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Clifford Chance Graduate Careers

Welcome to Clifford Chance's law firm hub. This is the place to find out everything you need to know about one of the UK's leading law firms. 

Clifford Chance ACCESS

  • Employer Clifford Chance
  • Salary Competitive
  • Location London
  • Vacancies
  • Deadline18/04/2024

Clifford Chance Global Virtual Internships

  • Employer Clifford Chance
  • Salary(Salary) N/A
  • Location Online
  • Vacancies
  • Deadline28/09/2024

The AllAboutLaw perspective on Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance is a global Magic Circle law firm with 30 offices across 22 countries. The Firm was named International Law Firm of the Year at IFLR Europe Awards 2022 and Legal Sector Employer of the Year at TARGETjobs Awards. Trainees will be joining a world-leading team and can look forward to working on cutting edge deals.

Trainees at this prestigious firm are expected to work hard which many current trainees see as a strength, describing the work as “fast-paced, complex and rewarding.” Another trainee stated, “it’s the variety of projects and pace of change that keeps me at the firm.” Lawyers feel supported, with a two-year buddy program starting once you receive your offer of a training contract, so you learn what to expect from a current trainee. 

For anyone with a keen interest in the intersection between law and tech, the firm also offers its pioneering IGNITE Training Contract which gives trainees "the freedom and autonomy" they need "to get involved in projects and deals across the firm". 

You will also be well rewarded for your hard work, with a starting salary of £50,000, rising to £125,000 upon qualification. This is combined with the many benefits offered by the firm, such as concierge services, free meals in the evenings, on-site healthcare, and a free gym and pool. Furthermore, with the firm’s multiple offices across the globe, trainees can spend a seat in places as far as São Paulo and Singapore. 

The firm maintains that prestige should not mean exclusivity and is renowned for its commitment to inclusion and democratising access to the profession. It offers several schemes aimed at encouraging those from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a law career. ACCESS work provides two years of work experience, one-on-one tutoring and mentorship to sixth form students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring access to work experience is no longer about who you know. A recent ACCESS alumni described this as a "gateway to accessing contacts and gaining mentorship in an industry that I previously had no connections to."

Furthering this commitment is ACCEPT, the firm’s one day conference for LGBT+ students interested in law, where aspiring lawyers discuss topical issues and learn from professionals about their experience. A current trainee summarises their experience as follows: “they place such a value on you being an individual which is really refreshing”

What the firm says

Our Firm, work, and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career. 

Our work has a real and meaningful impact, often demanding the kind of knowledge that only international, cross-practice teams can provide. With a formidable reputation in our field, organisations turn to us not just for legal expertise, but also for advice on their most critical business issues.

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Digital Trophy Cabinet

Awards

Sustainability

Academic requirements

Clifford Chance’s commitment to diversity shines through in their application process. Not only have they removed minimum A-level or university degree requirements, they have used many tools to make the process more accessible.

Diversity interests

Clifford Chance see inclusion as an intrinsic value of their firm. It is a matter of justice. It is also a core part of their identity. The Firm's history has been anchored in innovative and diverse cultures and approaches which have both disrupted traditional attitudes and set global standards. Their goal is to deliver equality of opportunity, equality of aspiration, and equality of experience to everyone who works there.

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