Trainee associate programme

About the programme

Our trainee associates are the future, so it’s only right that we invest in them. When you join the Trainee Associate Programme at HSF, you’ll work on high-profile cases, network with prestigious clients, and undergo specialist knowledge, skills and mindset training through our Business Skills Academy. You’ll be elevated in your personal life too, with fantastic benefits and Support Networks designed to help trainees from a diversity of backgrounds. Your new career starts here.

Salary

Our work can be challenging, complex, and critical to some of the world’s leading organisations. Our trainees and associates are compensated well.

A £56,000 starting salary for all new lawyers

Progress to £61,000 in your second year

Newly-qualified lawyers earn a base salary of £135,000

Education

The route to qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales is changing with the introduction of the SQE. This has given us the unique opportunity to partner with BPP University Law School to create the market-leading City Consortium Solicitor Training Programme. The programme will:

Provide you with the optimum preparation to pass the new SQE assessments
Equip you with the knowledge, technical and interpersonal skills you’ll need for your career at HSF

You’ll be supported throughout by BPP’s expert tutors and their state-of-the-art EdTech, including:

A personalised adaptive learning platform
Simulated SQE assessment practice with thousands of multiple-choice questions
A virtual law firm to enhance your digital, commercial and legal skills

Seats

HSF is one of the only firms which allows trainee associates to select seat preferences ahead of rotation, meaning that you can truly pursue your interests here. Across four, six-month seats, you’ll develop specialist skills and a thorough understanding of our different sectors. We offer seats in dispute resolution, corporate, finance, competition, regulation and trade, intellectual property, employment, pensions and incentives and tax.

Secondments

International and client secondments are a vital part of your development: we offer around 55 each year to our trainee associates. Secondments to our overseas offices in Europe, Asia and Australia are an opportunity to spend six months expanding your global network. We offer the highest number of client secondment opportunities in the City because we believe it gives you the chance to develop a client-focused outlook and build client relationship skills as you spend time working side-by-side with them.

The Trainee Business Development Committee

Trainees interested in growing their business development skills can join the Trainee Business Development Committee (TBDC). Comprised wholly of trainee associates, it provides a connection to client relationship teams and runs internal training sessions. Joining the TBDC is a great way to network with clients and shape the firm’s future early in your career.

Pro bono

Regardless of what seat you are in, all trainee associates are encouraged to get invovled with our pro bono work. Not long after you join, you'll be enrolled on a training programme which will equip you with the skills and expertise to advise on a range of housing law matters. You'll then participate throughout your time as a trainee associate in the Toynbee Hall Housing Clinic, making a tangible difference to people's lives.

Learn more

Unique secondments

We take our social responsibilities seriously at HSF. For trainee associates looking to make a real, positive difference, you will have the option to select an internal secondment to our Environmental, Social and Governance team, our internal pro bono team, or the in-house legal team at one of our pro bono clients.

Support and qualification

Our investment in our trainee associates’ futures includes close mentorship and support from lawyers who have been in your shoes. You’ll share an office with a senior associate, who will supervise your personal and professional development at HSF. During your seats, you’ll receive dual supervision to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your experience. Finally, you’ll have access to a partner mentor and a dedicated trainee HR team, who will meet with you regularly and provide extra guidance, resources and support if needed.

Benefits

We want to retain as many trainee associates as possible, which means looking after your professional and personal development both. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy during your first years at HSF.

Law school fees paid for or reimbursed if you have self-funded

£20,000 grant on the SQE

£12,500 grant on the London PGDL (£10,000 outside of London)

Sports and social clubs

25 days’ annual leave, plus travel insurance

Private medical insurance and corporate GP service

Interest-free season ticket loan

Cycle-to-work scheme

Gadget insurance

Permanent health insurance

Subsidised office restaurant and café and free dinner when working after 7pm

Confidential employee assistance programme

Generous pension contributions

Dental insurance

Life assurance and critical illness cover

Free eye tests

Access to a mortgage broker

Exclusive corporate discounts

Our Trainee Associate programme

At Herbert Smith Freehills we recognise that talented people grow best by experiencing work which excites, challenges and stretches them whilst receiving the appropriate blend of support and structured learning to ensure they thrive. We believe that your growth will define our success as a firm. That's why we've kept it front of mind when designing our Trainee Associate Programme.

Trainee associate programme

Salary

Benefits

Our Trainee Associate programme

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