Main areas of work

Our work is broad, international and tied closely to the way the world is changing. As a trainee, you'll explore that variety seat by seat, building your confidence, commercial awareness and legal skills as you go.

You'll work on the legal questions behind business; spanning finance, real estate, infrastructure, employment, and technology, as well as advice on regulation and disputes. Across our practices, you'll develop your understanding on how lawyers help clients make decisions, manage risk, solve problems and move ambitious plans forward.

What you do outside your day-to-day work matters too. We know that a positive, inclusive and supportive environment is fundamental to how our people succeed. We invest in wellbeing, inclusion, sustainability and the chance to make a difference, which lets everyone perform at their best, keep building their skills and grow rewarding, long-term careers.

Why choose Dentons?

We're proud to have been one of the first law firms to launch a solicitor apprenticeship back in 2017, and we've kept shaping the future of the route ever since. We've welcomed 37 apprentices across nine cohorts, and four cohorts have already qualified as solicitors through the programme. Our solicitor apprenticeship programme is recognised as one of the most established in the UK legal market.

As a member of the award-winning City Century initiative, we're helping widen access to the legal profession while setting the standard for solicitor apprenticeships across the sector. Our programme has also been recognised through nominations for the Legal 500 ESG Awards, Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards, ISE Awards and People in Law Awards, and by winning the Excellence in Human Resource Innovation award at the Legal Innovation Awards 2024.

We believe your route into law shouldn't define how far you can go. That's why we're committed to parity across all qualification pathways. On successful completion of the programme, we'll encourage you to apply for Associate roles across the firm, giving you the opportunity to continue building your career with us.

Locations: London and Milton Keynes (September 2026 start)

Scotland: Edinburgh and Glasgow

Our legacy in Scotland dates back to 1871, and we're proud to be deeply rooted in the Scottish market, but your career here will be firmly focused on what's next. Our Edinburgh and Glasgow offices work closely together, giving trainees the opportunity to experience both while contributing to matters for local, national and international clients.

In Edinburgh, you'll join our Haymarket office in one of the UK's leading centres for finance, technology and government. In Glasgow, you'll be at the heart of Scotland's cultural and commercial centre, working alongside recognised experts on significant legal matters.

We're continuing to invest in both offices, with our state-of-the-art Edinburgh workspace and the transformation of our Glasgow office creating modern, collaborative environments where you can build a career that matters in Scotland.

London

Make an impact at the heart of the City. Start your career at the heart of one of the world's leading legal and commercial centres. With our move to 1 Liverpool Street on the horizon, it's an exciting time to join Dentons as we create a modern new home designed to bring people together, encourage collaboration and support the way we work today.

You'll work alongside talented colleagues on high-quality matters for clients ranging from ambitious start-ups to global organisations. And your experience will go beyond client work: you'll have opportunities to develop your skills, build your network and get involved in learning, social and pro bono initiatives – giving you plenty of ways to discover what you want to make of your career.

Ireland – our Dublin office 

Since launching in 2020, our Dublin office has brought a dynamic, innovative and truly international approach to the Irish legal market. We're always looking for new ways to serve our clients and challenge traditional legal practice, giving you the opportunity to work on complex, high-profile domestic and cross-border matters while helping shape what's next.

From your first day, you'll take on real responsibility and gain direct client exposure. We'll encourage you to think creatively, question established ways of doing things and bring your own perspective to the challenges our clients face. 

Continuous learning and development are integral to our culture, giving you the opportunity to learn alongside some of the most respected professionals in the industry. It's an approach that helped earn us the title of Dublin Law Firm of the Year in 2024.

Middle East 

Our scale in the Middle East sets us apart. We're the largest international law firm in the region, with a presence spanning the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Jordan and Lebanon. That gives you the opportunity to experience the breadth of an international practice while building your understanding of some of the region's most dynamic markets.

You'll see how our lawyers help shape businesses, industries and major projects across corporate and commercial; banking and finance; energy, transport and infrastructure; construction and dispute resolution; real estate; and technology, media and telecoms.

Milton Keynes

For more than 25 years, we've been part of the Milton Keynes community, supporting the businesses and developments that have helped shape one of the UK's fastest-growing cities. Today, that strong local connection is combined with the reach of the world's largest global law firm, giving you the opportunity to work on UK and international matters while remaining closely connected to the region.

You'll join a collaborative and inclusive office where colleagues support one another and celebrate each other's success. From day one, you'll take on real responsibility, develop your skills and work on high-quality matters, with a team that's invested in helping you build a career that matters to you.

Vacation scheme

Two weeks. Real experience. The chance to make your next step matter.

Our vacation scheme is more than a chance to see what life at Dentons is like. It's an opportunity to get involved, make a genuine contribution and discover what matters to you as you take your next step towards a career in commercial law.

