Summer Vacation Scheme 2026

White & Case is a global law firm with more than 2,500 lawyers worldwide. We’ve built an unrivalled network of 43 offices in 29 countries, an investment that is the foundation for our client work in more than 200 countries today. 

Our innovative approaches and nuanced local market knowledge create unique solutions to our clients’ most complex domestic and multijurisdictional deals and disputes. We anticipate what they want, provide what they need and build lasting relationships. Our culture comes to life through our three core values: Pioneering, United and Human. 

The training contract consists of four six-month seats, one of which is guaranteed to be spent in one of our overseas offices: Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Riyadh, Geneva, Helsinki, Madrid, New York, Paris, Singapore, Stockholm, Tokyo and Washington, DC.

Discover White & Case through the eyes of our people. Read more about our work, our people and our offer.

Who we’re looking for 

There’s no such thing as a typical White & Case lawyer. We recruit ambitious trainees who have a desire to gain hands-on practical experience from day one and a willingness to take charge of their own career. We value globally minded people who are eager to work across borders and cultures, are intrigued by solving problems within multiple legal systems and have an understanding of international commercial issues 

We recruit both law and non-law students and, owing to the nature of our work, language skills are highly valued. Applicants will be welcomed for their individuality, their enthusiasm for the cutting-edge work we do and having a positive, proactive mindset that puts our clients first.

Potential trainees should have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a solid 2:1, have a positive attitude, be enthusiastic and work well as part of a team. 

Summer vacation scheme 2026

So you want to be a City lawyer? Taking part in one of our three annual vacation schemes is the best possible way to experience what our lawyers do every day. Try out real client work and see if our Firm is the right fit for you. 

We recruit the majority of our London trainees (on average 80 percent) from our vacation schemes, with 25 participants in each intake. There’s no limit on how many training contracts we offer per scheme, so you won’t be in competition with your peers. 

• Wherever your career takes you, we guarantee that you’ll build skills and experience that will last. You’ll do real client work—for example, drafting memorandums, writing client alerts, researching areas of the law or attending meetings or court hearings.

• Learn about different practice areas and deepen your knowledge of the law.

• Get involved in sessions, such as our ‘Carousels’ with associates or more formal practice presentations from our partners or senior lawyers.

• Be allocated a supervisor and a buddy to support you in your day-to-day and allocate you work.

• Attend social events, including supervisor and buddy lunches, and fun activities such as visiting the iconic sites of London!

• Build your networks, both professionally and personally.

• Receive feedback and advice on your work and performance.

• You’ll have the opportunity to prepare a presentation on a commercial topic.

How to apply & deadlines

Our summer scheme runs from 29 June – 10 July 2026 and is for penultimate-year students, finalists and graduates. Apply online by 12 January 2026.

If you require any additional support throughout the recruitment process, please contact our Disability & Support Champions to discuss in confidence on 020 7532 2899 or at  londonearlycareers@whitecase.com