Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP - True Picture

Firm profile 
Pioneers in the globalisation of the legal profession, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is a leading international law firm with 16 integrated offices located in major financial and political centres around the world. The firm operates as a single global partnership. Consistent with the vision of its founders, Cleary remains committed to openness, diversity, individuality and collaboration.

Main areas of work 
Core areas of practice in London are mergers and acquisitions, financing and restructuring, capital markets, international litigation and arbitration, and competition. In addition, Cleary has established successful self-standing practices in tax, financial regulation, and intellectual property and employment.

Training opportunities 
We do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ training solution. By recruiting 16 trainees each year, we are able to offer training that is tailored to each trainee’s interests, experience and aptitudes. Nor do we believe that the transition from trainee solicitor to associate occurs overnight on qualification. So, we encourage our trainees to take responsibility as soon as they are ready to do so. Given appropriate levels of supervision and support, trainees operate as lawyers from the day they join us.

Vacation schemes

 
We recruit our trainees exclusively from our vacation schemes and offer around 70 places each year across our winter, spring and summer schemes. The vacation schemes aim to provide a practical insight into life as a Cleary Gottlieb lawyer. The deadline for winter scheme is October 31, 2024 and spring/summer is January 31, 2025.

Insight day

 
We run an Insight Day for first year law and second year non-law students every spring. The day includes an introductory presentation on the history, culture and structure of the firm’s international practice, an overview of the different practices in London and a Q&A session with trainee solicitors. Applications should be made by February 28, 2025.

Other benefits
Annual employer pension contribution of 5%, 25 days’ holiday, fitness subsidy, health screening, private health insurance, life insurance of three times annual salary, long-term disability insurance, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, employee assistance programme, emergency backup care, cycle to work scheme and subsidised staff restaurant.

University law careers fairs 2024 

We visit campuses across the UK so look out for us at law fairs, in your careers services and working with your law societies.

This year we will be visiting:
• University of Cambridge
• University of Oxford
• University of Manchester
• University of Leeds
• University of Bristol
• University of Warwick
• University of Durham
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Nottingham
• Kings College London
• London School of Economics and Political Science
• University College London