Early careers

Our opportunities When you join us as a trainee associate, you take on an important role in the firm from day one. Your growth is central to ours. So, whatever your background, we’re committed to supporting you and helping you achieve your personal and professional ambitions. Your journey starts here.
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Learning and development
 Our success as a firm will be defined by your development. Your training programme with us is designed to give you exposure to a varied and interesting set of experiences that will help you reach your potential. As well as day-to-day learning from leading legal minds, we ensure you’re always supported and given the tools to take control of your learning and development.
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What diversity & inclusivity means to us
 We strive to reflect the societies we live and work in. We thrive when bringing together those different perspectives. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse culture where you’re valued for who you are and what makes you different.
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Life as trainee associate

Our Trainee Associate Programme is your opportunity to build a career with a leading international law firm, known for our insights and diverse perspectives. We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.

Hear from our people

We strive to reflect the societies we live and work in. We thrive when bringing together those different perspectives. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse culture where you’re valued for who you are and what makes you different.
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“When I joined as a graduate, I thought I wanted to do something very different from what I’m doing now. The experiences I’ve had have enabled a different but better career path for me.”
“My managers have had a huge influence on my growth, putting me forward for opportunities, supporting me and giving me the tools to play my part in the growth of my team and the firm.”
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“I was surprised when I joined the firm to see how diverse we were as a group. This diversity is key to our high-performing culture.”
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“Training at the firm is top class, with lots of knowledge sharing, so we can learn the strategic thinking of more senior colleagues.”
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Our ambassadors

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Awards

We’re recognised as leaders in the legal industry. That’s why we look for driven and talented trainee associates ready to take on complex and interesting work.
Global Law Firm of the Year in Europe 2021 The Lawyer
Litigation and Dispute Team of the Year 2021 British Legal Awards
Band 1 Global-wide Litigation Services 2022 Chambers and Partners
M&A Team of the Year 2021 British Legal Awards

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Your journey starts before you join us. Explore our opportunities to find out more about us and see whether a career with us is right for you.
First year Join our workshops or become a campus ambassador to gain an insight into life at Herbert Smith Freehills.
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Open days Considering a career at a world-leading law firm? Find out more about our work and culture through one of our open days.
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Vacation schemes Gain valuable insight into what we do by taking on real work, for real clients, on our vacation schemes.