Training programme

We are a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of our clients. Our unrivalled blend of expertise, agility and culture means we have the flexibility to meet their most challenging demands and adapt to the changing world around us. While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot.

As a trainee you could be working on major corporate transactions or commercial litigation, and then working for private clients on their most sensitive affairs.

We recruit people to build careers for the long term. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. Our culture is thoughtful, challenging and supportive, and we are a place where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive.  

Training programme 

We offer the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s most successful businesses, and with ambitious people, in an environment that is demanding, supportive and incredibly rewarding.

One particular strength of our firm is its size. For our trainees, this means a relatively small cohort each year, where we rely on you to handle important client work. Therefore, there are more hands-on opportunities for you to learn through this experience.

We supplement this work with formal training from our partners and associates, many of whom trained at the firm. Trainees tell us it is outstanding and tailored to what they need to know.

You can enjoy a huge variety of work as a trainee, through being part of transactional, advisory and contentious teams. And you benefit from the challenge of adapting to the different sets of skills needed by each.

From our office in London, you will work with global businesses and overseas law firms. We work on high-profile deals and cases, and you will often help manage the smooth delivery of service to our clients across jurisdictions.

Feedback and mentoring

To help gauge your progress, you have mid-seat and end of seat reviews.

We allocate a partner principal to you throughout your training programme. We also divide trainees into small “constituency” groups. This gives you direct, regular access to your own trainee solicitor committee partner, who can discuss any issues you may have.

You have two reviews per seat. The mid-seat review takes place around three months into each seat, and you meet with both your partner principal and trainee solicitor committee partner to discuss how your seat is going so far and your development points. The end of seat review takes place in the final few weeks of your seat. All these steps are in place to ensure you feel supported throughout your training programme.

You may be surprised how quickly you feel part of the team, and how soon people at all levels know your name and value your contribution.

Who should apply

At Macfarlanes, we want people who are academically strong, with determination and drive. However, we aren’t looking for any particular educational background. For us, it’s your potential that really counts. We’ll want to see that you have resilience, determination and exceptional communication skills. You must be confident when it comes to giving advice and making decisions. Lastly, we believe we can all learn from each other. So you’re as likely to be asked for your ideas and opinions when you’re a trainee as you are if you become one of our partners.

We welcome applications from candidates with either a law or non-law background with outstanding academics, including a predicted 2.1 degree or above.

Applications

To apply for the training programme you will need to be in at least the penultimate year of your degree. Applications for our September 2026 training contracts will close on Friday 19th July 2024. We do not recruit on a rolling basis.