Goodwin

Next deadline

Insight into Applications – Demystifying the Application Process (20 Nov) · 14 Nov 2026

(17 days)

In their own words

Industry-focused legal excellence, combining deep sector knowledge, business insight and a high-performance culture across healthcare, investment funds, life sciences, private equity, real estate and technology.

Snapshot

Firm type

US firm in London

UK offices

London and Cambridge

International offices

18 offices, including Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Silicon Valley, Washington D.C., Brussels, Cambridge, London, Luxembourg, Munich, Paris, Hong Kong and Singapore

Training contract places

Vacation scheme places

First-year salary

£55,000

Second-year salary

£60,000

Newly qualified salary

£175,000

Trainee retention

Not disclosed

SQE support

Full SQE 1, SQE2 and PGDL funding

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

Recruitment route

Vacation scheme and direct training contract

Rolling recruitment?

Seat structure

4 six-month seats

Can trainees repeat a seat?

Sometimes - depending on circumstances

Can trainees express seat preferences?

Yes, preferences are taken into consideration

Trainee salary basis

Fixed during the training contract

Non-law applicants

Actively welcomed

Career changers

Actively welcomed

Remote working

Four days in office, one day optional working from home.

Holiday allowance

27 days, excluding bank holidays

Minimum academic requirements

AAB at A-Level and a 2:1 degree preferred, not essential

Wellbeing support

Includes private medical insurance covering the individual and eligible dependents, an Employee Assistance Programme, a digital health and wellbeing service, a mental health counsellor, and gym and wellness subsidies including free Headspace membership

Maintenance grant

£18,000 for the SQE; £12,000 for the PGDL; technology allowance

PGDL funding

Full funding

Retrospective funding for the SQE or PGDL

None

Diversity networks and partnerships

10 internal Inclusion Networks open to all members of the Goodwin community, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or other demographic category. Go for Law: UK Scholarship and Mentorship Programme, mentoring programmes and inclusive recruitment initiatives

Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Goodwin encourages trainees to show initiative and take on responsibility as their experience develops. Would you enjoy being proactive in seeking opportunities to contribute?

With up to 14 trainees joining each year in London, would you value a relatively small trainee cohort within a larger international firm?

Goodwin combines high levels of remuneration with sophisticated, often fast-paced work. Is that the kind of environment in which you would like to build your career?

Goodwin places high performance alongside a welcoming and collaborative culture. Would that combination appeal to you?

Next deadline

Insight into Applications – Demystifying the Application Process (20 Nov)

14 Nov 2026

(17 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

We focus on your attributes and motivations, and look for individuals who are entrepreneurial, aspirational, and driven.

What this could mean for you

Goodwin looks for trainees who combine commercial curiosity with proactivity and initiative. You could be encouraged to think beyond the immediate legal question, understand the businesses and investors behind a matter and take increasing ownership of your work as your experience develops.

At Goodwin, we strive to go beyond what's expected with meaningful opportunities for career development, paired with a thriving culture and collegiate approach to law.

What this could mean for you

With up to 14 trainees joining the London office each year, you could benefit from a relatively small cohort alongside the resources of a global firm. Every trainee has an associate supervisor and a partner supervisor, alongside structured programme-wide and departmental training and wider support as they develop.

We are each at the top of our game. But we don't take ourselves too seriously. At Goodwin, being welcoming, fun, kind, and elite co-exist.

What this could mean for you

You could work in an environment that combines high standards with an approachable and collaborative culture. Goodwin’s emphasis on excellence means expectations are high, while its wider culture places importance on teamwork, respect and building strong relationships with colleagues.

Practice area strengths

Private equity

Goodwin’s globally recognised Private Equity practice advises private equity sponsors, investors, portfolio companies and management teams on complex buyouts, growth investments and cross-border transactions. The team has particular strength across the healthcare, financial services and technology sectors, acting for clients including Accel-KKR, Bregal Investments, ECI Partners, Hg Capital, H.I.G. Capital and Intermediate Capital Group. Recent work includes advising TA Associates on its acquisition of and investment in Agilio Software from August Equity. Trainees can gain hands-on experience on live deals, with opportunities to take ownership of individual workstreams as their experience develops.

