Mishcon de Reya LLP - True Picture

Mishcon de Reya training contract review 2026

The Firm

Often misattributed to Bill Gates, the famous line ‘be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one’ is a good one. It’s words that should be taken quite literally for Mishcon de Reya’s trainees too.

Whether it’s corporate, dispute resolution, employment, innovation, private client or real estate, Mishcon’s broad practice area coverage allows each and every one “to be a geek about what they do! At Mishcon, there’s that interest, that drive in all the intersections of the law from the branding to the commercial side.” This full-service breadth has its benefits straight out of law school too: “You don’t know what you’re interested in,” one trainee told us, “so it helps that Mishcon is an ever-shifting firm.”

“At Mishcon, there’s that interest, that drive in all the intersections of the law from the branding to the commercial side.”

As those at the firm will be quick to tell you, “it balances the more niche areas with the massive ones, and the departments are in constant communication, so it's a very collaborative environment where you can build your own path based on what you’re interested in.” Chambers UK attests to this too, awarding the firm top-tier rankings in everything from art and cultural property law to gaming nationwide.

In London, the firm receives the highest praise for its work in practices like corporate/M&A, employment (employer, senior executive, and High Court litigation), real estate litigation, and restructuring and insolvency disputes.

The Seats

To organise trainees into their four six-month seats, Early Careers gets them to each rank as many seats as they like out of over 40 options, and single out one seat they’d rather not do.  To help distribute the, “like, 60 seat options” amongst a cohort more than 30 strong, the firm now uses AI to fairly allocate their options.

Our interviewees were generally positive about the process, particularly around the seat options, because “there are so many you can pick – there’s so much choice!” There are also no compulsory seats so, even though “they do want you to have diversity in your training contract” there is flexibility to tailor your options.

Trainees can also apply for client secondments via the same process,and there is an international secondment opportunity to Hong Kong with Mishcon’s affiliated firm, Karas So LLP, which you have to apply and interview for in advance of the general allocation process.

Real estate holds a number of teams, both contentious and transactional, the largest of which being commercial real estate.“The department is massive,” one told us, which meant working on deals valued in the hundreds of millions and even “getting exposure to deals that make the press.” Big deals have included the firm’s advice on a joint venture between Taurus Investment Holdings and Cole Waterhouse in connection with Upper Trinity Street – a mixed-use development in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Newbies also work on smaller transactions “like leases and lease renewals, which you’re trusted to run under supervision,” including looking into the land registry, and working on ancillary documents like applications for statutory declarations.On larger transactions, trainees generally provide support work, dealing with ancillaries to leases, like notices, and on managing workstreams. Overall, our sources felt that “you get to be proactive” across the seat, taking calls with clients for instruction, solicitors on the other side, and with other teams within the firm too, like tax and finance.

“If you like to work on tangible things literally being built in front of you, it’s a good deal…”

“If you like to work on tangible things literally being built in front of you, it’s a good deal.” Is there a better way to describe life in construction? The department sits separately to the real estate department but still deals in the built environment. Unlike real estate though, the team works on building contracts and consultant agreements – “quite niche to construction, but you see the same things quite regularly, so you build confidence in what you’re doing.”

Interviewees told us they had day to day contact with clients and were given responsibility to lead and run matters, so “the trust is brilliant, and on a number of matters it’s just you and a partner.” In one recent matter, the group advised Colt Data Centre Services on a more than £2 billion brownfield redevelopment in Hayes, West London, into the largest data centre campus in the UK.

The corporate practice covers M&A and securities, venture capital and private equity work for clients like real estate services CBRE, investment management service Tri7 and Comcast. “Definitely the busiest seat” for newbies, interviewees regaled us with tales of back-to-back deals, “all very long completions,” reorganisations and inter-company reshuffles, among others.

Trainees admitted that there is “churn work” like reviewing of documents, taking board minutes and leading on the signing process – all pretty typical for early transactional work – but we also heard that it was possible to get the opportunity to run things like disclosure calls when working directly with partners, as well as drafting SPAs when they’ve gained enough experience.

