Weil Gotshal & Manges

Next deadline

Insight Days 2026 · 29 Oct 2026

(2 days)

In their own words

Market-leading deals, lean teams, early responsibility, and exceptional development from day one - build an exceptional career alongside some of the best lawyers in the market.

Snapshot

Firm type

US firm in London

UK offices

London

International offices

USA: Austin, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Washington DC; Europe: Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris; Asia: Hong Kong

Training contract places

Vacation scheme places

First-year salary

£60,000

Second-year salary

£65,000

Newly qualified salary

£170,000

Trainee retention

Not disclosed

SQE support

Full SQE 1, SQE2 and PGDL funding

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Yes

Client secondment

Guaranteed secondment

Recruitment route

Vacation scheme only

Rolling recruitment?

Can trainees repeat a seat?

Can trainees express seat preferences?

Yes

Trainee salary basis

Reviewed annually

Non-law applicants

Actively welcomed

Career-changer applicants

Actively welcomed

Remote working

4 days per week in the office

Holiday allowance

25 days excluding bank holidays

Minimum academic requirements

Minimum AAB at A-level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree (obtained or predicted)

Wellbeing support

Includes mental health first aiders, a £500 annual wellbeing allowance with no rules on how it is spent, HealthHero is the Employee Assistance Programme and available to future trainees, an on-site gym with classes, Doctor@Hand, private health insurance, bi-annual health screening, on-site de-stress massages, free fruit, and a Pilates corporate discount.

SQE1 and SQE2 maintenance grant

£20,000 per annum

PGDL funding

Full funding

Retrospective SQE or PGDL funding

None

Diversity networks and partnerships

Aspiring Solicitors, Rare Recruitment, MyPlus Consulting, InterLaw Diversity Forum, The Business Disability Forum. The firm also runs an annual mentoring scheme with Aspiring Solicitors. Internal networks: BLAST (Black Lawyers Achieving Success Together), Women*@Weil, WeilPride, Belong@Weil (social mobility focused), WeilAccessAbility, AsiansAtWeil and Religion@Weil

Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

With no formal billable hours target and working patterns shaped by live matters, would you be comfortable with the flexibility and unpredictability that can come with transactional work?

With many seats in private equity, finance and restructuring, would you enjoy building your experience across different areas of the transactional market?

Secondments to New York, Washington DC and Paris are competitive and require trainees to make a business case, so would you be comfortable taking the initiative and putting yourself forward for these opportunities?

International secondments are competitive rather than guaranteed, so if international experience is important to you, would you be comfortable knowing that a secondment may not form part of your training contract?

Training combines structured learning with significant on-the-job development, so would you enjoy building your skills through hands-on involvement on live matters?

Next deadline

Insight Days 2026

29 Oct 2026

(2 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

Whether we are closing a multi-billion-pound deal or saving a business close to insolvency, it's all hands on deck.

What this could mean for you

Both halves of that sentence are real practices here, and restructuring is one of the strongest teams in the London office. The same private equity houses turn up on both sides, and the restructuring work runs past companies to whole countries, including creditor groups in the Ukraine and Zambia debt restructurings. You could spend one seat helping a sponsor buy a business and the next sitting with creditors deciding what happens when one fails. By qualification you would know the same market in both weathers.

We create the opportunities, but it's your responsibility to take the initiative, be proactive and make the most of them.

What this could mean for you

Seat preferences are taken into account and, more often than not, trainees are placed in one of their top three preferences each rotation. Secondments to New York, Washington DC and Paris are competitive, and the trainee is expected to build the business case for going. Very little here lands in your lap. If you want the New York seat, you are the one who has to make the case for it.

Despite our high-performance culture, Weil is known for its collaborative and collegial atmosphere.

What this could mean for you

Trainees are handed responsibility with the backing to use it, real client contact in restructuring and weekly training across the finance department. The high-performance half is just as real: four days a week in the office, and no formal billable hours target, so the deal sets the pace. You will be stretched in front of people who are in the room four days a week to notice. Less distance from the people you work for, and less room to coast.

Practice area strengths

Private equity

In Private Equity and M&A, trainees work alongside lawyers advising leading global private equity sponsors and corporate clients on acquisitions, disposals, mergers and portfolio company investments. Typical responsibilities include supporting due diligence exercises, drafting transaction documents, coordinating signing and closing processes, managing workstreams and developing direct client relationships. Because deal teams are lean, trainees are often entrusted with significant responsibility and exposure early in their careers.

Leveraged finance and high yield

In Finance, trainees support acquisition financings and other complex lending transactions for sponsors, borrowers and lenders. They help prepare and review finance documents, manage conditions precedent processes, coordinate transaction deliverables and gain exposure to the commercial drivers behind large-scale deals. The team is particularly known for its structured training programme, which complements practical on-the-job experience.

