Law firm open days and insight schemes 2024/25

Looking for an ‘in’? Open days and insight schemes are invaluable opportunities to meet the people that work for the law firms you’re interested in. You’ll learn about life in the organisation, its culture, the work on offer and much more. Plus, if prepped well, it’s your chance to ace that initial interaction to set yourself up nicely for future encounters that could eventually lead to you securing your qualifying work experience (eg, a training contract or apprenticeship).

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Searching for relevant open days and insight schemes can often feel like diving into the deep end of a swimming pool for the first time, with no armbands. There are many events on offer so it’s crucial to identify the ones that suit you and your aspirations – otherwise, you’ll feel a little helpless as you attempt to wade through the never-ending cycle of applications.

LawCareers.Net has put together a non-exhaustive list of law firm open days and insight schemes happening over the autumn term and beyond.

You might already have an idea of the firms you want to target but if you’re still unsure, conduct some initial research into the firm’s work areas, offices, values and culture to see whether you can see yourself starting your career there. Once you’ve created a shortlist, finding the right open day or insight scheme will become a lot easier.

For more on how to research a firm, read LCN’s advice.

Please note that some of the open days/insight schemes listed below may have already been held or the deadlines may have passed since we first put the list together. Take a look through at the ones still upcoming and keep an eye on LCN’s Events page, firms’ websites and social media for other legal careers events, including firm presentations.

A&O Shearman

The firm’s first-year programme is open to students in the first year of a three-year course or the second year of a four-year course (undergraduate). The application window for the programme is between 6 January 2025 and 10 February 2025.

The experience exposes candidates to the work the law firm gets involved with through shadowing and networking. You’ll also receive support from trainee buddies and guidance from the firm’s early recruitment team.

As part of the scheme, successful candidates will have access to a two-day programme in April and an assessment centre masterclass in September. They’ll also be fast-tracked to the assessment centre for a vacation scheme with the firm.

Ashurst LLP

Access Ashurst is a two-week programme held at the firm’s London office. It’s aimed at those in the summer of year 12 and will take place from 21 July 2025 to 1 August 2025.

Applications for Access Ashurst will open on 8 October 2024 and close at midday on 7 January 2025.

Access Ashurst has been designed to improve access to the profession for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. You can see the eligibility criteria for the programme on the law firm’s website.

The programme offers successful applicants the chance to spend two days with a legal supervisor in departments across the office. They’ll also complete interactive skills sessions and workshops. During the second week of the programme, candidates will gain insights into life as an in-house lawyer by spending a day at five different organisations as part of the Social Mobility Business Partnership. Following the scheme, students will be partnered with a mentor who’ll provide ongoing support and guidance during their studies in year 13.

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie has several open days on offer, including:

• an LGBT+ and allies open day on 9 October 2024 (applications open 1 September 2024 and will close on 25 September 2024);
• a women’s open day on 10 October 2024 (applications opened on 1 September 2024 and will close on 25 September 2024);
• a Black lawyers and allies open day on 29 October 2024 (applications opened on 1 September 2024 and will close on 11 November 2024)
• a non-Russell Group open day on 31 October 2024 (applications opened on 1 September 2024 and will close on 11 October 2024);
• a non-law open day on Monday 18 November 2024 (applications opened on 1 September 2024 and will close on 1 November 2024);
• an employability open day (mental wellbeing and disability) on 20 November 2024 (applications opened on 1 September 2024 and will close on 1 November 2024);
• a general open day on 21 November 2024 (applications opened on 1 September 2024 and will close on 1 November 2024); and
• an opportunity open day for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds on 26 November 2024 (applications opened on 1 September 2024 and will close on 1 November 2024).

Bristows LLP

Bristows’ open days focus on intellectual property (IP), the firm’s key specialism. Students can apply to attend the following workshops:

• IP workshop (London) on 14 November 2024 (applications are open and will close on 31 October 2024).
• IP workshop (online) on 20 November 2024 (applications are open and will close on 31 October 2024).
• IP workshop for scientists and engineers (London) on 4 December 2024 (applications are open and will close on 11 November 2024).
• IP workshop for first-year undergraduates (online) on 12 June 2025 (applications are open and will close on 30 May 2025).

