Haynes and Boone, LLP - True Picture

Haynes Boone training contract review 2026

The Firm

Whether it’s NASA, country music or the Dallas Cowboys, there’s plenty we quite readily associate with Texas. In law, sectors like energy have often dominated. Yet while Texas-born Haynes Boone has plenty of expertise in the space, the firm has established a name for itself as a broad practice, and it’s a reputation and approach that has come across the pond. The firm now offers more seats as part of its training contract than ever before, as training principal William Cecil explains: “We now cover litigation, corporate, investment management, transactional, energy and shipping, and property finance. It’s a good mix. This is the first year we’ve had more seat options than available slots.” Haynes Boone’s bags Chambers UK rankings in London for banking and finance (fund finance and lower mid-market lenders) and shipping nationwide.

“You have increased exposure and personal development, all the while having the added benefit of US firm infrastructure.”

For applicants to Haynes Boone’s training contract, the independence and responsibility was something that stood out from the off: “I would say my belief was correct,” one trainee told us, “I have had more associate-level work than I ever expected.You have increased exposure and personal development, all the while having the added benefit of US firm infrastructure.” And Cecil explains why: “We benefit from being part of a 700-lawyer firm, but in London, we’re a relatively small and relatively young office.” Indeed, 2026 marks the London office’s tenth birthday.

The Seats

The firm has recently increased its seat offering to six, and Cecil indicates that this London growth is set to continue, “not crazily, but organically,” on its way “to operate as an entity in our own right. We’re steadily heading toward critical mass.” The seat allocation process was described as a fair and informal process. Ahead of starting the TC, you are assigned a seat by HR.

Following this, you can then regularly express your preferences of where you want to go next in meetings with both HR and the training principal. Of course, it's always a challenge to put everyone where they want to go, so nothing is guaranteed. Our interviewees did caveat that the firm: “is undergoing quite a lot of change in terms of personnel and teams,” so this system could change in the near future.

“Trainees are expected to take on a bit more responsibility here than what I’ve heard my friends get at other firms.”

Fund finance is something of a specialism for the firm, both in the US and London. Haynes Boone works with some of the largest banks and funds in the world, advising on both the lender and borrower sides, depending on the transaction. As you can imagine, the CP checklist (a list of conditions which need to be met for a matter to be completed) can be very extensive in this seat, as big banks loan funds money to invest. And luckily for our budding juniors, they are entrusted to take the lead on it.

We were told that trainees “keep the list updated, liaise with local counsel and clients, as well as work on fee letters.” Newbies are frequently entrusted to run due diligence, as well as taking the first pass on drafting documents for umbrella facilities as well as different facility agreements: “Trainees are expected to take on a bit more responsibility here than what I’ve heard my friends get at other firms,” one told us.

An investment management seat involves work with private equity and venture capital clients on the likes of fund formation and fund closings. In one recent example, the firm advised Barna Partners of the establishment and launch of a Cayman master-feeder fund called Barna Offshore Feeder Fund and Barna Master Fund.

We heard that trainees are given the opportunity to review important documents, such as LPAs and service agreements, as well as to draft them as they progress: “I got a great deal of experience in this seat,” one told us, “I got to be really involved in the different transactions. You really get to develop an understanding by helping with due diligence and doing the research.” Interviewees also informed us that they were actively involved with managing deal processes, such as tracking signings, drafting shareholder minutes and checking documents.

The litigation  team offers juniors the chance to jump in and out of cases, as they are often tasked with managing the administrative side of things. However, they are also keen for trainees to sit in on client meetings and help out with drafting. The department focuses a lot on energy and shipping work, which is “where their expertise lies,” covering legal action arising from any stage of the construction and employment of passenger ferries, cruise ships and superyachts.

One interviewee highlighted that: “The work has been really interesting; I have had the chance to draft witness statements and meet several clients. I’ve also been able to get involved in some BD by writing articles.” There is also a lot of black letter law research, as well as typical litigious tasks such as bundling.

On the corporate side of things, “once the team gets to know that they can trust you, they are more than happy for you to run with things, as well as have the first cut of drafting.” The corporate group covers both public and private transactions across the span of the firm's practices, from IPOs and capital markets transactions through to your standard M&A deals. Reportedly, this seat has some of the most client contact, as you will be responsible for a lot of central management and it’s important to know the status of documents, and which documents are at what point in the process. In one recent deal, the firm acted for Omnia Payroll on its acquisition of the entire share capital of Magi Group.

