HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS

The Firm

Herbert Smith Freehills is a global law firm with a heritage stretching back more than 100 years as leading company advisers, and a pioneering record of deploying best-in-class tech and innovative legal operations. They are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And they have focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation. In total, the firm has 24 offices worldwide and a further 10 HSF ‘groups’ through regional unions.

The Work

The firm is renowned for its work in areas like corporate law, litigation, arbitration, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), energy, banking, intellectual property (IP), and employment law. HSF is known for advising high-profile clients across industries such as energy, financial services, technology, media, telecommunications, infrastructure, and real estate. The firm advises many FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, governments, and state-owned enterprises.

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 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.

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 - Monday 25 November to Friday 6 December 2024.

Spring Vacation Scheme - Monday 7 - Thursday 17 April 2025.

June Vacation Scheme - Monday 9 – Friday 27 June 2025

July Vacation Scheme - Monday 7 July – Friday 25 July 2025.

Apply online: Live the Trainee Life: Herbert Smith Freehills