Where Exceptional Minds Meet
We are one of the world's pre-eminent law firms, known for our broad spectrum of world-class work and collegial team.
Who we are
Our Firm, work, and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career.
Our work has meaningful impact, often requiring the kind of knowledge that only international, cross-practice teams can provide. With a strong reputation in our field, our clients turn to us not just for legal expertise, but also for advice on their most critical business issues.
What is it like to work here?
It’s collaborative, rigorous and inspiring. Our people are highly professional and resilient, with an entrepreneurial streak. And they are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge. A common thread that runs through all of our five practice areas is a high-performance, can-do culture. Partners are hands-on with the work, and newly qualified lawyers are empowered to develop leadership skills from a very early stage. Every colleague is critical to the success of the team.
Our commitment to equality and diversity
We see inclusion as an intrinsic value of our firm. Our history as a firm has been anchored in innovative and diverse cultures and approaches which have both disrupted traditional attitudes and set global standards. Our goal is to deliver equality of opportunity, equality of aspiration, and equality of experience to everyone who works in our Firm.
Enhancing your wellbeing
We acknowledge that everyone can experience personal and professional trials, and this is why we care about offering support to our people. For example, as part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our employees, we have developed a unique and award-winning resilience programme for our Clifford Chance trainees.
Never stop growing
We commit to investing in you from the very start to build the best foundation for your future. There are a variety of development opportunities that you have access to from even before your first day. One of the ways we invest in our future lawyers is through our award-winning LIFT programme, the first internship programme of its kind. We have partnered with multiple organisations and core Clifford Chance business teams, to offer paid summer internships to our future trainees, with the sole aim of supporting your professional development – all before you join.. From there, you can take advantage of our award-winning trainee induction, regular feedback sessions, and have access to a sponsor at Partner level.
We embrace a learning culture, and the Clifford Chance Global Academy provides classroom and online training for all staff. However, we acknowledge that some things can only be learned by experience, and over a quarter of our trainees are on secondment at any one time, gaining unique international seat experiences.
Sustainability
We have a comprehensive, Responsible Business Strategy in place. For instance, we align our operations to contribute towards a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on those areas where we can make the greatest contribution, and we intend to continue to do so through to 2030.
Live opportunities
More than Law
Join us for ‘More than Law’, a unique event where you will hear from career changers and non-law graduates who have successfully become lawyers at Clifford Chance. Learn how they leveraged their diverse backgrounds and skills to excel in the legal sector and gain insights into how you can do the same. Whether you are studying a non-law degree or considering a career change, this event will inspire you to pursue your ambitions and show you that a career in law is possible for you. You will also have the opportunity to find out more about our sponsorship of the ‘Career Changer of the Year 2025’ award.
Virtual
How to Write a Winning Application - 30th October
Do you want to make a strong impression with your application for our early talent opportunities in London and the Middle East? Do you need some guidance on how to showcase your skills and motivations for joining the firm? If so, you should sign up for How to Write a Winning Application, a practical session hosted by the early talent team and a trainee. In this session, you will learn about the key components of our application process, such as the online form, the Watson Glaser test and the video interview. You will also receive tips on how to structure your answers, avoid common pitfalls and highlight your strengths. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
VirtualMiddle East Insight Day
Join us for a day of learning, networking and exploring the exciting early talent career prospects in the Middle East. By applying for our Middle East insight day you will get a glimpse of what it's like to be part of our global team in the Middle East. During this event, you will enjoy a breakfast with early talent professionals, hear from our senior leaders, learn about some of the most interesting and complex deals we have worked on, network with our lawyers who have experience in the Middle East, participate in a panel discussion and Q&A session with our trainees, newly qualified lawyers and associates, and find out more about the PGDL and SQE requirements and how we support our future joiners from the Middle East.
LondonCommercial Awareness 101: What It Is, Why It Matters, How To Develop It - 6th November
In this session, you will discover what commercial awareness means and why it is an essential skill for a career in law. You will learn how to develop your commercial awareness and get practical tips from the early talent team and a newly qualified lawyer on how to demonstrate your commercial awareness in your applications and interviews, especially in assessment day case studies. This session will be packed full of hitns and tips that will help you to stand out from the crowd.
VirtualThe Road to the Real Contract: Skills you'll need as a Trainee - 7th November
Are you interested in becoming a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance? Do you want to learn about the core skills that will help you excel at the firm? If so, you should register for The Road to the Real Contract, a skills session designed to give you an edge in your application by providing authentic insights into the commitment involved. In this session, delivered by a newly qualified lawyer and members of the early talent team, you will hear the first hand about how our lawyers commit to excellence in the service that they deliver to our clients. This session will also support your understanding of what's involved in the transition from student to trainee and importantly what attitudes, skills and behaviours are required to thrive in a high-performance leading global law firm. The Road to the Real Contract is more than just a skills session, it is a journey that we invite you to join us on where you can demonstrate your commitment to excellence from application, to qualification.
