Hogan Lovells Cadwalader |

Hogan Lovells Cadwalader works where the world is shifting fastest, at the intersection of business, finance, and government. Our deep understanding of highly regulated sectors gives our clients a distinctive, forward-looking perspective. From financial innovation, global transactions, precedent-setting disputes, to shaping the regulatory landscape, we create transformative outcomes for and with our clients.  

At Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, our strength is not only our breadth of practice areas, but our market-leading expertise across them. Whether you arrive with a clear picture, or are still shaping your professional direction, you’ll enjoy finding it as part of a law firm with the broadest, most global, and high-quality offering out there.

With 3,100 lawyers worldwide, we are both truly global and locally exceptional – strategically positioned in the markets that matter most for our clients.

Our work goes beyond day-to-day legal advice. Through pro bono activities, community investment, and responsible business practices, we support organisations and initiatives that strengthen society, enrich civic and cultural life, and assist those most in need. In doing so, we have built deep, enduring relationships with the societies and communities we serve.

Individuality matters here. We look for people with different perspectives, experiences and ambitions. People who are curious, collaborative and ready to contribute.

Vacation Schemes

With the firm’s opportunities always highly regarded, it goes without saying that our vacation schemes will be packed with insight and experience. You’ll delve into key practice groups, get to grips with legal research, meet the team – and imagine your future at Hogan Lovells Cadwalader.

Salary: £500 per week

When and how to apply: 

Our winter vacation scheme runs from 30 November to 11 December 2026. The application window opens in early September and closes on 5 October 2026. This scheme is open to final year students and graduates.

Our summer vacation schemes run from 21 June to 9 July 2027 and from 19 July to 6 August 2027. The application window opens in early September and closes on 10 December 2026.

Find out more and apply at ukearlycareers.hlc.com.

Lift Off programme

We also offer our Lift Off programme, a two-day insight scheme to give you a greater insight into what we do and how we operate as a business. This is aimed at students looking to be considered for our summer vacation scheme.  Lift Off runs over 2 days in January 2027, in our London office. Applications open in September and close on 23 October 2026. 

Find out more and apply at https://ukearlycareers.hlc.com/what-we-offer/lift-off.

Training Contract

Your training contract is where your journey to becoming an exceptional lawyer really begins. Over two years, you’ll be work at the forefront of the global legal sector.

Every trainee’s journey is different but you can be confident you’ll be playing a meaningful role on some of the most exciting cases in world as you learn from the top legal minds in every sector. After your training contract, you’ll have the technical skills, industry-recognised qualifications and the experience, to become an exceptional lawyer.

During your two-year training contract, you’ll rotate through four seats. You’ll move around our business to experience different areas of law and work alongside new colleagues every six months as you find the area you want to pursue. Our training contract is structured so you can be immersed in our work almost immediately and develop your skills in the only way that really matters: on live projects for real clients taking real responsibility.

London training contract salary:

Year one £56,000, year two £61,000, newly qualified £145,000

When and how to apply

To find out when our next training contract application window opens, please visit: https://ukearlycareers.hlc.com/what-we-offer/london-training-contract.

First year Scheme

If you are a first-year student (or a second-year student of a four-year degree) you are eligible to apply to our first-year insight scheme, which takes place over 2 days in our London office.   Applications open in January and close on 28 February 2027.

Find out more: https://ukearlycareers.hlc.com/what-we-offer/first-year-insight-scheme

Campus Ambassadors

We also recruit campus ambassadors for our target universities each year. You are eligible to apply if you are in your first year at one of our target universities. Applications open in February and close on 30 April 2027.

Find out more: https://ukearlycareers.hlc.com/what-we-offer/campus-ambassadors.

Our intention is to make a meaningful, positive impact on everyone at our firm by fostering an inclusive culture that celebrates and values difference and empowers our people to thrive as their authentic selves.

We take a structured and business-focused approach to building an inclusive workplace that supports effective collaboration and strong outcomes for our people and clients. Our efforts include training, team development, mentorship, and leadership accountability, all aimed at ensuring a respectful and high-performing environment. By fostering a culture where individuals can contribute fully, we strengthen teamwork, deepen client relationships, and support the firm’s long-term success. 

In the UK, our employee networks are open to all and provide opportunities for engagement, professional development, and connection across the firm. 

Embark on a journey into the heart of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader with our captivating podcast series, hosted by our London trainees. Join us as we delve into various aspects of our firm, featuring exclusive discussions with partners and key figures. From early careers to commercial litigation, each episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of our firm and the legal world.  Whether you want to hear from our trainees and partners or want to learn more about our business functions and projects, in this podcast series, we cover it all.