Clifford Chance

Careers

Where bright
minds meet

London Graduates

We're a truly global firm. We span jurisdictions, cultures and languages and work seamlessly together.

Wherever our lawyers are based, they work together across time zones, geographies and cultures. The results are exceptional solutions for local and global clients. 

For our clients, it means we're able to provide expert advice wherever they need it from all our offices around the world. 

For you, joining us means benefiting from our collaborative way of working. It's an environment that will stretch your talents and extend your experience. You might also have the chance to go on an international or client secondment as part of your Training Contract.

Hong Kong, Paris, São Paulo – where could your career take you?

Over a quarter of our trainees are on secondment at any one time. Thriving in a global law firm involves having a global mindset. International secondments provide a great opportunity to be fully immersed in the countries and cultures of the different clients you'll work with and to develop your understanding of how they work. They also enable you to meet and connect more closely with your colleagues across the world which makes collaborating more seamless. To hear about some of our lawyers' international seat experiences and client secondments take a look at our profiles.

Support during your secondment

You may be moving half way across the world, but there will be plenty of support to make sure the process is smooth throughout. Before you leave, we'll offer language lessons should you need them. Our Global Mobility team will make sure your visas are in order, flights are booked and accommodation ready for your arrival. We'll also put you in touch with current trainees living in the region so you can build your network (and find out the best spots to visit well before you arrive!) Our London Graduate Development team will also be in touch regularly to make sure you're getting the most out of the experience!

Chantal Olavesen (she/her)

SECONDED TO THE CLIFFORD CHANCE Paris OFFICE

"My first two seats (in Asset Finance and Debt Capital Markets) inspired in me a strong interest in cross-border finance and fast-paced transactional work, which stood me in great stead for my international secondment in the Paris Finance and Capital Markets team."

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Gunika Phalswal (she/her)

SECONDED TO THE CLIFFORD CHANCE AMSTERDAM OFFICE

"During my second seat, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to complete an international secondment to the Clifford Chance Amsterdam office as part of the UK Banking team."

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Alex Shaw (he/him)

SECONDED TO THE CLIFFORD CHANCE Frankfurt OFFICE

"There isn't always an equivalent to the trainee role in Clifford Chance's foreign offices. In Frankfurt, the Private Equity secondment is very much what you make of it and I was given real responsibility in the deals that I worked on."

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Hannah Tucker (she/her)

SECONDED TO THE CLIFFORD CHANCE Paris OFFICE

"A particular highlight of my secondment was being able to attend and assist at a week-long in-person arbitration hearing."

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Shannon Ng (she/her)

Seconded to the Howard League

"My secondment to The Howard League for Penal Reform has been one of my best experiences so far. They are the oldest prison reform charity in the UK."

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Micah McDonald (he/him)

SECONDED TO THE CLIFFORD CHANCE Sao Paolo OFFICE

"By the time I went out to Brazil I was fully cognisant of the timeline of programme updates, drawdowns and taps and was already very familiar with the documentation."

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Global opportunities beyond your training contract

We value our global reach and range of resources across five continents; our secondment exchange programmes offer associates the chance to drive collaboration across markets, practice areas, regions and countries. You'll have the chance to explore different secondments throughout your career to develop your insights and expertise as a lawyer and to collaborate with colleagues across the globe.

We aim to build agile teams with the skills, capabilities, technology and mindset to win and confidently deliver complex mandates with the world's leading businesses.

European Secondment Exchange Programme

Across our European offices we have a rich culture, with various opportunities for collaboration. Our market leading European capability gives clients access to the local knowledge of a top-tier national firm, with the cross-border resources of an international network.

This secondment exchange programme is available to junior to mid-level associates in Europe (including London) who would like to take a short-term secondment (four-month maximum) to another European office.

Antitrust Secondment Exchange Programme

We have a global network of over 160 antitrust lawyers covers all the key hubs of Europe, Asia-Pacific and the US.

Our antitrust teams work together to solve global antitrust issues, taking into account the interplay between different practices and rules, and always mindful of the practical implications antitrust issues may have on our clients' business.

This secondment exchange programme is aailable to our Antitrust associates who would like to take a short-term secondment (six-month maximum) to another office.

Technology Secondment Exchange Programme

Our technology teams create new digital solutions to deliver our legal services in different and innovative ways. Technology sets us apart in transforming legal service delivery. Engaging with our clients and business partners, we creatively combine our core technology solutions with flexible application to deliver efficiencies.

This secondment exchange programme available to associates with an interest in Tech law, with a minimum of two years qualification experience, who would like to take a short-term secondment (six months maximum) to another office.