Taylor Wessing is a global law firm that serves the world's most innovative people and businesses. Deeply embedded within our sectors, we work closely together with our clients to crack complex problems, enabling ideas and aspirations to thrive. Together we challenge expectation and create extraordinary results.

Specialising in technology, media and communications; life sciences and healthcare; real estate, infrastructure and energy; and private wealth, we act for the world's biggest brands, most innovative start-ups and unicorns, and wealthiest families. 

We have over 1,100 lawyers in 17 jurisdictions across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, who advise our clients on their corporate, IP, disputes, and other matters. Working at the forefront of new areas of law, we help our clients by introducing them to new people, new markets, and fresh perspectives to help them flourish. 

Collaboration is key to our success. We believe different backgrounds bring different interests and skill sets, enhancing and diversifying the service we provide to our clients. Many of our lawyers joined the profession from different backgrounds and we welcome applications from both law and non-law students.

Vacation scheme

Our award-winning scheme lets you experience what it's like to be a trainee solicitor in a fast-paced international law firm. You’ll spend two weeks immersed in two different practice areas, gaining first-hand experience under the supervision of our approachable associates and partners. You'll also be involved in socials, networking opportunities, pro bono work and more, so you'll end the scheme with invaluable experience and a clear sense of career direction. To be eligible to apply for our summer vacation scheme you'll need to be in the second year of your degree or beyond.

Our 2024 summer vacation scheme is the only way to be considered for a September 2025/26 training contract position with the firm. Applications open on 1 September and close on 1 December 2023.

Open days 2023

Throughout October and November we'll be running a series of open days where you'll get the chance to learn more about the firm and hear from both senior lawyers and trainee solicitors. Our open days will be hosted in person and online so you can select a date and format which works for you. You'll need to complete an application form to attend.

To be eligible to attend you must be a penultimate year lawyer or non-law finalist as this open day will be focussed on our vacation scheme opportunities.

For details of how to apply and deadlines please visit our website.

First-year opportunities

In April 2024 we'll be hosting our two-day first-year insight scheme where you'll get the chance to learn more about the firm, network and think commercially. The first-year insight scheme is a great step to ensure you're ready to apply for the 2025 summer vacation scheme.

The first-year insight scheme will take place on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 April 2024.

To apply for our 2024 first-year scheme, you'll need to be in the first year of your degree (studying any subject) and complete an application form to attend.

Applications open on 1 December 2023 and close on 1 February 2024.

Solicitor apprenticeship

Our six-year programme has been designed to enable you to hit the ground running from day one. You'll work towards an LLB (Hons) Law and a Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship. Each week you will spend four days working in a practice area, working on cases for our clients with one day studying with our training provider, The University of Law. All your tuition fees will be paid for you, and you'll earn a salary whilst training and gaining your qualifications.

Within a small intake of around 25 graduates, you'll find the support you need to flourish throughout your training contract while benefiting from the experience you need to become a brilliant lawyer. Across two years, you'll move through four six-months seats in different practice groups. All trainee solicitors take on a seat in either corporate or finance, and at least one seat must involve contentious work.

We offer up to 23 training contracts each year in London, and two training contracts in Cambridge. Regardless of whether you're based in London or Cambridge, we'll provide you with all the training and experience to help you succeed. 

Before commencing the training contract, students undertake the SQE1 and SQE2 examination. We have partnered with The University of Law for this course, which will enable you to gain a breadth of knowledge before commencing these examinations. Additionally, you will also undertake an SQE plus course to provide you with further legal knowledge ahead of joining the firm, which includes a master's.

Ahead of commencing the course, you will meet with the early talent and development team to learn more about the course and our expectations and be provided with support throughout the year long course.

By completing the course and examinations ahead of your start date, you will be able to hit the ground running and gain your two years qualifying work experience through our training contract.

Pro bono initiatives

Each year our pro bono programme provides much needed access to justice for the communities where we live and work. Collectively our lawyers are generating social value in the form of thousands of hours of free legal advice to good causes and individuals. 

As a responsible business we believe it's our duty to help those in need when we have the expertise and resources to do so. Our pro bono support aligns with our responsible business focus areas. Projects are selected to provide access to justice for our communities, with specific emphasis on promoting inclusion, supporting the arts, and protecting the environment.

With legal aid provision diminishing across the UK, our lawyers do important work at regular legal clinics. We have a long-established clinic in Southwark, meeting  a huge range of people and covers a variety of issues. We are also running a specialist clinic supporting victims of the Windrush scandal and another for families seeking to resolve disputes. 

Diversity and inclusion 

We build inclusive and progressive workplaces and aim to have a positive impact in the legal world and broader society. We look after the health and wellbeing of our people, and celebrate diversity in all forms, creating an environment where everyone can thrive. 

Nurturing a diverse, inclusive culture allows all of our talent to flourish. It sparks creativity amongst our people. It powers innovation for our clients.

