Clifford Chance

Careers

Where ambitious
minds meet

London Graduates

During your training we'll aim to reflect your interests and you'll be in the driving seat to push your career forward.

The structure

We have designed the Training Contract to give you the breadth of experience you need to emerge as a confident business adviser. You'll learn from established experts, work on high-profile deals, and take real responsibility from the offset whilst working as a team player throughout. You'll have several rotations which will give you the opportunity to explore our business, working in our practice areas, with the opportunity to also undertake client and international secondments. We aim to offer you the flexibility to drive your Training Contract forward and take ownership of your development.

Training and support

When you start each seat, you'll have in-depth training in that practice area. This will bring you up to speed with the issues and challenges you're likely to face. You'll also have a supervisor in each seat and have regular meetings with your dedicated Early Talent Development Specialist.

The Clifford Chance Academy, a pioneering resource which develops innovative learning tools, will also provide you with fundamental support throughout your career. Courses are taught by respected internal and external experts. There are even talks from clients to put your learning into context.

You'll also have a range of other people to turn to for support throughout your Training Contract. The Early Talent Development Team, your supervisor, the legal support manager, resource manager and your monitoring partner will all be available to act as mentors and advisers on a full range of subjects.
 

Find Out More

SQE

Helen Martin, our Early Talent Development Manager, talks to Morette Jackson, Director of Business Development at the University of Law, about our exciting SQE plans outlining what you can expect from the programme.

LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2)

We are proud of our partnership with the University of Law to deliver our bespoke, innovative and dynamic SQE programme.

It has been designed not only to prepare you rigorously for the academic aspects of the SQE, but you can also be confident that you will emerge with the fundamental skills and technical excellence required to meet the challenges of working as a lawyer at Clifford Chance.
 

In addition to receiving intensive SQE 1&2 exam prep, you will also participate in the Clifford Chance Plus programme, which is a bespoke experience designed by our lawyers in collaboration with the University of Law.

Through our unique and innovative approach, you will have access to world-class resources that have been expertly designed to ensure that you are exclusively prepared for the exciting journey that lies ahead.

We have implemented innovative learning technology and predictive analytics, placing diversity and inclusion at the heart of the programme.
 

This will enable us to provide each individual with the most comprehensive support available.

We remain committed to ensuring that you are working with the very best course providers to guarantee first-class training.

Through our collaboration with the University of Law, we are confident that we are going to deliver exactly that.

As well as covering your course fees, we will provide you with £17,000 maintenance for the SQE.

Ignite your passion for Tech

The pace and role of technology in disrupting and evolving our current working practices is increasing. Our Training Contract will give you the opportunity to ignite your passion for tech and develop technology skills as a key aspect of your training and career development.

You'll have access to our global Tech Academy, a technology-focused element of the firm's central learning and development function, the Clifford Chance Academy. The Tech Academy provides our people with online training and resources and a global programme of face-to-face workshops, ensuring that we remain on top of the latest technology trends and issues our clients are facing.

To understand more about Clifford Chance's tech-related work, visit our Talking Tech site.
 

Before you apply

Our Training Contract is open for individuals who are able to start in August 2026 and/or February 2027, typically penultimate year law, final year students and graduates.

We don't, it must be noted, recruit on a rolling basis, but look at all applications after the closing date. Before you apply, have you visited our Events hub and Global Virtual Internships? Here you'll find opportunities to equip you with the skills, knowledge and networks to succeed no matter where you are on your journey.
 

Deadlines

Applications open: 04 September 2023
Applications close: 23 November 2023 at 11.59pm
Application process: Online application, Watson Glaser test, video interview

Assessment dates: w/c 15 and 22 January 2024
Assessment process: One interview inclusive of a written element, and a group exercise.

Our assessment centre will take place in-person, with an option to interview virtually in some circumstances e.g., if you have a long way to travel.

The assessment centre will consist of a combined case study and competency-based interview with a Partner and a Senior Associate. This will include discussions around the case study, commercial questions, and competency-based questions. You'll also complete a written task and a group exercise.

Applications have now closed and will reopen in 2024.

Salary and benefits

First-year trainee: £50,000
Second-year trainee: £55,000
Newly qualified lawyer: £125,000

You can also expect to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package – one that includes:

  • Free gym membership
  • Pension scheme
  • On-site healthcare
  • Private healthcare scheme
  • Season ticket loan
  • Cycle-to-work scheme
  • Dental plan
  • International secondments
  • Concierge services
  • Free meals (after a certain time)

Middle East Opportunities

We have opportunities to join us in our Middle East offices. To find out more and to apply, visit the site below.

Please note that you cannot apply for both a Middle East and a London Training Contract in the same academic year.

Middle East Careers