating a data room ahead of a major transaction. You may even run
some smaller transactions for our clients.
Unbeatable support and development
Underpinning this exposure to the best work available, you will receive learning and
development support from the Clifford Chance Academy, arguably the legal sector's leading
in-house learning and development facility. At the start of each seat, you will be allocated a
dedicated supervisor and receive specialised training in that sector.
Throughout your Training Contract, you will be closely supported, both informally and
through formal mentoring, by the Graduate Development Team, your supervisor, your legal
support manager, and your monitoring partner.
If you require adjustments and additional support, we will work with you to produce a
tailored adjustment plan outlining how the Firm will support you throughout your Training
Contract and beyond.
Am I eligible?
To apply to this vacancy, you must be eligible to start your Training Contract in 2025 and/or
February 2026. If you are a first-year undergraduate law student, second-year
undergraduate student of a four-year law degree, or penultimate-year non-law
undergraduate student you can apply for our SPARK programme instead.
Watch Clifford Chance’s video on what to consider before you apply.
Required experience and skills
You don’t need prior legal experience or a law degree to apply to us, but we are looking for
committed individuals with certain personal qualities. We expect you to be a problem-solver
with strong communication skills and a basic awareness of how businesses function. You’ll
have knowledge of the role and our Firm, with an understanding of how this aligns with your
skillset. In addition, you’ll be someone who has the following qualities:
– Business awareness and problem solving with commercial insight
– Ability to identify legal vs business issues
– Knowledge of the role and Firm with an understanding of how this aligns with your
skillset
– Strong communication skills (oral and written)
– Leading and managing oneself and others
– Relationship building and collaborating with colleagues and clients
Watch Clifford Chance’s video on their Application and Assessment Process.
Our Training Contract is open to law and non-law students.
If you are applying for our London Training Contract and you have not studied a law degree,
then you will need to complete the PGDL prior to joining us as a Trainee. Please note that if
you are a Scots or Irish Law student or graduate, you may be required to do elements of the
PGDL.
All Future Trainees with a 2025 or 2026 start date will complete the SQE prep prior to
joining us as a Trainee. All Future Trainees who have already completed the SQE will still
need to complete the Clifford Chance Plus Programme, which is a bespoke experience
designed by our lawyers in collaboration with the University of Law.
Both the PGDL and SQE are funded by Clifford Chance, and we will provide a maintenance
grant to use during your studies. More details can be found on our website.
About the Firm
Whatever your area of expertise, you’ll find a range of career opportunities at Clifford
Chance. And wherever you’re heading, Clifford Chance is where you can be true to your
ambitions.
Our Firm, work, and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. In a world where
commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international
perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career.
We’re proud of our approachable, friendly, and team-based way of working. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, our people are more than
happy to share their expertise and knowledge.
Watch Clifford Chance’s video on what happens after you receive an offer.
Equal Opportunities
At Clifford Chance we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our
team and their families, our firm, and society.
We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally, regardless of
their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour,
national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual
orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of
employment, including pay, promotion, training, transfer, and every other aspect of
employment.
Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration, and an equality of
experience to everyone who works in our Firm. Find out more here.
Please remember, you may only make one application to a scheme or role (either London Training Contract, Middle East Training Contract, or SPARK). Multiple applications will not be considered.
Please also be aware that we only review your application form. If you upload your CV, this will pre-populate some of your application; however, your CV will not be reviewed. Please do NOT upload a covering letter, as this will not be reviewed.
- Application Form
- CV & Cover Letter
- Online Interview
- Psychometric Testing
-
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ACCESS Scheme
Clifford Chance is proud to be a founding member of PRIME. Through PRIME, we are committed to ensuring that anyone who wants to enter the world of law has an equal chance to do so, regardless of their background.
The scheme is an introduction to a career in law, so you’ll meet and interact with professionals from every level of our business – from trainees and recently qualified associates, to Partners and recruitment specialists.
And it doesn’t end there. We’ll keep in regular contact with you following the scheme, you’ll have access to mentors at the firm and you’ll be invited back for events and a reunion before you head off for university.
- At a Non Fee Paying School
- Year 12 (England and Wales)
- S5 (Scotland)
- Lower Sixth (Northern Ireland)
- Application Form
- CV & Cover Letter
- Online Interview
- Psychometric Testing
SPARK is an award-winning and unique opportunity to gain an unparalleled introduction to the world of commercial law, undertaking classroom-based learning alongside work shadowing in a practice area.
The programme has been developed from a one-week internship into a two-year programme to give you deep insights into our work and to develop your legal knowledge, commercial awareness, and core business skills. You can learn more about SPARK and other opportunities available at Clifford Chance here.
