Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is one of a handful of leading international law firms, with offices across the world.
Our clients are mainly big commercial businesses whose names are well-known. The type of work we do divides into helping clients achieve what they want through doing deals, advising them on real and potential problems, and helping them sort out their disputes. Our practice is very diverse, and constantly changing to meet our clients’ evolving needs.
Whatever clients want to achieve, their lawyers’ job is to find out whether and how they can do it. Is it possible? What will be the most effective structure? What are the risks? How should it be documented?
Who we are looking for
We are looking for around 100 trainees to start training with us in London in 2014, split between two intakes in February and August. Our training programme is vital to us, because today’s trainees are where most of tomorrow’s associates and partners will come from.
The firm wants its trainees to come from diverse backgrounds, and their choice of university or degree is immaterial. Current trainees studied at nearly 50 different universities. Many did a law degree, but others read subjects ranging from music to biochemistry.
Whatever their background, trainees need some non-negotiable qualities. They need to be intellectually talented and have excellent English skills. They need to enjoy working on difficult problems, working alongside others, and never doing less than the best they can.
Training and development
Trainees who join our London training programme can move departments every three months, so they can see more of what’s on offer. Many other firms are not so flexible.
Organisationally, our lawyers work in one of eight departments: corporate; finance; dispute resolution; real estate; intellectual property/IT; tax; employment, pensions and benefits; and antitrust, competition and trade.
All departments provide formal training. But trainees learn most by working for clients alongside the firm’s more experienced lawyers. They learn in London and in other offices in the US, Europe and Asia. Some are also seconded to clients.
Training contract applications
If you want to apply for a training contract to begin in February or August 2014, you will need to apply online between 1 November 2011 and 31 July 2012. Go to www.freshfields.com/uktrainees for details.
Work placements
We normally take students on our vacation schemes, who are in their penultimate year of an undergraduate degree. Again, you will need to submit an online application. The application window for our 2012 schemes is from 1 October 2011 to 9 January 2012. Since we offer places as we go along, the sooner you apply the better.