Technology, life sciences, commercial and data (TLCD) “sounds like four teams and feels like it sometimes!” However, TLCD is split into groups, with one side taking on technology, life sciences and commercial (TLC), and data on the other. Trainees can work across both sides though, so for them “it’s a spread of work, allocated by business need,” with a lot of work for the junior end revolving around contract work on both sides of the practice. “It’s more sector specific” one interviewee explained, “so it could be with someone specialising in life science or with data.” The TLC side has the firm helping entities with establishing relationships and as partner and counsel for the development of new technologies.

In one recent example, Mishcon advised Relation Therapeutics on its collaboration with GSK in connection with its work on novel therapeutic targets for fibrotic disease and osteoarthritis. We heard that trainees often act as the main point of contact for clients, on the data side acting as data protection officers delivering advice: “It’s really good experience,” one trainee told us, “you’re doing legal and commercial research on things like AI development, so you’re participating on the knowledge side but also drafting advice and contracts for clients.”

Clients in tech include names like Nintendo, Skyscanner and bet365, and the firm recently acted for Sky in proceedings against SkyKick in the Supreme Court, which upheld the ruling that SkyKick had infringed on Sky’s trademark.

“You get to do first drafts of letters, advise clients, manage counsel and manage clients – once that trust is built they really trust you, there’s no micromanaging.”

The private practice at Mishcon holds a number of seats including private commercial litigation, which consists of smaller matters “sometimes just between you and a partner.” When it comes to clients, “it’s high net worth individuals rather than large corporates,” working on things like shareholder partnership disputes, but the group also has a sub-team that does “all things politics and law,” so advising on things like lobbying and fundraising. Interviewees in the seat told us that “it’s been fantastic” with the smaller matters providing the opportunity to take on a lot of responsibility, keeping partners updated on the progress of cases and briefing them before calls: “You get to do first drafts of letters, advise clients, manage counsel and manage clients – once that trust is built they really trust you, there’s no micromanaging.”

Private wealth and tax  also sits in the private department, but the work is generally advisory; helping high net worth individuals on tax, estate planning, wills, probates and inheritance matters. The day-to-day consists of drafting of advice memorandums to clients and notes on tax, with changes to the non-dom status making up a significant component of trainee work at the moment.

The bigger contentious matters are the reserve of commercial disputes. As one trainee put it: “The cases that come in are very interesting and can be quite complex – and if you have the aptitude, you will really enjoy it!” In one recent case,the firm acted for O2 in its response to the appeal brought by Phones 4u regarding alleged breach of EU and English competition law and breach of contract.

Unlike most departments, we heard that here, supervisors delegate work directly to their trainees, “so if someone needs something like prepping a bundle you can work with others, but for the most part you’re working with your supervisor.” Tasks include assisting with drafting, legal research, “a lot of bundling,” and even going to court. The bread and butter in the seat however is project management – making sure deadlines are diarised, things are filed correctly and sending drafts to different parties.

Trainee Life

Many of the matters in the Mishcon’s ESG and sustainability-focused Purpose department are pro bono – which is in itself a statement of intent from the firm, but they drive the point just as far outside of the seat. Trainees are expected to do 25 hours but can put 50 hours into pro bono every year, and “if you aren’t completing your 25 hours you get contacted, so there is a culture where pro bono is encouraged and put on par with chargeable work.” The firm has strong links to legal clinics like the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre where they offer advice as part of the Black Justice Project, Pink Law and SPITE. Trainees can also volunteer for the RCJ Advice Bureau where they give advice for civil and family matters.

Of course, with big work comes a big demand by way of workload. We heard that hours “consistently run into the evening,” with busier departments like corporate sometimes falling to late nights and “even weekend work. That said, while sometimes you have crazy hours, after those deals, you’ll be taken out for completion lunches or dinners at the likes of a Michelin star restaurant, so it is acknowledged when you’ve put in a lot of hard work!”