VirtualBlack In Law
Clifford Chance is excited to host Black in Law, an insight day aimed at students and graduates eligible of Black Heritage, aspiring to pursue a career in law. You must be eligible for SPARK or our Training Contract to apply. There is no doubt that it is the richness of our diversity that drives our success and makes us who we are as a global firm. For this to continue, it's important that we understand what success looks like for our lawyers and how we continue to build an inclusive environment that allows people to progress. So we're proud to run Black in Law, an insight day for students and graduates of Black Heritage who are interested in a career in law and are keen to hear from Black role models at Clifford Chance. In addition to skills sessions and interactive workshops designed to support you in our wider recruitment process, we will discuss the lived experiences of Black trainees and lawyers at Clifford Chance and provide insights on navigating the workplace and succeeding within the industry. Please note, Insight Days are by application only - you are permitted to apply for one of three listed Insight Days (Black In Law, ACCEPT or ELEVATE). If you gain a place on one of our Insight Days we will cover reasonable expenses to support your attendance.
LondonACCEPT
ACCEPT is an insight day for LGBTQ+ students interested in a career in law. You must be eligible for SPARK or our Training Contract to apply. During the event, you will hear from senior LGBTQ+ role models and guest speakers, hearing first-hand experiences that celebrate bringing your authentic self to work. You'll receive exposure to our business, receive practical tips to build confidence, advice on our application process, and hear inspiring stories from Clifford Chance LGBTQ+ employees. You'll also get a chance to network with like-minded individuals and firm representatives, including members of our internal LGBTQ+ action group (ARCUS), the Early Talent team, and lawyers from across the firm who all share a passion for inclusion. In addition to skills sessions and interactive workshops designed to support you in our wider recruitment process, we will discuss the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ lawyers at Clifford Chance, openly share experiences and discuss challenges the community faces. Please apply if this sounds like it could help you on your journey into commercial law. Please note, Insight Days are by application only - you are permitted to apply for one of three listed Insight Days (Black In Law, ACCEPT or ELEVATE). If you gain a place on one of our Insight Days we will cover reasonable expenses to support your attendance.
LondonELEVATE
Clifford Chance is excited to host ELEVATE, an insight day aimed at aspiring lawyers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. You must be eligible for SPARK or our Training Contract to apply and meet the social mobility specified in the application process. The insight day aims to broaden access to the legal profession and open the doors to Clifford Chance to those who might have otherwise not known where to start. We'll provide practical tips to build confidence, offer advice for navigating the SPARK and Training Contract application process, and share inspiring stories from Clifford Chance role models from a variety of backgrounds. You'll also get a chance to network with like-minded individuals and firm representatives, including members of our internal social mobility action group (RISE), the Early Talent team, and lawyers from across the firm who all share a passion for social mobility. From panel sessions to interactive workshops, we hope you'll leave inspired and equipped for success. Please apply if this sounds like it could help you on your journey into commercial law. Please note, Insight Days are by application only - you are permitted to apply for one of three listed Insight Days (Black In Law, ACCEPT or ELEVATE). If you gain a place on one of our Insight Days we will cover reasonable expenses to support your attendance.
LondonHow to Write a Winning Application - 18th November
Do you want to make a strong impression with your application for our early talent opportunities in London and the Middle East? Do you need some guidance on how to showcase your skills and motivations for joining the firm? If so, you should sign up for How to Write a Winning Application, a practical session hosted by the early talent team and a trainee. In this session, you will learn about the key components of our application process, such as the online form, the Watson Glaser test and the video interview. You will also receive tips on how to structure your answers, avoid common pitfalls and highlight your strengths. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
VirtualCommercial Awareness 101: What It Is, Why It Matters, How To Develop It - 28th January
In this session, you will discover what commercial awareness means and why it is an essential skill for a career in law. You will learn how to develop your commercial awareness and get practical tips from the early talent team and a newly qualified lawyer on how to demonstrate your commercial awareness in your applications and interviews, especially in assessment day case studies. This session will be packed full of hitns and tips that will help you to stand out from the crowd.
VirtualHow to Write a Winning Application - 29th January
Do you want to make a strong impression with your application for our early talent opportunities in London and the Middle East? Do you need some guidance on how to showcase your skills and motivations for joining the firm? If so, you should sign up for How to Write a Winning Application, a practical session hosted by the early talent team and a trainee. In this session, you will learn about the key components of our application process, such as the online form, the Watson Glaser test and the video interview. You will also receive tips on how to structure your answers, avoid common pitfalls and highlight your strengths. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Virtual