Restructuring and insolvency

In Restructuring, trainees work on sophisticated, often cross-border matters involving debtors, creditors and investors in financially distressed situations. The work is highly commercial and can involve analysing transaction structures, coordinating advice across multiple jurisdictions, preparing client materials and supporting negotiations on matters that attract significant market attention.

All practice areas

Private equityCorporate / M&APrivate fundsLeveraged financeRestructuring and insolvencyTaxAntitrustLeveraged finance and high yieldStructured financeDisputes and investigations

Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself:

With no formal billable hours target and working patterns shaped by live matters, would you be comfortable with the flexibility and unpredictability that can come with transactional work?
With many seats in private equity, finance and restructuring, would you enjoy building your experience across different areas of the transactional market?
Secondments to New York, Washington DC and Paris are competitive and require trainees to make a business case, so would you be comfortable taking the initiative and putting yourself forward for these opportunities?
International secondments are competitive rather than guaranteed, so if international experience is important to you, would you be comfortable knowing that a secondment may not form part of your training contract?
Training combines structured learning with significant on-the-job development, so would you enjoy building your skills through hands-on involvement on live matters?

This firm may suit candidates who…

Already know they want to work at the forefront of deals and would rather go deep into one market than sample a bit of everything.
Are drawn to the financial side of transactions, from how businesses are funded and acquired to how they are restructured when funding comes under pressure, rather than to general commercial work.
Are ambitious, proactive, and comfortable making the case for the seats and secondments they want, as these go to those who put themselves forward rather than those who wait.
Would rather work in a small team on a transaction than be part of a large group, drawing confidence from colleagues and the responsibility given to them, rather than be part of a big trainee cohort.
Are honest that working for a prestigious firm is important to them, and want to work on matters that are published in the Financial Times.

Things to consider

Most of the seat options sit in or are aligned to private equity, finance and restructuring, so there is less room to change direction if transactional work turns out not to be for you.
Trainees are expected in the office four days a week, with one flexible day, so this role is not suited to working mainly from home.

What trainees do

Private equity and M&A (PEMA)

What it involves:

Working on live private equity and M&A transactions, with trainees involved in due diligence, drafting ancillary documents and managing transaction processes. The nature and volume of work can vary depending on the stage a deal has reached.

Example trainee tasks:

Trainees may conduct corporate due diligence, draft ancillary and transaction documents, prepare signing and closing checklists and MIP documents, manage specialist teams and local counsel, and support the wider transaction process through signing and completion.

Who trainees work with:

Deal teams vary depending on the size and complexity of the transaction, from working closely with a partner to being part of a wider team of associates and other specialists. Trainees also liaise directly with specialist teams and local counsel, particularly on cross-border transactions.

Early responsibility:

Trainees can take on substantive drafting and transaction-management responsibilities from an early stage. This may include preparing board and shareholder resolutions, progressing to more complex documents such as section 431 elections and deeds of adherence, and managing workstreams such as KYC, signatures and client communications.

Support and supervision:

Trainees work closely with lawyers across the deal team and receive guidance as transactions progress. Feedback may be provided informally throughout matters, alongside more structured discussions at mid-seat and end-of-seat reviews.

A first month might involve:

The seat begins with an induction covering the team, key transaction documents and processes before trainees move onto live deal work. Early tasks are likely to include due diligence, ancillary drafting and process management, although the pace and nature of the first few weeks will depend on the stage of the team’s live transactions.

Finance

What it involves:

Working on debt finance transactions from initial drafting through to completion. Trainees are involved across different stages of a deal, including KYC and conditions precedent, as well as supporting the signing and closing process.

Example trainee tasks:

Trainees may draft transaction and ancillary documents, manage deal processes and trackers, assist with KYC and conditions precedent, attend client calls, liaise with lenders and counsel, prepare signing instructions and compile executed documents.

Who trainees work with:

Trainees work closely with their supervising partner or associate, while also interacting directly with clients, lenders and external counsel. Cross-border matters can involve regular communication with local and opposing counsel in other jurisdictions.

Early responsibility:

Responsibility can come early in the seat, with trainees taking ownership of individual workstreams and supporting live transactions from an early stage. This can include joining client calls, managing conditions precedent and deal timelines, and drafting ancillary documents, with senior lawyers available to provide oversight.

Support and supervision:

Trainees sit in an office with their supervisor and can seek guidance and feedback as matters progress. Feedback is often provided on an informal, ongoing basis, particularly as trainees take on greater responsibility.

A first month might involve:

The seat begins with an induction period designed to introduce trainees to the team, key finance concepts, common transaction documents, internal processes and the wider market. Trainees then move into live deal work, initially supporting drafting, KYC and conditions precedent before becoming increasingly involved in client calls, transaction management and signing and closing processes.

Restructuring

What it involves:

Supporting restructuring matters through a combination of legal research, drafting and transaction management, trainees help organise complex matters by maintaining trackers and structure charts, and supporting the wider team as transactions progress.