Trainee Life

The culture (described by trainees as ‘laid back’) was highlighted as the “best thing about the firm.” The firm’s open-door policy apparently means that if “you were visiting, you would have no idea who was a partner and who was a junior.” There are social events such as football tournaments every few months, a Christmas and summer party, easter events and other impromptu social events. One event that hosts all of the firm’s clients in May at the Courtauld Gallery is reportedly “a really great way to meet people.”

The DEI committee also often organises different cultural events throughout the year. The firm participates in the 10,000 Black Interns programme each year, and Cecil explains that, “ideally we’d like to recruit through that programme.” There are also different mentorship schemes with both schools and universities that trainees can get involved in.

“We raised that we might need a few more training sessions, and they upped it a lot. It shows the firm is constantly trying to improve and is open to us making suggestions.”

Trainees were quick to point out that the firm has also recently upped its training, with one partner running an eight-week finance crash course for trainees and associates alike. This was flagged as beneficial for gaining an in-depth understanding of things like facilities agreements. The finance team is also now starting to do bi-weekly training sessions, and other departments are reportedly following suit, with most trainees sitting in on training each week. We were also informed that at the start of each seat, there are around four or five different knowledge sessions. The key details are that the increase in sessions came at the current cohort’s request: “We raised that we might need a few more training sessions, and they upped it a lot. It shows the firm is constantly trying to improve and is open to us making suggestions.”

The firm also partners with LawWorks to get involved in pro bono initiatives, including Unpaid Wages claims, and Tap Social, a beer manufacturer and UK charity that provides work opportunities for prison leavers. There is also a pro bono lead who circulates different opportunities regularly via email.

According to Cecil, in terms of office attendance, the firm operates on a 3:2 system (three days in the office and two days at home); however, they “encourage trainees to be in as much as they can,” as “observational learning is a huge part of being a trainee.” The firm offers a £1,000 tech allowance every two years to splash out on a home-office set up for those two days. The office, which is located centrally in Chancery Lane, benefits from an open plan structure: “I feel more productive in the office as I can ask questions,” remarked one trainee. It also possesses a fully stocked drinks fridge and a steady supply of cakes and biscuits.

The hours, like any city firm, of course, vary, yet most trainees reported following a 9am-6pm pattern, with the occasional late night. “Overall, it all balances out,” we were told. Our interviewees were pleased with their compensation, especially considering that you are entitled to a £500 wellness allowance each year.

As trainees are given a lot of responsibility throughout their TC, interviewees were happy to report that they had excellent supervision to compensate. For example, feedback is apparently “always given without us having to ask.” Teams also tend to sit together, which makes it easy to seek guidance if you are stuck on anything. In terms of qualification, HR usually ask where you want to qualify during your mid and end-of-year review. As well as discussing the topic during mid-seat appraisals. The process was described as informal, with trainees submitting preferences before communication from HR clarifying whether there is space or not. In 2025, the firm had a 100% retention rate!

How to get a Haynes and Boone training contract

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Vacation scheme deadline: N/A

Training contract deadline: 8 June 2025

The application process

Haynes Boone receives around 430 applicants each year. Applicants must apply by completing the application form via the AllHires platform.  HR told us the firm does place a significant weighting on extra-curricular and achievements outside of the academic arena. Applicants are also expected to have some legal experience, but this is not essential and on the application form there is the opportunity to demonstrate commercial awareness about the firm and the firm’s general practice areas.

To get through to the first interview applicants must complete the application form thoroughly and detail their academic experience.

Assessment and interviews

The first interview is conducted with four partners and the office administrator/HR.  At this stage candidates also complete a psychometric test.

Approximately six to eight people then make it through to the assessment day where candidates interview with partners from contentious and non-contentious practices, counsel and associates. Candidates are also given the opportunity to do a short presentation to partners.

Candidates are assessed throughout the day across not only their interviews and presentation, but also on their interactions with each other and in a social environment – this includes a lunch with partners, counsel, associates and trainees during the day.

As well, there is a team challenge event which is run by a third party and involves all candidates who make it through to the assessment day.  The challenge is observed by two to three HB lawyers, the office administrator and the external party.  The purpose of the challenge is to see how the candidates perform as a team and also their individual skills.

Trainee profile

Training principal, Will Cecil, tells us that although academics are important, “we don’t just add up the As and say, these are the people we want – we’re looking for people who are good raw material.” We heard that applicants’ ability to interact with their peers, the people they work with and their clients plays a large part in being offered a training contract. “Initiative” is also heavily weighted, “because we’re fairly flexible in the way we operate they will get a lot of responsibility – if they’re up to it…”