Burges Salmon LLP

The firm will be holding open days at its Bristol office on 24 and 26 March 2025 and an open day in Edinburgh in March 2025. Attendees will hear from the firm’s lawyers at various levels, attend group workshops and find out about the firm’s application process.

Presentation evenings, consisting of a talk on life as a trainee, information on the training contract application and more, will also take place on:

• 18 November 2024 (Bristol office);
• 28 November 2024 (Edinburgh office); and
• 26 November 2024 (virtual).

The firm also hosts various ‘food for thought’ events throughout the year, offering advice on several topics with Q&A sessions. The following sessions will be held at lunchtime:

• application tips – 14 October 2024;
• assessment centre tips – 17 December 2024; and
• how to stand out at the firm’s assessment centre – 21 January 2025.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Attend an open day at Charles Russell Speechlys’ offices to hear from trainees, associates and partners about life at the firm and the work they do. Attendees will also attend an applications masterclass with the early talent team on hand to answer any questions relating to the firm’s training contract application process.

The firm’s upcoming open days are on:

• 4 December 2024 (London);
• 5 December 2024 (Guildford);
• 11 December 2024 (Cheltenham);
• 12 December 2024 (virtual);
• 7 January 2025 (virtual); and
• 9 January 2025 (London).

Applications for the firm’s open days opened on 16 September 2024 and will close at midday on 20 November 2024.

DWF Group Plc

DWF hosts solicitor apprenticeship open evenings to offer interested candidates an overview of the firm, an introduction to the solicitor apprenticeship, application advice, a Q&A with current DWF apprentices and networking opportunities.

Keep an eye on the firm’s website for more information on when these will be held.

Farrer & Co LLP

For those interested in a career at Farrer & Co, the firm hosts several open days.

For university students and graduates, the open days will take place on

• 5 November 2024; and
• 3 December 2024.

For schools, students and parents, the open days will take place on:

• 22 October 2024; and
• 19 November 2024.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills hosts the following open days:

• Social mobility open day (applications for this have closed)
• Black talent open day – 29 October 2024 in London (applications close on 13 October 2024)
• Intellectual property, cyber and technology open day – 12 November 2024 in London (applications close on 13 October 2024)
• MyPlus open day – 24 October 2024 in London (applications close on 1 October 2024)
• IRIS (inclusion, respecting identity and sexuality) open day – 22 October 2024 in London (applications close on 1 October 2024)
• Digital open day – 5 November 2024 in London (applications close on 13 October 2024)
• Disputes open day – 19 November 2024 in London (applications close on 13 October 2024)

Herbert Smith Freehills also runs workshops specifically for first-year students and second-year students who are on a four-year course. The workshops include interactive sessions on corporate negotiation, alternative dispute resolution, the firm’s pro bono work and more, as well as opportunities to shadow a trainee solicitor. Keep an eye on the firm’s website for details about application deadlines and dates for these.

Jones Day

You can meet Jones Day at its open evenings on:

• 1 October 2024; and
• 30 October 2024.

Registration for these events isn’t open yet, so keep an eye on the firm’s website for updated information.

Latham & Watkins

The firm hosts four open days over the course of the year at its London office. These are open to students across all year groups. The open days are as follows:

• Graduate recruitment open day – 24 October 2024 (application deadline is 6 October 2024)
• Black lawyers group open day – 4 November 2024 (application deadline is 20 October 2024)
• Graduate recruitment open day – 13 November 2024 (application deadline is 20 October 2024)
• LGBTQ+ open day – 25 November 2024 (application deadline is 20 October 2024).

Macfarlanes LLP

The firm runs a first-year insight scheme each year in the spring –  the next scheme is due to take place from 14 to 17 April 2025. Applications for this scheme open on Monday 23 September 2024 and will close on Friday 24 January 2025.

Successful applicants will take part in a negotiation exercise, an application skills workshop, lunch with associates and trainees, work shadowing a trainee and more!