Example trainee tasks:

Trainees may prepare and update structure charts and transaction trackers, conduct legal research, draft correspondence, communicate with clients and assist with the day-to-day management of restructuring matters.

Who trainees work with:

Trainees work closely with associates on individual matters, alongside their supervising partner and other members of the wider restructuring team.

Early responsibility:

Trainees can take on significant responsibility from an early stage, particularly as they become familiar with a matter. Those who demonstrate initiative may be trusted with work and responsibilities more typically associated with junior associates.

Support and supervision:

Trainees work alongside associates and their supervising partner, providing access to guidance throughout matters. More formal feedback is provided through structured mid-seat and end-of-seat reviews.

A first month might involve:

Following the firm’s initial seat induction, trainees can become involved in live matters quickly. Early work may include legal research, preparing structure charts, maintaining trackers and drafting correspondence, with responsibility increasing as trainees become familiar with the team and demonstrate confidence in the work.

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

Working patterns vary significantly by practice area. Advisory and contentious seats, such as Tax and Disputes, tend to offer greater predictability, while transactional seats such as PEMA and Finance can change quickly according to the demands and timing of live deals. Even where workloads are generally predictable, trainees may need to adapt their plans at short notice.

Busy periods

Busy periods can be intense, particularly around transaction signings and closings, with concentrated stretches of one to three weeks common on live deals. In active markets, transactional teams may experience longer periods of sustained activity. Trainees work as part of a wider team during these periods, rather than managing increased workloads alone.

Late finishes

Late finishes are a regular feature for many trainees, particularly in transactional seats. Finishing at around 9pm or 10pm can be common during busy periods, with later finishes also possible when transactions reach critical stages.

Weekend work

Weekend work is not a routine requirement but can arise, particularly when live matters demand it. The frequency varies by seat and workload, with transactional deadlines more likely to require occasional weekend availability.

Seat variation

Day-to-day working patterns vary considerably between seats. Transactional practices tend to be less predictable than advisory or contentious teams, while the intensity of busier seats can also depend on wider deal activity and market conditions.

Support

Support during demanding periods is generally strong, with teams working collaboratively to manage increased workloads around signings, closings and other deadlines. Trainees can expect senior and junior colleagues to share responsibility for getting matters over the line rather than leaving them to manage busy periods independently.

Flexibility

Trainees generally have one flexible working day each week, commonly Friday, which can usually be taken from home. The extent of flexibility can vary between teams, however, and some trainees may feel an informal expectation to maintain a visible office presence beyond the formal requirement.

Holiday allowance

25 days excluding bank holidays, plus one day of birthday leave, to be taken in the month of your birthday, and two volunteering days.

Office attendance

Trainees are generally expected to work from the office four days per week.

Culture & support

Supervision style

Trainees work directly alongside a supervisor or partner, providing regular access to senior lawyers and day-to-day guidance. Formal feedback is typically provided at key points during the seat, while additional feedback can be sought as work progresses. Structured training varies between teams, with some seats offering extensive programmes of inductions and technical sessions alongside on-the-job learning.

Relationship with partners

Trainees generally work closely with partners and senior lawyers, with the shared-office structure creating regular opportunities for direct interaction. Partners are typically approachable and involved in trainees’ work, although the level of personal interaction can vary between individuals and teams.

Upward feedback

Trainees generally feel comfortable asking questions and raising points with supervisors and senior colleagues as part of their day-to-day work. Experiences of raising more substantive concerns are more varied, reflecting differences between teams and individual working relationships.

Office plan

The office follows a traditional, rather than open-plan, structure. Trainees typically share an office with their supervisor, allowing them to work alongside and learn directly from a senior lawyer throughout the seat.

What surprised trainees positively

Trainees are often given meaningful responsibility earlier than expected, with strong performance on initial tasks leading to opportunities to take on increasingly complex work. The firm’s approachable working culture also stands out positively, particularly among those whose expectations of a US law firm had been more formal or hierarchical.

Application process

Online application form

(15 minutes)

What happens

This is screened on a non-rolling basis.

Situational judgement test

(45 minutes)

What happens

The provider is Amberjack. Scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions are assessed, aligned to the firm's assessment competencies.

Pre-recorded video interview

(20 minutes)

What happens

There are four questions, with two minutes to prepare and two minutes to answer each. This is completed at the same time as the situational judgement test.

Assessment centre

(Half day)

What happens

You will undertake a case study exercise and partner interview.

Vacation scheme

(Two weeks)

What happens

Throughout the two weeks, you'll be assessed for a training contract on activities including: a group negotiation exercise, a group client pitch presentation, and real trainee tasks allocated to you by your supervisor. All participants are automatically assessed for a training contract.

Reviews

""Associates and partners mostly care about their own matters and the work you do for them"" - Anonymous

""Friendly; down-to-earth; hardworking; entrepreneurial; non-hierarchical."" - Anonymous

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Insights

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