Arnold & Porter is a firm of nearly 1,000 lawyers, providing sophisticated litigation and transactional capabilities, renowned regulatory experience and market-leading multidisciplinary practices in the life sciences and financial services industries. Client-driven and industry focused, our lawyers practice across more than 30 practice areas, including bankruptcy, corporate finance, intellectual property, litigation, real estate and tax, to help clients with complex needs stay ahead of the global market, anticipate opportunities and address issues that impact the very value of their businesses. Our global reach, experience and deep knowledge allow us to work across geographic, cultural, technological and ideological borders, to offer clients forward-looking, results-oriented solutions that resolve their US, international and cross-border legal needs.

Located in the heart of the city in London's financial district, Arnold & Porter is trusted adviser to a wide range of leading multinational and domestic organisations for our full range of regulatory, transactional, and litigation services.

Many of our lawyers have experience working in industry or government. Clients say this experience is invaluable to assist them with strategic and collaborative problem solving. Our London office has a well established record for handling ground breaking cases since opening in 1997. We are known for our seamless multidisciplinary team working across the firm's offices and network of partner firms around the world. Wrap-around industry knowledge, experience and regulatory input is the reason clients continue to entrust us with some of their most complex and high stakes business issues.

We are passionate about pro bono in the London office. Colleagues work collaboratively on what are sometimes highly controversial or complex issues affecting NGOs, charitable organisations, individuals and minorities. Colleagues frequently give a very significant amount of time to advocate for those who need it most. Diversity is paramount to the firm. Our London office is a vigorous supporter in every aspect to promote an inclusive, fair and ethical work place. We are proudly committed to several initiatives to encourage and maintain Arnold & Porter's diverse community of professionals.

Types of work

Arnold & Porter’s London lawyers advise on a full range of regulatory, transactional and litigation matters, with a particular focus on intellectual property and technology transactions and litigation, pharmaceuticals and medical device regulation and litigation, internet and media and technology, employment, competition and trade regulation, international arbitration, white collar crime UK enforcement and dispute resolution, corporate and securities, bankruptcy, finance, investment management and product liability advice and commercial litigation. Providing clients with an excellent service is Arnold & Porter’s number one priority, and the firm’s lawyers need to be commercially minded, approachable and able to work with clients as part of a team on complex and often high-profile legal issues.

Who should apply

The firm looks for talented law and non-law graduates from all backgrounds who share the firm’s commitment to excellence, and want to be part of the continued growth of its London office. Candidates need to demonstrate a consistently high academic background; the firm looks for well-rounded individuals who can demonstrate their participation in a range of extra-curricular activities and achievements.

Four six-month seats: life sciences and healthcare regulatory, intellectual property, white collar crime, international arbitration, corporate and securities, competition or commercial litigation.

Insight day

We will be hosting two insight days, one on Wednesday 10 April 2024 and one on Wednesday 26 June 2024. Throughout the day you will participate in several interactive sessions and skills workshops to gain practical legal experience. There will also be an opportunity to network with our lawyers and current trainees who can provide you with an insight into what it’s like to work at Arnold & Porter, an introduction to our core practice areas alongside advice from our graduate recruitment team.

Summer vacation scheme

We will be running a summer vacation scheme in July 2024. Ten students will spend up to two weeks working on a variety of projects and workshops with partners and associates throughout the office. You will have the opportunity to do tasks for partners and associates across our practice groups. You will also gain first-hand insights from our senior leaders about the culture of the firm, including presentations on the pro bono and DE&I work we do. There will also be training in presentation skills and the chance to use them by completing a firm-wide presentation with other vacation scheme students at the end of the scheme.

Trainees will have the opportunity to spend six months working within four of our practice groups: life sciences and healthcare regulatory, intellectual property, white collar crime, international arbitration, corporate and securities, competition or commercial litigation. Arnold & Porter encourages individuals to work across specialisms, so trainees may find that whilst they are working in one practice group, they undertake work in a variety of different areas, and for a variety of partners and fee-earners throughout the firm.

Trainees will be expected to work on several matters at once, and to assume responsibility at an early stage. Trainees may have an opportunity to go on for client secondments and where the occasion permits, to work on projects with our US offices.

Trainees are encouraged to take part in our pro bono programme, and devote 17% of their time to it. The reflects the firm's strong commitment to pro bono and helps young lawyers to develop their client managements skills from an early stage.

Arnold & Porter will pay your fees for post-graduate education relevant to qualification. In addition we will pay a maintenance grant over the duration of the course.

Other benefits include our healthy incentive bonus, Christmas bonus, private health insurance, private dental insurance, life assurance, season ticket loan.

As well as our commitment to pro bono, we are passionate about social mobility. Recognising that entering the profession can be difficult, especially for those from less privileged backgrounds, the firm was a founding member of the Social Mobility Business Partnership and a PRIME member. We also encourage our people to volunteer their time and skills for the charities we support and each year everyone is given one day a year of paid leave to volunteer in the community. In addition, employees are encouraged to fundraise for or donate to charities of their choice through the firms matched funding and payroll giving schemes. Diversity and inclusion are core values for Arnold & Porter. The London office is a vigorous supporter in every aspect to promote an inclusive, fair and ethical work place and we are committed to several initiatives to encourage and maintain Arnold & Porter’s diverse community of professionals. The firm also offers internships through the 10000 Interns Foundation.

The firm has several firmwide affinity groups.

APCares: Supports parents and caregivers

APSoloAlliance: Connects and supports those who are living alone or may feel isolated

ACCORD: Attorney Community Championing Our Racial Diversity

BLAC: Black Lawyers of ACCORD Caucus

PRIDE: LGBTQ+ Group

VALOR: Veterans and Affiliates Leadership Organization

These groups serve as support networks, help the firm identify strategies that support our diversity efforts and foster a stronger sense of community within the firm.

Arnold & Porter will pay your fees for post-graduate education relevant to qualification. In addition we will pay a maintenance grant over the duration of the course.

Other benefits include our healthy incentive bonus, Christmas bonus, private health insurance, private dental insurance, life assurance, season ticket loan.

• Life sciences & healthcare regulatory
• Intellectual property
• Corporate & securities
• Competition
• International arbitration
• White collar crime
• Commercial litigation

• Corporate & Commercial
• General Commercial
• Niche

• Brussels
• Boston
• Amsterdam
• Chicago
• Denver
• Houston
• London
• Los Angeles
• New York
• San Francisco
• Shanghai
• Silicon Valley
• Washington DC
• West Palm Beach

• Competition Law Pro Bono Scheme
• Free Representation Unit
• IPSEA
• Kids in Need of Defense
• London Legal Support Trust (LLST)
• PILnet (Public Interest Law)
• Single Homeless Project
• The National Pro Bono Centre
• Tower Hamlets Law Centre
• TrustLaw Connect
• UK collaborative pro bono plan
• Waterloo Legal Advice Clinic

• #10000BlackInterns
• Aspiring Solicitors
• Bright Network
• DiversCity
• East London Business Alliance
• ELBA
• InterLaw Diversity Forum
• PRIME
• SEO London
• Social Mobility Business Partnership
• Stonewall