Akin is a global law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers and advisors who pride themselves on dedication to their clients and their communities. With 17 offices worldwide, they are renowned for numerous market-leading practices; their strengths are in complex private capital transactions, financings and restructurings, high-stakes litigation, and public policy and regulatory matters; and the unyielding pro bono commitment.

Driven by a forward-thinking leadership, Akin has built a strong culture of innovation and collaboration as well as a talented workforce committed to the success of clients and each other. Fostering a workplace focused on opportunity & inclusion, all employees are supported and given the tools to succeed. The organization is focused on recruiting and nurturing the next generation of exceptional legal talent and is proud that its recruitment and professional development efforts are recognized as among the best in the industry.

What we do: Market-leading practices include financial restructuring, corporate transactions (including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures), private equity, finance (including debt finance and project finance), energy including renewables, debt and equity capital markets, financial services regulatory, disputes, employment, international arbitration, investment funds (including hedge and private equity funds and secondaries transactions), international trade – including in relation to the new National Security & Investment Act – as well as EU/UK competition, intellectual property, share incentives, technology and tax.

London office: Our London office is the hub for the firm’s international practice and its third largest office. The firm’s strategy in London has always been to grow practices that complement its core strengths globally. The fully integrated nature of the office within the broader firm means that the firm’s London lawyers work closely with their counterparts around the globe.

2027 spring vacation scheme 

Our preferred method of trainee hiring is via our yearly vacation scheme because it is the best opportunity for you to experience life at Akin, and for us to get to know you better.

Akin's two-week spring vacation scheme provides an excellent opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of the day-to-day work of trainees in an international law firm. Through training sessions, interactive workshops, mentoring and social activities, you will get to know our firm. Through working side by side with partners and associates on live deals, you will get to know our practices and clients. 

We welcome applications from penultimate-year law students, final-year students and graduates of any subject, looking to commence a training path in two years’ time. At the end of the scheme, participants will be offered the chance to interview for our two-year training programme commencing in 2029. 

Scheme participants are paid a £1,200 salary with 50% paid on Day 1 of the scheme and an additional £300 Work-Ready Payment paid two weeks before the scheme begins to help cover any upfront costs. Whether it’s buying a new work wardrobe or subscribing to resources to develop your commercial awareness, we want you to feel confident, prepared, and excited for your experience with us. 

Our 2027 spring vacation scheme will run from Monday 5 April – Friday 16 April 2027. 

Applications will open on Thursday 17 September 2026 and close on Sunday 13 December 2026. 

Application and interview workshops

Before drafting and submitting your application, we strongly encourage all applicants to join a one-hour virtual ‘Application Tips & Tricks’ worshop to hear directly from our graduate recruitment team about the application and interview process. Visit the 'Meet Us' page on the graduate recruitment website to secure your spot! 

You’ll experience on-the-job experiential learning which will allow you to develop a keen commercial awareness and to take on responsibility and ownership of tasks for each practice area you work in. Examples of tasks you may be involved in during your training include, but are not restricted to, legal research, preparing client communications, attending client meetings, organising deal closing checklists and preparing trial bundles. You’ll receive supportive supervision from England and Wales-qualified practitioners with valuable ongoing feedback and two substantive evaluations during each seat.

There is no limit to your learning as an Akin trainee. You’ll attend regular practice group and office-wide training sessions on relevant areas of law and practical skills. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to hone your public speaking skills through our Trainee Education and Development (TED) Talk Series. During TED Talks, you’ll present to your trainee cohort on a topic in which you’ve become a subject matter expert – offering a great opportunity to share knowledge.

Our Optimal Performance for Junior Lawyers programme is designed to help you build resilience and equip you with the tools needed to thrive at Akin. Delivered in person over six one-hour sessions during the first year of your training programme, the course complements the existing legal and technical skills training schedule. Each session has been crafted to support you in developing sustainable performance habits and a confident mindset from day one!

Throughout your two-year training programme and beyond, you’ll also collaborate with our internal talent team and external consultants to support your professional growth. By working together, we’ll make sure that your skills and knowledge are constantly growing.

Akin prides itself on a friendly, approachable culture and a strong support network. When you arrive, you will have the continued support of our dedicated trainee development team, development partners, supervisors and peer mentors – to name just a few! As part of our commitment to support the positive mental health and wellbeing of our employees, we also have an in-house Be Well counselling service which offers unlimited one on one support, as well as regular group training sessions.

Trainees start on a salary of £60,000, which increases to £65,000 in their second year.

We have partnered with The University of Law to provide an exceptional legal education and training programme. Applications from an LPC study route will still be given due consideration.

Akin was founded on the guiding principle that everyone should feel welcome and have the opportunity to thrive and do their best work. We believe that the various perspectives and experiences of our lawyers and professionals enable us to identify creative solutions for our clients and enrich all aspects of our firm and communities.

More information can be found here.

Successful applicants will be required to complete the PGDL (if applicable) and LLM Legal Practice (SQE1 and 2) to equip them with essential skills prior to starting their qualifying work experience. Our legal education provider is The University of Law and studies will be funded by the firm. We provide a maintenance grant of £20,000 per year of study to our future trainees.

• Corporate/M&A
• Finance
• Financial restructuring
• Litigation
• Competition
• International trade
• Investment funds
• Tax/incentives
• Some international
• client secondment opportunities

• Corporate & Commercial

• Abu Dhabi
• Boston
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Dubai
• Fort Worth
• Geneva
• Hong Kong
• Houston
• Los Angeles
• New York
• Philadelphia
• Riyadh
• San Antonio
• San Francisco
• Washington DC

• London

• City Year
• Hackney Community Law Centre
• Horizon Legal Advice Clinic
• Inspiring the Future
• Islington Law Centre
• Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
• Lawyers Without Borders
• Migrants Resource Centre
• Not Beyond Redemption
• Reprieve
• Youth Justice Legal Centre

• Cityyear
• Mindful Business Charter
• Social Mobility Foundation
• Stonewall