Taylor Wessing LLP
Hill House,
1 Little New Street,
London,
EC4A 3TR
Website www.taylorwessing.com
About Taylor Wessing
Taylor Wessing is a global law firm that serves the world's most innovative people and businesses. Deeply embedded within our sectors, we work closely together with our clients to crack complex problems, enabling ideas and aspirations to thrive. Together we challenge expectation and create extraordinary results.
Specialising in technology, media and communications; life sciences and healthcare; real estate, infrastructure and energy; and Private Wealth, we act for the world's biggest brands, most innovative start-ups and unicorns, and wealthiest families.
We have more than 1,250 lawyers in 17 jurisdictions across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, who advise clients on their corporate, IP, disputes, and other matters. Working at the forefront of new areas of law, we help our clients by introducing them to new people, new markets, and fresh perspectives to help them flourish.
Collaboration is key to our success. We believe different backgrounds bring different interests and skill sets, enhancing and diversifying the service we provide to our clients. Many of our lawyers joined the profession from different backgrounds and we welcome applications from both law and non-law students.
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Training contract
We recruit only through our vacation scheme for our training contract. Within a small intake of around 20 graduates, you'll find the support you need to flourish throughout your training contract while benefiting from the experience you need to become a brilliant lawyer.
Across our two-year training contract, you’ll move through four six-month seats in different practice areas. All trainees complete a seat in either Corporate or Finance, and at least one seat must involve contentious work. On the remaining two seats you’ll be able to follow your own interests. We offer client secondment opportunities, which provide a real and meaningful insight into the sectors in which we operate. We also offer short relationship-building international secondment opportunities to our international offices.
We offer training contracts each year in London and Cambridge. Wherever you are based, you will benefit from comprehensive training designed for your professional development.
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Vacation scheme
Our award-winning scheme lets you experience what it's like to be a trainee solicitor in a fast-paced international law firm. You’ll spend two weeks immersed in two different practice areas, gaining first-hand experience under the supervision of our approachable associates and partners. You'll also be involved in socials, networking opportunities, pro bono work and more, so you'll end the scheme with invaluable experience and a clear sense of career direction.
To be eligible to apply for our Spring or Summer Vacation Schemes you'll need to be in the second year of your degree or beyond.
Applications for our Spring Vacation Scheme open on 1 September 2025 and close on 31 October 2025. Applications for our Summer Vacation Scheme open on 1 September 2025 and close on 28 November 2025.
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Who should apply
To apply for our Vacation Scheme, you'll need to be in the second year of your degree and beyond.
Academically, we do look for AAB at A Level and a 2:1 in any degree disciple. If you do not meet the AAB requirement but are able to demonstrate strong academic performance elsewhere and have the motivation, skill set and attitude to succeed, please contact a member of our team to discuss your application.
We want to recruit top talent for our relatively small intake. We recognise that academic achievement is not the only measure of success and value diversity of experience. We do not automatically reject applications based on academics and screen the whole application form before making a decision. We use Rare Recruitment Contextual Recruitment System to consider everyone's achievements in context.
Therefore, your performance will be reviewed across all sections of the application form before a decision is made, for example; interests and achievements, work experience, overall communication and answers to commercial and career-focused questions.
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When and how to apply
Applications for our Spring Vacation Scheme open on 1 September 2025 and close on 31 October 2025. Applications for our Summer Vacation Scheme open on 1 September 2025 and close on 28 November 2025. Completing a Vacation Scheme with us is the only way to be considered for a training contract in 2028.
Apply online at https://careers.taylorwessing.com/Earlycareeropportunities/go/Early-career-opportunities/9053855/?utm_source=CorpSite
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SQE
Before starting your training contract you will undertake SQE1 & SQE2 examinations. We have partnered with University of Law for this course, which will enable you to gain a breadth of knowledge before commencing these examinations. Additionally, you will also undertake an SQE Plus course to provide you with further legal knowledge ahead of joining the firm, which includes a master's.
Ahead of commencing the course, you will meet with the Early Talent and Talent Development teams to learn more about the course and our expectations and be provided with support throughout the year long course.
By completing the course and examinations ahead of your start date, you will be able to hit the ground running and gain your two years qualifying work experience through our training contract.
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Sponsorship
We will pay your tuition fees for both the PGDL and SQE, to be studied at the University of Law London, our chosen law school provider. During your studies, you will also receive a maintenance grant from us. Before commencing your training contract with the firm, you must complete the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations. We have partnered with University of Law for this course, which will enable you to gain a breadth of knowledge before commencing these examinations. Additionally, you will also undertake an SQE plus course to provide you with further legal knowledge ahead of joining the firm, which includes a master's.
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Taylor Wessing Taster Week (Open days) 2025
As part of our Taster Week, taking place in October 2025, we invite you to a series of Open Days designed to provide you with valuable insights into our firm. During these events, you will have the opportunity to connect with our senior lawyers and trainee solicitors, who will share their experiences and expertise. You'll need to complete our short application form to secure your place.
