Linklaters LLP

Overview

Linklaters is a leading global law firm operating across 30 offices in 20 countries, advising major corporates, banks, funds and financial sponsors on complex cross-border matters. The firm emphasises a unified global platform, deep sector capability (notably banking & finance, capital markets, corporate/M&A and technology) and sustained investment in training, innovation and client service. Linklaters positions itself around long-term client relationships, cross-border execution and a collaborative, high-performance culture backed by specialist teams (including a dedicated Applied Intelligence/AI cohort).

• Headquarters: London, 20 Ropemaker Street
• Lawyers: 2,484
• Partners: 525
• Trainees: 100
• Offices: 30

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Banking & Finance
• Capital Markets
• Competition & Antitrust
• Corporate & M&A
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Energy & Natural Resources
• ESG & Sustainability
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Intellectual Property
• Investment Funds
• Real Estate
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Technology & Digital
• Tax
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Financial Services & Regulation

Geographic Focus: Global cross-border platform spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Middle East and Africa (30 offices in 20 countries). Strong hub presence in London, New York, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore, supported by regional alliances (e.g., Allens in Australia, Webber Wentzel in South Africa) and a Shanghai Free Trade Zone joint operation to support China inbound/outbound work.

Training Contract

The London Training Contract is two years long and comprises four six-month seats. Trainees rotate between seats to gain depth in individual departments; each seat places a trainee with a Principal (senior lawyer) for supervision and training. Additional support is provided by a Group Trainee Solicitor Partner and the Trainee Development Team, which facilitates feedback, training plans and cross-practice mentoring. Trainees may undertake international or client secondments during the contract.

• Starting Salary: £56,000 (Year 1); £61,000 (Year 2)
• NQ Salary: £150,000
• Trainee Intake: 100
• Qualification Rate: 89% trainee retention rate; additionally, 90% of the trainee cohort are reported to have come through the Vacation Scheme and Clerkships pipeline.
• Academic Requirements: Minimum degree expectation: 2:1. Open to law and non-law graduates. No minimum A-level requirement. Applicants are expected to have between two and four weeks of continuous legal work experience (paralegal role, vacation scheme or legal internship).
• Application Deadline: 2025-12-03

Sponsorship

PGDL/PGDL grant: £12,500. SQE grant: £20,000.

SQE Support

Financial support for qualification is provided (SQE grants are published). A documented SQE grant of £20,000 is offered.

International Opportunities

Linklaters offers opportunities for international secondments and operates dedicated international Training Contracts (Middle East–London and Singapore) that allow candidates to qualify in England & Wales and start careers in the Middle East or Singapore. The firm reports a c.40% chance of secondment abroad for trainees.

Client Secondments

There is the opportunity to go on client secondments; the reported chance of client secondments is c.16%.

Mentorship

Each trainee is supervised by a Principal in-seat and supported by a Group Trainee Solicitor Partner. The Trainee Development Team arranges additional senior mentors outside the practice area; trainees also benefit from cohort-based peer support and formal feedback cycles.

Apply on the Linklaters LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Linklaters LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Intellectual rigour and attention to detail
• Client service orientation
• Entrepreneurial mindset and initiative
• Adaptability for cross-border work
• Interest in technology and innovation (AI/tech awareness)

Evidence Signals

• Vacation Scheme or Clerkship experience (strong pipeline into Training Contracts)
• Legal internships, paralegal experience or other continuous legal work experience
• International experience or interest in working across jurisdictions
• Commercial internships, finance or corporate project experience
• Demonstrable interest in technology/AI or sector-specific insight for targeted teams

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary: £56,000 (Year 1) and £61,000 (Year 2)
• Newly qualified (NQ) salary: £150,000
• PGDL/GDL grant: £12,500
• SQE grant: £20,000
• Vacation Scheme / Clerkship pay: £500 per week
• Visa, flights and accommodation covered for International Clerkships
• Annual leave: 27 days
• No annual billable/target hours (no targets reported)

Wellbeing

Firm commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace that supports health and wellbeing; wellbeing programmes and social impact activities are highlighted in the firm's responsibility and sustainability reporting.

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: 45 Tier 1 practice area rankings (latest available coverage)
• Chambers & Partners: multiple departmental rankings across corporate, finance, dispute resolution and specialist areas (2026 listings)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Firm commitment to recruiting and developing diverse, high-performing teams; publishes annual UK Pay Gap reports and Diversity Statistics and a Sustainability Report (2025) detailing progress and initiatives.

• 15+ affinity groups and networks
• Pathfinder (first-year insight programme)
• Going Forward (targeted development programme for underrepresented groups)
• Making Links Scholarship (second-year insight and support programme)
• Trainee-focused mentoring and sponsorship programmes

Pro Bono

Linklaters works closely with charities and not-for-profit organisations and reports social impact activity within its Sustainability Report; the firm emphasises pro bono and community engagement across offices.

Innovation

Linklaters invests in legal technology and AI capability across the firm: it has rolled out a generative AI platform firmwide, created a dedicated team of AI Lawyers who attend a bespoke bootcamp, and embeds Applied Intelligence resources into practice groups. Trainees and lawyers have access to AI tools, innovation squads and client solutions teams to support efficient delivery and productised client work.

• Applied Intelligence team
• Firmwide roll-out of Legora’s generative AI platform
• 20-strong global AI Lawyers team and bespoke AI bootcamp
• Client Solutions and Innovation / Innovation-focused business teams

Quick Application Angles

• Reference Linklaters’ investment in AI: mention interest in the firm’s Applied Intelligence/AI Lawyers programme and how you would apply tech to improve client outcomes.
• If eligible, apply for an International Clerkship (Africa/Australia/India) — these programmes include visa, flights and accommodation and lead to Training Contract interviews; use this to demonstrate commitment to a London career and international experience.
• Highlight commercial experience relevant to the firm's Tier 1 strengths (banking & finance, capital markets, corporate/M&A) and, where possible, cite a recent firm matter (e.g., large financings/refinancings or cross-border M&A) to show sector fit.
• Make clear evidence of sustained legal experience (the firm expects 2–4 weeks continuous legal work experience) and note a 2:1 degree where applicable; use structured examples to show teamwork and client service.
• Mention the Vacation Scheme / Clerkship route and that the firm pays £500/week — indicate why the scheme’s hands-on seat exposure is attractive and how you’d add value in a seat-based environment.