The Vacancy



Your Route to a Training Contract



Our Vacation Scheme is designed to give you an authentic insight into life as a trainee solicitor at Fieldfisher and is the primary route into a Training Contract commencing in September 2029. The scheme combines real work experience, skills development, networking opportunities and assessment, allowing you to experience first-hand what it is like to work at a leading European law firm. Candidates who perform strongly during the scheme will be invited to attend a Final Partner Interview for a Training Contract offer.



At Fieldfisher, we focus on potential, curiosity and how you learn - not simply what you already know. Our aim is to provide meaningful exposure to commercial law while helping you develop the skills, confidence, and relationships needed for a successful legal career.




What You'll Experience



During the scheme, you will:

• Complete real work within a legal practice area.

• Gain exposure to clients, transactions and international work.

• Attend commercial awareness, skills and development workshops.

• Receive feedback and coaching from supervisors and colleagues.

• Learn about our culture, values and collaborative way of working.

• Build your professional network across lawyers, trainees and business services teams.

• Develop key skills including communication, teamwork, analysis, and commercial awareness.

To apply, you should:

• Be in your penultimate or final year of university (or have already graduated).

• Have achieved a minimum of ABB at A-Level (or equivalent).

• Be on track to achieve, or have achieved a 2:1 in any degree discipline.

• Demonstrate a genuine interest in commercial law.

• Be motivated to pursue a Training Contract at Fieldfisher.

• Be eligible to work in the UK (for the duration of the scheme, we do offer visa support for successful Training Contract candidates).

We recruit individuals with potential and recognise that achievements should be considered within the context of a candidate's personal circumstances. Applications are reviewed holistically, and contextual information is taken into account where appropriate.




Recruitment Process



Stage 1: Online Application



Applications open on 14 September 2026 and close on 6 November 2026.



Stage 2: Online Strength Assessment



All eligible applicants will automatically be invited to complete an online strengths assessment. This assessment helps us understand your natural strengths, preferences, and potential. No legal knowledge or preparation is required.



Stage 3: Video Interview



Successful candidates will be invited to complete a video interview exploring motivation, commercial awareness and interest in Fieldfisher.



Stage 4: Assessment Day



Candidates who pass the video interview will attend an in-person Assessment Day, which will include a team exercise, individual assessment and interview.



Stage 5: Vacation Scheme



Successful candidates will be invited to join our Vacation Scheme in March/April 2027.



Stage 6: Final Stage Interview



At the end of the scheme, participants complete an end-of-scheme appraisal and a final stage interview for Training Contract consideration. Training Contracts will commence: London - September 2029, Birmingham and Manchester - September 2028 or 2029.




Key Dates (Which are subject to change)



Date



Applications Open



14 September 2026



Applications Close



6 November 2026



Online Strength Assessment



Rolling following application



Video Interviews



November 2026 - January 2027



Assessment Days



January 2027



Vacation Scheme



22 March to the 2 April 2027



Final Partner Interviews



Following the Vacation Scheme



Training Contract Start Date



London - September 2029



Birmingham/Manchester - September 2028/29




Accessibility and Inclusion



At Fieldfisher, we are committed to delivering an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience. Accessibility adjustments are available throughout the application process. If there is anything we can do to support you, please let us know as early as possible.



We are guided by the social model of disability and are committed to removing barriers so that everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best.




A Career, Not Just Two Weeks



The Vacation Scheme is designed to help you make an informed decision about a career in commercial law while demonstrating your potential to become a future trainee solicitor at Fieldfisher.



If you are ambitious, collaborative, curious, and excited by solving complex challenges for clients, we would love to hear from you.




The Company



We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.



With 1,800 people across 28 offices across 14 countries you might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.




Quality on both sides

Across all our offices and jurisdictions are market-leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.



We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions.



We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.




Testimonials




Charley Guille



"Throughout my time at Fieldfisher from the vacation scheme, time as a paralegal and my training contract, the firm has lived up to its friendly, open, and collaborative culture. As a trainee, fee earners are genuinely interested in your development and pushing you to achieve your potential, not just in your training contract but in your career.



The firm's reputation across its practice areas provides an excellent environment to train where you are trusted to deal with interesting work. The opportunity to spend 6 months in Silicon Valley provided me with a unique experience in a practice area I enjoyed with regular client contact and business development opportunities (as well as some great road trips!)."




Abbie Griffiths



"I started my journey at Fieldfisher as a Paralegal in the Birmingham office in December 2018 and became a Trainee Solicitor in September 2019.



On my first day in the office as a Paralegal in the Employment team, I was welcomed and approached by all, including partners, solicitors, and secretarial staff, who were all keen to know more about me and my ambitions for the future. It was clear to me from that day forwards that not only had I joined an international law firm with market-leading practices, but also a network of people who would support, encourage and help me become the best solicitor that I can be.



The Birmingham office offers trainees seats in Real Estate, Dispute Resolution, Employment, and Corporate, with the option to apply for secondments. Our clients are mostly international and high-profile, making the work exciting, dynamic, and complex. Each team is committed to exposing their trainees to a wide variety of work, and always ensure trainees attend client calls and meetings which are invaluable learning experiences.



The office is situated on Blythe Valley Business Park, which is a ten minute commute from Birmingham International train station and Solihull Town Centre. The office is surrounded by greenery, making lunchtime walks, exercise, and picnics outside a regular occurrence. There are cafes situated on the park offering a variety of lunch options, and a Virgin Active gym which offers a number of exercise classes before and after work.



In my opinion, Fieldfisher is a leading law firm that offers a good work-life balance, challenging work, and the skills and resources to help trainees reach their full potential. I feel very lucky to represent the firm as a Trainee Solicitor"




Minhaal Datoo



"I was drawn to a career at Fieldfisher because of the quality of the training, the culture of the firm, and the strong emphasis on diversity.



I secured a vacation scheme through the Diversity Access Scheme, and after that, I accepted a training contract at the firm. As a trainee, the work can often be challenging. However, Fieldfisher has a great culture which means everyone is happy to help you when needed, your contributions are genuinely appreciated and you are valued not just as a professional, but as an individual too."