Teacher Stern was established in Holborn in central London in 1967 as a full-service commercial law firm specialising in property, dispute resolution, corporate/commercial, employment and private client matters. With a current staff of 120 we are not a large firm but we pride ourselves on having the quality of clients and work normally attributed to much larger practices.

We are a The Legal 500 Leading Law Firm with over 70 fee earners, of which 29 are partners. The partners have either trained with the firm or joined from a range of City and regional firms, each of them contributing a variety of skills and experience gained from diverse backgrounds.

Working in a challenging and interesting environment with ambitious and committed fee earners, the career prospects are excellent and we believe that anyone joining us will agree.

The vacation schemes are run over two weeks, each lasting a week, usually in the first two weeks of July. Offers for a place on one of the vacation schemes are for those who are applying for training contracts and are limited to 16 places.

During the scheme attendees will have the opportunity to work alongside fee earners on actual matters, learn more about the firm and the life of a trainee, and be involved in a number of group and individual exercises which will assist us in making a selection for training contract offers.

To apply for the 2025 vacation scheme, you will need to apply for a 2027 training contract. We expect applications to open by January 2025. 

Typically our training contracts start in early October and throughout the two years there is a strong emphasis on learning on the job with excellent guidance and support from senior fee earners.

Trainees will spend six months with a partner or senior associate in each of our three principal departments, namely dispute resolution, property and corporate and commercial. Exposure to work in the employment and immigration, tax, property finance and private client departments is also likely to form part of the training. The final seat will either repeat one of these departments or be in another smaller team.

During each seat, they will be exposed to a number of different areas of law and will have the opportunity to work with a variety of partners, associates and other fee earners in the department. They will have access to high quality work and clients.

Teacher Stern won’t base a decision on who to recruit for a training contract based on whether they have completed the LPC or SQE route to qualify, or if they have or have not studied a PGDL, LPC or SQE at all. We’ll discuss individual circumstances with all those offered a training contract

Our aim is to promote and establish diversity and equality to everyone employed or engaged by the firm, irrespective of their gender, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, disability, age, nationality, national origin, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status and social class. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination and actively value diversity and strive to create a supportive environment to enable all employees to perform to their potential, by appreciating different backgrounds and perspectives.

All staff, whether part time, full time or temporary are treated fairly and equally. Selection for employment, promotion, training or any other benefit is on the basis of aptitude and ability.

We know that the collection of our varied personal perspectives and life experiences makes our firm better able to identify with and serve the needs of our diverse clients. All staff are encouraged to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of our staff are fully utilised to maximise the efficiency of the firm.

We offer a grant of £9,000 and a further loan of £9,000 to candidates who have not yet commenced their LPC/SQE.

• Property
• Corporate & commercial
• Banking & finance
• Dispute resolution
• Employment & immigration

• Corporate & Commercial
• General Commercial

• London

• Legal Apprenticeships
• ReachOut