Graduate training programme 2023

Company description

Vardags is a world-renowned law firm for high-net-worth individuals specialising in substantial and complex cases, often with an international element. Our president, Ayesha Vardag has been widely described as "Britain's top divorce lawyer". We have represented entrepreneurs, aristocrats, heiresses, sportsmen and celebrities in some of the most high-profile cases in the English courts, fighting to protect their family, their business and their legacy.

Vardags has built an enviable reputation as the home of life-changing, law-making divorce and family litigation for high- (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) cases, and now includes wider expertise in civil litigation, reputation & privacy, property and criminal law. In 2017, we featured in the FT 1000: Europe’s fastest growing companies as the highest-ranking law firm and, in 2015, we were the only law firm to feature in the Sunday Times Virgin Track 100, listed in the top 50.

We offer unrivalled opportunities for personal and professional development and are always ready to reward intellect, creativity and determination.

Vacancy Information

Our graduate training programme, commencing September 2023, offers trainees the opportunity to attend and assist on our high-profile cases, growing into positions of considerable responsibility. During your time on our graduate training programme you will have the opportunity to rotate through various departments in the firm including divorce, children, civil litigation, reputation and privacy, property and criminal. You will be able to attend law school as required, and we will be offering the SQE route to qualification if you have not already commenced your legal education.

On a day to day basis you will get involved in a wide range of activities including:

• Case preparation; creating bundles for various purposes including court hearings and conferences with clients and counsel.
• Attending court to issue proceedings or other applications when necessary.
• Legal research to understand case precedents, spark creative solutions and create valuable know-how.
• Drafting legal documents such as Form A and case chronology.
• Liaison with barristers’ clerks including booking counsel and updating counsel’s papers.
• Liaison with clients on behalf of fee earners.
• Attending and taking attendance note of meetings with client, counsel, etc.
• Obtaining information from third parties i.e. Land Registry, Companies House, etc.
• Administrative support for fee earners such as time recording and saving e-mails

You can start straight away upon graduation. We pay you a full salary and fully finance your fees at a leading law school to do the GDL and/or LPC and we release you one day a week to attend your courses.

If you’re a law graduate, you should be fully qualified in two years (as opposed to three by the conventional route). Even candidates who did not study law at university have the chance to qualify quicker than if they’d taken the traditional transition to law, in three and a half rather than four years.

Our trainees will be given the opportunity to attend and assist on our high-profile cases, growing into positions of considerable responsibility. Vardags has a recognised reputation for excellence and has been listed in The Times Top 200 Law Firms for 2022.

We welcome applications from bright and resilient individuals with a track record of achieving great results both academically and in their wider experience. You will be keen to take on a career in challenging litigation, where your ability to remain calm under pressure is critical. You want to use your strengths and creativity to drive extraordinary results for our clients. You know that you will flourish in demanding situations where your maturity and emotional intelligence will give you a competitive edge.

You will have:

• Excellent degree level education in law or other discipline.
• Strong performance in post-graduate legal courses (if taken).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Track record of experiences and achievements that demonstrate resilience and emotional intelligence.

Start date details:

You should submit your application via our website by midnight on 31 December 2021.

Application URL: Job openings (peoplehr.net)

Interviews will take place in early 2022 and you will be advised in January 2022 if you are progressing to the next stage of our assessment process.

Location details:

Our head office is based in London. We also have offices in Manchester and Cambridge.