Open Day/Vacation scheme in 2025 with the view to secure a Training Contract in 2027

The Scheme

Debevoise’s London office is growing fast. Currently, the firm expects to hire ten Trainees each year.

The period of recognised training comprises four six-month seats with a mandatory seat in litigation / arbitration. Trainees may also have the opportunity to spend time in other international offices. Second year Trainees complete a two-week business and finance education program (mini-MBA) at Columbia Business School, New York.

Training contracts are designed around you. This is done by giving you freedom and responsibility from the beginning. The training programme is not rigidly structured, so trainees have the opportunity to take charge of their own learning.

The firm places an emphasis on providing trainees with a supportive environment, with trainee supervisors always available and willing to answer questions. Trainees are also involved in the seat rotation process, with preferred practice groups accommodated wherever possible.

Trainees are very much part of the team and make meaningful contributions from day one. As a trainee at Debevoise, you can expect to have extensive contact with partners, counsel and other lawyers within the firm.

The Process

The firm’s application process will open on 1 October 2024 until 2 January 2025. To submit an application within this window, please click here: https://www.apply4law.com/debevoise/

As the firm recruits all of its trainees from the pool of candidates who attend the vacation scheme, you are encouraged to apply for a place on the scheme through participation on our open days.

The firm holds open days to recruit for the vacation schemes, normally in February and/or March. Up to 100 candidates will be invited to attend. On arrival, you will meet the graduate recruitment team and will spend time with a mentor who will show you around the office and answer any questions you may have. There will also be a short interview. There is an informal networking lunch during which time you will have the opportunity to meet current trainees and lawyers. The lunch is intended as much for you to get to know the firm as the other way around.

After the open days, candidates are notified if they will be offered a place on the spring or summer vacation schemes. The scheme is open to law undergraduates in their penultimate year of study or non-law graduates in their final year. Graduates and post-graduates are also welcome to apply.  Applicants should be expecting to achieve at least a 2(i) in any degree discipline and have a minimum of 144 UCAS points at A-Level (or equivalent). Successful vacation scheme candidates will be notified around the end of March. There are about 40-45 places available each year.