Jones Day |

The firm is distinguished by: a singular tradition of client service; the mutual commitment to, and the seamless collaboration of, a true partnership; formidable legal talent across multiple disciplines and jurisdictions; and shared professional values that focus on client needs. Our 200 London-based lawyers (including around 60 partners and 30 trainees) collaborate with their colleagues from Jones Day practices and offices across the globe to guide clients through their toughest challenges.

In London's critical financial centre, our lawyers are perfectly placed to address the most demanding and complex global matters: including cross-border M&A, real estate and finance transactions (including banking, capital markets, investment funds, private equity, and structured finance), global disputes, and regulatory matters involving the UK, US, and other authorities. Additional specialist areas include business restructuring; competition/antitrust; corporate criminal investigations; corporate tax planning; employment and pensions; energy; intellectual property; and projects and infrastructure.

As leaders in cross-border M&A and global disputes, we look for extraordinary individuals who are committed to a legal career; want to be challenged on an international platform; and can become part of our future – not just qualify with us: nearly half our London partners trained with the firm. Successful candidates have a minimum 2:1 degree in any discipline; strong intellectual and analytical ability; good communication skills; and demonstrate resourcefulness, drive and dedication. Of our current trainees, over 50% are non-law graduates and 30% were graduates or postgraduates when they applied to us.

Trainee rewards reflect the importance Jones Day attaches to the trainee role as well as the trainees’ contribution to the Firm’s business. Benefits include five weeks’ holiday a year, private healthcare, season ticket loan, group pension plan, salary sacrifice schemes and life assurance. The London Office also has an on-site gym and changing facilities. Current trainee salary:

Start at £56,000
After 12 months £65,000
On Qualification £160,000

Candidates can apply for a Vacation Scheme in 2024/2025 which is also an application for a Training Contract to commence in September 2027.

We recruit approximately 15 trainees per year, who are selected from the pool of Vacation Scheme candidates.

Candidates can apply for one of our Schemes which take place on the dates below. Please note that each scheme has an application deadline.

Winter Scheme (2 – 13 December 2024)
Applications open: 1 September 2024
Application deadline: 31 October 2024

Spring Scheme (17 – 28 March 2025)
Applications open: 1 September 2024
Application deadline: 31 December 2024

Summer Scheme (30 June - 11 July 2025)
Applications open: 1 September 2024
Application deadline: 5 January 2025

How to Apply
We strongly recommend attending one of our events to find out more before submitting any application. We also recommend applying early as we recruit on a rolling basis.

Event details are available on our website

Apply online from 1 September with a cover letter and CV

The stages of our recruitment process are outlined below:

- Application screened by the graduate recruitment team (we may also request an academic reference)

- Online interview with two senior lawyers

- In-person Assessment Centre at our London office

- Vacation Scheme (throughout which candidates will be assessed for Training Contract positions).

All schemes open to final year students, graduates and postgraduates of any degree discipline and penultimate year students of a qualifying law degree.

Learning by actually doing the work is the best form of training. We expect our trainees to seek out feedback from all senior associates and partners with whom they have worked.

Our Continuum training programme consists of regular "how-to" seminars delivered by senior lawyers from the different practice areas which help build a trainee’s technical toolset. Complementary training sessions include specific courses on company accounts, resilience training and presentation skills.

Each trainee has a dedicated partner and trainee mentor. The partner’s role is to provide support on a professional and pastoral level and help with making connections around the Firm. The second year trainee is on hand to help with settling in and getting to grips with the new environment. You will share an office with fellow first year trainees so that you can support each other.

To ensure trainees have the full experience of each practice area of interest, checklists containing key technical and practice skills related to each area must be completed. Each checklist must be signed off by an assigned partner once satisfied and trainees must complete at least three checklists, one of which must include contentious practice skills. Checklist progress is monitored regularly to given trainees the opportunity to reflect.

We conduct formal appraisals every six months during the training contract. Our appraisal process is competency based and focuses on the Practice Skills Standards identified by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as well and personal effectiveness.