Our trainees have the opportunity to join our inclusion networks. These cover: gender balance, LGBT+ inclusion, racial equality, social mobility and physical and mental health and wellbeing. 

Balance in Business

Gender is one of our strategic inclusion priorities and our gender plan aims to achieve better gender balance in our partnership and in leadership roles across the firm and ensuring everyone can thrive irrespective of their gender.  We engage our people, clients and alumni in the benefits of equity, allyship and equipping senior colleagues to be champions. We host discussions and client round tables on issues that challenge expectation.  

Cultural diversity network 

Race and ethnicity is one of our strategic inclusion priorities. Our cultural diversity network was established as a safe space to learn about and celebrate the different cultures and religions that are important to the people in our firm. Continuing to create a positive workplace culture for people of all cultural backgrounds is at the core of the network and we aim to encourage individuals from minority communities to enter and remain in the legal sector by improving the collective experience, removing the barriers people might face, and engaging with our clients and community to achieve shared aspirations.

equaliTW

We're committed to providing a workplace where your talent can flourish and you can be yourself, no matter your sexual orientation or gender identify. Our equaliTW network was established to provide a forum for networking and peer support for LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We champion active allyship and equip colleagues with the tools to understand and support the LGBTQIA+ community. We support the LGBTQ+ Centre and established the Freehold network for the property sector in 2011. Our partnership with myGwork helps showcase our firm as an inclusive firm for the LGBTQIA+ community. We are proud to be a Stonewall Top 100 employer.

Wellbeing network

Maintaining a positive approach to physical and mental wellbeing is of huge importance to us. Central to this is a commitment to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and ensuring that our people are well supported and equipped to deal with any mental health challenges. We raise awareness of disabilities (both visible and invisible) ensuring appropriate measures are in place to create an accessible, safe environment for all our colleagues. We promote mental and physical wellbeing, recognising the importance of our people being happy and healthy.

Social mobility network 

Your potential, ability and talent – not your socio-economic background or schooling – determines your success here. To open up opportunities in the legal sector and make talented people of all backgrounds feel welcome, we support a number of powerful initiatives.

We're proud of all of our social mobility programmes and the impact they have on participants and our firm. We support inclusive initiatives through partnerships with 93% Club, 30% Club, Future First and PRIME to help students build their confidence, increase their knowledge of the range of careers in an international law firm and inspire them to reach their full potential.  

Environment 

We recognise the urgency of the climate crisis, and we are acting now to reduce carbon emissions. We are dedicated to driving positive cultural and operational changes across our firm and supply chain, to achieve net zero for our business. "Acting sustainably, together" Outlines our journey to becoming net zero by 2030. Our people, teamwork and clients are fundamental to achieving our goal.

Find out about our progress: Sustainability - Responsible Business Impact Report 2022 (taylorwessing.com)

Contextual recruitment

Not every candidate’s achievements look the same on paper. That’s why we use Rare Recruitment's Contextual Recruitment System to consider every student's achievements in context, helping to identify those with the greatest potential, from all backgrounds.

Disability confidence   

We have an open dialogue around disabilities from the start; whether it’s discussing concerns about the recruitment process or our working environment. We partner with MyPlus consulting to make disability confidence part of our student recruitment strategy, beginning with attracting candidates, through to assessment and onboarding.

Diversity outreach

Aspiring Solicitors

To provide opportunities for students from under-represented groups, we partner with Aspiring Solicitors (AS). As a result, we’re delighted that 50% of our training contract hires have made to AS members for the past two years. Each year we host events in collaboration with Aspiring Solicitors, share our success stories with other firms and take part in the professional ambassadors' programme which allows students to speak first-hand to our lawyers. Most recently, we have collaborated with Aspiring Solicitors on BASS, a Black Aspiring Solicitors Mentoring Scheme. 

LGBTQ+

We are also partner members of myGwork, a business community for LGBT+ professionals, graduates, inclusive employers and anyone who believes in workplace equality.

Additionally, one of our partners is the founding member of freehold – the first network to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) professionals working in the Real Estate industry. 

Finally, we are a Stonewall Top 100 employer.

Social mobility

We also support inclusive initiatives through partnerships with 93% Club, 30% Club, Future First, 10,000 Black Interns and PRIME.

SQE fees sponsored. A maintenance grant is provided.

• Construction
• Banking & finance
• Real estate
• Corporate technology
• Corporate real estate & private capital
• Corporate finance
• Employment
• Pensions & mobility
• Private client
• Tax & incentives
• Private equity
• Financial services & competition
• Disputes & investigations
• Commercial technology & data
• Patents
• IP & media

• Corporate & Commercial
• General Commercial

• 29 offices in 17 jurisdictions

• Lawyers Volunteering for the Arts
• Mary Ward Legal Advice Centre

• Aspiring Solicitors
• Bright Network
• Future First
• PRIME
• Social Mobility Foundation