Applications open on 4 August 2025 and close on 1 October 2025.
The Open Days are taking place on the following dates:
• Monday 20 October: Virtual Open Day
• Tuesday 21 October: Virtual STEM Open Day
• Wednesday 22 October: Virtual Open Day
• Thursday 23 October: Virtual Open Day Workshops
• Friday 24 October: Virtual Open Day, Underrepresented Groups
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Webinar Week
Throughout Webinar Week, which runs from 29 September to 3 October 2025, we will host a series of online events to highlight the various sectors we specialise in and provide guidance from our Early Talent team. During our sector spotlight series, you’ll hear from our senior lawyers about the pivotal role of each of our sectors. You’ll also have opportunities to engage with the Early Talent team and our trainees through online sessions designed that offer insights into life at Taylor Wessing and the application process.
Registration opens on 4 August 2025 and the deadline to sign up is 19 September 2025.
• Monday 29 September
o Real estate, infrastructure and energy sector spotlight webinar
o SQE explained: Future trainee insights
• Tuesday 30 September
o Technology, media and communications sector spotlight webinar
o STEM to Law: Insights from Taylor Wessing trainees
• Wednesday 1 October
o Life sciences and healthcare sector spotlight webinar
o Making a difference: Pro bono in action
• Thursday 2 October
o Private Wealth sector spotlight webinar
o Building commercial awareness: Trainee tips and techniques
• Friday 3 October
o Private equity sector spotlight webinar
o Secrets to application success: Insights and tips
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First year opportunities
In May, we host our First Year Insight Day in London, where you'll get the chance to learn more about the firm, network, and think commercially. The First Year Insight Day is a great step to ensure you're ready to apply for the 2026 Vacation Scheme.
To apply for our 2026 First Year Insight Day, you'll need to be in the first year of your degree (studying any subject) and complete an application form to attend.
Applications open on 2 March 2026 and close on 27 March 2026.
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Virtual Work Experience
Immerse yourself in the Taylor Wessing Trainee Experience as you complete a series of challenges throughout the lifecycle of a six-month seat at the firm.
Test your performance against various key competencies and get feedback on your performance. Find out if you’ve got what it takes to join Taylor Wessing as a trainee solicitor!
Explore some of the firm’s key practice area, including:
• Real Estate
• Private Client
• Patents
• Pro Bono
For more information and to take part please visit here.
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Solicitor Apprenticeship
We don’t believe there's a set path in law – university isn't for everyone, and we appreciate that. Our six-year Solicitor apprenticeship programme offers school leavers with an interest in law an alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor.
As a solicitor apprentice, you’ll join our inclusive culture that allows you to be yourself, with support to help you become who you want to be. We want to support talent from the outset, so we’ll also offer you support as you transition from school to joining the firm.Our six-year programme has been designed to help you hit the ground running from day one. You'll work towards an LLB (Hons) Law degree and a Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship. Each week you'll spend four days working in a practice area on client cases, with one day studying with our training provider, University of Law (ULaw). We'll pay for your apprenticeship tuition fee and during your apprenticeship you'll be eligible for our benefits.
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Limitless Year 12 programme
Limitless is designed to introduce Year 12 students to the world of law. Featuring monthly upskilling workshops, networking opportunities, and a two-day work shadowing opportunity, Limitless will let you experience what it's like to work in a leading law firm. We'll introduce you to the skills you'll need for a career in law and help you kickstart your career as a solicitor.
Applications to Limitless are open to students in Year 12 from low socioeconomic backgrounds and/or Black heritage. To take part in the scheme, you must have achieved seven GCSEs at grade 6 and above, including at least a grade 7 in Maths and English. You'll also need to be available to attend all the monthly sessions and the two in-person work shadowing days in October 2026.
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Pro bono initiatives
Each year, our Pro Bono programme creates social value by providing access to justice to some of society’s most vulnerable people. We also proudly support charities and not-for-profits with social impact missions that align with our Responsible Business focus areas: Inclusion, Supporting the Arts, and Environment.
We set an aspirational target for each of our lawyers to record 25 pro bono hours annually. As a result, our lawyers collectively provide thousands of hours of free legal advice to our communities.
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Diversity and inclusion
We’re committed to delivering an inclusive culture and progressive environment where we empower all of our people to lead, learn, and grow. We recognise that the legal sector has much to do to improve diversity and that we are responsible for making progress for our people, aspiring legal professionals, and the wider legal community.
Nurturing a diverse, inclusive culture allows all of our talent to flourish. It sparks creativity amongst our people. It powers innovation for our clients.
Our Inclusion networks drive inclusivity, peer support, active allyship, and collaboration across the firm. They connect individuals with shared identities and values who are passionate about promoting diversity, equity, and belonging for all colleagues. We each have a responsibility to shape our culture, and our trainees are involved in the committees of all our Inclusion networks.