With approximately 1,100 lawyers across the US, Europe and Asia, Weil operates according to the “one firm” principle, allowing it to bring the right mix of firm wide skill and local market presence to deliver coordinated legal advice to help its clients achieve their sophisticated goals and objectives.

Established in 1996, Weil’s London office is the largest of its European offices and the hub of its European practice. The office is a leading player in the UK legal market and is consistently regarded as one of the most successful London offices of a US-based law firm. The firm supports a varied client base of European, US and global private equity houses, corporates and financial institutions on domestic and cross-border matters.

Weil’s strategy is focused on long-term investment in recruiting and retaining exceptional talent at all levels. The firm’s people celebrate diversity and inclusion, and its award-winning pro bono programme is deeply ingrained in the firm’s culture. 

Weil provides clients with legal expertise at the highest level across its key practices of private equity and M&A; funds; finance; structured finance; restructuring; and disputes and investigations, and has been involved in some of the most significant, high-profile and prestigious mandates across all its legal specialisms. The majority of the firm’s work involves multidisciplinary teams across the specialist fields of competition; corporate governance and compliance; employment; intellectual property; management incentives; pensions; real estate; tax and technology; leveraging the expertise of its full service capabilities for its clients. 

Vacation schemes 2024

A vacation scheme is a great way to experience first-hand what life is like as a Weil trainee. You will work alongside associates, carrying out real trainee tasks and responsibilities while gaining a greater insight into one of the firm’s practice areas. You will be mentored and supported throughout the scheme, and to help you get even more of an insight into life at Weil there will be various talks and workshops. We also organise a number of social events, so you can get to know Weil’s lawyers and staff in a more relaxed setting. You can apply for a vacation scheme if you are penultimate-year student, finalist or graduate from any degree discipline. You will be paid £750 per week, plus a contribution towards accommodation costs will be made to those living outside of London, in addition to travel expenses being reimbursed.

Spring vacation scheme

2 April – 12 April 2024 (deadline 20 December 2023)

Summer vacation scheme

17 – 28 June 2024 (deadline 20 December 2023)

Insight days 

Meet our people and get a better understanding of our firm and culture. During an insight day you will hear from our partners, associates and trainees about life at Weil. You can apply for an insight day if you are a second-year student, penultimate-year student, finalist or graduate from any degree discipline. Travel costs will be reimbursed. 

Dates 

18 October 2023 (deadline 8 October 2023)

15 November 2023 (deadline 6 November 2023)

Apprenticeships 

Our six-year solicitor apprenticeship programme is a new opportunity for ambitious and driven school leavers to start an exciting career in law. You don’t need to have a degree in order to pursue this opportunity, however, this alternative route ensures you can obtain a degree upon programme completion, earn money whilst you learn, and have no student debt, all by studying for just one day per week.

This is your chance to learn what it's like to be in the spotlight at an elite global law firm as you learn your craft.

Over six years, you’ll rotate through a range of practice groups and experience every side of a global law firm. This programme has been specifically developed to help you learn the core technical and professional skills you’ll need to thrive in a continually evolving legal industry. You’ll work on real deals, receiving regular and tailored feedback from supervisors, mentors and current trainee solicitors. Your time will be split with four days a week in the office learning on the job and one day a week protected for study so you can build your technical knowledge and prepare for exams. Once your six years are complete, you’ll be eligible to qualify as a solicitor.  

Applications close on 7 January 2024 to start in September 2024.

Virtual experience programme

Gain hands-on experience of the typical tasks a trainee would get involved in while working in our private equity, finance and restructuring teams. The virtual experience programme is self-paced and open to everyone. No application is required.

Virtual and in person events 

At our events, in addition to developing your commercial awareness, you will have the chance to meet our people, build your network and discover our culture, as well as ask any questions you have about the application process. Click here (https://ukrecruiting.weil.com/meet-us) for a list of upcoming events.

Weil’s training contract is designed to help you reach your potential as quickly as possible through constant exposure to high calibre work. We take an open and transparent approach to progression with a structure that makes sure you get the best start to your legal career. As a trainee you will work on some of the most complex and sophisticated matters. The work will be varied, exciting and from the very start, you will be in the spotlight – tackling the problems our clients face.

During your training contract, you will complete four six month seats, one of which will be in corporate and one in finance. In each of your four seats, you will share an office with your supervisor, which means you will always have someone to guide you in your day-to-day work. The mentoring and support you receive as a Weil trainee means you can progress and reach your goals sooner than most law firms. You will be allocated a partner mentor, who will be your go-to for advice and guidance throughout the full two years of your training.

From September 2023, all our future training contract offer holders will need to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), before embarking on their two year qualifying work experience (QWE) at Weil. We have partnered with The University of Law to ensure our trainees are put through a rigorous and comprehensive programme, preparing you for success. The SQE will equip you with the confidence and skills needed to start your training contract at Weil. This is an 11-month programme, which will include the SQE1 and 2, as well as an additional bespoke ‘Plus Programme’, designed specifically to give you the knowledge and skills to succeed in your QWE. 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words. They embody a commitment that has been at our core since the firm was founded. We strive to honour this commitment and create a culture where our differences are respected, celebrated and valued.

PGDL and SQE1 and 2 fees are covered by the firm and future trainees will receive a maintenance grant of £20,000.

• Antitrust
• Finance
• Disputes & investigations
• Funds
• Funds regulatory
• Private equity & M&A
• Private equity infrastructure
• Private equity infrastructure finance
• Restructuring
• Structured finance
• Tax

• Corporate & Commercial

• Boston
• Dallas
• Houston
• Miami
• New York
• Princeton
• Silicon Valley
• Washington DC
• Beijing
• Hong Kong
• Shanghai
• Brussels
• Frankfurt
• London
• Munich
• Paris

• Mary Ward Legal Advice Centre
• Oxfam

• Aspiring Solicitors
• DiversCity
• IntoUniversity
• PRIME
• Rare Recruitment
• SEO London
• Social Mobility Foundation
• Stonewall