We are a sector-focused, entrepreneurial law firm. But there’s more to us than that. We have a passion for the sectors we work in – whether we are solving complex issues across construction, aviation and shipping, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy. We’re people who like to get things done. It’s this pragmatism, combined with our creative approach, that makes us our clients’ go-to commercial advisers.

And we are, unapologetically, absolute experts in what we advise our clients on. So yes, we’re different. Our clients say “less traditional” – “progressive”, even.

We say we’re specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients.

We offer our trainees an environment where they will be working alongside some of the most respected and talented lawyers in their field. If you are driven, enjoy challenges and are motivated by the idea of completing a training contract in a global environment, then we would like to hear from you.

We typically run a one-week spring vacation scheme and two summer vacation schemes (two weeks in duration). Applications for our 2025 vacation schemes open on 3 October 2024 and close on 10 January 2024

Vacation scheme participants follow a structured programme of talks and workshops designed to help them to understand more about HFW and our business areas. Our vacation schemes are an integral part of our training contract recruitment process and all vacation scheme participants attend a guaranteed interview for a training contract as part of the vacation scheme. A high percentage of our training contract offers are made to those that attend a vacation scheme at the firm.

Every year we recruit only a small number of trainees – 15 per year split across a September and March intake. This enables us to give every trainee our full attention, and means that your individual contribution makes a difference.

A training contract at HFW consists of four six-month seats – typically three contentious seats and one transactional seat, usually with at least one seat spent outside of London in an international office. Trainees are involved in a combination of workshops, departmental know-how sessions, mentoring by experienced lawyers and on-the-job training. Overall, we aim to provide you with a dynamic, supportive and varied environment in which you are challenged to become the best lawyer you can be.

We have fully transitioned to the SQE. Anyone starting a training contract with us from September 2024 onwards will train and qualify via the SQE route.

If you hold a non-law degree or did not study the law of England and Wales, you will complete a nine-month law conversion course (PGDL) followed by the comprehensive LLM Legal Practice SQE1 and 2, both at our chosen training provider, The University of Law. If you already have a relevant law degree, you will move straight onto the LLM Legal Practice SQE1 and 2 course.

As part of the LLM Legal Practice SQE1 and 2 course, you will also complete the SQE Plus which covers knowledge areas specific to our firm. These are: advanced dispute resolution, commercial law and international trade, insurance, business law – innovation, technology and legal project management, and business law – professional behaviours and personal effectiveness and law firms and their clients.

If, prior to joining us, you have already completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) you will only need to complete SQE2 and SQE Plus.

Our solicitor apprenticeship programme offers you the opportunity to develop to your full potential through a structured, six-year programme. 

You will have the chance to learn and work at the same time, building on the knowledge gained in your studies through having 'hands on' experience in a global, collaborative and entrepreneurial environment. 

You will be supported before the programme starts with a comprehensive onboarding and induction schedule.

During the programme, you will have:

• a dedicated supervisor;
• a skills coach;
• points of contact in the early careers team; and
• seats in business services and legal teams

We look for solicitor apprentices who are interested in a career in commercial law in an international law firm, who are pragmatic, motivated to work hard, to make the most of their studies, and who are eager to learn from every opportunity.

We also look for those who have an interest in our six industry sectors, but you don't need any technical knowledge – we can teach you that.

As an employer, HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff.  All applications will only be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

Committed to diverisity, we are signatories to the Law Society's Diversity and Inclusion Charter.

PGDL/SQE fees paid and a maintenance grant of £15,000 (reviewed annually) is available for each year of study once a training contract offer is accepted.

Solicitor apprenticeship course fees are paid via the firm's apprenticeship levy account. This only applies once an individual accepts a place and commences a solicitor apprenticeship with the firm.

• Shipping litigation
• Ship finance
• Commodities
• Construction
• Fraud & insolvency
• Oil & gas
• EU/competition
• Corporate
• Contentious insurance
• Non-contentious insurance
• Aerospace
• Trade finance
• Regulatory

• Corporate & Commercial
• General Commercial
• Niche

• Abu Dhabi
• British Virgin Islands
• Brussels
• Dubai
• Geneva
• Hong Kong
• Houston
• Kuwait
• London
• Melbourne
• Monaco
• Paris
• Perth
• Piraeus
• Rio de Janeiro
• Riyadh
• São Paulo
• Shanghai
• Singapore
• Sydney

• LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group)
• London Legal Support Trust (LLST)
• Mission to Seafarers
• Tower Hamlets Law Centre

• Black Solicitors Network
• Bright Network
• Career Ready
• City Solicitors Horizons
• InterLaw Diversity Forum
• Mindful Business Charter
• PRIME
• Rare Recruitment
• SEO London
• Stonewall
• The Brokerage
• The Switch