Trainees
If you are a law graduate or studying law, selecting the firm and discipline you wish to practice in can be challenging. That’s why, as a trainee, we give you an opportunity to experience different disciplines through a compulsory six-month corporate seat and three-month finance seat. We also offer the chance to gain additional experience in other practice areas, with six months in London and three months in Beijing or Shanghai.
Our flexible approach differentiates us from other firms. We will consult with you and share feedback to ensure your programme reflects your development goals, interests and needs. From the outset, trainees develop by getting involved in transactions and taking responsibility for projects involving international clients and many of China’s leading listed companies.
Graduates can apply to our Hong Kong office for a two-year training contract to become a Hong Kong qualified lawyer. If you are successful in your application for a trainee position, we will support you in completing your Postgraduate Certificate in Laws. To apply for a trainee position, you must be completing a common law degree, or CPE if you are a non-law degree holder.
Our trainee programme
Training and career development
At Freshfields, we like our trainees to experience as much of our practice as possible. This means you will spend at least six months in corporate and three months in finance. You can also spend time in dispute resolution, intellectual property and information technology, antitrust, competition and trade; secondments to either Beijing or Shanghai; and a seat in our London office.
Throughout, we will monitor your progress closely and arrange meeting every three months with partners and a member of the human resources team. This will allow you to indicate which disciplines you’re interested in and how long you wish to spend in particular seats.
As a trainee your formal training will include:
- Intensive induction programmes
- Update sessions within teams and practice groups
- Residential conferences for most practice groups
Application process
"My goal is to be a great lawyer. There are so many in Freshfields, I think I’m in the right place."
Huan Xiong
Legal Consultant, Beijing