Law firm open days and insight schemes 2026/27
updated on 15 September 2026
Looking for an 'in'? Open days and insight schemes are invaluable opportunities to meet the people that work for the law firms you’re interested in. You’ll learn about life in the organisation, its culture, the work on offer and much more. Plus, if prepped well, it’s your chance to ace that initial interaction and set yourself up nicely for future encounters that could eventually lead to you securing your qualifying work experience (eg, a training contract or apprenticeship).
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Open days and insight schemes offer a valuable glimpse into law firms and their culture. To build on what you learn during these events, explore our Meet the Lawyer interviews – real stories from solicitors about their career journeys, day-to-day work and advice for aspiring lawyers.
Searching for relevant open days and insight schemes can often feel like diving into the deep end of a swimming pool for the first time, with no armbands. There are many events on offer so it’s crucial to identify the ones that suit you and your aspirations – otherwise, you’ll feel a little helpless as you attempt to wade through the never-ending cycle of applications.
LawCareers.Net has put together a non-exhaustive list of law firm open days and insight schemes happening over the autumn term and beyond.
You might already have an idea of the firms you want to target but if you’re still unsure, conduct some initial research into the firm’s work areas, offices, values and culture to see whether you can see yourself starting your career there. Once you’ve created a shortlist, finding the right open day or insight scheme will become a lot easier.
For more on how to research a firm, read LCN’s advice.
Please note that some of the open days/insight schemes listed below may have already been held or the deadlines may have passed since we first put the list together. Take a look through at the ones still upcoming and keep an eye on LCN’s Events page, firms’ websites and social media for other legal careers events, including firm presentations.
A&O Shearman
The firm’s first-year programme is open to students in the first year of a three-year course or the second year of a four-year course (undergraduate). The application window for the programme is between 4 January 2027 and 1 February 2027.
The experience exposes candidates to the work the law firm gets involved with through shadowing and networking. You’ll also receive support from trainee buddies and guidance from the firm’s early recruitment team.
As part of the scheme, successful candidates will have access to a two-day programme in April and an assessment centre masterclass in September. They’ll also be fast-tracked to the assessment centre for a summer vacation scheme with the firm.
Ashurst Perkins Coie
Access Ashurst is a two-week programme held at the firm’s London office. It’s aimed at those in the summer of year 12. This year’s programme will take place between 19 July and 30 July 2027. Applications for the 2027/28 programme will open in October 2026 and close on 6 January 2027.
Access Ashurst has been designed to improve access to the profession for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. You can see the eligibility criteria for the programme on the law firm’s website.
The programme offers successful applicants the chance to spend two days with a legal supervisor in departments across the office. They’ll also complete interactive skills sessions and workshops. During the second week of the programme, candidates will gain insights into life as an in-house lawyer by spending a day at five different organisations as part of the Social Mobility Business Partnership. Following the scheme, students will be partnered with a mentor who’ll provide ongoing support and guidance during their studies in year 13.
Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie has several open days on offer, including:
- an employability open day on 24 November 2026 (applications opened on 7 September 2026 and will close on 16 November 2026);
- a Pride open day on 17 November 2026 (applications opened on 7 September 2026 and will close on 10 November 2026);
- an ethnicity open day on 3 November 2026 (applications opened on 7 September 2026 and will close on 26 October 2026);
- an opportunity open day for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds on 27 October 2026 (applications opened on 7 September 2026 and will close on 12 October 2026 );
- a women’s open day on 22 October 2026 (applications opened on 7 September 2026 and will close on 12 October 2026); and
- a general open day on 13 October 2026 (applications opened on 7 September 2026 and will close on 7 October 2026).
Bristows LLP
Bristows’ open days focus on intellectual property (IP), the firm’s key specialism. Students can apply to attend the following workshops:
- IP workshop (online) on 18 November 2026 (applications are open and will close on 16 October 2026).
- IP workshop (London) on 24 November 2026 (applications are open and will close on 16 October 2026).
- IP workshop for scientists and engineers (London) on 9 December 2026 (applications are open and will close on 23 October 2026).
- IP workshop for first-year undergraduates (online) on 11 June 2026 (applications are open and will close on 14 May 2027).
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Attend an open day at Charles Russell Speechlys’ offices to hear from trainees, associates and partners about life at the firm and the work they do. Attendees will also attend an applications masterclass with the early talent team on hand to answer any questions relating to the firm’s training contract application process.
The firm’s upcoming open days are on:
- 2 December 2026 (Guildford);
- 3 December 2026 (Cheltenham);
- 8 December 2026 (London); and
- 11 December 2026 (virtual).
Applications for the firm’s open days opened on 15 September 2026 and will close at midday on 12 November 2026.
DLA Piper UK LLP
DLA Piper’s immersive Discovery Days are designed for students to gain practical insights, develop professional skills and build the confidence to take the next step on your career journey.
