Coving ready or not! Regulatory specialists Covington & Burling offers the perfect platform to “build your own personal profile” in tech and life sciences.
Covington & Burling training contract review 2026
The Firm
“We're a firm that has regulatory work at the core, within its DNA,” graduate recruitment partner David Berman tells us, “and that’s very unusual for a law firm.” Of course, that’s not to say there’s not plenty of transactional expertise: “Our transactional and disputes practices are, of course, vibrant and important in their own right; both benefit hugely from the firm’s regulatory expertise that is a differentiator for us across the board.”
While Covington historically has been, and continues to be, seen as a life sciences and technology specialist, the US firm’s London base continues to expand its offering. In the last few years, this has meant the addition of a financial services department and an expanded private equity team: “That provides extra seat choices for our trainees and potential future qualification routes for our associates,” explains training principal Sarah Cowlishaw. Speaking of alternative seat options, the firm also offers one in business & human rights to cover new developments in legislation, especially at the EU level.
“…seniors to secretaries, everyone knows your name.”
Covington boasts top-tier rankings in Chambers UK for both life sciences transactions and life sciences regulatory, as well as parliamentary & public affairs. The firm also ranks highly in data protection & information law, venture capital investment, product liability and sanctions nationwide. Like a lot of US firms operating in the UK, the trainee headcount is relatively small, but that comes with its own perks.
According to Berman: “It's easy to build your own personal profile here.” This rang true in our trainee interviews, where we heard that “seniors to secretaries, everyone knows your name. Everyone is very personable.” With just eight or nine new trainees per year, there’s a fair amount of flexibility around seats, and some flexibility within departments to cater to their interests.
The Seats
The majority of our interviewees felt they had a good amount of say over where they sat during their training contract. Trainees have to do at least one corporate and one disputes seat, “but you have quite a few options for the specific seats you do within those.” Before they start, trainees rank all the available seats in order of preference and can update their list during their regular check-ins with HR throughout their training contract.
Through the same process, trainees can apply for client secondments in London and international secondments in the Brussels and Dubai offices. The Brussels position is a seat in competition, whereas the Dubai seat is a mix of project finance, corporate, arbitration and white-collar crime: “You are the trainee for that office, and your work depends on business need.” In recent years, client secondments have included a pro bono secondment to the charity Reprieve.
A seat in transactions covers work in both life sciences and tech transactions, with the option to work on both. The life sciences side involves “working with household name life sciences companies on the novel, cutting-edge scientific tech that they’re hoping to develop in partnership with smaller companies,” often in the biotech space. “As a trainee, your main role would be helping to put together those agreements.” To be more specific, trainees do “a lot of proofreading but that’s an understatement of how important that role is reviewing agreements. You ensuring everything is in place, that there are no mistakes, and nothing detrimental to the client.”
As a result, “my attention to detail came on leaps and bounds in that seat.” Covington recently advised AstraZeneca on its agreement to acquire EsoBiotec, a biotech company developing in vivo cell engineering to fight cancer. The department also works on “M&A-type agreements” within the life sciences sector, and as such there’s quite a bit of collaboration with the firm’s corporate team. There are usually two trainees sat in this department per rotation, but one of those positions is a split seat between the life science transactions group and the tech transactions group.
The tech regulatory department does what it says on the tin - advise on tech regulation. Much of the work involves helping companies comply with GDPR, the Online Safety Act, the AI Act, and the Cyber Security Act, but work could cover any relevant UK or EU regulation. Projects can also look further afield, for instance, the firm recently advised Microsoft on a transaction with G42, an Emirati AI development company, which will lead to collaboration between the two companies to bring advanced AI and digital infrastructure to countries in the Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East.
The department also handles “various investigations where regulators will investigate companies for alleged breaches,” the team advises their clients “to ensure compliance or find a next step.” For trainees, this means a lot of research tasks, for example looking into a particular point of the law and writing memos. They might also update trackers following new developments, which are quite often related to AI as this is a rapidly developing area of legislation. Not only did trainees think time here developed their skills as regulatory lawyers, but “they care about your work/life balance, so it was a good seat,” that provided “substantive work as well, which is what I like.”
“…success there has led to an influx of competition work.”
The commercial litigation team sits under the broader disputes umbrella. Partners have different specialties but, broadly speaking, a lot of its work revolves around class actions, including for “some particularly big companies,” and the competition appeal tribunal (CAT) in the UK. There’s also work on more traditional commercial disputes, such as “classic contractual disputes.” In recent years, the firm successfully defended Deutsche Telekom in a high-profile claim brought against it by Phones 4U, “success there has led to an influx of competition work, fraud-related claims and general stuff.”
