Mayer Brown

Overview

Mayer Brown is a large, full-service international law firm positioned to represent major corporations, funds and financial institutions on complex cross-border transactions and disputes. The firm operates through associated legal practices across multiple jurisdictions and combines strong sector-focused teams (notably financial services, technology, real estate, energy and disputes) with a global delivery model. Mayer Brown’s history and market footprint — including one of its original and largest offices in Chicago (founded 1881) — underpin its reputation for handling sophisticated, high-value matters for corporate, governmental and financial clients. Classified among top-tier global law firms, the firm emphasises integrated, multidisciplinary teams and investment in technology and innovation across its practices.

• Headquarters: Chicago, 71 South Wacker Drive
• Founded: 1881
• Trainees: 15
• Offices: 22

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Banking & Finance
• Capital Markets
• Corporate & M&A
• Competition & Antitrust
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Intellectual Property
• International Arbitration
• Investment Funds
• Pensions
• Private Equity & Venture Capital
• Real Estate
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Technology & Digital
• Tax
• White Collar Crime

Geographic Focus: Global — strong coverage in North America, Europe and Asia with integrated on-the-ground teams in key financial and regulatory centres (Chicago, New York, Washington DC, London, Brussels, Frankfurt, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, major Brazil offices). The firm delivers cross-border, multi-jurisdictional work by combining locally licensed associated practices with global project teams.

Training Contract

• Starting Salary: £56,000 (first year trainee)
• NQ Salary: £150,000
• Trainee Intake: 15
• Qualification Rate: 80%
• Academic Requirements: Minimum academic requirement: 2:1 degree (the firm accepts non-law graduates); no minimum A-level requirement specified.
• Application Deadline: 31 March 2027

Sponsorship

PGDL/PGDL grant of £15,000; SQE grant £20,000 (figures published).

International Opportunities

Approximately 9% of trainees are given international secondments; destinations and availability vary by practice group and office.

Client Secondments

Approximately 9% of trainees undertake client secondments; availability varies by year and practice.

Mentorship

Formal mentoring and coaching programmes, one-to-one and group coaching, practice-group and partner mentors, and structured integration supports for new joiners and trainees.

Apply on the Mayer Brown website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Mayer Brown Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Intellectual curiosity and adaptability
• Strong academic performance (minimum 2:1 degree commonly expected)
• Resilience and commitment to client service
• Communication and drafting skills
• Global mindset and interest in cross-border work

Evidence Signals

• Relevant commercial or legal work experience (internships, vacation schemes)
• Pro bono or volunteer experience demonstrating commitment to public interest
• International experience or language skills
• Demonstrable interest in technology/AI for technology-facing practices
• Examples of leadership, teamwork and client-facing responsibilities

Benefits & Wellbeing

• First year trainee salary: £56,000
• Second year trainee salary: £61,000
• NQ salary: £150,000
• PGDL/PGDL grant: £15,000
• SQE grant: £20,000
• Competitive regional salary and benefits packages
• Formal training and continuous professional development programmes
• Mentoring and coaching schemes
• Global mobility and international secondment opportunities
• Pro bono opportunities and paid pro bono recognition
• Family-friendly policies and wellbeing support
• Access to firm learning resources, on-demand programmes and multi-office workshops
• Office social and networking events (varies by office)

Wellbeing

Firmwide mental health and wellness programmes, employee support initiatives, and an emphasis on well-being and work–life balance support (details and offerings vary by office and region).

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500 EMEA 2026: Mayer Brown ranked in 35 categories (2026)
• Chambers Europe 2026: 8 Mayer Brown practices ranked and 18 lawyers recognised (2026)
• Chambers Associate: Ranked “The Elite” in every category for associate satisfaction (as stated on firm pages)
• Vault: Top 10 nationally across eight 'Quality of Life' categories (as stated on firm pages)
• LexisNexis Pro Bono Project of the Year (2026) — recognition for Afghan Pro Bono Initiative collaboration
• Multiple pro bono awards including Pro Iura’s Pro Bono Impact Award (2025) and other regional pro bono recognitions (2024–2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The firm pledged to devote 50,000 hours to Project Equity initiatives over three years and renewed the commitment for a further three years and a subsequent 50,000 hours. The firm is a signatory to regional pro bono and public service commitments and supports inclusive recruitment and reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

• Project Equity
• Global Pro Bono Committee
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
• NextGen
• Global Alumni Network
• Local and regional pro bono committees

Pro Bono

Mayer Brown has a formalised global pro bono programme led by a Global Director of Pro Bono and overseen by a Global Pro Bono Committee; the firm pledged (and exceeded) 50,000 Project Equity hours and renewed that commitment for a further 50,000 hours. The firm supports pro bono work across five issue areas: voter rights, criminal justice and policing reform, housing and economic stability, education and assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

Innovation

Mayer Brown invests in technology-focused practices and learning, positioning its Technology & IP Transactions and Digital Transformation teams as market-leading advisers on cloud, AI, ERP, RPA and data projects. The firm runs a firmwide GenAI education programme for lawyers and combines technical, regulatory and commercial advice for clients undertaking digital transformation. The firm’s technology practice is repeatedly ranked highly in market directories, reflecting long-term investment in legal tech and technology sector specialism.

• Firmwide GenAI training programme
• Digital Transformation practice
• Technology & IP Transactions group
• Tech Talks podcast
• Green Tech Legal Collaborative (GTLC)

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise international experience and commercial awareness — Mayer Brown positions itself on cross-border, high-value work (mention interest in the firm’s cross-jurisdictional matters).
• Reference the firm’s technology and AI focus (the firm runs a firmwide GenAI programme and has a market-leading Technology & IP Transactions group) if applying to tech, digital transformation or data roles.
• Highlight pro bono and social-impact commitment (Project Equity and the firm’s large pro bono targets) to demonstrate alignment with the firm’s stated priorities.
• Stress collaboration and partnerability — trainee and insider ratings indicate very strong peer support and partner approachability, so give examples of team-based achievements and times you worked directly with senior stakeholders.
• For finance- and pensions-focused roles, reference recent transactional work (e.g., large BPA and structured credit matters) to show sector knowledge and deal awareness.