The Training Contract

20 training contracts starting in March/September 2023​.

Here at Stephenson Harwood, we take on just 20 trainees per year. Join us and not only will you be a valued member of our diverse, global team, you'll have a real opportunity to make your mark on the future of our firm. There's a lot to look forward to as a trainee at Stephenson Harwood: top quality global work across a range of sectors, an environment that balances cutting edge work with a respectful, friendly culture, and the chance to prove yourself on an international secondment. We work in small teams, so every person is critical – that's why we'll expect you to work to the best of your ability every day.

Our training is not only structured and practical but highly personalised, so you'll have everything you need to develop along a career path that's absolutely right for you. Following a week's intensive induction and a comprehensive post induction programme you'll complete four seats – each six months long – across different practice areas. We ask for your preferred choices so we can accommodate them wherever possible. 

Whatever the practice, you can expect extensive exposure to our clients and stimulating, cutting edge projects. You could find yourself working on anything from a high-profile £multi-million financial litigation case to a ground breaking M&A deal. You could even spend time on secondment at a client's office, absorbing a totally different business culture first-hand. We also encourage our trainees to apply to gain experience overseas in our Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, Dubai or Paris offices. 

Applications open: 1 October 2020

Application deadline: 31 July 2021

Salary and benefits:

Training contract – Your salary in your first year would be £43,000 rising to £47,000 in your second year. Our current NQ salary is £75,000.  Benefits include online gym membership, private health insurance, pension, dental health scheme, private GP services, critical illness cover, health screening, life assurance, season ticket loan and 25 days' paid holiday per year.

Placement schemes:

Our winter, spring and summer placement schemes will give you a taste of life at the firm. We’ll make sure you’re involved in quality work and will try to help you experience any areas of law you’re particularly interested in. Typically you’ll spend one or two weeks in our offices, sitting with qualified lawyers and tackling some case work. You’ll also benefit from an organised programme of interactive sessions, talks and social events. On your first day, we’ll assign you a buddy – a current trainee who’ll help you settle in, answer your questions and give you an honest overview of what it’s like to work for us. A placement gives you a great opportunity to talk informally to existing trainees, lawyers, partners and support teams to find out just why the law and Stephenson Harwood are such attractive career options. What’s more, we’ll pay you £380 a week.

Application deadlines:

• Winter placement scheme: 8 November 2020
• Spring placement scheme: 31 January 2021
• Summer placement scheme: 31 January 2021

Open Days: 

• Virtual open days - 26 November 2020 and 9 December 2020 
• In-house open days - 20 January 2021 and 17 March 2021

Total number of vacancies / places:

40 placement schemes spaces – 8 for winter, 8 for spring and 24 for summer schemes.

Method of Application: Online via www.apply4law.com/sh
Contact (for applications): Future talent team
Address: 1 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7SH
Telephone: 0207 809 2812
Email: future.talent@shlegal.com
Website: www.shlegal.com/futuretalent
Twitter & Instagram: @shfuturetalent