Insight programme

This hybrid insight and developmental programme offers a taste of life in commercial law at a global firm. And it's intended to put you in the best possible position to secure a place on our Vacation Schemes.

Over the course of six months, you'll learn about our culture, work and strategy and attend workshops to develop your commercial understanding. You'll get to spend time with Trainees, Associates and the Trainee Recruitment team to ask questions and find out more about life at Linklaters. To help you make the right impression and build confidence, you'll also attend a personal impact masterclass. There will be plenty of opportunity to network and meet your cohort throughout the programme. 

We value ongoing development and support, so after an initial two days in a hybrid format, we will keep in contact with you and you'll get exclusive access to resources and a number of sessions, including the chance to speak to a lawyer from an area of your choice. Finally, you'll be fast-tracked through the application process for a Vacation Scheme following successful completion of the Pathfinder programme.

Pathfinder is open to first-year undergraduates studying any degree at UK and Irish universities. Or if you're taking a four-year undergraduate degree, you can apply in your second year. 

2024 Dates

• In-person Day: 3rd or 4th April / Virtual Day: 5th April  / Various webinar sessions and workshops from May - August 2024

Tailored series

Are you a penultimate year student or beyond and interested in a career in commercial law? Get Ahead by joining our tailored series designed to give candidates from Black and other underrepresented minority ethnic backgrounds including those with Asian Bangladeshi/Pakistani heritage, members of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller (GRT) community and individuals with refugee status a head start in Vacation Scheme and Training Contract applications.      

Successful applicants will benefit from live, focused webinars designed to develop technical and professional skills. You'll also be paired up with a Trainee buddy and receive a one-to-one coaching session to support you through the Vacation Scheme and Training Contract process. 

 

 

Tailored series

Interested in a career in commercial law? Are you currently in the UK or Ireland and have been granted refugee status or are in the process of claiming asylum? Why not apply for Going Forward! Going Forward is Linklaters’ tailored series designed to give candidates who meet our specific criteria an insight into commercial law.

Successful applicants will benefit from live, focused webinars designed to develop technical and professional skills. You'll also be paired up with a Trainee buddy and receive a one-to-one coaching session to support you through the Vacation Scheme and Training Contract process. 

 

• Strong academic record in their undergraduate degree
• Must currently be in the UK or Ireland
• Have been granted refugee status or are in the process of claiming asylum (*You must have UK Home Office documentation showing your status)

Or

• From a country / region which is a recognised conflict zone / experiencing humanitarian disaster

Two to three weeks

For a head start in your career, apply to our Winter, Spring or Summer Vacation Schemes. They offer a taste of life in commercial law at a global firm, and they put you in the best possible position to secure a Training Contract here. We'll also pay you £450 per week while you're with us.

Our Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes are for penultimate and final-year undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates (studying Law and non-Law subjects).

You'll be involved in real deals, sit with a Principal, work hard and enjoy an active social life. You'll also attend professional development sessions. These offer a broader understanding of our global business strategy and practice areas, and help you to develop essential skills like negotiation and pitching.

More informally, you'll have the ear of experienced lawyers. A Trainee ‘buddy’ in each department is on hand to integrate you into the team, as well as a Principal, who is an Associate or Managing Associate. This reflects the support you can look forward to if you join us as a Trainee. You'll also get to know us, and other Vacation Scheme students, through our social events (often a highlight!).

After attending the Vacation Scheme, we'll automatically offer you a final interview for our Training Contract with our Partners and Managing Associates. The selection process for our Schemes is tough, because they are there to help prepare you, and we want you to be successful in your Training Contract application.

2023/24 Vacation Scheme dates

- Winter Vacation Scheme: 4 – 15 December 2023

- Spring Vacation Scheme: 8 – 19 April 2024

- Summer Vacation Scheme: 17 June – 5 July and 15 July – 2 August 2024

 

Candidates must complete the short online form (30 minutes) and the Capp Online assessment by the application deadline. Candidates will have a 5-day deadline, from the date of their application, to complete the Watson Glaser online test.

Two years

Over four six-month seats (placements), you'll work on a range of live projects and have real influence. There's no substitute for the depth and quality of insight that comes from spending six months in a department. You may also have the chance to take up an international or client secondment. And at the end of the Contract, you'll be able to make a well-informed decision about where to start your career.

 

Support and feedback

In each department, you'll sit with a Principal, who is on hand to train and supervise. A Group Trainee Solicitor Partner will also give you additional support. With ongoing feedback, you'll have ample opportunity to discuss progress with the Trainee Development Team and draw up a training plan. And as you define your interests, you'll also have the flexibility to change your preference as you go. You'll also benefit from seminars and training modules that are specific to your seat and practice area.

Two years

This is a unique opportunity to train and qualify as a lawyer in England and Wales before starting a commercial law career in the Middle East.
   
You'll start working on live client cases during four six-month seats. These take place in London as well as in the Middle East. You'll build skills and experience in practice areas, and, with ongoing training and support, develop the professional skills you need. Once qualified, you'll then start your career as an Associate in the Middle East.
 
