Dechert is a global specialist law firm. Focused on sectors with the greatest complexities, legal intricacies and highest regulatory demands, we excel in delivering practical commercial judgment and deep legal expertise for high-stakes matters. In an increasingly challenging environment, clients look to us to serve them in ways that are faster, sharper and leaner without compromising excellence. We are relentless in serving our clients – delivering the best of the firm to them with entrepreneurial energy and seamless collaboration in a way that is distinctively Dechert.

Our lawyers in London are active in all Dechert’s core practice areas of corporate and securities, financial services and investment management, finance and real estate, financial restructuring, white collar defence, international arbitration, complex commercial litigation and intellectual property, as well as employment, international trade and EU government affairs, EU and UK competition and tax. Our clients include major corporates, international banks, investment funds, private equity houses and leading players in sectors including energy and natural resources, life sciences, manufacturing, media, real estate, retail and insurance sectors. In addition to domestic and international transactions, our lawyers regularly advise on deals in the emerging markets, in particular central and eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

A training contract with Dechert enables you to launch your career working on some of the most exciting national and international legal matters across a wide range of practice areas, in an environment where people know your name and treat you as an individual. We can help you tailor your training contract - whether you're enjoying a seat and want to repeat it to get to know that practice area better, or whether you want to get the broadest possible experience across a range of practice areas.

Our six-seat system means that no two trainees have the same experience. We offer seats in Corporate and Securities, Litigation (including International Dispute Resolution, White Collar and Securities and Employment), Finance, Financial Services, Financial Restructuring, Intellectual Property, Real Estate and Tax. We also offer secondments to our international offices and to clients.

Dechert runs a Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme each year. Our two week vacation schemes are designed to give you an idea of what it will be like to be a trainee solicitor at Dechert: each week you will sit in a different practice group and you are given ‘real work’ to do by lawyers. We ask you before you start the scheme which two practice groups you have a particular interest in and then try to place you in those groups. Exactly what you will do will depend on which practice groups you sit in but it will probably include research, drafting and attending meetings. You will also attend training sessions, on a range of topics, such as legal writing and negotiation. Sports and social events are an important part of the vacation schemes as they enable you to get to know each other and our people better. We organise team-building and social events for you including drinks events and dinners to help you develop your networking skills.

If you would like to apply for a place on one of our Vacation Schemes in 2021, please visit our website for further details. An application for a place on one of Dechert’s Vacation Schemes is also an application for a Training Contract commencing in September 2023.

The deadline for all applications for the Spring scheme is 31 December 2020 and the deadline for all applications for the Summer scheme is 31 January 2021.

Future trainees' GDL and LPC course fees are paid in full, plus they receive a maintenance grant of £10,000 during both years. Trainee solicitor salaries are £50,000 per annum for first years and £55,000 per annum for second years. Upon qualification the salary is £140,000 per annum. 

Other benefits include free permanent life assurance, an Employee Assistance Programme, subsidised gym membership, subsidised staff café and interest-free season-ticket loans. You also have the option to join the company pension scheme and private health insurance scheme. Holiday entitlement is 25 days per annum.

Our recruits almost invariably have exceptional academic grades, generally at least AAB (or equivalent) in their A-levels (or equivalent), and undergraduate grades at 2.1 or 1st level. However, our recruits need a wide range of skills to rise to the challenge of the complex work that we do for our clients so we also look for, a genuine interest in business, a high level of commitment, personality and ambition.

Individuals who have accepted a Training Contract at the firm should study the LPC at BPP, Holborn.

AllAboutLaw Awards 2018

Winner - Best Training - Vacation Scheme

Runner Up - Best Vacation Scheme - International or City Firm

Runner Up - Best Opportunities for Skills Development - Vacation Scheme

Vacation Scheme 2021 & Training Contract 2023

For more information on the selection process for all of the above opportunities, please visit our careers website www.dechert.com/careers