Goodwin - True Picture

Goodwin training contract review 2025

The Firm

We’ve all had the odd late-night pavement chat with our pals that somehow always ends with: “We should definitely start a podcast!” We’ll let you decide whether that’s necessary, but then again, we’ve never had a conversation quite as fruitful as the one a couple of founding classmates did on a Boston sidewalk over a century ago. It's because of them that today, Massachusetts native Goodwin boasts 16 bases around the world, many of which are in major tech and life science hotspots. Think of the likes of Silicon Valley, San Francisco and New York, as well as Hong Kong and Singapore. Back in 2019 on this side of the pond, the firm established a hub in Cambridge too. As one insider proudly acclaimed: “It’s forward-facing with the key industries of the future,” namely “venture capital and life sciences.”

“I wanted to be a part of the bigger piece in the puzzle!”

“The number one reason I applied to Goodwin was because of the growth trajectory in London,” another ambitious source told us. “I wanted to be a part of the bigger piece in the puzzle! The whole life cycle, from fundraising to late-stage financing and exits, is unique in the London market.” Having been in the City for over a decade, Goodwin holds gold-standard nationwide Chambers UK rankings for venture capital investments, life science transactions and real estate funds – “it is now a market leader.” Moreover, the real estate practice is recognised as one of the best in the city for mid-market deals. Alongside a whole host of Chambers USA accolades, the firm is also commended in Chambers Global for its private equity prowess on the international stage.

One standout point of appeal for trainees was “a small intake; I didn’t want to be lost in the machine that can be law firms.” On a personal level, another shared: “Initially, I wasn’t sure. I did the vacation scheme to see for myself that it is a supportive environment. The people were interesting and were interested in me!” Goodwin launched its training contract seven years ago, and from then, an intake of four has grown to 14. There were no qualms about that though, since there’s an emphasis on on-the-job training, so “you tend to be the only trainee on a matter.”

This is not the only part of Goodwin’s London presence that has grown. With over 200 lawyers previously across offices, breaking news for 2024 is that everyone is “under one roof” at Sancroft in Paternoster Square. Simply put, “it’s amazing, with a rooftop terrace with views of St Paul’s. Now we have loads more space, and everyone is together. It’s changed how we work; it’s agile and dynamic!”

The Seats

Before starting their time at the firm, trainees catch up with early careers to discuss their preferences and submit their top three choices. “You’ll likely do a private equity funds or tech and life sciences seat, as those are the big ones,” an insider noted. Other options include real estate, tax, finance, general commercial IP, antitrust, and commercial litigation.

Private equity is a staple part of Goodwin’s diet. “It’s mostly buyer-side, supporting our clients in acquiring other companies. We work with the management to increase profitability, and then exit with an IPO or M&A deal to get a return,” a knowledgeable rookie explained. “It’s fast-moving, so you need to do things quickly,” with clients in finance, business, life sciences and tech. Speaking of, recently the team advised Kreos Capital, one of Europe’s biggest providers of private debt solutions for high-growth tech and healthcare companies, on its sale to BlackRock. Due diligence – AKA “getting under the bonnet of different companies” – is a typical trainee task; expect to update checklists, send documents for signing, and draft corporate authorisations and ancillary documents. Also, “you might get involved in something like a business development report where you’re constantly in communication with specialist teams like data protection and finance. You need to put all the information together; it’s challenging, but you can take the first crack at it.”

A stint in private investment funds introduces trainees to the world of fund formation, structuring and fundraising often on behalf of fund sponsors. For instance, the team has advised Macquarie on the structuring and fundraising of an €8 billion fund. Trainees must stay on their toes; “a lot of it is project management – you’ve got to be organised and stay on top of all the money!” Meaning? “Say the target is £800 million,” an interviewee helpfully contextualised, “you need to keep close track of all the commitments and exposures in different markets. So, you need to be in touch with the regulatory and tax aspects.” Tasks varied from preparing marketing materials, managing closings, and writing up comments for investors to attending client meetings and drafting side letters. Plus, “we get involved in putting together memorandums, which are often chunky docs of a hundred pages to sink your teeth into.”

“…we work with equally impressive companies creating change for diseases and ailments across the world!”