Overall, it’s a “high- stakes commercial dispute work, including class actions” with some work in fraud and fraud conduct as well. The department will often take two trainees per rotation, one working on general litigation and the other more focused on competition litigation, “but that’s flexible.” Day-to-day, trainees might give updates to clients, review documents, manage cases and transactions, attend hearings, write memos, analyse artefacts and liaise with clients, courts and counsel.
Drafting opportunities include letters to the court and other parties and settlement agreements. For one source, this seat was “quite research heavy, which I enjoyed,” while another trainee reported enjoying the high level of responsibility in those drafting opportunities. There’s also the chance to create arguments, “seniors are happy to let you have a go, obviously under their supervision.”
The corporate department, as you might expect, encompasses quite a lot, so trainees “get experience in everything.” It’s an approach that was popular with our interviewees too: “What I enjoyed the most about the seat was doing lots of different things rather than, for example, just being the PE trainee.” In practice, this meant that “one day I was doing venture capital then the next day I was on an M&A deal.” Other areas the department covers include restructuring and real estate.
As Cowlishaw explains: “The way we approach corporate is that it's quite a big bucket that encompasses private equity, VC work, M&A, project finance, life sciences transactions. So corporate is the overall arching umbrella and then, depending on the needs in each team, the trainee roles will flex.” In one recent deal, the firm advised global biopharmaceutical company Insmed in its acquisition of rare disease treatment provider Adrestia Therapeutics.
Trainees do a fair bit of due diligence and transaction management, work which is “quite enjoyable, but it can be stressful being first point of call for the parties on what needs updating.” The flipside is that doing this work means plenty of communicating with clients and counsel. In fact, one trainee chose a seat here because “I thought it would be a good base for the rest of my TC in terms of the skills; learning to be organised and proactive and managing transactions. The experience exceeded my expectations!”
Trainee Life
“I would describe a lot of lawyers here as friendly nerds. They’re so besotted with their area of the law, and it really shines through,” one trainee told us when asked to describe the firm’s culture. This means that “as a trainee, working for someone who loves what they’re doing, and loves their clients, it really boosts your motivation to help them.” While people are “generally heads down working,” everyone is also generally “up to literally just stop what they’re doing, chinwag with you, and see how you are.”
We heard that Covington isn’t the kind of firm where everyone heads down to the pub every Thursday evening (although there are some who do). It’s more common for people find a way to fit a bit of social time into the workday. For example, there’s a free lunch on Wednesdays which brings people together for a chat over a meal. The firm organises regular trainee socials and events to welcome new staff to the firm.
There are also a couple of social clubs, such as a book club and padel. Trainees can join the various diversity “strands,” groups which organise events for occasions like International Women’s Day and external trips, such as a recent excursion to the BFI Flare film festival. Pro bono is “quite a big deal here.” Opportunities cover a wide range of areas, including immigration, Amicus death penalty appeals and “lots of projects that are more practice group-specific,” such as helping charities with employment or privacy law.
“I would definitely put money on it being one of the nicest law firm offices in London!”
By virtue of being located on the highest floors of the tallest tower in the City, “the main selling point of our office is the view,” one told us, withthe panorama including sites like Hyde Park, St Paul’s and the Shard: “I would definitely put money on it being one of the nicest law firm offices in London!” Covington recently upped required office days from three to four per week. Given that the office location means “sometimes it feels like I’m in a movie scene,” trainees weren’t too upset.
What about working hours? “When you do more regulatory seats, things tend to be more balanced than if you do a corporate or finance seat,” one source explained, meaning more frequent early evening finishes and fewer late nights. There’s “no expectation to be in the office really late,” and trainees are sometimes able to go home and log back on there if they need.
For some trainees, “the expectation to be always accessible isn’t something I expected.” But we also heard that “I’ve probably enjoyed some of the busiest periods the most because that’s when you’re really stuck in, and feel part of the team.” Most trainees were happy with their compensation: “I think 60k is good for a trainee and obviously the NQ salary is high.”
In each seat, every trainee will have two supervisors (except in very small departments where they will have one),usually one partner and one senior associate or counsel: “I think it’s quite a good approach because if they do slightly different things, you’re more likely to get a good mix in the things you do as a trainee as well,” one insider told us. How closely trainees work with their supervisors varies based on the seat, but in smaller departments the work is predominantly with the supervisor. They share an office with one of these supervisors, so it’s “easy to ask questions when there’s someone beside you. You feel like they’re a good go-to for the silly questions.”
