Year 12/13 and first-year opportunities: open days and insight schemes

Most trainee-hiring law firms run work experience schemes and events specifically for year 12/13 and first-year students. So, if you’re seriously considering becoming a solicitor, you’ll be doing yourself a big favour by getting involved at this early stage of your career – if not just to identify whether a career in the legal profession is for you. Use this list of law firms offering opportunities to year 12/13 and first-year university students to get you started!

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Gaining firsthand experience in a law firm used to be limited to vacation schemes and university law fairs, but things have changed. While two-week vacation schemes remain the best route to a training contract – with the majority of such placements still focusing on second and final-year students – an increasing number of law firms also run shorter schemes, insight events and open days for first-year students and sixth formers.

Some of these opportunities are easier to find online than others, so below we’ve set out what some of the country’s top law firms are offering to help you kickstart your own research. Start by investigating the firm’s profile on LawCareers.Net to introduce yourself to its business, work areas, offices and so on. If you then feel the firm could be right for you, head to its recruitment site to find out more and apply. While securing legal experience this early on in your jorney isn’t compulsory, it can help to give you an edge by boosting your CV and networking, and may also help you to fast track your way onto a vacation scheme later on. You’d be wise to make the most of the opportunities available.

A&O Shearman

The firm’s first-year programme ‘A&O First’ is open to students in the first year of a three-year course or the second year of a four-year course (undergraduate).

Applications for this programme open on 5 January 2026 and close on 9 February 2026 at 5:00pm.

Find out more about this scheme via our more general Feature on upcoming open days and insight schemes.

Ashfords LLP

National law firm Ashfords works with Bristol Future Talent to remove barriers to the legal profession for aspiring lawyers from diverse ethnic backgrounds. The work experience programme has been designed to provide students in year 12 with an understanding of the career opportunities and to promote core career skills (eg, CV writing and interview techniques). It’s a week-long programme that takes part at the firm’s Bristol office.

The firm also runs a Pathways to Law programme in conjunction with the University of Exeter and The Sutton Trust, providing fair access to work experience for students in year 12 based in the Exeter area.

Find out more about these programmes via Ashfords’ website.

Ashurst LLP

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.

Applications for Access Ashurst will open on 7 October 2025 and close on 7 January 2026.

Find out more about this scheme via our more general Feature on upcoming open days and insight schemes.

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie’s First Year Insight Scheme is a two-day placement for first-year law and non-law students, which will run from 6 to 7 May 2026 at the firm’s London office. The scheme provides insights into life at a global law firm with attendees getting involved in structured sessions that’ll introduce the firm’s various departments and the work it undertakes.

The firm will cover the costs of travel and accommodation for the duration of the scheme.

Applications open on 1 October 2025 and close on 1 February 2026.

Bristows LLP

Bristows hosts several IP-focused workshops to offer interested candidates an insight into life as an IP lawyer. The firm’s IP workshop for first-year undergraduates will be held virtually on 11 June 2026 and is open to both first-year law and non-law students.

Applications are open now and close on 22 May 2026.

CMS

The firm’s CMS Connect work experience is aimed at school and college students. The one-week programme has been designed to show these students how the firm’s legal practice works and the role they could play at the firm. The programme involves practical experience skills sessions and networking. Following the programme, candidates will continue to receive support from CMS in the form of mentoring, application advice and more.

Keep your eye on the firm’s website for information on applications opening and closing.

Covington

The two-day CovInsights programme is aimed at first-year law students and second-year non-law students who are researching their legal careers. The programme will provide insights into the firm, its practice areas and the skills necessary to be a successful lawyer.

Applications are open and will close on 13 March 2026, with the programme taking place between 15 and 16 April 2026.

Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells runs an insight scheme for first-year students of all degree disciplines. Applications will open on 5 January 2026 and close on 28 February 2026.

Latham & Watkins

The firm hosts four open day events, with one dedicated First-Year Spring Scheme open to all first-year students and designed to offer a real picture of “roles, responsibilities, and experiences of Latham trainees”.

The first-year scheme will take place from 7 to 9 April 2026, with applications closing on 25 January 2026

Osborne Clarke LLP

The firm runs three insight schemes, which are aimed at first-year law and second-year non-law students and provide a “glimpse into life at a law firm and a taste of what it’s like to work at Osborne Clarke”, plus much more.

Find out more about this scheme via our Feature and the firm’s website.

RPC

RPC’s first-year workshop is open to first-year law and second-year non-law students and will take place virtually. The workshop includes presentations, skills sessions and networking opportunities and will take place on 18 March 2026. Applications close on 9 March 2026. The firm is also running a solicitor apprenticeship insight event in Bristol on 27 November 2025.

Simmons & Simmons LLP

The firm’s spring insight scheme is open to all first-year and penultimate year non-law students (as well as second-year non-law). The next scheme will take place from 8 to 9 April 2026 in the London office and attendees will receive £150 for the two days. The open days are also a great place to meet the firm and gain insights into its culture and the opportunities available.

Stephenson Harwood LLP

The firm hosts virtual insight days in November and December, and open days at the London office in January and March for you to meet partners, associate, trainees and the graduate recruitment team, and to gain valuable insights into life at the firm.

The firm also runs a disability open day, which is aimed at students in their first year of university and beyond with a disability, neurodiversity, or long-term health condition. Applications for its 2026 open days will open in October 2025. Head to the firm’s website for details on when future open days are taking place.

Taylor Wessing

The firm’s Limitless scheme is a new programme designed to introduce year-12 students to the world of law. Featuring monthly upskilling workshops, networking opportunities and a two-day work shadowing opportunity, Limitless will let you experience what it's like to work in a leading law firm. The firm will introduce you to the skills you'll need for a career in law and help you kickstart your career as a solicitor.

Applications to Limitless are open to individuals who are in year 12, have a minimum of seven GCSEs grade six or above (including at least a grade seven in maths and English), and are of Black heritage and/or from a low socioeconomic background. You'll also need to be free to attend all the monthly sessions and the two in-person work shadowing days in October. Applications for the 2026 scheme open in March 2026.

TLT LLP

TLT hosts several events throughout the year including insight days and open evenings with events open to year 12 and 13 students. Find out more about these events via the firm’s website.

Vinson & Elkins RLLP

The firm’s open day, discoVEr V&E, is dedicated to first-year students and offers insights into the firm, life as a trainee, the opportunity to network and lots more. Applications for the 2026 open day open on 1 October 2025 and close on 6 February 2026. The event is taking place on 9 April 2026.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP

The firm’s open day is open to all undergraduate students from first year onwards. Keep an eye on the firm’s website to find out more.  

Weil Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP

Weil’s self-paced, virtual experience programme is open to all and is designed to show attendees the sort of work they’d experience as a trainee at the firm, help them develop their commercial awareness and more.

White & Case LLP

White & Case’s University insight scheme offers students a chance to learn more about the firm, shadow a trainee, meet associates and partners, and more. Applications for the scheme open on 1 October 2025 and close on 12 April 2026.

Insight schemes and open evenings aren’t the only opportunities that you should pursue in your first year at university. Other things you can do to improve your CV and access opportunities include getting involved in your student law society and volunteering.

Find out more about getting experiences in your first year with this Oracle. And don’t forget to use LCN’s dedicated First-year law students hub to find out more.