Recognised for its sophisticated clients and capabilities as well as for its outstanding team of legal professionals, Akin Gump is a global law firm with 20 offices and more than 900 lawyers advising across a wide range of practices and industries. The firm is well known for its commercial approach and its commitment to client service. With its visionary leadership, the firm has made a swift rise to the top of the profession.

Akin Gump’s London office is the hub for the firm’s international practice. The firm’s strategy in London is to grow practices that complement its core strengths. This has resulted in the growth of a fully integrated office advising clients at the top of their respective markets. The core strengths on which the office is founded are financial restructuring, corporate and equity capital markets, debt finance, project finance, energy, litigation and international arbitration, financial services regulatory, investment management, EU/UK competition, international trade and tax. The integrated nature of the practice means that our London lawyers work closely, and on a regular basis, with their counterparts across the globe.

An important part of Akin Gump’s culture is its commitment to pro bono.  Trainees are encouraged to take part in local and firm-wide pro bono committees, including a unique scholarship programme.  The firm has an inclusive working culture and actively supports a broad diversity strategy for its continued success.

Akin Gump’s London office is an exciting and inspiring environment to train as a lawyer.  We offer up to six trainee places per year. 

The firm’s culture is friendly, supportive and collaborative which allows for numerous opportunities for trainees to get to know everyone.  There is a high level of partner involvement and trainees learn through first-hand experience working side by side with our lawyers on fast-paced, precedent-setting deals within interesting multi-discipline practice areas and by attaining early responsibility.  

Akin Gump’s London office is an exciting and inspiring environment to train as a lawyer.  We offer up to six trainee places per year. 

The firm’s culture is friendly, supportive and collaborative which allows for numerous opportunities for trainees to get to know everyone.  There is a high level of partner involvement and trainees learn through first-hand experience working side by side with our lawyers on fast-paced, precedent-setting deals within interesting multi-discipline practice areas and by attaining early responsibility.  

By focusing on a smaller intake we maintain flexibility and seek to grow the practice through our junior lawyer retention.  Trainees have the choice of sitting within the financial restructuring, corporate/M&A, energy, finance, financial regulatory, investment funds, litigation and international arbitration, international trade,EU/UK competition or tax practice areas.  Seats can be tailored to three or six month durations across the two-year training programme to provide a breadth of experience.  Our trainees can also be considered for relevant international office and client secondments.

Summer Vacation Scheme

Akin Gump’s two-week summer vacation scheme provides an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand understanding of the day-to-day work of trainees in an international law firm.  Through training sessions, mentoring and social activities, you will get to know our firm.  By working side by side with partners and associates on live deals, you will get to know our practices and clients.

Participants have the opportunity to experience one or more of our dynamic practice areas and are paid the London Living Wage.

As places are limited, we focus on second year law undergraduates and third year non- law undergraduates studying in the UK and graduates looking to commence a training path in two years’ time.  .  Applications open in October 2021 for places on our 2022 scheme.

As a first year trainee at Akin Gump, you will enjoy an annual salary of £57,500 plus benefits. This will then increase to £62,500 in the second year of your training contract.

If you’re accepted onto Akin Gump’s London training programme, your LPC and GDL (or equivalent) fees will be covered. You will also be given an £10,000 maintenance grant for each year of study.

Applicants should have a strong and consistent academic record and be on track for, or have obtained, a 2:1 degree at the minimum.

You will need to demonstrate that you are solution-driven and interested in business law.  

Candidates who get through the first application stage are asked to complete an online critical thinking exercise before being selected for interview with our graduate recruitment panel.  Our interview style is a conversational and open process, to allow you to get a good insight into the work and culture at the firm.

AllAboutLaw Awards 2019

Nominated for Best Training – Vacation Scheme, Best for Level of Responsibility – Vacation Scheme and Best Team Relationship – Vacation Scheme 

AllAboutLaw Awards 2018

Winner - Best Opportunities for Career Progression - Training Contract  

Runner Up - Best Training Contract - US Firm

If you're interested in joining Akin Gump’s training programme, the first step is to complete an online application form. Applications open in October of each year and the deadline for our vacation scheme is mid-January (2022 vacation scheme deadline TBC).  The deadline for 2023 training contract applications is 11 July 2021. Apply here.

*BIG TIP* Don’t waste application word counts by telling us facts we already know about the firm. Instead tell us in your own words what attracts you to Akin Gump and how our practices and client focus match your own commercial interests and career aspirations.