The firm is running Discovery Days at the below locations:
- 12 October 2026 – London (applications open until 5 October);
- 14 October 2026 – Manchester (applications open until 6 October);
- 15 October 2026 – Leeds (applications open until 7 October);
- 20 October 2026 – Birmingham (applications open until 12 October); and
- 22 October 2026 – Edinburgh (applications open until 14 October).
DWF Group Limited
DWF hosts solicitor apprenticeship open evenings to offer interested candidates an overview of the firm, an introduction to the solicitor apprenticeship, application advice, a Q&A with current DWF apprentices and networking opportunities.
Keep an eye on the firm’s website for more information on when these will be held.
Jones Day
You can meet Jones Day at its open evenings on:
- 22 October 2026; and
- 11 November 2026.
Registration for these events isn’t open yet, so keep an eye on the firm’s website for updated information.
Latham & Watkins
The firm hosts four open days over the course of the year at its London office. These are open to students across all year groups. The open days are as follows:
- Graduate recruitment open day – 28 October 2026 (application deadline is 11 October 2026);
- Black lawyers group open day – 26 November 2026 (application deadline is 1 November 2026);
- Graduate recruitment open day – 5 November 2026 (application deadline is 18 October 2026); and
- LGBTQ+ open day – 12 November 2026 (application deadline is 25 October 2026).
Mayer Brown International LLP
The firm runs an open day each year. The open day is for undergraduates and graduates and offers a full insight into life at the firm. Keep an eye on the firm’s website for updates regarding the date of this year’s open day.
Osborne Clarke LLP
If you want to learn more about the day-to-day work of lawyers at Osborne Clarke, there are opportunities to do so at its London, Reading and Bristol offices. The firm runs three insight schemes at Osborne Clarke, with one taking place in each of the offices – they’ll be run as a mix of virtual and in-person sessions.
Applications for the insight schemes open on 1 October 2026 and will close on 28 February 2027.
Slaughter and May
As well as advice on applications and interviews, Slaughter and May’s open days provide interested candidates with the chance to learn more about working in the legal profession and more specifically a City law firm.
The firm hosts first-year open days in its offices during the spring for first-year students (law and non-law):
- 23 March 2027;
- 1 Apil 2027; and
- 7 April 2027.
Applications for the firm’s open days will open on 5 October 2026 and close on 6 January 2027.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Insight evenings at Trowers & Hamlins will take place throughout November and December at the firm’s UK offices. These are a great chance to gain insight into life as a trainee and a career in law, the firm’s practice areas and its clients, and guidance on developing application skills.
The insight days will take place on:
- 17 November 2026 in London;
- 1 December 2026 in Manchester;
- 26 November 2026 in Birmingham; and
- 3 December 2026 in Exeter.
Interested students can apply from 1 October 2026.
Vinson & Elkins RLLP
First-year students can apply to attend Vinson & Elkins’ open day, ‘discoVEr V&E’ to find out more about the firm, take part in a commercial awareness workshop, hear from associates on diversity, equity and inclusion at the firm, get tips on producing good applications and more.
Keep an eye on the firm’s website for more information regarding dates and application deadlines.
White & Case LLP
Find out what working as a City lawyer is really like with White & Case’s open days, taking place throughout the year.
At time of writing, applications will open shortly. See the firm’s website for further updates.
What next?
Once you’ve identified a few schemes, and law firms, that interest you, take a look at the application process. It might be the case that some are just open for registrations while others will require you to complete an application form.
'How to prepare for law firm insight days and presentations' offers fantastic advice to make sure you're well prepared!
Whether this is your first time attending such events or you’ve been to a few now, LawCareers.Net has put together a useful guide to networking to help you find your feet at these types of event. It’s vital that you do some sort of preparation both before applying and then again if your application is successful.
Research is key. If you’re given the chance to speak to trainees, associates or partners at a firm, it’s crucial that you’re prepared. How much do you know about:
- the practice areas the firm specialises in;
- where its offices are located;
- recent cases the firm has worked on;
- the firm’s main competitors; or
- the firm’s main clients?
There are so many other areas you can delve into but the above is a great starting point.
If you want some additional advice on researching firms, LCN has got your back. Head to our ‘Researching firms’ page for more and our Application hub, sponsored by BPP University Law School, for all your application advice in one place!
Another aspect that might not have crossed your mind at this stage, is what you wear to these events. Virtual or in person it’s so important that you dress appropriately. First impressions are everything.
Unsure what to wear? Read LCN’s advice now. Interviews, open days, insight schemes, vacation schemes, training contracts – the same rules apply.
As we said, this isn’t an exhaustive list and many firms will be announcing dates for their open days and insight schemes in the coming months, so stay alert to announcements from individual firms and check LCN’s Events page too!
Anna O’Boyle (she/her) is acting senior content and engagement coordinator at LawCareers.Net.