From the start you'll become part of one of our practice areas, working alongside your supervisor and team on real client work and challenging tasks. You'll build your commercial awareness and legal knowledge through interactive training sessions and Lunch & Learns with teams including Responsible Business, Talent Development and Pro Bono. And through firm-wide networking and social events, you'll meet the people who make Dentons what it is.

By the end of the scheme, you'll have built valuable relationships, developed your skills and confidence and gained a real understanding of what a career with us could look like. We'll also be assessing you for our trainee solicitor programme throughout, with your performance over the two weeks and a final reflective interview forming part of the assessment process.

Make your experience matter.

Our vacation schemes run in Spring (London and Milton Keynes offices) and Summer (Dublin, Scotland and Middle East offices).

Completing a vacation scheme with us is the only way to be considered for a 2029 training contract in our London, Milton Keynes and Dublin offices.

Find out more and apply here.

Now to Next Scholarship

The Dentons Now to Next Scholarship is a national scholarship programme for students of Black, African or Caribbean heritage, including applicants of mixed race with Black African or Black Caribbean heritage, who attended a state school and are due to start a qualifying law degree in the UK or Ireland in September 2027.

It's designed to support aspiring lawyers as they begin their legal studies, combining financial support with opportunities to explore a career in commercial law.

As a scholar, you'll receive £2,500 each year throughout your qualifying undergraduate law degree in the UK or Ireland.

From your first year, you'll have the chance to gain practical experience through a first-year scholar internship, followed by a guaranteed place on one of our vacation schemes in your second year. You'll also become part of our early careers community, with access to mentoring, networking events, and regular opportunities to connect with our trainees and early careers team.

These experiences will build your commercial awareness, your professional relationships and your sense of what working at a global law firm is really like. 

By the time you graduate, you'll have the confidence, experience and connections to take the next step in your career.

Applications open on 26 April 2027 and close on 1 June 2027. For now, you can register your interest here and we'll send you the application link once the window opens.

Next.Talent

Make every step matter. Next.Talent is our early careers community for students and graduates who want to learn more about commercial law and life with us.

As a member, you'll gain access to exclusive events, webinars and insights from our early careers team, trainees and lawyers, alongside practical guidance on applications, interviews and assessment centres. You'll also be among the first to hear about open days, vacation schemes and trainee solicitor opportunities.

Whether you're just starting to explore a career in law or preparing to apply, Next.Talent is designed to build your confidence, expand your network and make every step towards your future matter.

Register here. 

Trainee solicitor programme

Make your contribution matter from day one. Start at the world's largest global law firm, where innovation, collaboration and commercial thinking go hand in hand. Over our two-year trainee solicitor programme, you'll work on complex matters spanning jurisdictions, industries and legal disciplines, building the skills and confidence to shape the future of legal services.

From your first day, you'll take on real responsibility, contributing to high-quality client work while developing the legal expertise, commercial judgement and confidence to thrive.

Through four six-month seats, you'll build experience across a range of practice areas, working on complex, cross-border matters for leading global clients alongside colleagues who are experts in their field. Each seat broadens your experience, deepens your sector knowledge and sharpens your understanding of the commercial issues shaping our clients' industries. Structured training, regular feedback and ongoing support run throughout, helping you develop your technical expertise and professional skills. Please note not every department seat is available in both of our Scotland offices.

As the legal profession evolves, you'll also experience the innovative ways we deliver legal services, including the AI and legal technology we use to solve complex client challenges.

We're proud to work closely with our clients. As a trainee, you'll have the opportunity to apply for a client secondment, giving you first-hand insight into client organisations, different sectors and ways of working, while expanding your professional network.

Alongside your legal work, you'll become part of our wider firm community through networking events, social activities, pro bono opportunities and client initiatives. We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and you'll have opportunities to get involved in our inclusion networks and initiatives throughout your training.

Completing a vacation scheme with us is the only way to be considered for a 2029 training contract in our London, Milton Keynes and Dublin offices.

Ireland – our Dublin office 

Since launching in 2020, our Dublin office has brought a dynamic, innovative and truly international approach to the Irish legal market. We're always looking for new ways to serve our clients and challenge traditional legal practice, giving you the opportunity to work on complex, high-profile domestic and cross-border matters while helping shape what's next.

From your first day, you'll take on real responsibility and gain direct client exposure. We'll encourage you to think creatively, question established ways of doing things and bring your own perspective to the challenges our clients face. 

Continuous learning and development are integral to our culture, giving you the opportunity to learn alongside some of the most respected professionals in the industry. It's an approach that helped earn us the title of Dublin Law Firm of the Year in 2024.

Completing a vacation scheme with us is the only way to be considered for a 2029 training contract in our Dublin office.

The deadline to apply to our Dublin vacation scheme is 25 January 2027. For more information and to apply please visit our website.

Study support 

We want you to be able to focus on building the skills you need for your future career.

If you join us as a future trainee before starting your professional legal studies, we'll support you with your course fees and provide a maintenance grant while you study. The support you receive depends on the programme you've applied for. Our preferred providers are BPP for the PGDL and SQE, and Blackhall for the PPC.

