Winston Taylor LLP

Overview

Winston Taylor is a transatlantic powerhouse operating across the Americas, the U.K., Europe and the Middle East. The firm markets 1,400+ lawyers and $1.75 billion in revenue, emphasising cross-border capability and sector-focused teams in major commercial centres. Its capabilities span major litigation, critical transactions, strategic IP and private wealth, and it positions itself to work with industry-shaping leaders across technology, life sciences, financial services and infrastructure.

• Lawyers: 1,400+
• Trainees: 20
• Offices: 20
• Revenue: $1.75 billion

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Corporate & M&A
• Capital Markets
• Intellectual Property
• Private Client & Wealth
• Technology & Digital
• Media & Entertainment
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Private Equity & Venture Capital

Geographic Focus: A transatlantic firm with presence across the Americas, the U.K., continental Europe and the Middle East; the firm emphasises cross-border capability and work in major commercial centres (20 offices across 7 countries) and targets global, industry-shaped clients in technology, life sciences, financial services and infrastructure.

Training Contract

• Starting Salary: Year 1: 56,000; Year 2: 61,000
• NQ Salary: 25,000
• Trainee Intake: 20
• Academic Requirements: Minimum degree requirement: 2:1. Minimum A-level requirement: AAB.
• Application Deadline: 31 January 2026

Seat Options

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Corporate & M&A
• Capital Markets
• Intellectual Property
• Private Client & Wealth
• Technology & Digital
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Financial Services & Regulation

Sponsorship

PGDL grant: 1,2500; SQE grant: 7,000

SQE Support

SQE grant: 7,000 (financial support for SQE costs)

International Opportunities

Chances Of Secondment Abroad: 0%

Client Secondments

Chances Of Client Secondment: 10%

Apply on the Winston Taylor LLP website →

What Winston Taylor LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Cross-border/commercial litigation or transactional aptitude
• Teamwork and peer collaboration
• Technical accuracy and attention to detail
• Interest in technology/innovation and sector specialism (e.g., tech, life sciences, financial services)
• Resilience and ability to manage long working days

Evidence Signals

• Commercial or transactional work experience (internships, paralegal roles)
• Sector-specific experience or insights (tech, life sciences, financial services)
• Demonstrable teamwork and peer-support examples
• Experience with legal technology or process improvement
• Strong academic record (2:1 degree and AAB at A-levels)

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary Year 1: 56,000
• Trainee salary Year 2: 61,000
• NQ salary: 25,000
• PGDL grant: 1,2500
• SQE grant: 7,000
• Annual leave: 25 days
• Billable/target hours policy: No annual target hours
• Average start time: 09:09 (reported)
• Average finish time: 19:39 (reported)

Awards & Recognition

• No. 14 on The American Lawyers 2026 "A-List" (08.12.2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Innovation

Insider ratings indicate especially strong legal-tech capability (A/A*), suggesting the firm invests significantly in legal technology and digital tools to support fee-earning teams. Trainees are likely exposed to modern tools and firm-wide tech initiatives given the high legal tech rating.

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise commercial awareness in the tech, life sciences or financial services sectors and reference the firm's cross-border, transatlantic capabilities from seed to IPO or major infrastructure transactions.
• Highlight experience with legal technology or process improvement — the firm scores A/A* for legal tech and perks, so evidence of tech-savvy or efficiency-focused work will resonate.
• Reference high-intensity litigation and IP capability when applying to contentious seats; mention an interest in major cross-border disputes and strategic IP protection.
• Use the firm's careers language (e.g., 'All in, all together' and 'built for the businesses, people, and markets driving capital and innovation') to frame examples that show collaborative client-focused problem solving.