Training Contract 2028

The Scheme

Debevoise’s London office is growing fast. Currently, the firm expects to hire ten Trainees each year. The period of recognised training comprises four six-month seats with a mandatory seat in litigation / arbitration. Trainees may also have the opportunity to spend time in the Hong Kong office. Second year trainees complete a two-week business and finance education program (mini-MBA) at Columbia Business School, New York.

Training contracts are designed around you. This is done by giving you freedom and responsibility from the beginning. The training programme is not rigidly structured, so trainees have the opportunity to take charge of their own learning. The firm places an emphasis on providing trainees with a supportive environment, with trainee supervisors always available and willing to answer questions. 

Trainees are also involved in the seat rotation process, with preferred practice groups accommodated wherever possible.

Trainees are very much part of the team and make meaningful contributions from day one. As a trainee at Debevoise, you can expect to have extensive contact with partners, counsel and other lawyers within the firm.

The Process

• Debevoise generally recruits trainees two years in advance.

• Applications for our open days which offer the opportunity to secure a place on our spring and summer vacation schemes are usually open from the beginning of September until the beginning of January.

• A link to the online application form can be found on the London careers page during these times.

As all London training contracts will be offered to candidates who have participated in the spring or summer vacation schemes, anyone interested in a training contract at Debevoise should apply for a space on the open days which acts as a gateway to the vacation schemes.

Most training contract applicants are either penultimate-year law students or final- year non-law students. However, graduates and postgraduates are also welcome to apply. The firm looks for applicants whose personal qualities, academic record and other achievements demonstrate exceptional ability, motivation and potential for growth. As trainees are given high levels of responsibility from day one, the firm looks for applicants who are able to excel when they are out of their comfort zone.

Successful applicants will have consistently high levels of achievement both at A-level (or equivalent) and at university. Applicants should be expecting to achieve at least a 2(i) in any degree discipline and have a minimum of 144 UCAS points at A-level (or equivalent). In addition to strong academics, successful candidates should be business-minded and able to demonstrate commercial awareness.