Paul Hastings is a leading international law firm that provides innovative legal solutions to many of the world's top financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. With 23 offices across Asia, Europe, and the US, we have the global reach and extensive capabilities to provide personalized service wherever our clients' needs take us.

Types of work

Our London office focuses on corporate M&A, private equity, leveraged finance, structured finance and private/credit funds. There are also opportunities to gain experience in other practice specialisms, including real estate finance, securitisation, corporate and structured finance, tax, payment systems, financial services and regulation, fintech, privacy and cyber security, employment, litigation and corporate crime.

Who should apply

We seek individuals with a wide variety of skills, who combine intellectual ability with enthusiasm, creativity and a demonstrable ability to thrive in a challenging environment. In addition, we expect you to show initiative and a willingness to make a positive contribution to the firm as a whole. When completing the application form you should seek to demonstrate that you possess those qualities. We are looking for individuals with distinguished academic credentials. We expect candidates to have high level of achievement both at A level (or equivalent) and degree level. This would normally mean an upper second or first-class degree and a majority of A grades at A level.

We will offer a work placement scheme in June 2025 and applications can be made online via our website. 

We also offer open day events and work directly with partner organisations specifically target students that meet our diversity priority criteria ie BAME, social mobility and disability.

As a trainee you can expect substantive and challenging work assignments, open doors, the opportunity to ask questions and a collaborative work environment. We will provide you with a first class training and development programme, combining on-the-job training, internal practice-based training and professional courses.

Our trainee solicitors will spend six months in four seats chosen from a variety of options, including corporate, capital markets, real estate finance, real estate, corporate and structured finance, leveraged finance, private funds, technology and cyber security, employment, litigation, restructuring and tax.

Trainees are monitored on a formal and informal basis, enjoy the benefits of a mentor within the firm, have the opportunity to offer feedback on their experiences and are closely supervised and advised by our talent management team in London.

Training contracts are offered to students from law and non-law backgrounds and we embrace equality, diversity and inclusion in our hiring practices. We offer a competitive salary whilst training (currently £60,000 pa in your first year), and benefits including medical insurance, a fitness and wellbeing allowance, life assurance and 25 working days' holiday.

When and how to apply

Applicants should complete the online application form at Careers | Paul Hastings LLP where you will also find details of application deadlines.

Anticipated that future trainees will progress through the SQE programme from 2023/24 onwards.

At Paul Hastings, we are committed to acting with integrity, valuing knowledge, and embracing diversity. We have a strong global diversity and inclusion program that focuses on recruiting, retention and development, addresses our brand and upholds our commitment to improving wellbeing of our attorneys and staff.

We are committed to the professional development and career aspirations of our people. We hire great people and provide development programs to help associates reach their goals, whether a path to partnership, in-house with a client, or other organisations. Our goal is to foster an inclusive work environment where diverse perspectives and ideas are not only embraced, but are considered critical to creating innovative solutions for our clients.

Paul Hastings is also a proud signatory of the Mindful Business Charter, which is a set of best practices to reduce avoidable stress. The firm actively encourages all Partners and employees to keep these commitments in mind in order to promote a healthy work environment, allowing employees to perform at their best and deliver optimum client service. 

Full fees for PGDL and SQE sponsorship plus a maintenance grant whilst you are studying.

• Corporate
• Capital markets
• Commercial lending
• Finance
• Financial services & payment systems
• Fund formation
• Intellectual property
• International dispute resolution
• Investigations & white collar defense
• Litigation
• Mergers & acquisitions
• Private equity
• Real estate
• Restructuring
• Securities
• Tax

• Corporate & Commercial

• London

• Just for Kids
• London Legal Support Trust (LLST)
• TrustLaw Connect

• Aspiring Solicitors
• Black Solicitors Network
• Diversity Access Scheme - Law Society
• Generation Success
• Law Society Social Mobility Ambassadors Scheme
• Mindful Business Charter
• Pathways to Law
• Sutton Trust
• The Switch