Investment funds and capital

Goodwin’s global Investment Funds and Capital team brings together more than 200 dedicated lawyers and over 50 years of experience in fund structuring, representing more than 1,000 investment managers worldwide. The practice advises on fund structuring and formation across areas including private equity, real estate and secondaries, alongside related fund finance matters. Trainees can gain practical experience through tasks such as drafting ancillary documents and investor notices, as well as attending investor meetings.

Life sciences

Goodwin’s globally recognised Life Sciences practice brings together more than 230 dedicated lawyers across major sector hubs in the US, Europe and Asia. The team works with innovators and investors in the fast-moving, technology-driven life sciences sector, advising companies throughout their corporate lifecycle, from startup through to maturity, as well as investors, banks and other participants in the wider ecosystem. The practice has particular strength in transactional life sciences and biotechnology work, with trainees able to build responsibility as they gain experience within the team.

Technology

Goodwin's global team of more than 350 lawyers is strategically positioned at the intersection of new technology, investors, and emerging markets. They work with founders and investors from the earliest phases of development and commercialisation through maturity, supporting clients at all stages of the corporate life cycle.

All practice areas

Private equityVenture capitalTechnologyLife sciencesReal estateMergers and acquisitions (M&A)Joint ventureCapital marketsFundsInvestment fundsInvestment managementVenture capital and emerging marketsBanking and financeLeveraged financePrivate creditRestructuring and insolvencyTaxEmploymentIntellectual propertyAntitrustCompetitionData, privacy and cybersecurityLitigationInvestigations and white collar defenceDebt capital marketsCommercial litigation

Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Goodwin encourages trainees to show initiative and take on responsibility as their experience develops. Would you enjoy being proactive in seeking opportunities to contribute?
With up to 14 trainees joining each year in London, would you value a relatively small trainee cohort within a larger international firm?
Goodwin combines high levels of remuneration with sophisticated, often fast-paced work. Is that the kind of environment in which you would like to build your career?
Goodwin places high performance alongside a welcoming and collaborative culture. Would that combination appeal to you?

This firm may suit candidates who…

Want to build close relationships with sophisticated clients, particularly investors, fund managers and private equity houses.
Have an entrepreneurial side, since much of the work is for founders and the investors backing them, and understanding what they are trying to build matters as much as the drafting.
Have a background or interest in science and want to apply that understanding to transactional work in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.

Things to consider

Goodwin has particular strengths in transactional areas including private equity, investment funds, life sciences and technology, alongside a wider disputes and regulatory offering.
Trainee salary levels are fixed for the training contract rather than subject to annual review, with separate first- and second-year rates.
The vacation scheme and direct Training Contract routes share a December application deadline, so candidates should plan their application timetable accordingly.

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.

Holiday allowance

27 days, excluding bank holidays.

Office attendance

4 days in the office per week.

Application process

Online application form

What happens

This covers details of academics, work experience, and four longer form written questions. This is not screened on a rolling basis.

Asynchronous video interview

(15 minutes)

What happens

This is pre-recorded, with up to three questions.

Assessment centre

What happens

This is in-person, including an interview with two members of the recruitment panel, a written exercise and a group exercise.

Vacation scheme

(Two weeks)

What happens

Candidates will shadow partners and associates, attend meetings, and get involved in real work. They will spend time in two practice areas across the two weeks.

Second stage assessment

What happens

This will be in person. For vacation scheme candidates, this will take place on the vacation scheme. Candidates will complete an AI-assisted task, group pitch presentation, and final stage interview.

Events

Inside life sciences and technology deals

Explore how corporate transactions help drive growth and innovation across the life sciences and technology industries

Wednesday 28 October15:00 - 16:00

Secure your place

Goodwin

In their own words

Snapshot

Before you apply

Deep dive

What makes it different

Who it may suit

Work-life reality

Application process

Events

Inside life sciences and technology deals

Inside investment funds & capital

Opportunities

Insight into Applications – Demystifying the Application Process (20 Nov)

Virtual Open Afternoon

Insight into the Trainee Experience: Meet Our Trainees and Q&A (Nov)

Vacation Scheme 2027

Trainee Solicitor Programme 2029

Virtual Experience Programme: Private Equity M&A

Virtual Experience Programme: Early-Stage Financing

Virtual Experience Programme: Life Sciences Litigation

Insights

Introducing Goodwin UK