Most law firms recruit trainees up to two years in advance, so it's important to plan ahead. As an international student, you would require visa sponsorship from your Training Contract provider.
The traditional route is to get a law degree or a related degree, take the LPC – by 2032, the LPC will be completely phased out – and the SQE if you have a non-law degree. After the SQE you'll need to get a TC at a law firm, preferably one with a strong showing in contract law.
10 top tips on how to secure a training contract Make sure you're well-rounded. Get a good mark in first year. Apply for first year schemes. Attend networking events. Apply for vacation schemes. Don't apply for too many vacation schemes. Keep up to date with commercial events. Enjoy your vacation scheme.
Yes, but any offer will depend on the firm successfully obtaining a work permit for you. If you are successful in securing a training contract, Debevoise will offer assistance to obtain the necessary work permits and visas.
However, there are ways to show this without completing a vacation scheme. You can show your dedication to law by completing legal work experience, for instance, by shadowing a qualified lawyer or getting involved in pro bono work. If you're at university, your university might have a mooting society.
Trainee Blog: What makes a standout trainee? We ask our supervisors... Attitude. Entering a team with a positive attitude to get stuck into the work at hand and showing a willingness to learn is key. Being Proactive. Confidence. Attention to detail. Organisation.
Although the training contract placements and application counts vary between each firm, the success rate for each firm is almost always between 1%-3%.
Most UK training contracts Orrick. Fried Frank. King & Spalding. Payne Hicks Beach. Wiggin. Haynes and Boone. Katten. Winston & Strawn.
In a cover letter for a training contract, highlight your commitment to pursuing a career in law, your understanding of the firm's area of practice, and how the training contract fits into your career plan. Be clear about why you see yourself as a part of that specific firm in the long term.