Linklaters

Next deadline

Direct Training Contract 2029/2030 · 3 Dec 2026

(37 days)

Apply now

In their own words

Global opportunities, complex work and structured development.

Snapshot

Firm type

Magic Circle

UK offices

London

International offices

Amsterdam, Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Brussels, Dubai, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Riyadh, Rome, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Tokyo, Washington DC and Abu Dhabi.

Training contract places

100

Vacation scheme places

Not disclosed

First-year salary

£56,000

Second-year salary

£61,000

Newly qualified salary

£150,000

Trainee retention

74%

SQE support

Full SQE1, SQE2 and PGDL funding, and maintenance grant

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Yes

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

Not disclosed

Recruitment route

Vacation scheme and direct training contract

Seat structure

Four six-month seats

Can trainees express seat preferences?

Yes, preferences are considered

Non-law applicants

Actively welcomed

Career-changer applicants

Actively welcomed

Minimum academic requirements

AAA at A-level (or equivalent) and a consistent 2:1 across all undergraduate modules

SQE1 and SQE2 funding

Full funding

SQE1 and SQE2 maintenance grant

£20,000

PDGL funding

Full funding

Diversity networks and partnerships

Includes LGBTQ+, ethnicity, gender and social mobility networks, alongside the Making Links Programme, Going Forward initiative and partnerships supporting access to the legal profession.

Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Would you value the opportunity to undertake an international or client secondment during your Training Contract?

Would you enjoy taking on responsibility for live client matters while receiving structured training, supervision and regular feedback?

Would you be comfortable working in a high-performance environment where collaboration, adaptability and attention to detail are important?

Would you enjoy working on complex, cross-border matters with colleagues and clients across Linklaters' global network?

Next deadline

Direct Training Contract 2029/2030

3 Dec 2026

(37 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

Global work and secondment opportunities

What this could mean for you

You could work on complex, cross-border matters alongside colleagues across Linklaters' international network. With opportunities for international and client secondments, you could also gain experience in another office or within a client's business, developing a broader understanding of how legal advice operates across different jurisdictions and industries.

Structured training and dedicated support

What this could mean for you

You would receive support from a dedicated Principal during each seat, alongside mentoring, regular feedback and development through Linklaters' Global New Lawyer Programme. This combines practical experience with structured learning, helping you develop your technical, commercial and professional skills throughout your Training Contract.

Broad experience across four seats

What this could mean for you

You could explore different areas of commercial law through four six-month seats, with opportunities to express preferences as your interests develop. Working across areas such as Corporate, Finance and Litigation, Arbitration & Investigations could help you identify the type of work and clients that interest you most before deciding where to qualify.

Practice area strengths

Corporate/M&A

Linklaters' Corporate/M&A practice advises major businesses, financial institutions and investors on complex domestic and cross-border transactions. The team works across public and private mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and strategic investments, often involving multiple jurisdictions and significant commercial considerations. The firm's international network enables lawyers to collaborate across offices on major transactions, with particular experience in sectors including energy, healthcare and technology. The practice combines transactional expertise with wider capabilities in finance, competition and regulation, allowing teams to advise clients throughout different stages of a transaction.

Banking and capital markets

Linklaters has a broad Banking and Capital Markets practice advising banks, financial institutions, corporate borrowers and investors on complex financing transactions. Its work spans acquisition and leveraged finance, syndicated lending, debt and equity capital markets, derivatives, securitisation and structured finance. The team regularly works on international transactions involving multiple financial markets and regulatory frameworks. Matters can range from financing major acquisitions and infrastructure projects to helping businesses raise capital through bond and share issuances. The practice draws on Linklaters' global network and expertise across finance, corporate and regulatory matters.

Antitrust and competition

Linklaters' Antitrust & Competition practice advises major international businesses on competition law, merger control, foreign investment regulation and regulatory investigations. The team supports clients seeking approval for significant transactions, responding to competition authority investigations and navigating competition-related disputes. The practice has a strong international dimension, with lawyers coordinating across jurisdictions and engaging with regulators in different markets. Its work spans sectors including technology, healthcare and financial services, with particular experience in complex merger reviews, competition litigation and evolving regulation affecting digital markets.

All practice areas

AntitrustForeign Direct InvestmentCapital marketsCorporate / M&ACorporateEmploymentIncentivesIntellectual propertyInvestment fundsLitigationArbitrationInvestigationsPensionsReal estateTaxTechnology, media and telecommunicationsTrusts, estates and inheritance

Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Would you value the opportunity to undertake an international or client secondment during your Training Contract?
Would you enjoy taking on responsibility for live client matters while receiving structured training, supervision and regular feedback?
Would you be comfortable working in a high-performance environment where collaboration, adaptability and attention to detail are important?
Would you enjoy working on complex, cross-border matters with colleagues and clients across Linklaters' global network?

This firm may suit candidates who…

Want to work on complex, high-profile matters for major international businesses, financial institutions and other global clients.
Are interested in cross-border work and collaborating with colleagues across different jurisdictions.
Would welcome the opportunity to undertake an international or client secondment, gaining experience in another office or within a client's business.
Want to take on responsibility for live client matters while benefiting from structured training, dedicated supervision and mentoring.
Enjoy collaborative working environments where they can learn from experienced lawyers, contribute ideas and develop their commercial awareness.

Things to consider

Linklaters works on complex, high-value transactions and disputes, meaning workloads and deadlines can vary depending on the practice area and stage of a matter.
The firm's international practice involves collaboration across different jurisdictions and time zones, which can influence how teams coordinate their work.
Linklaters offers both Vacation Scheme and direct Training Contract routes, giving applicants different ways to apply depending on their circumstances and eligibility.
The Training Contract consists of four six-month seats, with opportunities to express preferences, although allocations also depend on business needs and availability.

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

Varies by practice area, matter and client deadlines.

Busy periods

Can arise around major transaction deadlines, hearings and other time-sensitive matters.

Seat variation

Four six-month seats across different practice areas, with workloads and responsibilities varying between teams.

Support

Dedicated Principal in each seat, alongside trainee buddies, mentoring and structured development.

Application process

Online application form

(Up to 60 minutes)

What happens

Complete an online form covering your personal details, academic background, work experience and extracurricular activities.

Linklaters online assessment

(Approximately 60 minutes; complete within five days of applying)

What happens

Complete three online modules based on Linklaters' Success Framework, including realistic trainee scenarios and critical reasoning questions. The assessment has no overall time limit, but the critical reasoning element is time-recorded. Candidates receive a personalised feedback report afterwards.

Assessing

Skills and behaviours including critical thinking, judgement, collaboration, adaptability, learning agility and problem-solving.

How to prepare

Review Linklaters' Success Framework and use the Cappfinity Preparation Hub to familiarise yourself with the assessment format. Practise critical reasoning questions, focusing on both accuracy and speed.

Assessment centre

What happens

Complete a written case study, followed by a competency-based interview and a commercial interview. Both interviews are conducted by a Partner and Managing Associate. Candidates also meet a current trainee and tour the London office.

Assessing

Commercial awareness, analytical thinking, communication, judgement and the skills and behaviours outlined in Linklaters' Success Framework.