There’s a “formal air to the reviews,” as we heard the firm “takes themseriously. People here view feedback as a useful tool for improvement.” The idea here is that providing “concrete examples” of what trainees did well is the best way to improve. But don’t let that be intimidating, as feedback is always “positive and constructive.”
“Training is very much hands on. It’s a case of getting experience doing the job,” one told us.It was something that trainees enjoyed too, “because I feel more productive learning on the job.” That said, some departments, such as disputes, put on a formal training programme for their trainees: “They really train you up to be a good writer” through letting trainees get stuck into drafting early on in their career.
Second-years described the qualification process as “smooth” and told us that they “felt very well supported throughout the process.” In early April, the firm releases a jobs list, where trainees then list one or two preferences. In 2025, “everyone got their first choice, so everyone is happy.”
In years where there’s competition for one position, the firm conducts interviews: “Where at all possible we don't want to lose people and we will look for pragmatic opportunities to retain,” explains Berman. In 2025, the firm retained a full house of qualifiers.
You can have your cake and eat it…
There’s a monthly celebration for everyone who had a birthday that month – complete with birthday cake – on one of the hub floors.
How to get a Covington training contract
Vacation scheme deadlines:
Winter (scheme dates and application deadline):
Applications open: 22 September 2025
Applications close: 31 October 2025
Summer (scheme dates and application deadline):
Applications open: 22 September 2025
Applications close: 31 January 2026
Insight day deadline: CovInsights (first year programme)
The firm’s CovInsights programme is aimed at first year law students and second year non-law students who are still researching their legal careers. This two day interactive programme provides a valuable insight into the firm, its practice areas, and the skills you will need to develop to become a successful lawyer. The programme is the perfect opportunity for candidates who are not yet eligible to apply for our vacation schemes.
Programme Date: undisclosed
Application deadline:
Applications open: undisclosed
Applications close: undisclosed
Training contract deadline: the firm recruits exclusively via its vacation schemes.
Applications and Interviews
The first step in securing a training contract at Covington is to complete an online application form, covering work experience (both legal and non-legal) and why the firm appeals to you. As a lawyer you'll need to communicate complex ideas clearly and succinctly, and this is something the firm keeps an eye out for in applications. Finally, Covington look for trainees who are well-rounded, so don’t be afraid to let your personality and passions shine throughout the application process. Successful candidates are then invited to attend an assessment centre which comprises a group exercise and an interview with two senior lawyers. Candidates will also have the opportunity to meet with some trainees on an informal basis.
Vacation Schemes
Covington run two vacation schemes, a two-week scheme in the winter and a two-week scheme in the summer. Eligible applicants will be in their final year of a non-law degree or penultimate year of a law degree (although graduates and career changers are also welcome to apply). Vacation schemers spend a week sitting within a practice group, sharing an office with a senior lawyer, and are also allocated an associate mentor and trainee buddy, replicating the trainee experience from the outset. Students complete an independent research project, a group negotiation exercise and attend a training contract interview at the end of the scheme. There's also the opportunity to attend a variety of presentations from practice groups and international offices, and there are a number of social and networking opportunities to allow students to gain a real understanding of the firm.
The CovInsights programme is aimed at first-year law students and second-year non-law students who are still researching their legal careers. This two-day interactive programme provides an insight into the firm, its practice areas, and the skills you will need to develop to become a successful lawyer. The programme is the perfect opportunity for candidates who are not yet eligible to apply for the firm's vacation schemes, and includes an introduction to the firm's key practice areas, group exercises and workshops, and networking opportunities. Applications are open from 12 September 2024.
The ideal candidate
Covington requires applicants to have strong grades at A level and a 2:1 degree. Successful candidates are sharp, articulate, and quick thinking.
Covington & Burling LLP
Covington & Burling LLP was founded in Washington, DC more than a century ago. Today, Covington has more than 1,300 lawyers and advisers across our 14 global offices. We advise clients on their most challenging and complex matters. Most of our work has an international element, and all our practice groups operate across borders. Our distinctively collaborative culture allows us to be truly one team globally, drawing on the diverse experience of lawyers across the firm.
What sets us apart is our ability to combine the tremendous strength in our litigation, investigations, and corporate practices with deep knowledge of policy and policymakers, and one of the world’s leading regulatory practices.
