Osborne Clarke

Next deadline

Insight Scheme 2027 · 15 Jan 2027

(81 days)

In their own words

Osborne Clarke is a successful law firm with a global footprint and a clear strategic vision, working alongside interesting clients on their most vital matters. We are a firm that never stands still, that cares about its people, and invests in the future.

Snapshot

Firm type

International

UK offices

Bristol, London, Reading

International offices

Amsterdam, Bangalore, Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Busto Arsizio, Cologne, Delhi, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Mumbai, Munich, New York, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Warsaw, Zaragoza

Training contract places

Vacation scheme places

First-year salary

Bristol - £50,500 / London - £57,000 / Reading - £51,300

Second-year salary

Bristol - £52,500 / London - £59,000 / Reading - £53,100

Newly qualified salary

Bristol - £76,000 / London - £100,000 / Reading - £90,000

Trainee retention

Not disclosed

SQE support

Full SQE1 and SQE2 support and maintenance grant

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

Not disclosed

Recruitment route

Vacation scheme and direct training contract

Rolling recruitment?

Seat structure

4 seats, 6 months each

Can trainees repeat a seat?

Sometimes, depending on circumstances

Can trainees express seat preferences?

Yes, but preferences cannot be guaranteed

Trainee salaries review

Annually

Non-law applicants

Actively encouraged

Career-changer applicants

Actively encouraged

Remote working

Standard hybrid only, minimum 3 days per week in office

Minimum academic requirements

No minimum academic entry requirements

Wellbeing support

Therapy, virtual GP, neurodiversity adjustments, Mental Health Champions, confidential feedback forum, wellbeing pulse surveys

PGDL funding

Yes, full funding and maintenance grant

Retrospective funding

Named affinity networks

OC Gender, OC Pride, OC REACH, OC Social Mobility, OC Mind and Body, OC Age

Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Are you interested in working with businesses and sectors being shaped by technology, digitalisation and other forms of transformation?

Would you value a training programme that encourages you to explore different practice areas and take an active role in shaping your career interests?

Have you considered which of Bristol, London or Reading best matches your practice-area interests, given that each office has different areas of particular strength?

Are you comfortable with a training model that expects you to spend at least three days per week in the office, at court or with clients?

Would client or short international secondment opportunities be important to the experience you want from your training contract?

Next deadline

Insight Scheme 2027

15 Jan 2027

(81 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

Practice area strengths

Technology, Media and Communications

Technology and digital work is one of Osborne Clarke's clearest strengths. The firm's offering spans IT and outsourcing, artificial intelligence, data, intellectual property, fintech, digital content and media. Its work supports businesses navigating new technologies, digital regulation and evolving commercial models, making technology a significant theme across both its legal services and sector expertise.

Energy and Energy Transition

Osborne Clarke's expertise lies in energy innovation, where the firms assists clients in finding solutions to complex challenges. Their team delivers strategies that drive growth, mitigate risks, and support long-term success across various technologies. These include solar energy, battery storage, grid connection, onshore and offshore wind, carbon capture, green hydrogen, nuclear energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging, and digital infrastructure such as data centres.

Life Sciences and Healthcare

Osborne Clarke's lawyers understand the technical and legal issues facing the Life Sciences and Healthcare sectors. The firm supports clients in the biotech, pharma, and digital health sectors based in multiple jurisdictions throughout product lifecycles. Not only does the team understand the technical and legal issues, but several members also have graduate and postgraduate scientific qualifications and industry experience.

Corporate

Osborne Clarke's corporate practice spans M&A, venture capital, private equity, equity capital markets and international reorganisations. Its regional teams are particularly highly ranked, while the London practice has notable strength in venture capital and transactions involving high-growth and technology-focused businesses.

Real Estate

Osborne Clarke's real estate offering covers major investment and development transactions alongside construction, planning, property finance and real estate disputes. The practice works across a range of sectors and is particularly strong in London and Bristol, with further significant capability in the Thames Valley.

All practice areas

AntitrustArtificial intelligenceBanking and financeCapital marketsCommercialCommercial litigationCompetitionConstructionCorporateCorporate governanceData protectionData, privacy and cybersecurityDispute resolutionEnergyEnergy transitionEmploymentESGEU competitionFinancial services and regulationFinTech and digital assetsFraudHealthcareICTInfrastructureIntellectual propertyInvestment fundsLife sciencesMedia and entertainmentMergers and acquisitions (M&A)Patent litigationPensionsPlanningPrivate equityPublic lawReal estateReal estate fundsRegulatory and complianceReputation managementRestructuring and insolvencyTaxTechnologyTechnology, media and telecommunicationsTradeTrademarks, design and copyrightTransportVenture capital

Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself

Are you interested in working with businesses and sectors being shaped by technology, digitalisation and other forms of transformation?
Would you value a training programme that encourages you to explore different practice areas and take an active role in shaping your career interests?
Have you considered which of Bristol, London or Reading best matches your practice-area interests, given that each office has different areas of particular strength?
Are you comfortable with a training model that expects you to spend at least three days per week in the office, at court or with clients?
Would client or short international secondment opportunities be important to the experience you want from your training contract?

This firm may suit candidates who…

Are interested in technology, digitalisation and working with businesses responding to fast-changing commercial and regulatory trends.
Want to take an active role in shaping their development and exploring different practice areas before qualification.
Want a choice between Bristol, London and Reading, rather than assuming the strongest opportunities are concentrated in London.
Value hybrid working while still wanting regular in-person contact with colleagues and clients.
Would value client exposure and the possibility of broadening their experience through a secondment.

Things to consider

Osborne Clarke has a particularly strong technology focus, so candidates should consider whether technology-led and transformation-focused work aligns with their interests.
The firm's development model places emphasis on individual interests and career ownership, which may particularly suit candidates comfortable being proactive about their development.
Practice strengths vary by office, so candidates should research the particular teams and sectors available in the location where they want to train.
Most people are expected to spend three days per week in the office, at court or at a client's office, although alternative arrangements may be considered where possible.
Client secondments are available and are based on application process. International secondments are not currently available at trainee level.

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.

Seat variation

Four six-month seats, with trainees discussing their evolving interests and career ambitions with the Future Lawyer Development team throughout the training contract.

Flexibility

Hybrid working is available, with most people expected to work in person three days per week. Alternative arrangements may be accommodated where possible, and the firm also considers flexible working patterns.

Office attendance

Minimum three days per week in the office, at court or at a client's office.

Culture & support

Supervision style

Trainees have a dedicated Associate supervisor and Partner Supervisor who provides guidance and mentoring, with regular check-ins, constructive feedback and access to training and development resources throughout the programme.