K&L Gates - True Picture

Firm profile

K&L Gates is one of the largest law firms in the world with more than 45 offices located in key capital cities and world commercial and financial centres across five continents. At K&L Gates, we foster an inclusive and collaborative environment across our fully integrated global platform that enables us to diligently combine the knowledge and expertise of our lawyers and policy professionals to create teams that provide exceptional client solutions. We marry process with vision, success with dedication, and method with passion.

Main areas of work

K&L Gates is active in the areas of Corporate/M&A, Capital Markets, Private Equity, Restructuring and Insolvency, Banking and Asset Finance, Structured Finance, Derivatives, Aviation, Debt Capital Markets, Islamic Finance, Funds, Financial Services Regulation, Antitrust, Competition and Trade Regulation, Public Policy, Real Estate, Intellectual Property, Technology Transactions, Construction, Energy, Infrastructure and Resources, Insurance Coverage, Regulatory, Tax, Employment, Litigation, International Arbitration, Investigations, Enforcement and White-Collar Crime, plus other forms of Dispute Resolution.

Training opportunites

The firm ensures each trainee is given exceptional opportunities to learn, experience and develop so that they can achieve their maximum potential. Trainees spend six-month seats in four of the areas mentioned above. Each trainee sits with a supervisor and is allocated an individual mentor to ensure all round supervision and training. The firm has a thorough induction scheme and career development programme. High importance is placed on the acquisition of business and professional skills, and early responsibility. The training programme consists of weekly legal education seminars, workshops and a full programme of skills electives. Pro bono and corporate social responsibility activities are also encouraged.

Vacation scheme

The firm’s formal summer legal work placement scheme is open to law and non-law students and other relevant postgraduates. Your two weeks with us in July will provide you with broad exposure to opportunities in diverse areas. We aim to give you a seat in at least two departments, and wherever possible we will allocate you to a seat of your choice.

Other benefits

Life Assurance Scheme, Group Income Protection, Gymflex Membership, Group Pension Plan, Season Ticket Loan, Private GP services, Employee Assistance Program, Cycle to Work, Eye tests, Private Healthcare, Subsidised Restaurant, Fertility Support

Open days and first-year opportunites

Open days are held monthly from December through to May each year. Please express your interest in attending an open day when applying for a training contract or a legal work placement, and we will respond accordingly.

Opportunity, inclusion & wellbeing

At K&L Gates, our commitment to equal employment opportunity and a culture of excellence where we understand and value the vibrancy of our community is a core value that motivates and inspires our team.

As a global law firm with more than 45 offices on five continents, we have built a workplace whose success lies in the skills and talents of its people and their unique experiences that help to foster a robust community where everyone has the opportunity to contribute value. One of our greatest strengths is that these individuals encompass a variety of globe-spanning cultural backgrounds, as well as different lived and learned experiences that allow us to develop truly meaningful relationships with our clients and across our firm, beautifully marrying experience and the ability to provide excellent, well-rounded service. We believe we build better teams, forge better client relationships, and provide better service because of our collaborative team of professionals who possess a vast array of perspectives and ideas that lead to greater depth and creativity of thought and innovation.

We will continue to listen, learn, and work together to build a culture where everyone is welcome, included, and has the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.

Leading By Example 

A firm’s culture is directly influenced by its leadership. Our leadership remains committed to fostering a culture of excellence, where different perspectives and ideas contribute to deeper levels of thought and understanding that help to provide positive outcomes for our clients and within our firm community.

Leading together 

Our lawyers and allied professionals around the world contribute to the inclusive culture we strive to continue building. As a firm that promotes a culture of excellence and growth, we encourage everyone to continue to learn about each other and the communities we serve focusing on respectful curiosity and engagement that lends itself to our individual and collective development as a team of professionals.

Global Opportunity and Inclusion Hours Policy 

Our lawyers and allied professionals around the world contribute to the inclusive culture we strive to continue building. As a firm that promotes a culture of excellence and growth, we encourage everyone to continue to learn about each other and the communities we serve focusing on respectful curiosity and engagement that lends itself to our individual and collective development as a team of professionals.

Mentorship Programmes 

We regularly partner with clients and external organisations to offer a wide variety of mentoring programmes for our lawyers. We also offer our own formal and informal mentoring and coaching programmes to help lawyers advance into partnership and leadership roles at the firm.

Internal Communities 

One of K&L Gates’ key goals is to build a stronger, more diverse community within the firm. Across our offices, we have local Opportunity and Inclusion and Women in the Profession (WIP) committees. For example, the London Opportunity and Inclusion Committee meets quarterly to plan events, share ideas, and drive initiatives. Every member, from junior staff to partners has a voice at the table.

The London committee includes champions who lead various groups focused on:

• Disability and Inclusion
• Women in the Proffesion (WIP)
• Wellbeing
• LGBTQ+
• New Parents
• Multicultural Society

Our Multicultural Society group organises initiatives that celebrate and educate around cultural diversity. Notable efforts include recognising cultural observances that reflect our offices, clients, and society.

Our Graduate Recruitment team has partnered with RARE to implement a social mobility tracking system, enabling the collection of contextualised data to support a more inclusive and equitable recruitment process.

We also benefit from firmwide platforms that support our LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion efforts, including our LGBTQ+ subcommittee, employee resource group, and Disability Inclusion Taskforce.