Remember to cite LawCareers.Net on your application form if you apply to Clifford Chance.
More info
You don’t need a law degree to join us. (About half of our trainees come from non-law backgrounds.) What matters is that you’re resilient, curious, creative and open to new challenges. You’re someone who loves to learn. A great problem solver. A smart thinker. You’re commercially-savvy, solutions-oriented and up for working as part of a close-knit team.
One of the ways you can show us you have what it takes is to experience life here before you apply for your training contract. You can explore the possibilities available by attending one of our virtual events or completing one of our free global virtual internships – open to everyone. These offer unparalleled access to legal resources whilst revealing the people and culture in a way that has never been done before.
Explore our virtual events hub
Seize the opportunity and join up to 50 cutting-edge virtual events. Radical events that are democratising access to information in a way that was never before possible.
You’ll have access to a mix of panels, keynotes, skills sessions, interactive case studies and global legal professions. Plus talks from experts outside the industry at flagship events. All of which will equip you with the skills, knowledge and networks to succeed.
To apply
As an undergraduate, you'll need a strong academic record. We may also consider your application if there are other aspects to your background and achievements that mark you out as an exceptional performer.
As an undergraduate, you'll need a strong academic record. We may also consider your application if there are other aspects to your background and achievements that mark you out as an exceptional performer.
Applications close at midnight on 8 December 2022 for the training contract 2025 and February 2026. We do not recruit on a rolling basis and we don’t review applications until after the deadline has passed.
Initially you should fill out our online application form. This is the first stage in a selection process that also includes the Watson Glaser critical reasoning test. The assessment days for training contracts will take place in London from the week commencing 16 January 2023 and 23 January 2023.
Clifford Chance careers podcast
Looking to improve your knowledge of the firm and your application? We have you covered through all the transitional stages of your career. From starting university to landing your first job. And, tips on how you can build your professional network, making sure you seize the right opportunities to maximise career success.
Our podcast features experts from around the firm, giving unique insights into their personal journeys. From informal chats to deep-dives into the future of work, we offer a wide range of topics for you to listen to on the move.
How to apply
careers.cliffordchance.comFollow us on
Applications to
Ms Laura Yeates
Method of application
Online Application FormMethod of assessment
- Partner interview
- Psychometric testing
- Video interview
- Written exercise
Where bright minds meet
We’re a leading global corporate law firm. But we’re not a typical one. Far from it.
Life here means doing the best work for exceptional clients while being yourself. We look for individuals, not for ‘typical lawyers’. We’re focused, but we know how to have fun. And we collaborate. At every level. Which makes this a brilliant place to learn. To find your feet quickly. To get ahead.
We give expert legal advice on every aspect of commercial law. And our clients? From infamous corporations, governments and global banks, to not-for-profits and charities, we help just about everyone with our specialist knowledge and skills.
That variety definitely makes life here interesting. As does the scale and scope of what we do.
Our work covers corporate; global financial markets; real estate; litigation and dispute resolution; plus tax, pensions and employment.
And when it comes to where we are, we work in major financial centres across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
We're proud to announce we've been recognised in The Times Graduate Recruitment Awards 2020 as the number one Graduate Employer of Choice for Law. Not only that, but we’ve also achieved 24th place in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers list. That’s the highest ranking we have ever received in the 22-year history of The Times Top 100 making us the highest ranked law firm of 2020. We’re flattered to be given such prestigious recognition by the young people who know best.
Sustainable Recruitment Alliance
It has never been more important to be conscious about the way we live and work and the impact our decisions have on our environment. Over the last seven years, we have been steadily implementing changes to our own graduate recruitment processes to minimise our carbon footprint. We are now taking a leading role in encouraging other graduate recruiters to consider the environmental impact of their attraction and recruitment strategies.
We are proud to be founding partners of the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance. An alliance designed to encourage recruiters from all industries to review their own processes and think about the ways they can modify their existing practices to become more sustainable and carbon-friendly.
Watch our video to hear more about this initiative.