Our trainees tell us that they were attracted to Covington in London because we provide the responsibility and opportunity of a close-knit office, combined with the resources and prestige of a leading international firm. Above all, though, we recognise the importance of a great firm culture. At Covington you will find a firm with values of collegiality, high standards of lawyering, respect for others, a dedication to public service and a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. We have some of the best lawyers in the world because we understand that excellence in legal practice involves effective teamwork, clear and shared values and generosity to colleagues and clients as well as preeminent legal skills.
Our clients include technology giants Microsoft and Meta, as well as leaders in life sciences such as AstraZeneca and Oxford Biomedica. We have advised pharmaceutical manufacturers in relation to the manufacture and supply of COVID-19 vaccines, and acted for ACWA Power on the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, we engage in cutting-edge pro bono matters, such as representing Ukraine against the Russian Federation at the ICJ.
Corporate advisory (capital markets, M&A, finance, private equity, venture capital and funds), commercial litigation, data privacy, competition, employment, financial services, insurance coverage disputes, intellectual property, internal investigations and compliance, international arbitration, life sciences, project development & finance, tax, technology regulatory. In addition, all our lawyers are encouraged to undertake pro bono work.
Trainees complete four six-month seats.
All trainees complete a transactional and contentious seat. To ensure you get the best experience from your time, our Professional Development team will work closely with you to design a training programme that best suits your preferences (and the business needs). Trainees are able to choose two seats from five practice areas: Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Life Sciences Regulatory, Life Sciences Transactional, Project Development and Finance, and Technology Regulatory.
Client secondments are available, alongside secondments to our Brussels and Dubai offices. All trainees are supervised by two senior lawyers and have access to a support network and a mentoring programme. Trainees benefit from the responsibilities and opportunities found within a close-knit office, combined with the resources and prestige of a leading international firm. You are quickly able to start contributing to teams and participate in meaningful work.
Corporate
Our corporate clients range from startups to established multinationals, and include investment banks and investors (including private equity and venture capital).
Given the firm’s particular strengths, much of our work is within the pharmaceutical/life sciences, energy and clean energy, brands, technology, and media industries.
Our work includes premium cross-border M&A deals, advising PE funds on their investments complex worldwide licensing and collaboration transactions.
We help our clients with international project development and finance advice, venture capital financing for emerging companies and their investors, capital markets fundraisings, and fund transactions and formations.
Dispute Resolution
Our Dispute Resolution team includes lawyers focused on litigation, arbitration and white collar crime and investigations.
Our litigators help clients with issues before Courts in England, Europe and beyond. Our work is often in groundbreaking, complex fields and we regularly advise on significant, high-profile cases including defending substantial class actions.Our arbitrators help clients both with commercial arbitrations across a wide range of jurisdictions and bilateral investment treaty claims, including representing Ukraine.
Our white collar crime and investigations practice advise our multinational client base on a range of issues including bribery, money laundering, sanctions, and fraud.
Trainees choose two elective seats from five areas. We make every effort to satisfy requests and tailor the traineeship to specific interests.
Life Sciences Regulatory
Covington is widely acknowledged to have one of the world’s top life sciences practices globally. We advise companies and trade associations, including many of the major multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotechnology companies and producers of medical devices, cosmetics, foods, food packaging, specialty chemicals and consumer products. Our advice covers a wide range of regulatory, transactional, and contentious matters. We represent our clients before regulators, policymakers and the national and European Courts.
The group has been heavily involved in most of the major regulatory developments in recent years, including the fight against COVID -19 and the use of AI in healthcare.
Life Sciences Transactional
Widely recognised as a global leader in strategic transactions, Covington advises on many of the industry’s largest and most innovative life sciences transactions year after year. A hallmark of our transactional practice is our extensive experience structuring, negotiating, and drafting complex global alliances, strategic collaborations, joint ventures, licensing and other agreements that underpin the life sciences and healthcare sectors. We work with pharma, biotech, medtech, and digital health clients, ranging from start-ups through to the largest multinationals, giving us a deep understanding of the issues that arise in relation to agreements at all stages and across all fields within life sciences and healthcare.
Employment
Covington’s international employment practice helps multinational employer clients manage HR- legal compliance projects. Our work includes the preparation of global policies and codes of business conduct, expatriate secondments/global mobility, multi-country project management, cross - border M&A, corporate restructuring, and litigation. Current projects in which we are involved include business and human rights- related compliance initiatives, Employment Tribunal litigation, and international workforce transactions.Technology Regulatory
We advise clients on a variety of technology regulatory issues. Our expertise spans such diverse topics as data protection, cybersecurity, copyright and other IP, e-commerce, the use of AI, platform regulation, Internet of Things, digital health, social media, behavioural advertising, geolocation tracking and biometrics, to name just a few.
