Legal Summer Internship

Our in-house legal team is responsible for providing expert legal advice and guidance to all business areas at Howden. From contracts and compliance to litigation and corporate governance, our purpose is to protect Howden’s interests, mitigate legal risks and ensure our business is acting in line with regulations.

What is the role?

You’ll join a cohort of three and get three weeks’ real-world legal experience based in our large in-house legal team, plus the chance to spend time with one of our partner law firms.

Both cohorts will have a week overlap to allow the six interns to network and take part in experiences together.

As a Legal Intern, you will gain a unique insight into the issues in-house teams face. Working alongside various legal teams in Howden will give you the opportunity to do substantive work across a wide range of areas which will help prepare you for applications and interviews (having had a taster of what your training contract might bring!).

Our scheme is paid, and we will also provide accommodation and travel costs for the duration of the scheme for anyone who is not within commuting distance of London, so our scheme is accessible to applicants from throughout the UK.

What you’ll do?

This internship entails, but is not limited to:

• Assisting in reviewing commercial agreements for key terms, compliance, or risk areas;

• Conducting research on regulations, compliance requirements, or specific legal issues;

• Shadowing senior legal staff during contract negotiations or discussions with vendors, clients, or regulatory authorities; and

• Receiving guidance on developing skills, such as contract interpretation or legal writing.

By the end of the placement, you will have had the opportunity to gain:

• Insight into how in-house legal teams operate and their role in business decisions;

• Experience with practical legal tasks that impact a company's operations; and

• A clearer understanding of how your skills fit into the corporate legal environment.

What are we looking for?

• Penultimate year Law students or those who are completing their Law conversion course (GDL).

• Passionate individuals who are eager to start their careers in the legal sector.

• Go-getters who are willing to get stuck into real projects.

• Great interpersonal and communication skills.

• Intellectually curious individuals who are excited to contribute to real legal work.

• Good emotional intelligence and the ability to build relationships.

This is a social mobility programme. To be eligible, you must meet at least two of the following criteria:

• Attended a state school during secondary education.

• Eligible for free school meals.

• First generation in your family to attend university (we consider you to be the first generation if your parents/guardians went to university as a mature student, abroad and if an older sibling attend

You must not have completed a vacation scheme previously or have been accepted onto another scheme for 2026.

Application process

• Online application form – no CV required. We believe you're more than just a document, so we won’t ask you to submit one. Please upload a blank document on the application form.

• Online gamified test

• Pre-recorded video interview

• Final round virtual interview in January 2026

At Howden, we are committed to developing and maintaining a culture of equality and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from all backgrounds.