Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills 2024 graduate opportunities}

Company Company Profile

We are one of the world’s leading legal practices. Our main clients are prominent global and national businesses that we serve from offices in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the US. Many of our lawyers are leaders in their field.

We are continuing to expand our global network in such locations as South Korea and Germany. We are also looking to establish a presence in Francophone Africa and Brazil.

We are committed to excellence, providing tailored legal advice of the highest quality to major corporations, governments, financial institutions and all types of commercial organisations.

Work

We provide advice and legal services in corporate; dispute resolution; finance; real estate; employment, pensions and incentives; competition, regulation and trade; and intellectual property.

Most of our work has a cross-border element. Our international network of offices shares a number of clients and frequently works together to advise them on multi-jurisdictional matters and regulatory issues. Everyone who joins us is encouraged to spend some time working in an overseas office during their career.

We advise such companies and institutions as BAT, BP, BSkyB, Chevron, Citigroup, Coca-Cola, EDF Energy, Goldman Sachs, HBOS, Morgan Stanley, O2, PricewaterhouseCoopers, RBS, Tata, Time Warner and TUI Travel.

Case Studies

  • Name: Sally Johnston
  • Role: Trainee.
  • Joined: March 2011
  • University: Warwick
  • Degree: History

Having applied to a number of top city firms, following my vacation scheme at Herbert Smith in 2007 I knew there was only one place that I wanted to secure a training contract. The friendly people at all levels and collegiate atmosphere, alongside the high-quality nature of the work I had experienced during the scheme, made my decision easy when I was offered a place.

Training & Profiles

During your two-year training contract, you will rotate through four six-month seats. You will spend time in the disputes and corporate divisions in London. Seats are also available in finance; real estate; employment, pensions and incentives; and competition, regulation and trade, as well as such specialist areas as IP, tax and advocacy. In each of your seats, you will be assigned to, and supervised by, a partner or senior associate.

Benefits provided include a contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual holiday allowance, a bonus scheme, private medical insurance, permanent health insurance, interest-free loans for season tickets, relocation/start-up costs (£2,000), life assurance and subsidised gym membership.

We will pay your tuition fees for the GDL and LPC courses. We will also pay your professional membership fees and give you an annual maintenance allowance for the duration of each course. Maintenance grants during the GDL are £6,000 for those studying in London and £5,000 for those studying outside London. For the LPC, the maintenance grants are £6,000. We also provide discretionary grants for, among other things, language courses taken prior to you joining us.

People and culture

Our collegiate and non-hierarchical culture means trainees learn to think creatively, challenge assumptions and take nothing at face value. Individualism thrives, but a strong team spirit pervades all levels of the firm. Trainees, associates, partners and business services staff all share the responsibility and the limelight.

Our inclusivity group is an important element of our culture. Comprising of partners and senior business services staff, it promotes a spirit of diversity and equality throughout the firm.

Application Procedure

FAQs

Trainees receive salaries of £38,000 in the first year and £43,000 in the second year.

Other benefits provided are a contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual holiday allowance, a bonus scheme, private medical insurance, permanent health insurance, interest-free loans for season tickets and relocation/start-up costs (£2,000); life assurance and subsidised gym membership.