Fieldfisher

Overview

Fieldfisher is a pan‑European full‑service law firm focused on technology‑driven and highly regulated sectors, with particular strengths in technology, financial services, energy & natural resources and life sciences. The firm describes a tightly connected international network that spans 14 countries and (per firm pages) 28 offices, combining local market teams (for example in China, Germany and France) with cross‑border capability for corporate, regulatory, disputes and IP matters. Fieldfisher positions itself as sector specialists who deliver cross‑border work for innovative and regulated clients, and routinely publishes sector and regulatory thought leadership (for example on battery storage, AI, data and sanctions).

• Headquarters: London
• Lawyers: 2,200+ (network headcount stated on firm pages)
• Trainees: 22
• Offices: 28

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Technology & Digital
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Competition & Antitrust
• Corporate & M&A
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Intellectual Property
• Real Estate
• Employment
• Capital Markets
• Investment Funds
• Banking & Finance
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Media & Entertainment
• Transport & Logistics
• Construction & Engineering
• Tax
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

Geographic Focus: Fieldfisher's strategy is European‑centric with broader international reach (China and the United States). The firm operates a network of continental offices (notably Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal), a strong China platform (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and UK hubs (London, Manchester, Belfast). The firm deploys cross‑office teams for cross‑border corporate, regulatory, IP and disputes instructions and publishes pan‑European sector

Training Contract

• Starting Salary: £48,500 (Year 1) / £52,000 (Year 2)
• NQ Salary: £100,000
• Trainee Intake: 22
• Qualification Rate: 62%
• Academic Requirements: Minimum degree requirement: 2:1. Minimum A‑level requirement: BBB (supplementary data). The firm accepts a range of backgrounds and highlights non‑hierarchical culture and diversity of perspectives.
• Application Deadline: 19 December 2025

Sponsorship

PGDL (GDL/PGDL) grant published: £8,000 (supplementary data).

SQE Support

SQE grant published: £8,000 (supplementary data). Specific provider, study leave or exam coverage not stated on captured pages.

International Opportunities

Chances of secondment abroad reported as 0% (source: supplementary data).

Client Secondments

Client secondment opportunities exist; reported chance of client secondment is 17% (supplementary data).

Mentorship

Early Careers Manager, Senior Early Careers Advisors and named recruitment/early careers contacts coordinate recruitment and early careers activity; the firm emphasises support, buddying and trainee networks through its Early Careers function.

Apply on the Fieldfisher website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Fieldfisher Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Sector focus (technology/financial services/energy/life sciences)
• Resilience and ambition
• Attention to detail
• Adaptability and international outlook
• Client service orientation

Evidence Signals

• Sector‑relevant commercial internships or work experience (tech, fintech, life sciences, energy)
• Cross‑border or international experience (languages, overseas study/work)
• Demonstrable teamwork (mooting, pro bono, group projects)
• Commercial transactions or regulatory exposure in targeted sectors
• Engagement with sustainability/ESG or technology topics (research, projects, publications)

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary: £48,500 (Year 1) / £52,000 (Year 2)
• Newly qualified (NQ) salary: £100,000
• PGDL (GDL) grant: £8,000
• SQE grant: £8,000
• Annual leave: 25 days (supplementary data)
• Weekly yoga sessions (mentioned in careers copy)
• Access to alumni events, legal and professional training (Fieldfisher Connect)

Wellbeing

Firm mentions wellbeing activities such as weekly yoga and emphasises support for people; Early Careers team provides pastoral support. The firm publishes ESG and sustainability reporting and runs wellbeing‑oriented initiatives across offices.

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: Total ranked practice areas 83; 9 Tier 1 practice areas (supplementary data)
• Legal 500: Tier breakdown includes 9 Tier 1, 21 Tier 2, 26 Tier 3, 9 Tier 4, 12 Tier 5 (supplementary data)
• Chambers & Partners: Ranked across multiple departments (20 ranked departments noted in supplementary information)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• ESG / Sustainability reporting and Sustainability in Action programmes (ESG 2024 / ESG 2025 reports referenced on firm pages)
• Fieldfisher Connect (alumni engagement supports networks and career progression)

Innovation

The firm publishes sector and regulatory research and invests in cross‑office expertise (for example reports on the European battery storage market).

Quick Application Angles

• Demonstrate sector fit: tailor applications to the firm’s priority sectors (technology, financial services, energy & natural resources, life sciences) and reference recent firm work such as the European Battery Energy Storage report or fintech capital‑raising mandates.
• Call out cross‑border capability: highlight any China/Europe/US links or language skills — Fieldfisher has substantive offices and teams in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and continental Europe.
• Use people‑focus evidence: the firm emphasises collaboration and support—give concrete examples of teamwork, mentoring roles or occasions where you drove group outcomes.
• Reference training & peer support: trainee insider feedback grades are very strong for training and peer support — emphasise willingness to learn, ask for responsibility and examples where you benefited from or contributed to mentoring.
• Be commercially specific: show commercial awareness with a short, practical idea about the sector (e.g. regulatory risks for battery storage, AI/data issues, or recent sanctions/trade controls) to differentiate your application.