Orrick Application Process

Read up on Orrick's application process.

Stage One

All applicants for the Vacation Scheme or Direct Training Contract route will need to submit an application form via our website. The form requests a mixture of personal information, a cover letter, and responses to commercial awareness questions. Candidates are also asked if they have previously applied to Orrick, and if they have any links to the firm.

Our two application routes are open to applicants in their penultimate year of any university degree or above. This includes university students, post-graduate students or career-changers. Candidates need to have achieved high A-Level grades (or equivalent) and a 2:1 degree (or above) or be on track to achieve this. However, we do review applications as a whole and take into account mitigating circumstances. Additionally, we partner with Rare Contextual Recruitment to ensure our London Trainee recruitment processes are fair and inclusive.

Applications are reviewed to identify candidates who write concisely and commercially with no spelling or grammar errors and have a genuine motivation to become a commercial lawyer.

Stage Two

Successful applicants for the Vacation Scheme or Direct Training Contract route are shortlisted to undertake the Watson Glaser test. This is a 30-minute psychometric assessment which assesses an individual’s critical thinking ability under some time pressure.

Stage Three

Based on their Watson Glaser test score, candidates are shortlisted to attend an assessment day at our London office. The assessment day usually includes a written exercise and group task, as well as the opportunity to hear about our firm and meet some of our trainees.

Stage Four

Successful assessment day candidates are then offered a place on our Vacation Scheme or invited to attend an interview for the Direct Training Contract route.

Our two-week Vacation Scheme gives candidates the opportunity to work alongside trainees, Associates and Partners providing sector-focused advice to clients. Applicants will spend one week with a Business Unit/Practice Group before rotating for the second week so they can experience two areas of law. All Vacation Scheme students are interviewed for a Training Contract during the scheme.

The interview for the Direct Training Contract route will be in-person with our Training Principals and Director of Administration.

Apply now!