SPARK scheme
SPARK is an award-winning and unique opportunity to gain an unparalleled introduction to the world of commercial law, undertaking classroom based learning alongside work shadowing in a practice area. You may even secure a training contract by the end of your first year of university (or second year if you are on a four-year degree or a penultimate year non-law student).
SPARK is an award-winning and unique programme that could give you an unparalleled introduction to the world of commercial law. You’ll learn from our expert mentors in the classroom and on the job too. You may even secure a training contract by the end of your first year of university (or second year if you are on a four-year degree).
Applications close at midnight on 9 February 2023. We do not recruit on a rolling basis and we don’t review applications until after the deadline has passed.
Learn more about the application process and apply.
ACCESS scheme
Clifford Chance is proud to be a founding member of PRIME. Through PRIME, we are committed to ensuring that anyone who wants to enter the world of law has an equal chance to do so, regardless of their background.
The scheme is an introduction to a career in law, so you’ll meet and interact with professionals from every level of our business – from trainees and recently qualified associates, to partners and recruitment specialists.
And it doesn’t end there. We’ll keep in regular contact with you following the scheme, you’ll have access to mentors, will at the firm and you’ll be invited back for events and a reunion before you head off for university.and will have the opportunity to secure a place on our ACCESS SPARK programme and ultimately a training contract.
Learn more about the application process and apply.
Global virtual internships
A global experience at your fingertips. The future of work experience is here.
Our free global internships are the future of learning. Created by leading experts from across our global network, our 25+ hours of cutting-edge content can be accessed anytime, anywhere to suit yout schedule. Experience international work like never before and develop the analytical skills that will turn you into a leading lawyer of tomorrow.
Hear from the global senior partner, Jeroen Ouwehand, as he describes why we are passionate about equal education and its role in creating equal opportunities for all. Watch the video here.
Training contract
We've designed the training contract to give you the breadth of experience you need to emerge as a confident business adviser. Your four rotations will include seats in our core areas of finance, corporate and capital markets, plus one other.
In addition to this, there are client secondments, international secondments and split-seat opportunities along the way. This ensures you get the widest range of exposure to our business while meeting the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). We aim to offer you the flexibility to drive your training contract forward in a way that best suits you.
From the moment you start your training contract, you'll have immense direct and indirect support.
IGNITE training contract
Clifford Chance IGNITE is a training contract with a rare emphasis on tech. A new route that’ll take you into some of the world’s most innovative learning environments.
It's a Clifford Chance training contract, but it had extra built-in time and space to develop new skills and solutions. To reconsider what tech can do for law. To redesign and streamline the way we operate. And redefine how we deliver the best results for our clients.
You’ll be exposed to the best work available, plus you’ll be mentored by seasoned experts at the Clifford Chance Academy. Which is arguably the legal sector's leading in-house learning and development facility.
CPE/GDL/LPC.
- Finance
- Corporate
- Capital markets
- Corporate & Commercial
- General Commercial
Practice Areas
Extra info
Phone: 020 7006 4005
Email: [email protected]
Web: careers.cliffordchance.com/london/home.html
| Work placement: | Yes |
| Number of work placements: | 60 |
| Minimum qualification: | Strong and consistent academics |
| Start salary: | £50,000 |
| Fees paid for: |
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| Turnover: | £1,303,000,000 (2012) |
| Profit per partner: | £1,078,000 (2012) |
| Retention rate: | 82% (2019) |
| Partner diversity: |
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| Lawyer diversity: |
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| Has client secondments: | Yes |
| Client secondments: |
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| Has overseas secondments: | Yes |
| Overseas secondments: |
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- London
- Asylum Support Appeals Project
- Fair Trials International
- Liberty
- London Legal Support Trust (LLST)
- Mary Ward Legal Advice Centre
- Reprieve
- Save the Children
- The Howard League for Penal Reform
- Aspiring Solicitors
- Bright Network
- DiversCity
- Pathways to Law
- PRIME
- Rare Recruitment
- Social Mobility Foundation
- Stonewall
