Firms’ winter vacation scheme applications are open: apply for your place now

With the Autumn term in full swing and a packed timetable of lectures and law fairs to keep on top of, plus a reading list as long as your arm and the fact that you should actually make the most of what university has to offer, we know you’re busy. However, although applying for a training contract or pupillage may still seem far ahead, the legal profession’s recruitment cycle is already underway and the deadlines for submitting winter vacation scheme applications are fast approaching.

Vacation schemes are a crucial recruitment tool for law firms, many of which hire some (or even all) of their trainees through their work placement programmes. They are also an important way for students to experience firms’ working environments first-hand – essential for making an informed decision about what you want from your career.

Non-law students especially should start planning applications now, as many winter vacation schemes are specifically aimed at students studying other subjects. Firms’ application deadlines fall between the end of October and late November, so there is no time to lose; with effort, you will be able to make some space in your schedule to submit a few applications – and the potential rewards will be well worth the extra work. Below is a list of the firms currently accepting applications for their winter schemes, organised by their deadline dates as per the information provided to us by the firms themselves (all dates in 2015). If a firm has not provided all the information you need, we advise checking its website and then contacting its graduate recruitment team directly if you still haven’t found what you were looking for.

30 October

• Jones Day (open to non-law students and graduates)

31 October

• Berwin Leighton Paisner
• Herbert Smith Freehills (open to law and non-law students and graduates)
• Norton Rose Fulbright (law and non-law students and graduates)

1 November

• Mishcon de Reya LLP (law and non-law students and graduates)
• Simmons & Simmons LLP (final year law and non-law students and graduates)

6 November

• Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
• Hogan Lovells (penultimate and final year law and non-law students and graduates)
• Shearman & Sterling (London) LLP (law and non-law students and graduates)

8 November

• Stephenson Harwood LLP (law and non-law students and graduates)

9 November

• Linklaters LLP (final-year non-law students and graduates)

13 November

• Ashurst LLP (law and non-law students and graduates)
• Dentons (open days in December for final year non-law students)

22 November

• Bristows LLP (law and non-law students and graduates)

31 December

• Allen & Overy LLP (final year law and non-law students and graduates)

You can also view a full list of application deadlines for spring and summer vacation schemes, many of which fall between December this year and March 2016 so be sure to keep them in mind.

Good luck in your applications!