The Vacancy



Your Route to a Training Contract



Our Vacation Scheme is designed to give you an authentic insight into life as a trainee solicitor at Fieldfisher and is the primary route into a Training Contract commencing in September 2029. The scheme combines real work experience, skills development, networking opportunities and assessment, allowing you to experience first-hand what it is like to work at a leading European law firm. Candidates who perform strongly during the scheme will be invited to attend a Final Partner Interview for a Training Contract offer.



At Fieldfisher, we focus on potential, curiosity and how you learn - not simply what you already know. Our aim is to provide meaningful exposure to commercial law while helping you develop the skills, confidence, and relationships needed for a successful legal career.




What You'll Experience



During the scheme, you will:

• Complete real work within a legal practice area.

• Gain exposure to clients, transactions and international work.

• Attend commercial awareness, skills and development workshops.

• Receive feedback and coaching from supervisors and colleagues.

• Learn about our culture, values and collaborative way of working.

• Build your professional network across lawyers, trainees and business services teams.

• Develop key skills including communication, teamwork, analysis, and commercial awareness.

To apply, you should:

• Be in your penultimate or final year of university (or have already graduated).

• Have achieved a minimum of ABB at A-Level (or equivalent).

• Be on track to achieve, or have achieved a 2:1 in any degree discipline.

• Demonstrate a genuine interest in commercial law.

• Be motivated to pursue a Training Contract at Fieldfisher.

• Be eligible to work in the UK (for the duration of the scheme, we do offer visa support for successful Training Contract candidates).

We recruit individuals with potential and recognise that achievements should be considered within the context of a candidate's personal circumstances. Applications are reviewed holistically, and contextual information is taken into account where appropriate.




Recruitment Process



Stage 1: Online Application



Applications open on 14 September 2026 and close on 6 November 2026.



Stage 2: Online Strength Assessment



All eligible applicants will automatically be invited to complete an online strengths assessment. This assessment helps us understand your natural strengths, preferences, and potential. No legal knowledge or preparation is required.



Stage 3: Video Interview



Successful candidates will be invited to complete a video interview exploring motivation, commercial awareness and interest in Fieldfisher.



Stage 4: Assessment Day



Candidates who pass the video interview will attend an in-person Assessment Day, which will include a team exercise, individual assessment and interview.



Stage 5: Vacation Scheme



Successful candidates will be invited to join our Vacation Scheme in March/April 2027.



Stage 6: Final Stage Interview



At the end of the scheme, participants complete an end-of-scheme appraisal and a final stage interview for Training Contract consideration. Training Contracts will commence: London - September 2029, Birmingham and Manchester - September 2028 or 2029.




Key Dates (Which are subject to change)



Date



Applications Open



14 September 2026



Applications Close



6 November 2026



Online Strength Assessment



Rolling following application



Video Interviews



November 2026 - January 2027



Assessment Days



January 2027



Vacation Scheme



22 March to the 2 April 2027



Final Partner Interviews



Following the Vacation Scheme



Training Contract Start Date



London - September 2029



Birmingham/Manchester - September 2028/29




Accessibility and Inclusion



At Fieldfisher, we are committed to delivering an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience. Accessibility adjustments are available throughout the application process. If there is anything we can do to support you, please let us know as early as possible.



We are guided by the social model of disability and are committed to removing barriers so that everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best.




A Career, Not Just Two Weeks



The Vacation Scheme is designed to help you make an informed decision about a career in commercial law while demonstrating your potential to become a future trainee solicitor at Fieldfisher.



If you are ambitious, collaborative, curious, and excited by solving complex challenges for clients, we would love to hear from you.




The Company



We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain.



With 28 offices across 14 countries, we work collaboratively with each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the best advice and support. You might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.




Quality on both sides

Across all our offices and jurisdictions are market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.



We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions.



We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.




Testimonials




Lily French (Trainee Solicitor) - September 2026



"Following accepting my Training Contract offer at Fieldfisher, I felt extremely supported by the Early Careers Team. This provided me with great reassurance that Fieldfisher is an inclusive and people-orientated firm. The "Trainee Buddy" scheme was particularly useful in providing me with guidance throughout my SQE exams, including mock assessments, and receiving advice from those who had recently experienced the process. The frequent communication with my Trainee Buddies and the Early Careers team made the transition to starting at the firm seamless. Taking part in the induction in the London office was a great way to build relationships throughout the cohort and hear from inspiring speakers both within the firm and externally. This has been an extremely positive start to my Training Contract and has made me extremely excited for the next two years and beyond with Fieldfisher."




Isla Cheung (Trainee Solicitor) - September 2026



"Although I have only just joined Fieldfisher, I have already been incredibly impressed by the training and support on offer. Our induction programme was packed with useful sessions, covering everything from the economics of law firms, an introduction to the city and time-recording, to soft skills training such as resilience and wellbeing. What particularly stood out was that trainees, solicitor apprentices and graduate scheme participants from across the firm, including Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast, were all brought together in London for the induction. It reflected a culture where people are given the same opportunities and level of investment regardless of office location and provided a great foundation for beginning our careers at the firm.



My first-seat team has been extremely welcoming. From team socials and a dedicated junior support forum to a supportive line manager who is always happy to answer questions, there is a genuine focus on making trainees feel part of the team from day one.



'Culture' is a word that is often used by law firms, but at Fieldfisher it is something you can genuinely feel. The firm's collaborative and supportive environment has made a very positive impression on me in a short space of time, and I have felt encouraged to get involved and ask questions from the outset. I am really looking forward to starting my Banking & Finance seat and continuing to develop my career at Fieldfisher."




Athina Stavrou (Summer Scheme student, Current Trainee Solicitor) - September 2026



"My summer scheme at Fieldfisher gave me a genuine insight into the firm's work, people and culture. I was struck by the variety of work I was exposed to and how welcoming, approachable and supportive everyone I met was. The experience made it easy to picture myself starting my career here, and now, as a first-seat trainee, I am excited to be building my legal skills, taking on meaningful work and learning from colleagues who are generous with their time and experience."