If you're a non-law student and have accepted our offer for the London, Milton Keynes or Middle East trainee solicitor programme, you'll need to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Law before completing the SQE.

The SQE is a requirement for anyone wishing to qualify as an England and Wales solicitor, and are completed after the LLB but before the start of the trainee solicitor programme. We'll pay the full fees of your PGDL and SQE if you haven't already started the courses. All London, Milton Keynes and Middle East trainees are required to complete and pass the SQE before joining us.

If you accept our offer for the Scotland Trainee Solicitor Programme before starting your Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, we'll pay the full fees of your future studies with the institution you'll be undertaking the qualification with.

If you accept our offer for the Dublin trainee solicitor programme, we'll retrospectively reimburse a total of eight exams per candidate, which includes one sitting per subject. We'll pay for all first-attempt exams and course fees associated with the Professional Practice Courses, and we'll also support you with your PPC application and fees.

We're unable to reimburse fees for those who've already completed PGDL, SQE or Diploma postgraduate studies before our offer.

Maintenance grants for full-time study:

• PGDL: £10,000
• SQE: £17,000
• Diploma: £10,000

Solicitor apprenticeship

Start at the world's largest global law firm and make it matter from day one. Our six-year solicitor apprenticeship gives ambitious aspiring solicitors the chance to earn a salary, gain hands-on experience on high-profile legal work and study towards an LLB Law degree, all while working towards qualification as a solicitor in England and Wales.

From your first day, you'll be a valued member of the team, working alongside leading lawyers on real client matters. You'll develop the confidence, commercial awareness and legal expertise to build a successful career, without paying university tuition fees.

Find our more and apply here.

At a glance

• Six-year solicitor apprenticeship
• Paid role from day one
• Four days a week working in the firm
• One day a week studying with BPP University
• LLB Law degree with no university tuition fees
• Qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales

Make your career matter from day one

This programme is more than work experience. Over six years, you'll complete eight seats across a wide range of practice areas, spending six to twelve months in each team, building a broad understanding of commercial law before you discover where your interests lie. Your first four years are year-long seats, and the final two are four six-month seats.

You'll work on real client matters from the outset, supported by experienced lawyers who'll challenge and develop you as your responsibilities grow. Every seat comes with dedicated supervision and mentoring, helping you build the knowledge, skills and experience you need to qualify as a solicitor.

Learn while you earn

You'll spend one day each week studying with BPP University through workshops, seminars and online learning, then put your academic studies into practice every day in the office. Alongside that, you'll be supported by a personal tutor, dedicated supervisors in every practice area, and our early careers team, so you have the guidance to succeed throughout your apprenticeship.

Why choose Dentons?

We're proud to have been one of the first law firms to launch a solicitor apprenticeship back in 2017, and we've kept shaping the future of the route ever since. We've welcomed 37 apprentices across nine cohorts, and four cohorts have already qualified as solicitors through the programme. Our solicitor apprenticeship programme is recognised as one of the most established in the UK legal market.

As a member of the award-winning City Century initiative, we're helping widen access to the legal profession while setting the standard for solicitor apprenticeships across the sector. Our programme has also been recognised through nominations for the Legal 500 ESG Awards, Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards, ISE Awards and People in Law Awards, and by winning the Excellence in Human Resource Innovation award at the Legal Innovation Awards 2024.

We believe your route into law shouldn't define how far you can go. That's why we're committed to parity across all qualification pathways. On successful completion of the programme, we'll encourage you to apply for associate roles across the firm, giving you the opportunity to continue building your career with us.

Locations: London and Milton Keynes (September 2026 start).

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing

We know that people do their best work when they feel supported, included and able to be themselves. That's why we invest in wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability, creating an environment where you can thrive, keep developing your skills and build a rewarding, long-term career.

Inclusion and diversity are central to our strategy because different perspectives, experiences and ideas help us deliver better outcomes for our clients, our communities and each other. Through allyship, access programmes and events focused on equity and inclusion, we're working to create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

Our inclusion networks are an important part of that culture: GLOW (LGBTQ+), Fusion (Asian Professionals), BPN (Black Professionals), Inspire (Gender Equality) and AccessAbility (people with disabilities). Many of our trainees and solicitor apprentices play active roles in them, including as co-chairs or committee members, which is a chance to build relationships, develop leadership skills and help deliver initiatives such as Pride celebrations and our annual Black History Month networking event.

We're committed to an environment where people can be themselves, where wellbeing comes first, and where everyone is supported to work in a sustainable and rewarding way.

We have more than 55 trained Mental Health First Aiders across our UK, Ireland and Middle East offices, including several early careers colleagues. Our Wellbeing Action Group also drives wellbeing initiatives throughout the year, with early careers colleagues playing a key role in marking important wellbeing and mental health awareness events. Because building a career that matters starts with being somewhere you can thrive.

Dentons will cover SQE course and exam fees for our future trainees. A maintenance grant is also paid.

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