Interested in startups? If so, the technology and life sciences team within the corporate department should be on your radar. Covering the whole business life cycle, the team focuses on venture capital investments, M&A work and a bit of restructuring. Anyone who’s ever been lost in London (we can’t be the only ones who thought Tottenham Hale and Tottenham Court Road were in the same place…) will be familiar with this Goodwin client: “We’ve been involved in the sale of lots of tech companies and apps such as Citymapper, which is quite cool as it’s part of everyday life,” a newbie gushed, while “on the life sciences side, we work with equally impressive companies creating change for diseases and ailments across the world!” Exhibit A: the team advised cancer antibody drug startup Emergence Therapeutics on its sale to pharmaceutical company Lilly. Sources recalled working on project management and deal executions (“the signing process”), rolling up their sleeves to take on drafting resolutions and ancillary documents too. One happily shared: “Early-stage companies are limited in fee scope. We get actual responsibility, such as attending board meetings – it’s massively interesting business exposure.”

On the general commercial IP side of things, the practice focuses on providing a mix of transactional support and diligence on corporate deals, as well as advisory services. For instance, the team advised Future Health Works on its sale to HOPCo, subsequently assisting on various commercial agreements like licensing matters and data sharing agreements within the group. “It’s a varied work diet,” an interviewee affirmed, “looking at data provisions and helping out with data breaches, with the emphasis on commercial contracts.” Trainees spoke of reviewing and drafting opportunities, as well as attending client negotiations. A highlight for one was “seeing that tangible impact of what I’ve written on a company’s website, like in real estate where you can see what you’ve sold!”

“You’re encouraged to seek out work.”

Over in finance, the practice encompasses work with financially distressed companies, finding transactions and acquisitions. Recently, the group has advised clients like Argonaut Capital, Impax Asset Management, Stride VC and Epiris LLP on various regulatory matters. This large scope makes sense, as the department is home to the real estate finance, funds finance, leveraged financed, restructuring, and corporate teams too. “You work closely with your supervisor, but you can work across the sub-teams,” a rookie noted. “You’re encouraged to seek out work.” Day to day, sources mentioned running the conditions precedent checklist, taking notes during client meetings and marking up security documents, as well as drafting board resolutions and corporate authorisations. As one mused: “You’re not left to run wild! But as soon as people see you’re doing good work and you establish that trust, you can get the go-ahead to reach out to opposing or local counsel – even the client themselves, which has been really rewarding.”

For those who like contentious work, see commercial litigation. Here, the team handles complex disputes with individuals, businesses and government bodies. At the time of writing, in a post-transaction litigation valued at £40 million, the group is representing software company Industrial and Financial Systems in a breach of contract and warranty claim against former shareholders of Axios Systems. They also continue to represent online food delivery company Delivery Hero against Mastercard over a business agreement that indicated a $40 million ‘sign-on bonus’ for Delivery Hero. In this seat, rookies get exposure to legal drafting, strategy negotiations, hearings, court filings prep and monitoring court deadlines.

Trainee Life

Goodwin’s recent move to a new office has proven to be a hit amongst interviewees: “It’s everything that they were hoping to do. It’s really social, bright and open, with a big floor plan.” Insiders explained that “the firm has grown massively over the years with lots of laterals, so there are different cultures across departments. Only around four years ago, the first trainees qualified here, so that generation of Goodwinners has yet to come through.” Although, it was expressed that “being under one roof is going to help create that collaborative vibe.” Even so, with such growth over the past few years, “there is a freshness to the culture here!”

“There is a freshness to the culture here!”

Everyone is expected in the office at least three days a week, with teams having their own anchor days. This presents the chance to socialise: “Already, we’ve been having events on the new terrace,” alongside occasional team get-togethers and lunches. On that note, trainees also receive their own social budget as one source happily shared: “We’ve been to Flight Club to play darts!” Of course, the main benefit of being in the office is training. “You don’t always work directly with your supervisor, but doors are always open to ask questions and seek feedback yourself,” an interviewee commented, praising “the support I get, I can’t credit enough.” Overall, the message trainees wanted to convey was this: “They are keen to foster and train, but you need to put in the effort.” In terms of formal feedback, trainees receive that at mid- and end-of-seat review with their supervisor.

Formalised training itself is practice dependent. “In funds and technology & life sciences, it’s pretty regular – once a week or so,” a trainee contemplated, adding that “it’s designed for the whole department, and it gets you involved from the start.” Sometimes, external providers are brought in; for example, “in finance, there is the ‘University of Finance’, where you’re given the basics of funds and leveraged finance deals to give you that understanding of what is going on.” But as always, the emphasis is on-the-job training: “You make of it what you want to, but be driven and proactive, as Goodwin lends itself to that go-getter style of working.”

