We’re a leading law firm, working together to solve the toughest legal issues in major industries and commercial centres around the world. We’re always experimenting, evolving and excelling. Because that’s what it takes to be the best. It’s what has made us into the firm we are today and shapes the firm we will be tomorrow. 

We don’t simply deliver what’s expected; we look at things differently to ensure we deliver something more. And we always will. We are the firm building on our heritage to drive the future. Decide the future. Define the future. In all kinds of unexpected ways.

We are Hogan Lovells. Defined by difference.

Virtual work experience/learning hub programme

When we’re advising clients, it’s crucial that we’re able to see the bigger picture and identify exactly what’s needed. That’s why commercial awareness is a huge part of being a successful lawyer. With the learning hub programmes, you’ll grow your commercial awareness by gaining a greater insight into what we do, how we operate as a business and how we constantly innovate to go beyond the expectations of our clients. What’s more, you’ll explore our world as a global elite law firm and learn about how we respond to unpredictable global events that impact business.

The benefits don’t stop there. You’ll also find out about our award-winning HL BaSE programme and the work we do with social enterprises. Plus, you’ll get a well-rounded introduction to the strategy of the firm, our practice groups and how to secure a vacation scheme and training contract. By the end of your programme, you’ll have discovered so much more about life at Hogan Lovells, including learning and development, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and our pro bono and citizenship work.

HL Launch Pad

For first-year students looking to gain an insight into a career in commercial law

Gain insights into the firm’s strategy and our response to current market trends

Experience skills-based workshops and receive guidance from our trainee solicitors

Gain an understanding of client work at trainee level

Start to build your commercial awareness through our bespoke workshops

Secure an automatic place on our first-year insight programme

HL Lift Off

For those in their penultimate year and onwards looking to secure either a vacation scheme or training contract.

Gain in-depth knowledge about our key practice groups

Gather insights into how we develop relationships with our clients and how we win work

Build an understanding of a law firm’s economics

Gain insight into how we innovate for our clients through legal case studies

Secure an automatic place on a vacation scheme or training contract assessment day

When and how to apply

Application open dates – silver and gold

Opening date – 18 September 2023

Closing date – 31 October 2023

Applications closed

Vacation schemes

With the firm’s opportunities always highly regarded, it goes without saying that our vacation schemes – designed for penultimate and final-year students, as well as graduates – will be packed with insight and experience. What’s more, with around three quarters of trainee solicitors having taken part in a vacation scheme with us, it’s fair to say you’ll get a lot from it. You’ll delve into key practice groups, get to grips with legal research, meet the team – and imagine your future at Hogan Lovells.

But what will that future look like? Each year, we take on up to 50 graduates (from law and non-law degree subjects) as trainee solicitors. Here’s how it works: on a two-year training contract, you’ll do four six-month seats across our different practice areas. Plus, for one of those seats, you’ll have the chance to apply for an international or client secondment. You’ll also have hands-on support and the expert guidance you need.

Salary: £500 per week

When and how to apply

To apply for our winter vacation scheme, click here. Closing date 31 October 2023.

Applications closed

To apply for our summer vacation scheme, click here. Closing date 5 January 2024.

Applications closed

Campus ambassadors

Become an extension of our firm. Develop a deep understanding of our graduate offering. And build your CV as well as your network. You have a lot to gain when you help us plan, promote and run our 2024/25 events at your university.

Our campus ambassadors make an impact in lots of ways: hosting drop-in sessions, giving lecture shout-outs, promoting us on social media through your university networks. You’ll essentially represent us at your university – be that virtually or face to face. 

As you shed light on our opportunities for fellow students, you’ll also be creating opportunities for yourself. You’ll have constant communication with our graduate recruitment team, giving you the chance to show us your personality and skills.

We hold interviews during the spring of your first year so you're ready to start promoting us in your second year.

What it offers:

£600 plus all the training and support you need

Get fast tracked to a vacation scheme assessment day

The chance to gain a better understanding of how a global law firm works

Great networking opportunities with our teams

Boost your skills in communication, leadership and problem solving – all things we look for in our future lawyers.

What we look for

First-year students of any degree discipline with a strong academic record aiming for a good 2:1 or equivalent (your offer will be conditional upon achieving a 2:1 in your first year)

People who know how to communicate clearly and have shown they can organise themselves and others

A keen interest in global law firms and working in the City, plus aspirations to qualify as a solicitor at a commercial law firm like Hogan Lovells

Plenty of initiative and a proactive approach

Which campus?

University of Aberdeen

University of Birmingham

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

Durham University

University of Exeter

Kings College London

University of Leicester

London School of Economics

University of Kent

University of Nottingham

University of Oxford

Queen Mary University

University College London

School of Oriental and Asian Studies (SOAS)

University of Warwick

When and how to apply

The application window for campus ambassadors opens on 2 January 2024, and closes on 30 April 2024.

To apply to become a campus ambassador, click here. 

Collaborate with an elite global firm. Be a future leader.