Mayer Brown International LLP

The firm runs an open day each year with applications closing on 6 October 2024. The open day is for undergraduates and graduates and offers a full insight into life at the firm. Keep an eye on the firm’s website for updates regarding the date of this year’s open day.

Osborne Clarke LLP

If you want to learn more about the day-to-day work of lawyers at Osborne Clarke, there are opportunities to do so at its London, Reading and Bristol offices. The firm runs three insight schemes at Osborne Clarke, with one taking place in each of the offices – they’ll be run as a mix of virtual and in-person sessions.

Keep your eye on the firm’s LawCareers.Net profile and its website for information regarding this year’s schemes.

Shoosmiths

Aspiring lawyers can attend two virtual insights evenings to find out more about a career at Shoosmiths’ various offices. You can gain an insight into the firm’s practice areas, its clients, the training contract and the skills required for you to be a successful solicitor.

The first of these, with a focus on England, will take place on 15 October 2024; and the second one, with a focus on Scotland, will take place on 5 November 2024.

Slaughter and May

As well as advice on applications and interviews, Slaughter and May’s open days provide interested candidates with the chance to learn more about working in the legal profession and more specifically a City law firm.

The firm hosts first-year open days in its offices during the spring for first-year students (law and non-law). The dates of the firm’s 2025 open days will be announced shortly (at the time of writing) – head to the firm’s LawCareers.Net profile or its website for details as they’re updated.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Insight evenings at Trowers & Hamlins will take place throughout November and December at the firm’s UK offices. These are a great chance to gain insight into life as a trainee and a career in law, the firm’s practice areas and its clients, and guidance on developing application skills.

The insight evenings will take place on:

• 14 November 2024 in Birmingham;
• 3 December 2024 in Exeter;
• 21 November 2024 in London; and
• 28 November 2024 in Manchester.

Interested students can apply from 1 October 2024.

Vinson & Elkins RLLP

First-year students can apply to attend Vinson & Elkins’ open day, ‘discoVEr’ to find out more about the firm, take part in a commercial awareness workshop, hear from associates on diversity, equity and inclusion at the firm, get tips on producing good applications and more.

Applications for the 2024 open day open on 1 November 2024 and close on 12 January 2025. The date for the open day hasn’t yet been confirmed, so keep an eye on the firm’s LawCareers.Net profile or the firm’s website for more information as it’s announced.

White & Case LLP

Find out what working as a City lawyer is really like with White & Case’s open days, taking place on 14 and 21 November 2024.

For a spot on either open day, candidates must apply between 27 September 2024 and 27 October 2024.

What next?

Once you’ve identified a few schemes, and law firms, that interest you, take a look at the application process. It might be the case that some are just open for registrations while others will require you to complete an application form.

'How to prepare for law firm insight days and presentations' offers fantastic advice to make sure you're well prepared!

Whether this is your first time attending such events or you’ve been to a few now, LawCareers.Net has put together a useful guide to networking to help you find your feet at these types of event. It’s vital that you do some sort of preparation both before applying and then again if your application is successful.

Research is key. If you’re given the chance to speak to trainees, associates or partners at a firm, it’s crucial that you’re prepared. How much do you know about:

• the practice areas the firm specialises in;
• where its offices are located;
• recent cases the firm has worked on;
• the firm’s main competitors; or
• the firm’s main clients?

There are so many other areas you can delve into but the above is a great starting point.

If you want some additional advice on researching firms, LCN has got your back. Head to our ‘Researching firms’ page for more and our Application hub for all your application advice in one place!

Another aspect that might not have crossed your mind at this stage, is what you wear to these events. Virtual or in person it’s so important that you dress appropriately. First impressions are everything.

Unsure what to wear? Read LCN’s advice now. Interviews, open days, insight schemes, vacation schemes, training contracts – the same rules apply.

As we said, this isn’t an exhaustive list and many firms will be announcing dates for their open days and insight schemes in the coming months, so stay alert to announcements from individual firms and check LCN’s Events page too!

Olivia Partridge is the content manager at LawCareers.Net.