“…be driven and proactive, as Goodwin lends itself to that go-getter style of working.”

Speaking of go-getters, rookies can also roll up their sleeves to get involved in pro bono. At Goodwin, everyone is encouraged to get stuck in, as there is an unlimited number of pro bono hours that can count towards the annual billing target! “Lots of people go to the South Westminster legal advice clinic; it’s just a few stops away on the Tube,” an insider detailed. “Typically, it’s on a Thursday evening and trainees go with two other qualified lawyers.” Others might choose to stop by the local primary school to read with children or get involved with The Whitechapel Project’s soup kitchen.

“The firm takes it very seriously” was the response given when we asked about diversity, equity and inclusion. Every year, the Committees for Racial and Ethnic Diversity (CRED) and Pride host retreats Stateside, with Boston and New York being previous locations of choice – and importantly, trainees themselves are encouraged to join in! In London, we heard that the affinity groups are social and host regular events, of which we were given the headlines: “Just last week, the Women’s Network had a talk about ‘parenthood and the guilt of work,’ and there was a talk about ADHD which was open to everyone as well.”

Given the transactional nature of most teams, the work at Goodwin is fast-paced, and hours can be lengthy, as one trainee shrugged: “It’s like other US firms. A busy day can be from 9.30am until 9pm, but at that point you can get a paid cab home.” It was pointed out that “the hours can be rough, but people are appreciative of that and will look out for you – you’re not abandoned.” Given that, Goodwin aligns itself with its competitors by compensating trainees with a starting salary of £55k, which then skyrockets to £175k upon qualification.

On the topic of qualification, come springtime trainees submit their CV alongside mid- and end-of-seat reviews for their position(s) of choice. Interviews are held by the departments themselves; “it varies from team to team. Some make it more of a chat, but for others – like funds – you need to answer technical and non-technical questions.” In 2024, Goodwin kept nine out of 12 qualifiers.

How to get into Goodwin

Apply here

• Vacation scheme deadline (2025): 16 December 2024
• Trainee Solicitor Programme deadline (2027): 16 December 2024

The application and assessment

Candidates can apply to the firm via the online application form. Within the application, Goodwin is looking for the classics: “We would like to understand why they have chosen a career in law and why they are interested in Goodwin specifically.” Goodwin's early careers recruitment manager adds: “We expect candidates to have explored what it would be like to work in a City commercial law firm, and be able to demonstrate their commercial awareness.”

Those that pass the initial review are invited to a first-stage interview with two members of the early careers recruitment panel.

Goodwin's early careers recruitment manager warns that candidates should “be prepared to  answer questions around their motivation for law and Goodwin, and to be asked some relatively tough questions to test their commercial awareness.”

Assessments come in the form of a written exercise and group exercise, both based on a case study. With the written exercise, the “emphasis is on assessing the candidate's written communication, time management and attention to detail,” whereas the group exercise “looks at interpersonal skills, how they present and how they work in a group.”

Vacation scheme

There are up to 20 spaces on offer for each of Goodwin's spring and summer vacation schemes. The application is the same as the direct trainee solicitor programme application, and vac schemers are automatically considered for the trainee solicitor role as well. The vacation scheme route is Goodwin’s primary recruitment route for their Trainee Solicitor Programme.

Vacation Scheme participants gain exposure in at least one practice area: “We try to meet everyone’s preferences on practice area, although this is not always possible.” Vac schemers can expect to shadow associates, attend client meetings, and attend information sessions on the work of practice areas in the London office. The emphasis is very much ensuring that candidates “experience the Goodwin culture.” Highlights include a session with the firm’s global chair. On top of that, there are a number of social perks. “Our headline socials for the vac schemers were the painting social and an evening at the F1 Arcade,” Goodwin's early careers recruitment manager tells us. “It was good to see them mix with the current trainees.”

“We recruited 15 trainees across several intakes from our 2024 vacation schemes,” Goodwin's early careers recruitment manager confirms.

Trainee profile

There are up to 14 spots per cohort up for grabs, but with around 1,000 applicants each year, how can a candidate really stand out? “Those that stood out had really researched the firm and tailored their application to us. They had highlighted traits in themselves that matched our values,” Goodwin's early careers recruitment manager reflects.