Macfarlanes is a pre-eminent law firm that serves a global client base in private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes.

Personal connection, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to excellence are at the heart of our firm. These values drive our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.

We are big enough to undertake the most complex and demanding mandates yet small enough to know each other well and to be agile, adapting to the needs of our clients.

Our entrepreneurial approach is shaped by a sense of genuine partnership and independence. We encourage both individual responsibility and collaboration, empowering our people to think creatively and to work together to find solutions for our clients.

We seek to strengthen the firm by recruiting talented people from all backgrounds who want to build long-lasting and impactful careers with us. Our culture is challenging yet supportive, creating an environment where individuals can thrive.

If you’re in at least your penultimate year of study and want to experience life as a trainee solicitor, our vacation scheme is the best way to see what makes Macfarlanes distinctive.

Over two weeks, you’ll sit in two different practice areas, work on real matters, and take part in workshops, networking and social events. You’ll leave with a real sense of our culture and the quality of our work, and have a better insight into whether a career here is right for you.

Who can apply?

The vacation scheme is open to students in at least their penultimate year of undergraduate study.

You don’t need to be studying law – we welcome applications from all degree disciplines and backgrounds. What matters is that you are intellectually curious, motivated, and have a genuine interest in law, as well as building a career at the highest level in private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes.

What to expect: The scheme

Across two weeks, you’ll get first-hand insight into the life of a Macfarlanes trainee. You will:

• sit with two different practice groups, working under the supervision of an associate supervisor;
• take part in a mock transaction negotiation that runs throughout the fortnight;
• attend introductory sessions on our practice areas, business development and international strategy;
• join sessions with our Lawtech, ESG and Sustainability, and Inclusion and CSR teams;
• sit in on client meetings, contribute to live research, and help draft documents; and
• join social events with trainees and other scheme participants.

Our aim is to give you both a realistic view of trainee life and the space to decide whether Macfarlanes is the right firm for you.

What to expect: The application process

Stage 1: Application and first stage online assessment

To apply, complete our application form.

You can only apply to either our winter vacation scheme or spring vacation scheme during the same recruitment cycle.

You will then be invited to complete our first stage online assessment, which you will have seven days to complete. You will work through a series of scenarios from different practice areas, designed to test your situational judgement and critical reasoning. The assessment also offers a small insight into life as a Trainee, helping you work out whether a legal career at Macfarlanes is right for you.

Stage 2: Second stage online assessment

If successful, you will be invited to complete our second stage online assessment, which you will have seven days to complete. This is an immersive "day in the life" job simulation, where you will join a fictional project team. You will respond to realistic situations similar to those faced by our Trainees, giving you the opportunity to show your potential in a setting that closely reflects life at the firm.

We recommend that all candidates visit the Cappfinity Preparation Hub before completing the Macfarlanes online assessments.

Need support?

We are committed to making the application as straightforward as possible, so please contact our early careers team if you require adjustments or additional support.

Why train with us?

• High-quality work and early responsibility: from day one you’ll play a meaningful role in high-profile cases and deals, gaining exposure to complex, rewarding work.
• International opportunities: much of our work spans multiple jurisdictions, giving you the chance to work alongside leading international lawyers.
• Close-knit culture: our size means your contribution will be visible, valued, and you’ll quickly feel part of the firm.
• Supportive yet challenging environment: we want you to succeed, stretch yourself, and build confidence as you grow.
• Exceptional people: you’ll learn from lawyers that are recognised leaders in their fields, in a firm that values individuality as much as technical excellence.

What we’re looking for

We recruit people from all backgrounds. We look for:

• “brainpower”, intellectual curiosity and a commercial mindset;
• analytical and adaptable minds; and
• ambition, collaboration, resilience and drive.

Above all, we look for the determination to build a long-term career with us.

About the programme

During the two-year training programme, you will rotate across four departments, experiencing high-profile deals and being trusted with responsibility from the outset. Our training programme combines hands-on experience with first-class education, ensuring you're fully supported from your first day through to qualification and beyond.

Induction

Your training begins with a week-long induction. You’ll receive training from people across the firm to give you everything you need to know before starting your first seat.

Seat rotations

The two-year programme is made up of four six-month seats across a wide range of departments. These seats combine hands-on client work with seminars that are led by partners and senior associates.

Every six months, you’ll be able to submit seat preferences and we do our best to place you in the areas that most interest you. In each seat you’ll be supported by two dedicated supervisors, while your partner principal oversees your training throughout.

Feedback and mentoring

We take your development seriously. You’ll have two formal reviews in each seat – a mid-seat review around three months in, and an end-of-seat review in your final weeks. These are designed to track your progress, highlight your strengths and identify any development areas.

In addition, you’ll be part of a small “constituency group”, giving you direct, regular access to a trainee solicitor committee partner. Alongside this, our early careers team, mentoring schemes and networking opportunities provide further support.

You may be surprised how quickly you feel part of the team – and how soon colleagues at all levels know your name and value your contribution.

We partner with BPP to deliver a bespoke programme that goes well beyond exam preparation. You’ll combine classroom and digital learning with business simulations and Macfarlanes-specific modules designed to prepare you for practice.

All elements, including the bespoke Macfarlanes modules, are paid for by the firm. We also continue to provide additional financial assistance in the form of a £20,000 grant during this time.

Regular firm-led seminars and social events help you build knowledge and your network before you join.

If you studied a non-law subject, you’ll complete the PGDL at BPP before the SQE. Fees are covered, and we provide you with a £ £17,000 grant.

Inclusion is one of our key priorities and it is a goal we are actively working towards. We believe that an inclusive, forward-thinking culture is intrinsically important and enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work. We seek to recruit the best candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, social or economic background, religion, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic.

Application blind and contextual recruitment

We want to recruit the best candidates regardless of their background or where they were educated. Most of our assessment processes for both our vacation schemes and our training programmes are scored application blind. We also use a contextual recruitment tool to understand each applicant’s achievements in the context they were gained. We understand that not every candidate’s achievements look the same on paper, and we are a firm that believes in fairness and diversity.

The Macfarlanes Bursary

We are committed to removing financial barriers for students aspiring to a career in law. The Macfarlanes Bursary provides financial support to socially-mobile undergraduates at any UK university.

We provide three types of grant:

• Technology grant: support with essential technology such as laptops, WiFi or accessories.
• Accommodation grant: a fixed payment to help cover London accommodation during our First Year Insight Scheme, Vacation Schemes or upReach Professional Experience Week.
• Participation grant: support for students who would otherwise lose income by attending a Macfarlanes event.

PGDL and SQE course and exam fees covered by the firm.

Maintenance grant for PGDL students: £17,000 (studying in London); £8,875.50 (studying outside of London).

Maintenance grant for SQE students: £20,000.

• M&A & PCRE
• Banking & finance
• Fund formation & sponsor solutions
• Real estate
• Derivatives & trading
• Financial services & products
• Litigation
• Private client
• Tax & reward
• Commercial
• Competition
• Employment

• Corporate & Commercial

• London

• London

• BPP Legal Advice Clinic
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Inspire
• Legal Advice Centres
• St Hilda's Legal Advice Service
• The National Pro Bono Centre
• The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
• University of London Refugee Law Clinic

• Bright Network
• Business Disability Forum
• Disability Confident Leader
• Inspire Mentoring
• Legal CORE
• Macfarlanes Legal Academy
• PRIME
• Rare Recruitment
• Social Mobility Foundation
• Stonewall
• The 93% Club
• upReach