Law Secondments: what are they and why should you consider them?

The possibility of going on a secondment is something you should definitely consider while choosing between firms - it could be one of the most exciting parts of your training contract.

It’s your chance to step beyond the law firm bubble and see how the legal world operates from another angle - either within a client’s business or at one of your firm’s international offices. It’s a fantastic way to move from what you’ve learned in your studies, to applying it across new commercial and cultural contexts.

Read on if you’re interested in exactly what a secondment is, what the differences are between client and international secondments, how you can make the most of the opportunity, and see which major UK firms offer them. 

What exactly is a secondment?

A secondment is a temporary placement outside your main office, usually lasting around six months, that forms part of your training contract. There are two types:

1. Client secondments
2. International secondments

A client secondment places you within one of your firm’s major clients - for example, a global bank, energy company, or tech giant. You’ll become part of their in-house legal team, working alongside business managers, engineers, or finance staff.

You’ll witness first-hand how clients use external lawyers, how decisions are made, and what pressures in-house teams face - from budgets to board meetings. You might even help draft internal policies or advise on compliance issues.

Trainees often describe client secondments as eye-opening, because they help you understand what clients actually need from their lawyers. That kind of commercial awareness will make you a far sharper adviser later on.

If you’ve ever wanted to work abroad - international secondments are a great way to experience that dream. International secondments take you to one of your firm’s overseas offices - often in financial hubs such as Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, or New York. Here, you’ll work as part of a local team on cross-border deals or international disputes. 

You’ll learn how deals are structured across jurisdictions and how different legal cultures operate. It can also be an unforgettable personal experience, as you will be living abroad, navigating new cities, and building relationships with colleagues from around the world.

Which firms offer secondments?

Not every firm can promise you a secondment, so it’s worth checking when you compare training contracts. On targetjobs, you’ll notice that many of the leading international and City firms now highlight secondments as a major feature.

For example:

Why secondments matter more than ever in 2025

Secondments not only help your CV stand out, but can also be fantastic opportunities for your personal and professional growth. 

Secondments can help you with: 

• Commercial awareness: Sitting inside a client’s business helps you understand the context behind every deal or dispute, as you can see how companies make decisions, manage budgets, and balance risk.
• Networking and visibility: Working closely with senior lawyers, clients, and global teams means you’re no longer just a name in the trainee pool. You’ll build meaningful relationships that can open doors later, and potentially in different countries too.
• Confidence and adaptability: Secondments push you outside your comfort zone. You’ll learn to work with different teams, adapt to new systems, and manage your time independently.
• A standout CV: Having “client secondment at a global bank” or “international seat in Singapore” on your CV immediately makes you stand out to employers, and it will also give you strong experience to talk about in future interviews.

Making the most of your secondment

If you do land a secondment, it’s a good idea to approach it as more than just another seat. To make the most of it, ask questions, attend meetings beyond your comfort zone, and connect with people from other departments or countries. Although you may think you will remember it all - it’s very useful to also keep a record of what you achieve - such as your client exposure, cross-border projects, or initiatives you helped with - because these examples can boost your memory when it comes to an interview, and make your qualification and future applications far more compelling.

The takeaway

Secondments are exciting ways to elevate your training contract experience - they give you exposure to new and diverse cultures, opportunities to network beyond your own firm, and help you grow both personally and professionally. 

So when you’re choosing between firms for your training contract - be sure to have a look at what secondments are offered, and grab the opportunities.