AllAboutLaw

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BPP
AllAboutLaw

Sponsored by

BPP
AllAboutLaw
Covington

Covington

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In their own words

Small teams, early exposure, interesting work and clients, in a genuinely collegiate atmosphere.

Snapshot

Firm type

US firm in London

UK offices

London

International offices

13 international offices, including New York, Washington DC, Seoul and Shanghai.

Training contract places

9

Vacation scheme places

50

First-year salary

£60,000

Second-year salary

£65,000

Newly qualified salary

£165,000

Trainee retention

68%

SQE support

Full SQE1 and SQE2 support and maintenance grant.

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Yes

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

Not disclosed

Recruitment route

Vacation scheme only

Rolling recruitment?

No

Seat structure

4 six-month long seats

Can trainees repeat a seat?

Yes

Can trainees express seat preferences?

Yes, but they are not guaranteed

Trainee salaries review

Fixed for the training contract

Non-law applicants

Actively encouraged

Career-changer applicants

Actively encouraged

Remote working

Formal flexible working policy

Minimum academic requirements

2:1 at University, ABB at A-level or equivalent

Typical start time

9:00am

Typical finish time

19:00pm

Wellbeing support

Private medical insurance, dental insurance, mental wellbeing tools, emergency back-up child and adult care

Minimum holiday

25 days

Additional leave

Not disclosed

% female trainees

50%

% female partners

33%

% BAME trainees

20%

SQE1 and SQE2 funding

Yes, full funding

SQE1 and SQE2 maintenance grant

Yes

PGDL funding

Yes, full funding

Retrospective funding

No
Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Do you understand the market the firm is targeting as a US firm in London?

Do you enjoy working in smaller teams, whilst knowing that you're part of a bigger organisation?

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

"We aim to recruit talented and enthusiastic lawyers for the long term and many of our senior lawyers have been with the firm their entire careers."

What this could mean for you
Being in a smaller London office, where there are fewer than forty partners means that the people you meet at the start of the training contract will likely still be there long after you've qualified. The relationships you build from the moment you start will enhance and shape your career for years to come.

"Excellent on the job and formal training"

What this could mean for you
The day-to-day supervision includes two supervisors, one who will share an office with you and give constructive feedback. Outside of this, there are structured induction and monthly development sessions.

Practice area strengths

Life sciences

This area is a particular strength of the firm, being described as "one of the largest and most comprehensive" practices they offer, supporting clients projects from development through to launch and commercialisation.

Commercial litigation

Mergers and acquisitions

All practice areas

Life sciencesCommercial litigationMergers and acquisitions (M&A)Regulatory and complianceCorporateCommercialPrivate equityComplianceDispute resolutionData, privacy and cybersecurityData protectionEmploymentProject financeInsuranceTaxTechnologyCompetitionAntitrustLitigationFinancial services and regulation
Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself:

  • Do you understand the market the firm is targeting as a US firm in London?
  • Do you enjoy working in smaller teams, whilst knowing that you're part of a bigger organisation?

This firm may suit candidates who…

  • Prefer close supervision and hands-on training rather than being left to find their own way.
  • Know what industries they want to specialise in early and get involved in highly technical legal work.
  • Want to work with the same clients closely over several years.

Things to consider

  • The workload will often reflect the high levels of technicality in the work.
  • You are guaranteed to spend two of your seats in corporate and disputes.
Work-life reality

Work-life balance varies by team, seat and transaction cycle. This section is designed to help you understand the pattern, not reduce the experience to a score.

Flexibility

Formal flexible working policy

Holiday allowance

25 days

Office attendance

4 days in the office, Monday to Thursday
Application process

Online application

(1 to 2 hours)

Online assessment

(40 minutes to 1 hour)

What happens

Using the Amberjack system

Assessment centre

(Full day)

What happens

Stages: 1. Group exercise 2. Case study 3. Interview

Vacation scheme

What happens

Candidates are assessed throughout and must complete presentations, a group activity, networking and a research project.