Covington & Burling LLP |

Covington & Burling LLP was founded in Washington, DC a century ago. Today, Covington has more than 1,000 lawyers and advisers across our offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

We offer services across a wide range of practice areas, advising clients on their most challenging and complex matters. Most of the work has an international element, and all our practice groups operate across borders. Our distinctively collaborative culture allows us to be truly one team globally, drawing on the diverse experience of lawyers across the firm.

At Covington, you will have an opportunity to work on cutting-edge deals for international and UK corporates such as Microsoft, Astra Zeneca and Facebook, Fortune 100 businesses and leading technology, life sciences and media companies. We have represented Facebook, Inc in its US$22 billion acquisition of WhatsApp and its US$1 billion acquisition of Instagram. We also advised Illumina on a four-year project that will map genomes for breakthroughs into cancer and rare diseases. Most recently we have advised on a deal in which Pfizer & BioNTech have agreed to work together to develop a covid-19 vaccine.

Why Train at Covington?

As a trainee at Covington you will have early responsibility and exposure. Working within small teams and playing a significant role in complex substantive work, our trainees work closely with senior lawyers and partners, and have a chance to make a real impact on work that matters.

We offer trainees the opportunity to work on complex projects for clients such as Microsoft, Astra Zeneca and Meta, and engage in cutting-edge pro bono matters. We have advised pharmaceutical manufacturers on purchase and distribution agreements relating to manufacture and supply of COVID-19 vaccines, acted for ACWA Power in relation to the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project in Saudi Arabia, and represented Ukraine against the Russian Federation at the International Court of Justice.

Tailor your application

Do your research to gain an understanding of what trainee life at Covington would be like. Attend some of our events, and search the website to gain an understanding of what makes Covington unique and why this appeals to you. We want to hear about you, so make sure to tell us about both your legal and non-legal experience and how those transferable skills would make you a great trainee at the firm.

Show us you can write like a lawyer

Demonstrate strong written communication skills throughout your application form. As a lawyer you will need to communicate complex ideas clearly and succinctly, show us that you are already developing those skills throughout your application form.

Get the basics right

Do not copy and paste from one application to the next, and make sure that you proof read your application before submission. Small spelling and grammatical mistakes can let down an otherwise strong application.

Be a team player

Our trainee intakes are small so you will play a significant role in teams from early on and will be relied upon to deliver. Show us throughout the application process that you have the ability to work well in a team and can work towards a common goal.

Be yourself

We look for trainees who are well rounded, so don’t be afraid to let your personality and passions shine throughout the application process. Our trainees are all different, feel free to discuss your life experiences and interests to make yourself stand out.

Covington are committed to supporting and uplifting lawyers from a range of backgrounds.

Covington recognises the differences among their people as an asset and a source of strength. The firm believes that excellence in the practice of law knows no racial, ethnic, gender, religious, sexual orientation, ability or other boundaries. Covington lawyers bring a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences to their practice. By recruiting, retaining developing, and promoting a diverse group of lawyers, the firm advances the interests of their clients, their practice, and their entire profession.

Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is important at Covington

Covington has instituted all the elements of a strong diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program - the infrastructure, the events, the learning programs, and sustained communications about DEI. Our work is guided by our Strategic DEI Action Plan goals that include: (1) Ensuring DEI is a firm priority and the diversity of our leaders reflects the diversity of our lawyers and professional staff; (2) Recruiting, developing, promoting, and retaining a diverse population of lawyers and professional staff at all levels and across all offices; and (3) Collaborating with clients to increase the representation of women and historically underrepresented lawyers in the profession.

Covington sponsors seven firm-wide affinity groups: Asian Pacific Islander (API), Black, Latino, LGBTQ+, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA), Veterans, and a Women’s Forum. These groups are important elements of our DEI efforts, as they contribute to fostering connections and mentorship among members, facilitating professional development opportunities, and promoting firm-wide education and awareness of the experiences of women and underrepresented individuals. Our Women’s Forum specifically provides members with community and mentorship, while celebrating the achievements of women in the legal industry and beyond. The Women's Forum chapters in each of our 14 offices champion inclusionary practices to support all women at Covington by hosting professional development forums and sponsoring participation in leadership development programs.

Within our London office we have established diversity strands to focus, develop and promote diversity within specific fields. We asked members from across the Covington diversity strands