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Freshfields

Freshfields

Next deadline

Trainee Associate Programme · 13 Nov 2026

(8 days)

Apply now
In their own words

Global exposure, complex work and flexibility to shape your training.

Snapshot

Firm type

Magic Circle

UK offices

London, Manchester

International offices

More than 30 offices worldwide, including Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Riyadh, Rome, San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo, Vienna and Washington DC

Training contract places

70

Vacation scheme places

40

First-year salary

£56,000

Second-year salary

£61,000

Newly qualified salary

£150,000

Trainee retention

68%

SQE support

Full SQE1 and SQE2 funding; maintenance grant available

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Yes

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

No

Recruitment route

Vacation scheme or Trainee Associate Programme

Rolling recruitment?

Yes

Seat structure

Up to 7 seats

Can trainees repeat a seat?

Sometimes, depending on the circumstances

Can trainees express seat preferences?

Yes, preferences are taken into consideration

Non-law applicants

Actively welcomed

Career-changer applicants

Actively welcomed

Remote working

Formal agile working policy for fee-earners

Holiday allowance

26 days

Minimum academic requirements

On track for, or achieved, a 2:1 in any degree

Wellbeing support

Mental Health First Aiders/network; subsidised gym; private health insurance; Employee Assistance Programme

SQE maintenance grant

Yes

PGDL funding

Yes

Retrospective SQE or PGDL funding

Available on a case-by-case basis

Diversity networks and partnerships

Includes the Black Affinity Network, Freshfields Enabled, Gender Equality Network, Halo (LGBTQ+), Social Mobility Network and faith networks, alongside partnerships with Rare Recruitment, Aspiring Solicitors, PRIME and the Social Mobility Foundation
Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Would you value completing a broad range of seats, giving you the opportunity to explore a wider range of the firm’s teams, work and clients before deciding where to specialise?

Would you enjoy working on complex matters with colleagues and clients across different jurisdictions?

Would you be comfortable taking an active role in your development by asking questions, seeking opportunities and adapting as priorities change?

Next deadline

Trainee Associate Programme

13 Nov 2026

(8 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

Broaden your experience

What this could mean for you
Trainees generally rotate every three months, creating opportunities to experience a wider range of teams, matters and clients. There is also flexibility to spend longer in a particular area as your interests develop. You could explore more of the firm's practice before qualification, helping you build a clearer picture of the work, teams and clients that interest you most.

Global work from day one

What this could mean for you
Trainees contribute to live matters and work alongside Partners, Associates and business teams across Freshfields' international network, with cross-border collaboration forming an integral part of the training experience. You could develop experience working across jurisdictions from an early stage, while learning how international teams collaborate on complex matters.

Secondment opportunities

What this could mean for you
During the programme, Trainees may have the opportunity to undertake a secondment with one of the firm’s clients or in one of the firm’s global offices. These experiences provide valuable insight into different working environments and help deepen your understanding of their clients' businesses and priorities as well as build internal networks in the firm.

Practice area strengths

Corporate/M&A

Freshfields’ Corporate/M&A practice advises on major public and private transactions, including acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures and other strategic corporate matters. The team regularly works on complex transactions involving multiple jurisdictions, drawing on lawyers across the firm’s international network. The practice works with major businesses, financial institutions and investors on transactions that can involve significant commercial, regulatory and financing considerations. Its broader corporate capability also extends into areas such as private equity and international restructuring, giving the team experience across different forms of business transformation.

Disputes and investigations

Freshfields has a broad contentious practice covering commercial and corporate litigation, banking disputes, investigations, corporate crime, competition disputes and international arbitration. Matters can involve major businesses, financial institutions and other organisations facing complex legal, regulatory or reputational issues. The international nature of the practice means disputes and investigations can involve multiple jurisdictions, regulators and legal systems. The team also handles sensitive investigations involving issues such as fraud, bribery, corruption, money laundering and sanctions, alongside high-value commercial disputes.

Antitrust, competition and trade

Freshfields’ Antitrust, Competition & Trade practice advises businesses on the competition and regulatory issues that can arise during major transactions and in their day-to-day operations. The work spans areas including merger control, competition investigations, regulatory advice and competition litigation. Many matters have an international dimension, requiring teams to coordinate advice across jurisdictions and engage with different competition authorities. The practice combines transactional, advisory and contentious work, giving it a role in both major corporate deals and standalone competition matters.

