As a second and third year student during university, this is usually the time when you are urged to start applying for Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts if you wish to pursue a career as commercial lawyer.
Most firms will employ their next cohort of trainees, who are second and third year student’s through their Vacation Schemes, at which the end of the scheme you are provided the opportunity to attend an interview for a Training Contract with them.
On this page, you can find the different types of commercial firms you may want to explore and if they offer vacation schemes.
The Magic Circle Firms
The Magic Circle or Magic Panel firms is a term that most students seeking to pursue a career in commercial law would have heard of at least one during their time at university. But what does it meant that they are the Magic Circle Firms and why are they the Magic Panel Firms?
The magic circle firms compromises: Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus, Allen & Overy, Linklaters and Slaughter and May.
What is meant by the above firms being known as Magic Circle Firms, is that are the five most prestigious London-head quartered multinational law firms. Their reputation comes from the clients they represent, their international operations and for the billions they generate in profit.
| Firms | Winter Vacation Scheme | Spring Vacation Scheme | Summer Vacation Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allen & Over | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Freshfields | – | – | ✓ x2 |
| Linklaters | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Slaughter and May | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Clifford Chance* |
The City Law Firms
Headquartered in London, but with offices across continental Europe, Latin America, US, Asia and Africa, you can except to be work across many different practice areas, with high profile clients and diverse projects.
The competition for training contracts and vacation schemes is intense at commercial city law firms, but not impossible with the right preparation and research.
NB: Many of the commercial city firms also include the Magic Circle Firms, US Firms and American-British Firms.
| Firm | Winter Vacation Scheme | Spring Vacation Scheme | Summer Vacation Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMS* | |||
| Herbert Smith Freehills | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Bird & Bird | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clyde & Co | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Macfarlanes | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Taylor Wessing | – | – | ✓ |
| Simmons & Simmons | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Travers Smith | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Ashurst | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner | – | – | ✓ |
| RPC | – | – | ✓ |
Regional Firms
Regional law firms are usually located outside of London, but they still do some work similar to the large international city firms. Their offices are often of a medium size, have a smaller trainee intake and their headquarters are based in cities other than London. However, some regional firms may still have an office in London.
Regional firms hold a high status and reputation in the legal market, as they still act as as a commercial firm and represent many household names or multinational business alongside their local clientele.
Their vacation schemes and training contracts positions are equally competitive, as to the big city firms and have a similar application process to them too.
| Firm | Winter Vacation Scheme | Spring Vacation Scheme | Summer Vacation Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browne Jacobson | – | – | ✓ |
| Ashford* | |||
| Irwin Mitchell | – | – | ✓ |
| Shoosmiths | – | – | ✓ |
| Michelmores | – | – | ✓ |
| Tower & Hamlins | – | – | ✓ |
| DWF | – | – | ✓ |
| Addleshaw Goddard | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mills & Reeve | – | – | ✓ |
| Womble Bond Dickinson | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foot Antsey | – | – | ✓ |
US Firms
For student’s looking to work at a US City firm but with a presence in the UK legal market, firms listed below may be of interest for you. Many of the US firms are reputable for their household names projects, international and domestic clientele, expert training and D&I initiatives.
| Firm | Winter Vacation Scheme | Spring Vacation Scheme | Summer Vacation Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| White & Case | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skadden | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Latham & Watkins | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Baker McKenzie | – | – | ✓ |
| Dentons | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reed Smith | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mayer Brown | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shearman & Sterling | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dechert | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Willkie Farr & Gallagher | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cooley* | |||
| Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld | – | – | ✓ |
| Milbank | – | – | ✓ |
| Vinson Elkins | – | – | ✓ |
| Weil Gotshal & Manges | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Debevois & Plimpton LLP | – | ✓ | ✓ |
American-British Law Firms formed through mergers:
| Firm | Winter Vacation Scheme | Spring Vacation Scheme | Summer Vacation Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hogan Lovells | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner | – | – | ✓ |
| Dechert | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dentons | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| DLA Piper* | |||
| Eversheds Sutherlands | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mayer Brown | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reed Smith | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Squire Patton Boggs | – | – | ✓ |
| Norton Rose Fullbright | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Besides applying for Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts what more can you do as a second/third year student?
During second year and third of university, a huge chunk of your time will be spent between university and applying for vacation schemes, but its equally important that you engage with other opportunities, your interests and hobbies. This is because, at the end of the day law firms do not want lawyers with a prefect academics or only engaging with their studies and want someone who who can talk about a life beyond that.
Moreover, from other non legal opportunities and work you participate in – you can draw from them, transferrable skills and experiences to discuss in your written applications and interviews:
- Get involved in opportunities offered by Muslim Lawyers Hub and your university, such as competitions, research programmes, pro bono schemes and etc.
- Join Societies at University, and not just the academic ones!
- Get a part time job, if possible and if you are able to manage it with university workload and VC/TC applications.
- Become a mentor for students younger than yourself, and not just for those in university but maybe even collage/sixth form students.
- Volunteer at your local Citizens Advice Clinic or other charities in your area.
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