Watch this video for more information on the SPARK programme.
Am I eligible?
SPARK is open to all first-year law students on a three-year degree, second-year law students on a four-year degree, or penultimate-year non-law students. You are not eligible to apply to any other roles, such as the/a Training Contract.
The SPARK programme launches on 1st May 2024 and you will need to be available in the week commencing 8th July 2024 as this is when the in-person SPARK shadowing will take place.
Why choose Clifford Chance?
Clifford Chance is one of the world’s leading law firms, offering local and global clients expert advice on all aspects of commercial law. The firm has unrivalled scale and depth of legal resources across five continents and five core practice areas.
What experience do I need?
You do not need any prior legal experience, a law degree, or any specific qualifications to apply to us. However, as SPARK may lead to a Training Contract, we are looking for committed individuals with certain personal qualities. We expect you to be a problem-solver with strong communication skills and a basic awareness of how businesses function. You’ll have knowledge of the role and our Firm, with an understanding of how this aligns with your skillset. In addition, you’ll be someone who has the following qualities:
- Business awareness and problem solving with commercial insight
- Ability to identify legal vs business issues
- Knowledge of the role and Firm with an understanding of how this aligns with your skillset
- Strong communication skills (oral and written)
- Leading and managing oneself and others
- Relationship building and collaborating with colleagues and clients
- Thriving through challenges in a high-pressure environment with deadlines
Where could it lead?
If you are successful on SPARK, you may be invited to interview for a Training Contract and receive an offer in the weeks after the scheme. A Training Contract means you will be employed under a fixed-term contract as a Trainee Solicitor, working from our offices in Upper Bank Street, London, and earning a starting salary of £50,000 per year, rising to £55,000 in your second year.
About the Firm
Whatever your area of expertise, you’ll find a range of career opportunities at Clifford Chance. And wherever you’re heading, Clifford Chance is where you can be true to your ambitions.
Our firm, work, and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career.
We’re proud of our approachable, friendly, and team-based way of working. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, our people are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.
Hybrid Working
This role follows our ‘balanced’ hybrid working approach, and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time. Please see our careers site for further information on our working environment.
To find out more about what it is like to work in Clifford Chance in the UK, please visit link.
Equal Opportunities
At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm, and society.
We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally, regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment, including pay, promotion, training, transfer, and every other aspect of employment.
Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration, and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our Firm. Find out more here.
SPARK application process
Applications open on Monday 4th September 2023 and close at 11:59pm on Thursday 8th February 2024. We do not recruit on a rolling basis, and we do not review applications until after the deadline has passed.
Please be aware that we will only review your application form. If you upload your CV, this will pre-populate some of your application; however your CV will not be reviewed. Please do NOT upload a covering letter, as this will not be reviewed.
We will only review the information on your application form at the point of submission – any changes made after this will not be taken into consideration, so please refrain from making any changes after you have submitted.
Shortly after submitting your application, if you fall into one of the groups eligible to apply, you will receive an email from us asking you to complete an online Watson Glaser critical reasoning assessment. This takes approximately 30 minutes and should be completed within five days of receiving our email with instructions.
The assessment centres for SPARK will take place in-person from the week commencing 11th March 2024.
SPARK Scheme
SPARK is an award-winning and unique programme that could give you an unparalleled introduction to the world of commercial law. You’ll learn from our expert mentors in the classroom and on the job too. You may even secure a Training Contract by the end of your first year of university (or second year if you are on a four-year degree).
If you are a Law student then you should be able to start a Training Contract in 2024, and if you are a non-Law student then you should be able to start in 2025.
Global Virtual Internships
A global experience at your fingertips. The future of work experience is here.
Our free global internships are the future of learning. Created by leading experts from across our global network, our 20+ hours of cutting-edge content can be accessed anytime, anywhere to suit yout schedule. Experience international work like never before and develop the analytical skills that will turn you into a leading lawyer of tomorrow.
Hear from the Global Senior Partner, Jeroen Ouwehand, as he describes why we are passionate about equal education and its role in creating equal opportunities for all. Watch the video here.
ACCESS Scheme
Clifford Chance is proud to be a founding member of PRIME. Through PRIME, we are committed to ensuring that anyone who wants to enter the world of law has an equal chance to do so, regardless of their background.
The scheme is an introduction to a career in law, so you’ll meet and interact with professionals from every level of our business – from trainees and recently qualified associates, to Partners and recruitment specialists.
And it doesn’t end there. We’ll keep in regular contact with you following the scheme, you’ll have access to mentors at the firm and you’ll be invited back for events and a reunion before you head off for university.
Learn more about the application process and apply.
Watch this video for more information on the SPARK scheme.