All practice areas

AntitrustCompetitionArtificial intelligenceCapital marketsCommercial litigationCorporate governanceMergers and acquisitions (M&A)Data, privacy and cybersecurityDerivativesStructured financeVenture capital and emerging marketsEmploymentIncentivesPensionsEnvironmentalESGForeign Direct InvestmentGlobal risk and national securityOperational risk and environmentRisk advisoryIntellectual propertyInternational arbitrationInternational tradeInvestigationsLeveraged financeClass actionsPrivate capitalCharity law and governanceReal estateRestructuringSanctions and export controlSecuritisationPrivacy and data securityRegulatory and complianceTaxInvestigations and white collar defenceFraud, financial crime and investigationsBusiness crimePro bono
Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself:

  • Would you value completing a broad range of seats, giving you the opportunity to explore a wider range of the firm’s teams, work and clients before deciding where to specialise?
  • Would you enjoy working on complex matters with colleagues and clients across different jurisdictions?
  • Would you be comfortable taking an active role in your development by asking questions, seeking opportunities and adapting as priorities change?

This firm may suit candidates who…

  • Enjoy variety and want to explore a broad range of practice areas, teams and clients before deciding where to specialise.
  • Are interested in complex, international work and collaborating with colleagues across different jurisdictions.
  • Want to take an active role in shaping their training and exploring their developing interests.
  • Value high expectations alongside structured learning, supervision and development support.

Things to consider

  • The programme involves regular movement between teams, requiring Trainees to adapt quickly to new areas of work, colleagues and clients.
  • Freshfields describes the environment as demanding and expects Trainees to adapt as priorities change.
  • Trainees can express preferences and have flexibility within the programme, but particular seat preferences cannot always be guaranteed.
  • Trainees are expected to spend a minimum of three days per week in the office.
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.

Predictability

Work-life balance varies by team, seat and transaction cycle. There can be busy periods driven by client needs or deadlines, the firm encourages open communication, good planning, and sensible prioritisation to help people manage their workload sustainably. The focus is on creating an environment where high-quality work can be delivered while supporting long-term wellbeing.

Busy periods

Complex matters and changing priorities can create busier periods, with the experience varying between practice areas.

Seat variation

The Trainee Associate Programme structure gives Trainees opportunities to experience a broad range of teams, matters and clients, with flexibility to spend longer in an area where appropriate. There is a wide range of support on offer, from supervisors, Trainee buddies to Partner mentors. The firm has a formal learning curriculum supporting soft and technical skills.

Support

Trainees have access to supervision, learning and development support. There is a wide range of support on offer, from supervisors, trainee buddies to partner mentors. The firm has a formal learning curriculum supporting soft and technical skills.

Flexibility

Freshfields operates a formal agile-working policy, with Trainees able to work remotely alongside the minimum three-day office attendance requirement although many Trainees opt to spend more time in the office to learn from others in the team.

Holiday allowance

26 days.

Office attendance

Trainees are expected to spend a minimum of three days per week in the office.
Culture & support

Supervision style

Trainees learn through working alongside Partners, Associates and wider business teams, with supervision and structured development supporting their progress throughout the programme.

Relationship with partners

Trainees work directly with Partners as part of their teams and are encouraged to ask questions, contribute ideas and learn from experienced colleagues.
Application process

Online application form

(1 - 2 hours)

What happens

This is the initial application stage.

How to prepare

We recommend visiting Preparation Plus to familiarise yourself with the assessment format and question types.

Online situational judgement test

(Up to one hour)

Online blended assessment

(Up to 45 minutes)

What happens

This includes a pre-recorded video interview element.

Assessment centre

(Full day)

What happens

This includes a written task, group exercise and interview.

Vacation scheme

(Three weeks)

What happens

Freshfields runs two three-week Summer Vacation Schemes for those not applying for the direct Trainee Associate Programme. Participants sit in a practice area of their choice and gain exposure to Trainee-level work and the firm's culture.
Opportunities
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