Macfarlanes LLP |

Macfarlanes is a distinctive London-based law firm with a unique combination of services built and shaped around the needs of their clients. Their unrivalled blend of expertise, agility and culture means they have the flexibility to meet the most challenging demands and adapt to a changing world. While many of their practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot.

As a trainee you could be working on major corporate transactions or commercial litigation, and then working for private clients on their most sensitive affairs.

Macfarlanes recruit people to build careers for the long term. Employees know each other personally which means they work together with more cohesion, and less formality. The firm’s culture is thoughtful, challenging and supportive, and is a place where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive.

We pride ourselves on providing a learning experience that is meaningfully different.

What defines that experience? Above all, we have an enduring commitment to developing trainees because they are intrinsic to what we do and the future of our firm. It means your training programme combines hands-on experience with an industry-leading education programme.

We offer the opportunity to work alongside some of the world’s most successful businesses, and with ambitious people, in an environment that is demanding, supportive and incredibly rewarding.

One particular strength of our firm is its size. For our trainees, this means a relatively small cohort each year, where we rely on you to handle important client work. Therefore, there are more hands-on opportunities for you to learn through this experience.

We supplement this work with formal training from our partners and associates, many of whom trained at the firm. Trainees tell us it is outstanding and tailored to what they need to know.

You can enjoy a huge variety of work as a trainee, through being part of transactional, advisory and contentious teams. And you benefit from the challenge of adapting to the different sets of skills needed by each.

From our office in London, you will work with global businesses and overseas law firms. We work on high-profile deals and cases, and you will often help manage the smooth delivery of service to our clients across jurisdictions.

We pride ourselves on providing a learning experience that is genuinely distinctive. What defines that experience? Above all, it is an enduring commitment to the development of trainees, which is woven into every aspect of life at the firm.

Macfarlanes is committed to removing financial barriers that can hinder students from accessing the legal profession. The Macfarlanes bursary is a financial support package open to socially-mobile undergraduates attending any UK university.

The Macfarlanes training scholarship is a unique programme developed within the firm and delivered in partnership with Brunel Law School at Brunel University London.

Our main practice areas are: commercial, competition, corporate and M&A, derivatives and trading, employment, finance, financial services regulation, investment management, litigation and dispute resolution, pensions, private client, private equity, real estate, restructuring and insolvency and tax.

At Macfarlanes, we don’t have any preconceptions about who you are or where you’re from. We want people who are academically strong, with determination and drive. However, we aren’t looking for any particular educational background. For us, it’s your potential that really counts.

We’ll want to see that you have resilience, determination and exceptional communication skills. You must be confident when it comes to giving advice and making decisions. Most of all, we are looking for people who will relish the chance to work alongside some of the world’s most successful and ambitious businesses and individuals.

We expect you to have a 2:1 degree or above – that could be in law or in another subject.

Candidates applying to our first year insight scheme, vacation scheme or training programme will be required to complete an online assessment. This assessment will be completed once you have submitted your application form. It should take 45 minutes to an hour to complete and we are looking for your honest answers so we can find out more about you. It is important that you find a quiet space with minimal distractions to complete the assessment.

The assessment has been designed following consultations with individuals across the firm and is therefore tailored to Macfarlanes and the skills that we associate with success. As you complete the assessment you will work through a mix of scenarios across a range of practice areas which are designed to test a candidate’s situational judgement and critical reasoning. This will provide a small insight into life as a trainee and help give you a better sense of whether this is the career for you.

The answers to the online assessment will be considered alongside a candidate’s written application to help us decide whether they will progress to the next step of the recruitment process. Next steps for each of our programmes are outlined below.

Macfarlanes is unlike any other law firm. We hope you use the assessments as a chance to build your understanding of us and what makes us different, just as we see it as a chance to gain an understanding of you.

A human-sized culture

We recruit people to build careers for the long term. We know each other personally which means we work together with cohesion and speed. We have a strong, independent culture, which is challenging and supportive, creating an entrepreneurial environment where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, bringing different perspectives and experiences, making Macfarlanes an exciting and stimulating place to work, while fostering an inclusive workplace. As part of this we are continually reviewing our processes and practices to ensure that everyone has the same chance to develop and advance.

We understand that it is often difficult to juggle personal and work lives and the firm supports different working patterns.

Best for Mother's Award

In 2022 we won the Best for Mothers award at the Working Families Best Practice Awards. The firm works hard to ensure our parents have the best possible experience when they take parental leave and on their return to work. Our focus has been enhancing the support and initiatives we provide, including our Parental Leave Network (our buddy scheme for recently returning parents) and Parental Transition Coaching Programme.our processes and practices to ensure that everyone has the same chance to develop and advance.

We understand that it is often difficult to juggle personal and work lives and the firm supports different working patterns.

Maternity, paternity and shared parental pay

All employees are entitled to enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental pay once they have been continuously employed by us for at least 12 months by the end of the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth or notification period.

My Family Care

My Family Care provides all staff with six firm-funded back-up care sessions per year. A session can be used to provide nannies, nurseries, childminders as well as back-up care for adult and eldercare for when your care arrangements break down.

Menopause Policy

We are committed to being a menopause friendly employer. Our menopause policy has been written with the support and advice of Henpicked – a specialist menopause consultancy. This policy sets out the guidelines for members of staff and managers on providing the right support to manage menopausal symptoms at work. We also have an employee-led support group called Fan Club.

Fertility Treatment Leave

We recognise the sensitivities associated with undergoing fertility treatment. We offer employees undergoing fertility treatment up to three days paid leave per cycle of treatment. For the partner of someone who is undergoing fertility treatment, they are entitled to one day of fertility treatment leave per cycle. Our fertility treatment leave policy outlines the various other types of support we offer.

Recruitment Process Adjustments

We are an equal opportunity employer and if you believe that there are aspects of the recruitment process or job that you anticipate might be difficult for you due to a disability or long term condition, or if you support someone with a condition, please contact the Recruitment team and they will be happy to discuss any adjustments to support you.

Neurodiversity Support

The firm is committed to offering full support to its neurodiverse, as well as its neurotypical employees. We have partnered with Lexxic (providers of specialist advice for companies supporting neurodivergent individuals), occupational health and other medical professionals. Anyone in the firm can request an assessment with our external provider to understand whether they have a neurodifference. If you are neurodivergent, the firm has a variety of support available for you, such as a workplace needs assessment to identify any equipment and training recommendations.