Project Development and FinanceOur team advises companies, lenders and governments on a wide variety of energy and infrastructure projects. Our main focus in energy is on green energy rather than fossil fuels. We have substantial experience in renewables and are rapidly gaining experience in battery and hydrogen projects.
Vacation scheme
Our Winter and Summer Vacation Schemes are a great way for students to really learn about the firm and its people to ultimately decide if a career at Covington is for them.
Over the one week (Winter) or two week (Summer) Schemes, students have the opportunity to become integrated into the London office and gain an insight into the work of a Covington lawyer. Our vacation schemes provide an opportunity to participate in real work, group activities, and a series of presentations from across practice groups and offices. Students participate in an independent research project focusing on a practice area of interest, providing a valuable hands-on experience that will set them up for success when joining the profession. We also organise a number of social events so that students can network and get to know lawyers at the firm.
Students are eligible to apply from their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree. We also accept applications from students who have already completed their degrees.
Applications can be submitted here.
CovInsights (first year programme)
Our CovInsights programme is aimed at first year law students and second year non-law students who are still researching their legal careers. This two day interactive programme provides a valuable insight into the firm, its practice areas, and the skills you will need to develop to become a successful lawyer. The programme is the perfect opportunity for candidates who are not yet eligible to apply for our vacation schemes.
Applications can be submitted here.
Mentoring ProgrammeOur mentoring programme is open to all underrepresented groups, with the aim of increasing diversity within, and access to the legal profession. The programme pairs mentees with a lawyer or trainee at the firm for the duration of the academic year. Mentees will also be offered upskilling workshops throughout the programme to start developing the skills needed to become successful lawyers.
Eligibility and application details can be found here.
Other benefits
Trainees have access to a full benefits package including: private medical insurance, telemedicine service, fertility benefits, dental insurance, employee assistance programme, mental wellbeing platform, eye tests, flu vaccine, group income protection scheme, group life assurance scheme, group personal pension scheme, business travel accident program, emergency back-up care services, season ticket loan.
Meet Us
Covington Insight Series
Join us for a series of exclusive virtual insight sessions, where we dive deep into the multifaceted world of Covington. Applications are open to all students from any degree discipline and in any year of their degree including graduates. details and the registration link can be found here.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing
Covington is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive firm, where all colleagues are supported and have access to opportunities. We recognise that diversity enriches our culture, enhances our work with clients, and strengthens the profession. Our efforts extend to traditionally underrepresented and historically excluded groups. We are intentional, deliberate, and focused, and implement a broad range of initiatives to support DEI within our firm while advancing these values in the legal profession.
Our approach includes the elements of a strong DEI program, including infrastructure, educational programs, communications, and events about the importance of DEI. We develop forward-looking initiatives and inclusive policies tailored towards strengthening the firm and celebrating the diversity of our colleagues, to ensure we provide equitable opportunities for everyone.
We also have diversity committees in each of our Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Asia offices, with which we partner to champion the integration of policies to support colleagues from our Firm Resource Groups. Senior lawyer leads work with local DEI committees in each of our EMEA offices who ensure we are progressing against our DEI goals at the local level. The committees host firm-wide educational heritage month programming to celebrate the histories, representation, and contributions of our colleagues.
Firm Resource Groups
Our Firm Resource Groups are a critical part of Covington’s inclusive approaches and practices. These groups support our colleagues who historically have been under-represented, excluded, and/or marginalised in the legal profession. All Firm Resource Groups are open to lawyers and professional staff, and many actively engage allies. The Firm Resource Groups foster community-building and member connections, promote broad firm education and awareness on the experiences of their members, and advocate for practices that enhance our inclusive workplace.
CovPride
The CovPride Resource Group creates an inclusive environment and community where LGBTQ+ colleagues feel safe, can bring their authentic selves to work, and can actively engage with and feel supported by members and allies. The group focuses on promoting community and belonging, supporting the growth of the LGBTQ+ community, fostering career growth (including providing members access to mentors and advocates), and championing education and advocacy.
