Our distinctively collaborative culture allows us to be truly one team globally, drawing on the diverse experience of lawyers and advisors across the firm by seamlessly sharing insight and expertise.

What sets us apart is our ability to combine the tremendous strength in our litigation, investigations, and corporate practices with deep knowledge of policy and policymakers, and one of the world’s leading regulatory practices.

The firm has over 1,000 lawyers globally, in offices in Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai and Washington DC.

Our trainees tell us that they were attracted to Covington because we provide the responsibility and opportunity of a close-knit office, combined with the resources and prestige of a leading international firm.

Above all, though, we recognise the importance of a great firm culture. At Covington you will find a firm with values of collegiality, high standards of lawyering, respect for others, a dedication to public service and a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. We have some of the best lawyers in the world because we understand that excellence in legal practice involves effective teamwork, clear and shared values and generosity to colleagues and clients as well as preeminent legal skills.

Our clients include technology giants Microsoft and Meta, and we represent leaders in life sciences including AstraZeneca and Oxford Biomedica. We have advised pharmaceutical manufacturers in relation to the manufacture and supply of COVID-19 vaccines, acted for ACWA Power on the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project in Saudi Arabia, and we engage in cutting-edge pro bono matters, such as representing Ukraine against the Russian Federation at the ICJ.

Vacation schemes (winter 2023 and summer 2024)

Our winter and summer vacation schemes are a great way for students to really learn about the firm, its people and decide if a career at Covington is for them.

Over the one week (winter) or two week (summer) schemes students have the opportunity to become integrated into the London office and gain an insight into the work of a Covington lawyer.

Students have the opportunity to participate in:

• a series of interactive presentations from practice groups and international offices;
• a group activity;
• networking sessions with trainees, associates, and partners;
• an independent research project focusing on a practice area of interest; and
• social events to help you get to know the firm.

Eligible applicants will be in their final year of a non-law degree or penultimate or final year of a law degree. We also welcome applications from graduates and career changers.

Applications for the winter vacation scheme close 20 October 2023.

Applications for the summer vacation scheme close on 12 January 2024.

CovInsights (first-year programme)

Our CovInsights programme is aimed at first year law students and second year non-law students who are still researching their legal careers.

This two day interactive programme provides a valuable insight into the firm, its practice areas, and the skills you will need to develop to become a successful lawyer. The programme is the perfect opportunity for candidates who are not yet eligible to apply for our vacation schemes.

The CovInsights programme includes:

• an introduction to our key practice areas;
• a group exercise;
• an application skills workshop; and
• networking with trainees, associates and partners.

Applications are open from 7 September until 9 February 2024. The programme will take place on 3-4 April 2024.

During your two years as a trainee solicitor you will spend time in a variety of practice areas (seats).

To ensure you get the best experience from your time our professional development team will work closely with you to design a training programme which best suits your preferences (and the business needs).

All trainees complete a transactional and contentious seat. Trainees are able to choose two seats from five practice areas.

Trainees are able to sit within the following specialist areas:

• corporate
• dispute resolution
• employment
• life sciences regulatory
• technology regulatory
• project development and finance
• life sciences transactional
• secondments

We will ask you about your seat preferences before you join the firm. To help you decide you will be invited to a live discussion (seat spotlight) to give you further information on the seats available. During each seat you will share an office with a partner or an associate (supervisor) and you will also have an additional supervisor on hand to help guide you through your time and your work in the relevant practice group. You will receive regular informal feedback as well as a formal mid-seat and end of seat review.

Secondments

As a trainee you will also have the chance to apply for an international or client secondment, which is an excellent opportunity to develop an understanding of the global nature of our work and to experience working in a different cultural environment. Our client secondments offer the opportunity to deepen relationships and to really develop an understanding of what clients want from their lawyers. Secondments are not compulsory and there may be visa restrictions.

Brussels secondment

A secondment to Covington’s Brussels office provides an opportunity to work in our EU Competition law practice group. Ranked among the top antitrust and competition firms in the world, the team advises clients on a range of issues – cartels, abuse of dominance, mergers, and State aid, and represents them in front of the European Court, the European Commission, national competition authorities, and national courts.

Dubai secondment

A secondment to Covington's Dubai office provides an opportunity to work with Covington's project finance, corporate, global dispute resolution, government affairs and public policy, and regulatory practices across the firm in a challenging and rapidly evolving market. Our lawyers in Dubai provide advice to business entities, government agencies, sovereign wealth funds and private investors in the Middle East and those based outside of the region to navigate a wide array of business opportunities and respond to complex legal challenges throughout the Gulf.

Client secondment

Opportunities are provided to trainees to undertake a six month client secondment, which typically takes place in the second year of their training contract.

Qualification

During your final seat (if not before) we will open up discussions with you regarding your qualification preferences. We are happy to say that most of our trainees stay with us upon qualification. Our professional development team will support you on your journey to becoming a newly qualified solicitor and you will also participate in the newly qualified solicitors transition programme.

The firm has now moved the SQE route to qualification. We sponsor all non-law students to complete the PGDL prior to commecing their SQE studies.

At Covington, we strive to put our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values into action every day. We recognize that diversity enriches our culture, enhances our work with clients, and strengthens the profession. Covington lawyers bring a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences to our practice. The firm emphasizes DEI principles in its recruitment, retention, development, and promotion practices. We are intentional, deliberate, and focused on what we want to achieve – a diverse, equitable, and inclusive firm. Learn more at cov.com/diversity-equity-and-inclusion.

Comprehensive financial support for tuition fees for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and SQE, and maintenance grant of up to £15,000 for the PGDL and up to £17,000 for the SQE.

• Corporate
• Dispute resolution (commercial litigation & white collar crime & investigations & international arbitration)
• Employment
• Life sciences regulatory
• Life sciences transactional
• Technology regulatory
• Project development & finance
• Client secondment & secondments to Dubai & Brussels offices

• General Practice
• Corporate & Commercial
• General Commercial
• Niche

• London

• Amicus
• Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

• Aspiring Solicitors
• Black Solicitors Network
• Bright Network
• DiversCity
• InterLaw Diversity Forum
• IntoUniversity
• Social Mobility Foundation
• University of Warwick Multicultural Scholars programme
• Warwick University Multicultural Scholars Programme