Your Beginning.
Our Future.

First year workshops

Are you a first-year student? Or a second-year student on a four-year course? Our two-day workshops are a great preparation for a career at HSF, open to both Law and non-Law students. Based at our London office, they include interactive sessions on corporate negotiation, alternate dispute resolution, and our pro bono work, plus an exclusive careers fair. You’ll also spend an afternoon shadowing a trainee associate, followed by an evening social event. We only run two of these workshops each spring, so don’t miss out.

Key dates

We run our first-year workshops only once a year, in April, so it’s important to get your application submitted in time.

Applications open from 1 - 31 January 2024.

The workshop dates are 2 - 3 April and 8 - 9 April 2024.

Benefits

Accomodation

Accommodation is provided for students who are unable to commute to/from London due to location

Travel

Travel expenses covered

Experience

Spend time shadowing a trainee associate and enjoy an evening social

Insight

Interactive presentations on our work and workshops to enhance your skills

Fast track

If you apply to our vacation scheme in the following academic year, you do not have to re-take the online test again

Roger Leyland Memorial Scholarship Programme

Our Roger Leyland Memorial Scholarship is designed to help exceptional Black and ethnic minority students access funding and work experience in law. Roger Leyland worked at Herbert Smith Freehills and was the first Black partner at a leading City firm. He was also a sitting governor on the Council of the College of Law, deeply committed to the development of young lawyers.

Key dates

Application dates are open from 1 October 2023 - 31 January 2024 and we aim to hold the assessment centre in March 2024.

Eligibility

Applications are open to Black and minority ethnic first-year university students (or second-year students on a four-year course), who can display outstanding talent and a passion for commercial law. You must be a Rare candidate to apply.

Benefits

Receive £9,000 over three years of study

A mentor at the firm and personal study sessions with Rare’s Melissa Andrewes, former Head of Students at the University of Law

A guaranteed position on one our vacation schemes in your second year of study

Access to exclusive networking events

Campus ambassadors

Are you a strong communicator with bags of enthusiasm? Becoming a campus ambassador is a great way to make early connections at HSF. You’ll help to organise events and promote HSF’s work on campus, and in return, you’ll receive valuable work experience and a deeper insight into our firm. Plus, if you do apply for our vacation scheme, you’ll be fast-tracked to the review stage.

Key dates

Applications are open to first-year students: you’ll act as a campus ambassador in your second year. To apply, you’ll need to complete an online application form and assessment and attend an interview, where you’ll demonstrate your interest in our firm.