Stephenson Harwood LLP - True Picture

Firm profile

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're committed to creating 'positive partnerships' with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals, building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.
Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade.
With more than 1,400 people, including 210+ partners, across eight offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

Main areas of work

Commercial litigation; corporate; employment, pensions and private wealth; finance; marine and international trade; real estate and projects. 

Training opportunities

There’s a lot to look forward to as a trainee at Stephenson Harwood: top quality global work across a range of sectors, an environment that balances cutting-edge work with a respectful, friendly culture, and the chance to prove yourself on an international secondment. We work in small teams, so every person is critical — that’s why we’ll expect you to work to the best of your ability every day. Our training is not only structured and practical but highly personalised, so you’ll have everything you need to develop along a career path that’s absolutely right for you.
Following a week’s intensive induction and a comprehensive post-induction programme, you’ll complete four seats — each six months long — across different practice areas. You could find yourself working on anything from a high-profile, multi-million financial litigation case to a ground-breaking M&A deal. You could even spend time on secondment at a client’s office or do an international seat in our Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai or Paris offices.

Applications for direct training contract positions open on Monday 6 October and close on Friday 27 March 2026.

London vacation schemes Dates:
Spring: 13-24 April 2026
June: 22 June – 3 July 2026
July: 27 July – 7
August Applications open: 6 October 2025
Applications close: Friday 30 January 2026

Details of scheme:
Our spring and summer vacation schemes will give you a real taste of life at the firm. We’ll make sure you’re involved in quality work and will try to help you experience any areas of law you’re particularly interested in. During the scheme, you will spend two weeks in our offices, sitting with qualified lawyers and tackling some case work. You’ll also benefit from an organised programme of interactive sessions, talks and social events.
On your first day, we’ll assign you a buddy — a current trainee who’ll help you settle in, answer your questions and give you an honest overview of what it’s like to work for us.
A vacation scheme gives you a great opportunity to talk informally to existing trainees, lawyers, partners and support teams to find out just why the law and Stephenson Harwood are such attractive career options. What’s more, we’ll pay you £485 a week.

Dubai vacation scheme
Dates: 22 June – 3 July 2026
Applications open: 6 October 2025
Applications close: Friday 30 January 2026

Details of scheme:
During the vacation scheme, you will take part in an assessment day to be considered for a training contract beginning in March or September 2028. Your flights to Dubai and accommodation (if not resident in Dubai) will be provided for you along with a daily allowance of AED 150.

Who is eligible to apply?
Training contracts and the vacation schemes are open to anyone in their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of study of a non-law degree. We also welcome applications from postgraduates and individuals who have pursued other careers before committing to the legal profession. For a Dubai training contract, you must attend a vacation scheme and be assessed during the scheme.

Link to apply: Applying :: Stephenson Harwood Graduates

Other benefits

We want you to feel valued so we’ll offer you a range of flexible benefits including: critical illness cover, dental health scheme, subsidised gym membership, private health insurance and screening, life assurance, pension, private GP services, subsidised café, retail discounts and a travel to work loan.  

Open days and first-year opportunities

Come along to one of our virtual or in-house open days in December and January, to get a good feel for what a career at a mid-sized international law firm is really like. You’ll meet partners, associates and trainees as well as the future talent team.
Our virtual training contract open day takes place on 13 January 2026 and our in-house open day takes place on 8 December 2025. Our disability open day takes place on 15 December 2025.

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing

Our vision is to be known as an inclusive and diverse firm, where all our people feel they can be themselves and thrive at work. Our people are our biggest asset. We want Stephenson Harwood to be a place where colleagues can do their best work in a team that values the unique contributions that they bring. That is how we unlock our entrepreneurial spirit.
Our employee networks are for, and run by, our people. They create a sense of belonging by celebrating diversity, connecting people across the business and working with the community.
Colleagues across the business contribute to fostering our inclusive and healthy culture by joining our employee networks.