Trainees generally go into the office four or five days a week, and all our interviewees were positive about the firm’s “lovely” office which features a canteen onsite, open plan spaces,and a large client lounge which hosts fortnightly firm drinks (and snacks) for people across the firm to socialise.

“Every group has their own summer parties,” alongside a firmwide summer party and other events through the year, so “people are friends across the firm.” We heard that transactional seats were particularly social, with the corporate department being highlighted for their annual ski trip, regular Friday drinks and completion lunches and dinners. That said, in “most seats there are efforts made to have a department social.” On the contentious side, trainees are “encouraged go to chambers to interact with barristers.”

Trainee cohorts get a budget too, to socialise and network amongst themselves, which helps to supplement the networking and knowledge events that the firm puts on. All this lends itself to a culture where “people remember you.” Insiders did caution that “some departments are more hierarchical,” with a few being “quite old school” in their approach, but “they are all decent to work with.”

“There’s a real interest in learning and being at the cutting edge.”

Although trainees get a fair amount of autonomy, and can typically get work from anyone on the team, they are assigned supervisors who often sit in the office and conduct reviews with them. Beyond this, formal training is conducted by knowledge lawyers which each team has. “Each time you move to a new team you have hour long sessions once or twice a week for the first few weeks of the seat” to give newbies a “good refresher” before diving into the work. Trainees highlighted employment and family as having particularly good training.

Insiders described a wider culture of learning at the firm, primarily down to the Mishcon Academy “that delivers a huge range of sessions, updating you on law but also inviting barristers and celebrities for lunchtime talks!” Guest speakers have included Nicola Sturgeon, Mel B – yes, Scary Spice herself! – Oti Mabuse and Jarvis Cocker of Pulp fame, “so they have been really interesting to add to my learning.” Our interviewees felt that the series “exposes lawyers, clients and the community to interesting perspectives. There’s a real interest in learning and being at the cutting edge.”

The majority of those we spoke with told us that, “for my experience I feel fairly compensated for the hours I work.” For trainees “the culture is that if it’s not busy you’re not expected to be there. I wouldn’t want to sacrifice that work life balance.”  Salary leaps up to £100k for NQs, which helps to soften the challenge of qualification, a process which the newly qualified admitted was “very stressful.”

Trainees can apply for any department mentioned on the jobs list – even where they haven’t done a seat, but all applicants have to submit a CV after which departments decide on interviews. Some interviews then involve case studies, and there are often multiple rounds, but we did hear “it feels more like a chat to see what you’re interested in.”  In 2025, the firm retained 26 of 26 qualifiers.

How to get a Mishcon de Reya training contract 

Spring Vacation Scheme Deadline: 28/11/2025

Summer Vacation Scheme: 19/12/2025

Applications 

Mishcon de Reya recruits trainees solely through its vacation schemes, typically receiving around 2,000-2,500 applications each year. The firm is hosting four vacation schemes in 2026, each lasting one week in the office, on the following dates: 

Spring

• 13  April 2026 – 17 April 2026
• 27 April 2026 – 1 May 2026

Summer

• 22  June 2026 – 26 June 2026
• 06 July 2026 – 10 July 2026

There are five stages to the application and recruitment process: Application Form, Bright Apply, Situational Judgement Test and Assessment Centre which consists of an interview and case study, before the vacation scheme. 

The process kicks off with an online form asking about academics, work experience and extracurricular activities. A source from the firm’s early careers team explains: “Candidates who have been involved in a range of extracurriculars that showcase other passions within and outside of a career in law” tend to do well here. “We’d like to see your personality come across and understand you as a person!” You’ll also need to answer some free-text questions which may involve a commercial awareness angle: “These questions will give you the opportunity to share your knowledge around topics of interest and will allow you to demonstrate the wider implications of these subjects,” early careers tells us. 

