Osborne Clarke

About us

At Osborne Clarke we turn our legal expertise into our clients’ commercial gain. We do that by using our experience, expertise and imagination to give them tailored, practical advice that makes a difference to their business. Although we’re professionals, we don’t believe that means we have to be stuffy or over-complicate our solutions.

Our sector focus means that we know a range of important industry sectors inside out. We have particular expertise in Digital Business, Energy & Natural Resources, Financial Services and Real Estate & Infrastructure. As you’d expect we are also experts in the range of legal services, from business regulation to tax.

We have offices in key European locations, as well as in the US. Our close working relationships with other firms around the world give our clients access to global expertise.

Our training contract

At Osborne Clarke we’re careful to recruit a small number of trainees each year, allowing us to concentrate our support and resources on helping them to qualify. During the two-year training contract trainees complete four six-month seats, and all trainees are expected to undertake a seat in commercial disputes, corporate, and either property or tax. Our trainees are coached by experienced lawyers in each department and have access to a real workload. As a result they qualify with experience and confidence in dealing with clients – essential at the start of their career.

In each seat trainees are assigned a training supervisor, who is responsible for their day-to-day supervision. In addition to regular informal feedback sessions trainees benefit from formal progress reviews held every three months which helps to track their development.

About you

We’re looking for candidates who can; communicate effectively, think commercially and practically, solve problems creatively, build effective relationships and demonstrate initiative. Foreign language skills are also an advantage.

Strong academic achievement is essential and candidates should have achieved, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 degree in any discipline with grades A–B at A Level or equivalent.

We have a track record of recruiting candidates seeking a career change.

Our vacation scheme

Each of our vacation scheme placements run for two weeks over the summer and offer a great opportunity for candidates to really get to know us, and for us to get to know them. The placement follows a structured programme which will allow candidates to get involved in real client work. Spending time in two different departments really enables candidates get a feel for the work that we do, the clients we work with and the sectors that we operate in. Beyond work there are plenty of social events organised by our trainees.

Application deadlines

Vacation scheme – 31 January 2012
Training contract – 31 July 2012