We are looking for penultimate and final-year Law undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates (studying an LLM or GDL at a UK university) who are fluent in Arabic. 

Two years

This is a unique opportunity to train and qualify as a lawyer in England and Wales before starting a commercial law career in Singapore.
   
You'll start working on live client cases during four six-month seats. These take place in London as well as Singapore. You'll build skills and experience in practice areas, and, with ongoing training and support, develop the professional skills you need. Once qualified, you'll then start your career as an Associate in Singapore.
 
We're looking for students currently on an undergraduate Law degree, Master of Law (LLM) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) programme at a UK university. To meet our needs, you'll need to demonstrate a global outlook, drive and ambition, backed up by abilities like intelligence and commercial awareness.

Three weeks

In November and December, we run a Clerkship for law students with undergraduate degrees from African universities who want to start their careers in London. This is a great opportunity to discover if commercial law and Linklaters are right for you. This scheme is open to individuals from across Africa but only international students studying at South African universities.

 

The African Clerkship is similar to our UK Vacation Schemes. After an induction, you'll be treated just like a Trainee, because we want you to get to know us properly. You'll be involved in real deals, sit with a Principal, work hard and enjoy an active social life.

 

If the programme is in person, we'll organise and pay for your visa, flight and accommodation for the duration of the scheme, as well as paying you £450 per week. In the event the scheme is virtual we will provide access to the internet where required.

 

You'll also attend professional development sessions. You'll take away a broader understanding of our global business strategy and practice areas, and develop skills like negotiation and pitching. More informally, you'll be supported by our experienced lawyers and Trainees.

Once you complete the Clerkship, we'll automatically offer you an interview for a London Training Contract. If successful, you can then return to Africa to finish your degree, with the security of a Training Contract to start when you graduate.

Our strategic alliance

Linklaters has formed a successful strategic alliance with Allens.

Allens is a leading international law firm that has maintained some of the world’s longest client relationships, some stretching back almost 200 years. Clients are diverse, and include 55 of the world’s top 100 companies and more than 75 of Australia’s top 100 companies.

Working for them, you'll join around 769 (631 legal professionals and 138 Partners) lawyers across Asia and Australia. You'll have access to accelerated technical and skills development and Partners who'll help you be the best you can be. The Clerkship and graduate programmes equip lawyers to lead the market even in this rapidly changing business environment.

Allens accepts applications from students in the penultimate year of their law degree and run Clerkship programmes throughout the Australian summer in all offices.

In Perth and Melbourne, Allens programmes coincide with the Australian winter holidays. The alliance accepts applications from students who would like to complete Clerkships in London and Australia.

Three weeks

In November and December, we run a Clerkship for penultimate-year law students at leading Australian universities who want to start their careers in London. This is a great opportunity to discover if commercial law and Linklaters are right for you.

 

The Australian Clerkship is similar to our UK Vacation Schemes. After an induction, you'll be treated just like a Trainee, because we want you to get to know us properly. You'll be involved in real deals, sit with a Principal, work hard and enjoy an active social life.

 

If the programme is in person, we'll organise and pay for your visa, flight and accommodation for the duration of the scheme, as well as paying you £450 per week.

 

You'll also attend professional development sessions. You'll take away a broader understanding of our global business strategy and practice areas, and develop skills like negotiation and pitching. More informally, you'll be supported by our experienced lawyers and Trainees.

Once you complete the Clerkship, we'll automatically offer you an interview for a London Training Contract. If successful, you can then return to Australia to finish your degree, with the security of a Training Contract to start when you graduate.

Prior to starting your Training Contract in London, you’ll get to complete a Clerkship at Allens and experience the alliance first-hand. We will support you through the qualification process, both at home and in the UK, ensuring that you’ll be dual-qualified in England and Wales as well as in your home jurisdiction. We’ll also arrange your relocation to London and be on hand to guide you through the process.

Three weeks

In November and December, we run an Internship in London for penultimate-year law students at Indian universities who want to start their careers in London. If you're at a leading law school in India, this is your opportunity to discover if commercial law - and Linklaters - are right for you.

The Indian Internship is similar to our UK Vacation Schemes. After an induction, you'll be treated just like a Trainee, because we want you to get to know us properly. You'll be involved in real deals, sit with a Principal, work hard and enjoy an active social life.

If the programme is in person, we'll organise and pay for your visa, flight and accommodation for the duration of the scheme, as well as paying you £450 per week. In the event the scheme is virtual we will provide access to the internet where required.

You'll also attend professional development sessions. You'll take away a broader understanding of our global business strategy and practice areas, and develop skills like negotiation and pitching. More informally, you'll best supported by our experienced lawyers and Trainees.

Once you complete the Internship, we'll automatically offer you an interview for our London Training Contract. If successful, you can then return to India to finish your degree, with the security of a Training Contract to start when you graduate.