Disability and Neurodiversity Network
The Disability and Neurodiversity Network is a community that focuses on support of persons with disabilities (visible and non-visible) and neurodivergences. The network welcomes colleagues who are disabled and/or neurodivergent, as well as allies who are interested in supporting disability and neurodiversity-related issues. The network aims to cultivate a culture of accessibility and inclusivity at Covington by providing support for members, advocating for inclusive firm practices, and hosting learning programs to help educate colleagues, often in celebration of observances such as Disability Pride Month and International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Multicultural Network
The Multicultural Network (MCN) is a network for members of our Asian Pacific Islanders, Black, Latino, and Middle Eastern and North African Firm Resource Groups and allies. The MCN promotes DEI within our EMEA offices, through idea sharing and organised events and activities that focus on ethnic and racial diversity matters.
Social Mobility and First Generation Professionals
The Social Mobility and First Generation Professionals Resource Group provides a support network for those already at the firm from socially mobile backgrounds. The network aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those from socially mobile backgrounds and reduce barriers.
Women’s Forum
The Women’s Forum fosters greater interaction among women at all levels of the firm. Through regularly scheduled programs and initiatives, the Forum provides an opportunity for our women lawyers and professional staff to develop their internal network and address issues of common interest, such as career growth, mentoring, business and professional development. The Women’s Forum has chapters in each of our 14 offices globally.
Initiatives
Examples of firm-wide DEI initiatives and programs, include:
• Inclusive Leader Training, firm leaders participate in inclusive leadership programmes, focused on strengthening their DEI fluency and competency. We developed Covington's Inclusive Leadership program with the knowledge that inclusive skills and behaviours practiced by leaders promote greater engagement and retention.
• DEI Goals in Practice Group plans and Senior Lawyers Annual Commitments, all senior lawyers at the firm are required to include a DEI goal in their annual commitments. Senior lawyers meet with leadership to review their commitments. In addition, DEI goals are required in our practice group and industry group annual business plans. The Management Committee meets quarterly with each group and reviews progress against plans, including their DEI goals.
• Women’s Mentoring Programme, connects junior women associates across the EMEA region with senior women lawyers, enabling junior associates to have connections across offices and in person with their mentors.
• DEI Billable Hours Credit policy, enabling associates and counsel to include up to 50 hours of DEI-related activities toward bonus eligibility.
• Covington Connected, our biennial DEI Summit, in Washington, D.C. The summit brought together more than 350 lawyers and advisors who are racially or ethnically diverse and/or identify with the LGBTQ+ community. This event provided a forum for colleagues to strengthen relationships with each other through programming designed to advance inclusion at Covington. Attendees heard from leadership experts and participated in activities centred around the primary theme of “Leading with Purpose," exploring ways in which we can connect ourselves, our work, and our organisations to a deeper sense of meaning – all of which leads to a stronger firm.
Awards & Recognition
In recognition of our comprehensive DEI efforts, Covington has received the following external awards and accolades:
• Human Rights Campaign “Corporate Equality Index” Survey: scored 100 for 15 consecutive years.
• Law 360 Pulse’s 2023 Social Impact Leaders: ranked 4th among the 100 largest law firms.
• Law 360 Pulse’s 2024 Diversity Snapshot: ranked 19th among firms with 600+ lawyers, based on representation of attorneys who identify as racial/ethnic minorities.
• Mansfield Rule Certification Plus achieved every year since 2018.
• Seramount’s 2024 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity: ranked among the top 20 firms and has been ranked amongst the top 50 firms for the past three years.
• Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF): achieved U.S. and UK Gold Standard Certification in 2023, representing the ninth year the firm has been recognized in the U.S. and the fourth year it has been recognized for both countries.
• 2023 Chambers Student Survey: scored 100% on efforts to recruit and promote lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Memberships
• Black Solicitors Network (BSN) • Charta der Vielfalt • East Asian Lawyers Organisation (EALO) • InterLaw Diversity Forum • IntoUniversity • Legal Diversity and Inclusion Alliance (LDIA) • NOTICED • Social Mobility PledgeLink
Learn more about DEI at Covington here.
This Firm's Rankings in
UK Guide, 2025
Ranked Departments
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London (Firms)
- Commercial and Corporate Litigation (Band 4)
- Competition Law (Band 6)
- Corporate/M&A: £100-800 million (Band 4)
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UK-wide
- Data Protection & Information Law (Band 2)
- Fraud: Civil (Band 4)
- Life Sciences: Regulatory (Band 1)
- Life Sciences: Transactional (Band 1)
- Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Public Affairs (Band 1)
- Private Equity: Venture Capital Investment (Band 3)
- Product Liability: Food (Band 2)
- Projects: Mainly International (Band 3)
- Sanctions (Band 3)