London Trainees
The success of any law firm depends on the talent and professionalism of its lawyers and support staff. That is why we are committed to investing in the training and professional development of our trainee solicitors.
We are looking for enthusiastic and talented graduates from all backgrounds and cultures who share our commitment to excellence and who want to be part of the continued growth of our London office and become part of the next generation of leaders at our firm.
Providing our clients with an excellent service is our number one priority. Our lawyers need to be commercially minded and approachable and able to work with our clients as part of a team on complex and often high profile legal issues. If you feel you can meet this challenge and want to work at an inclusive firm which has a long tradition of pro bono and community support, we would like to hear from you.
Please click "MORE" to read about what being a Trainee Solicitor is really like, learn more about salary and benefits, and find information on how to apply.
What It's Really Like
Many law firms, including Arnold & Porter, have a definite style of practice and work environment. We think ours is spirited, open, welcoming, and collegial. We encourage our lawyers to be themselves. Intelligence, originality, initiative, and independent judgment are highly respected. All lawyers, regardless of their experience, are expected to express their views on substantive firm matters.
The London office reflects the environment of the firm generally with its collegial and informal atmosphere, regular informal social gatherings, smart business-casual dress policy, team-based assignment policies, and a leading pro bono programme.
When you join Arnold & Porter you will be introduced to the firm through our training and induction programme. This includes information about the firm's practices and procedures and training in the use of our IT systems, library, and online data sources. You will attend the fast track Professional Skills Course which is provided externally for the firm.
During your training contract you will have the opportunity to spend six months working within four of our practice groups—Life Sciences and Healthcare Regulatory, Intellectual Property, Corporate and Securities, Competition, White Collar Defence, Commercial Litigation, or International Arbitration. Arnold & Porter encourages individuals to work across specialisms, so you may well find that whilst you are working in one group, you undertake work in a variety of different areas and for a variety of partners and fee-earners throughout the firm.
The training programme in our London office includes in-house as well as external training sessions, providing professional development training that is linked to a competencies framework. Read more about Trainee life at Arnold & Porter in the Chambers Student Guide True Picture feature.
Salary & Benefits
Arnold & Porter will pay your fees for required post-graduate courses prior to your Training Contract.
Details of our current trainee salary levels are available on application to a member of the Graduate Recruitment Team. We review salaries annually to be competitive with market levels for equivalent law firms in London. Trainees are entitled to 25 days' annual holiday. Other benefits include participation in the firm's Healthy Incentive Bonus Scheme, seasonal holiday bonus, optical testing, private health insurance, private dental insurance, life assurance, and an interest-free travel season ticket loan.
Application Process
We look for candidates with a consistently high academic background, who have or are likely to achieve a 2.1 degree or above. Candidates need to demonstrate good analytical skills, combined with a common sense approach. Candidates should be self-motivated, and show their ability to get involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities outside studies, showing a good level of achievement in all areas.
We value communication skills and look for evidence that you've worked in teams and taken on responsibility. We also want to get a sense of your enthusiasm, energy, and commitment.
We do review all applications we receive, and seek out the applications from individuals who can be perceptive about the things they have done and learned from their experiences.
Selection Procedure
We invite candidates to apply for a training contract and/or summer placement by submitting our online application form. We do not accept any other form of application.
We recruit two years in advance for training contracts. Applications for our 2026 Training Contract applications and 2024 summer vacation scheme are now open!
For any questions about the process, please email London.Graduate.Recruitment@arnoldporter.com.