Mishcon typically asks for applicants to have a 2:1 degree minimum and ABB at A-Level, but there is some wiggle room for the right candidate. “Please don’t be deterred if your grades are lower than this; we are looking for people who have a strong application form across the board,” the firm tells us. All types of extracurricular activities are valued, including participation in sports, work experience and legal and non-legal volunteering. 

Bright Apply

This year's application process includes an exciting new addition. Mishcon de Reya is partnering with Bright Network on an Alpha trial of their new AI screening tool, Bright Apply. The Bright Apply tool has been created to give candidates a chance to better contextualise their applications. The firm will have a shorter application form this year, allowing candidates to discuss their experiences and motivations with Bright Apply in more detail, instead of limiting candidates to a certain number of characters on an application form. The Bright Apply tool takes form of a virtual interview in which candidates can choose whether to write responses, or speak them aloud to the AI interviewer. Not only does this give candidates an opportunity to detail their achievements and experiences but also helps Mishcon make more informed decisions at an early stage of the process. You'll be able to amend any answers you share with the tool, to ensure the information you share reads exactly as you want it to be. The AI will not be making any decisions on candidates, and all applications and Bright Apply interviews are 100% reviewed by humans.

Situational Judgement Test

Mishcon use a Situational Judgement Test as part of their recruitment process. This consists of a blend of scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions. The assessment has been designed to look for candidates who apply their intellect and creativity to a variety of work-related situations. Whilst the test is an assimilation of a day in the life of a junior lawyer, the questions will not require any prior knowledge or experience in law.

Assessment Day

The firm has previously conducted their assessment day assessments, a case study and an interview, in their London offices where you will meet with several senior fee earners, members of the firm's People Team and have time to meet their current trainees.

Case Study 

The case study will require candidates to read through provided materials and prepare to have a discussion about the study with an assessor. “We’re looking for candidates with strong commercial knowledge and ability to understand the issues presented during the case study. In line with our core values, we are looking for those who are able to think creatively when coming up with innovative solutions to the issues posted in the case study,” early careers details. They go on to explain that applicants who have performed particularly well at this stage are “those who are able to understand the key points from the scenario given and be able to discuss this in depth with the assessor. Ensuring that you are answering all elements of the question and providing a detailed analysis with evidence from the facts of the case study will allow you to have a detailed discussion with your assessor.” 

Interview 

The interview is a chance for interviewers to learn more about the candidate and their reasons for wanting to train at Mishcon. You’ll meet with a combination of assessors who could be fee earners or members of the People Team to discuss your online application and answer some competency and situational-based questions. Early Careers tells us: “Applicants who can provide strong reasons for why they want to train at Mishcon specifically” tend to do well here. It’s about “understanding what makes Mishcon different and being able to convey this during your explanation of why you want to work here, which will allow you to provide strong reasons for why you want to train with us!” It’s also an opportunity to showcase your personality and explore other themes in your application. “Not only are we looking for the potential to provide our clients with the highest quality legal services in an efficient, professional and business-like manner, but we are also looking for those who are able to place the highest value on teamwork and mutual support to thrive in a collaborative working environment,” they add. 

Vacation scheme 

Vac schemers at Mishcon do real work-related tasks and learn more about the firm’s legal departments by speaking to current trainees, training principals and other fee earners. You’ll sit with a practice group and have a supervisor, as well as attend sessions with the early careers team and undergo individual and group assessments. The Academy Tech and Knowledge Service teams will also host training sessions on core technologies and how to conduct legal research. To top it all off, you’ll get to enjoy an evening out with your fellow vac schemers! 

There is also a group assessment towards the end of the week. The group assessment is structurally similar to the case study completed at the assessment day but is completed as a group instead. The teams will prepare and present a solution to a complex client scenario to a panel of assessors. 

And finally, the firm adds, “we aren’t looking for students who are able to ‘ace’ an interview. We really want to get to know students, on the job, over a couple of weeks to ensure that they are the right fit for us and equally that we are the right fit for what they are looking for as well!”