A law firm focused on people and collaboration. For the past 125 years, Withers has supported some of the world's most remarkable people and organisations at defining moments in their lives. We are the only international law firm focused on successful individuals and private capital, working closely with founders, investors and family offices. We also advise governments, charities, global brands and start-ups of all shapes and sizes. Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world's problems. It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice. Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, looking after their family, involved in a complex dispute or protecting their finances for the future. To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. We are agile, focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy. It is a truly flexible working culture that puts people first. Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

Please find our awards listed – https://www.withersworldwide.com/en-gb/awards/

The best way to get a feel for the firm and the type of work we do is to come and work with us for on one of our vacation schemes. We have 18 places in total and offer two dates for our one week vacation scheme in our London office. We are currently recruiting for the 2025 vacation scheme .

We are proud of our vacation scheme as it offers a real insight into what it is like to work for a City law firm and most importantly you will gain first-hand experience of what it is like to work for Withers by experiencing some of our core practice areas. Candidates on the vacation scheme receive £450 per week and benefit from free meals and snacks in the firm’s café.

Interviews for the vacation schemes take place in January and February. The interview consists of a 50-minute interview with a partner. Candidates who speak a foreign language fluently may be asked to demonstrate this skill at interview.

Trainees spend six months in four different departments. Working in a team with a partner and an associate provides autonomy, responsibility and fast development. Buddy and mentor systems as well as on the job training ensure trainees are fully supported from the outset.

Our trainees were recently asked how their training is different from their friends’ training in other firms. The level of responsibility and autonomy they are given was the most common response. We have a strong team ethos and trainees are seen as an integral part of the teams in which they work.

Our culture and working environment creates a great learning environment in which to be a trainee. So, you may be interested to read about the external recognition we have received in this area; appearing for five years in a row in The Sunday Times top 100 best employers listing, consistently been in the top five for the highest percentage of female partners in a London law firm and have fared well in the top London firms in the annual Legal Week survey of associates satisfaction for many years.

Benefits

You will benefit from 25 days’ holiday, an interest free season ticket loan, group personal pension, life assurance, private medical insurance, access to the firm’s doctor, conveyancing and an array of social events.

The Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) have introduced the Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam (SQE) as a new route to qualification for all future solicitors. Withers will be transitioning to this new qualification route for our trainees from September 2024.

When you join Withers, following the successful completion of the SQE1 and SQE2 exams (that we will help fund), you will receive a comprehensive induction to the firm and a tailored development programme to support you through your qualifying work experience (QWE) and prepare you for a career as a solicitor.

An inclusive workplace is one where everyone feels free to be who they are, supported and encouraged to fulfill their career potential.

Inclusion is deeply embedded in our culture and having a diverse workforce at all levels within the firm has long been an essential guiding principle for us. Our aim is to ensure that all staff can bring their full selves to work and excel in their role.

Over the last 20 years, we have been ranked highly in the tables that chart the proportion of women and LGBTQ+ employees at the firm. We are proud that, in contrast with many of our competitors, 45% of our global partnership, and 50% of the senior leadership team are women.

We’re not complacent about the diversity of our workforce or the challenges that individuals can face in their professional and personal lives. We treat everybody equally and we are committed to promoting and conducting an open, honest and fair culture.

Full fees for PGDL and/or SQE and a maintenance grant of £8,000 for the PGDL and £10,000 for the PGDL.

• Charities
• Corporate & venture capital
• Employment
• Family & divorce
• Intellectual property
• Litigation & arbitration
• Private client & tax
• Real estate
• Trust
• estate & inheritance disputes

• Corporate & Commercial
• General Commercial
• General Practice
• Niche

• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• Tokyo
• Cambridge
• Geneva
• London
• Milan
• Padua
• Boston
• British Virgin Islands
• Greenwich
• Los Angles
• New Haven
• New York
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• Texas

• Citizens Advice Bureau
• LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group)

• #10000BlackInterns
• Aspiring Solicitors
• City Parents
• Diversity Access Scheme - Law Society
• Pathways to Law
• PRIME
• Rare Recruitment
• Stonewall