HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS KRAMER

The Firm

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) was formed on 1 June 2025, through the merger of Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin.
It is a fully integrated global law firm with around 2,700 lawyers, including about 630 partners, across 26 offices worldwide. The firm has over 6,000 people in total. Combined revenues exceed US$2 billion, and the firm operates under a single profit-pool model. HSF Kramer brings together extensive heritage (with its legacy firms practising for well over a hundred years), and is positioned to deliver innovation in legal operations, strong capability in technology, ESG, infrastructure, energy and resources, and to support clients in global, cross-border, high-stakes work.

The Work

HSF Kramer works across a broad range of practice areas, including corporate law, M&A, litigation, arbitration, banking & finance, intellectual property, employment law, among others. The firm advises high-profile clients in sectors such as financial buyers, technology, media and telecommunications (TMT), energy, infrastructure, financial institutions, pharmaceuticals, real estate, and consumer. Governments, multinational corporations, financial institutions, and state-owned enterprises are part of its client base.

The Training Programme

Vacation schemes are not just an opportunity to see the life of a trainee associate, it’s your chance to live it. You’ll find out whether life at the firm is for you as you take on real work for real clients. You’ll work directly with expert colleagues and gain unique experience, while being supported every step of the way to develop your skills and determine your career direction.

There are many routes into a law career. Trainee associates join us with degrees in STEM subjects, English, Computer Science and even Medicine – half of our trainee associates didn’t study Law at undergraduate level. There are a few traits which will consistently get you ahead though. We’re looking for intellectual agility, personal impact and a relentless drive to do great work. The HSF Kramer vacation schemes are designed to give you a taste of what it's like to tackle exciting challenges and deliver high-profile work that matters to clients.

Gaining experience on live deals and cases is crucial to your professional growth. Across the two-week scheme, you'll submit preferences on the two seats you sit in, allowing you to tailor your experience to your individual interests. You'll share an office with your supervisor – either a partner, of counsel, senior associate or associate, who you will work alongside to build a valuable skillset that you will continue to develop across your career. You'll be expected to complete tasks such as: conducting research, legal drafting, due diligence and preparing for client meetings. You will receive specific feedback in your first seat which you'll be able to carry through to your second, giving you the insight you need to develop and improve across the scheme. You'll also be invited to a variety of events and presentations that will introduce you to our practice areas and demonstrate what it takes to succeed as a commercial lawyer at HSF Kramer.

The early careers recruitment team, lawyers, and partners want you to feel at home and part of the team, which is why we host social events where you can network with other students on the scheme, as well as our current trainees and partners.

Key Dates

Winter Vacation Scheme - 24 November - 5 December 2025 (Apply by 1 October 2025). Open to final-year students and graduates.

Spring Vacation Scheme - 13 - 24 April 2026 (Apply by 1 December 2025). Open to penultimate-year students, final-year students and graduates.

June Vacation Scheme - 8 - 26 June 2026 (Apply by 1 December 2025). Open to penultimate-year students, final-year students and graduates.

July Vacation Scheme - 6 - 24 July 2026 (Apply by 1 December 2025). Open to penultimate-year students, final-year students and graduates.

Apply online: Live the Trainee Life: Herbert Smith Freehills