Find out more and apply at graduates.hoganlovells.com.

First-year insight scheme

Why do we stand out?

Meet the firm that’s defined by difference. Our network of 2,800 lawyers are constantly challenging themselves, working on projects that enable innovation for prestigious clients; on cases that disrupt and shape legal precedent. Across 46 global locations, working seamlessly, as one team.

No better platform to start from.

What does our global reach mean for you? Exposure to exciting, headline-grabbing legal projects as we innovate to deliver successful results for our clients. Join us, and you’ll develop a deep understanding of our bold and evolving approach to creating valuable global solutions, as you learn from a network of global lawyers who will encourage you to see things differently. Not only that, you’ll also tap into a broad range of practice groups here, which include: corporate and finance, global regulatory, intellectual property media and technology (IPMT), and litigation arbitration and employment (LAE).

With all kinds of opportunities at your fingertips – and plenty of dedicated support – you’ll grow your legal expertise, discover the interests that drive you, and develop the commercial edge that sets us apart.

Insight scheme

We pride ourselves on our ability to stay ahead of the curve, not out of necessity, but out of our ambition to drive, decide and define the future. That’s why, alongside our traditional opportunities, we’re continuing to run a variety of virtual opportunities for you to get to know the firm, including internships and events.

For first-year students, our insight schemes are packed with tailored workshops, presentations and interactive opportunities to help you find out more about life and work at Hogan Lovells. We’ll also give you top tips and advice on how to make your application for a vacation scheme or training contract stand out and how to navigate the world of interviews and assessment days.

Who we look for

Our insight events are open to first-year students from all degree disciplines. We’re looking for intellectually curious, collaborative, determined individuals who have an open mind and a genuine desire to learn more about our world.

When and how to apply

Applications for our insight schemes open on 2 January 2024 and close on 29 February 2024.

Applications closed

The events themselves take place on 10-11 April 2024 and 12-13 June 2024.

Ask your best questions. Learn to find better answers.            

Find out more and apply at graduates.hoganlovells.com.

Your training contract is where your journey to becoming an exceptional lawyer really begins. Over two years, you’ll be work at the forefront of the global legal sector.

Every trainee’s journey is different but you can be confident you’ll be playing a meaningful role on some of the most exciting cases in world as you learn from the top legal minds in every sector. After your training contract, you’ll have the technical skills, industry-recognised qualifications and the experience, to become an exceptional lawyer.

During your two-year training contract, you’ll rotate through four seats across six different practice groups. Which, in laymen’s terms, means you’ll move around our business to experience different areas of law and work alongside new colleagues every six months as you find the area you want to pursue. Our training contract is structured so you can be immersed in our work almost immediately and develop your skills in the only way that really matters: on live projects for real clients taking real responsibility.

Birmingham training contract salary:

Year one £32,000, year two £35,000, newly qualified £70,000

London training contract salary:

Year one £50,000, year two £55,000, newly qualified £120,000

When and how to apply

The application window for 2026 and 2027 places opens on 18 September 2023, and closes on 31 January 2024 for the London training contract and closes on the 31 March 2024 for the Birmingham training contract starting in 2025 and 2026.

Applications closed for the London training contract.

To apply for our Birmingham training contract, click here.

The application window for 2026 and 2027 places reopens on 1 June 2023, and closes on 31 July 2023.

Please note: we recruit on a rolling basis and will make offers to candidates from January onwards.

Join an elite law firm. Be a future leader.

From autumn 2021, the route to solicitor qualification is changing. Every graduate no matter what they studied will need to pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination. The LPC will no longer exist. The SQE is a centralised assessment taking in two-stage: SQE1 and SQE2. The SQE1 tests your legal knowledge and the SQE2 assesses practical legal skills. You’ll need to do two years of qualifying work experience (like a training contract) and pass a character and suitability test.

Don’t worry, we’re here to support you at every step and you’ll have access to dedicated teams who know the process inside-out. We’ve partnered with BPP University Law School and other leading law firms to create the market-leading City Consortium solicitor training programme. Our training programme will prepare you to pass all the examinations and there are few places that offer the experience you’ll get here that will directly aid your approach to assessment.

Your development is crucial to us so we’ve made sure the training is thorough, engaging and will help you succeed in your work as you progress through the training contract. The programme includes: 

A law conversion course for any non-law graduates – Postgraduate Diploma in Law (pGDL)

SQE1 preparation programme

City Consortium plus programme

SQE2 test preparation

Defined by difference, united by shared beliefs

Inclusion is at the heart of our culture. We can only deliver exceptional work when we support each other to be who we are and bring our strengths to what we do. Everyone here is defined by difference. We celebrate what makes each of us who we are and are united by a shared commitment to empower each other to do so. These aren’t just words on a page, they are values that guide every one of our interactions with everyone we work with and for.

The current maintenance grant for full-time study during the PGDL is £10,000 outside London and £12,500 within London. The current maintenance grant during the SQE is £20,000. 

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