Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, with more than 1,400 lawyers in 20 offices in major cities throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and South America, is one of the world’s leading law firms. Our lawyers work on some of the highest-profile deals and disputes involving cutting-edge legal issues, often across multiple jurisdictions, for a wide range of global industry leading clients. 

Gibson Dunn’s London office occupies the ideal position of benefitting from the resources, support and expertise of a truly global organisation, whilst retaining the distinctive ‘feel’ of an English firm. We offer a full range of English law services to clients all over the world. A large proportion of our work is led by lawyers in the London office, while on other occasions the London office works as part of an international team with other Gibson Dunn offices. Our clients include listed companies, large private companies, investment banks, sovereign states, governmental entities, private equity firms, start-ups and many other organisations with international operations and ambitions.

The London office is managed and staffed by partners and associates hand-picked from top City and international law firms and the Bar. Many of our lawyers are preeminent in their fields of practice. They trained, qualified and practised at a wide range of different firms and have a considerable breadth and depth of experience. This makes us flexible, and unlike some other firms, we have no traditional way of doing things. Our commitment is to excellence, which offers an extraordinary opportunity for ambitious trainees to take control of their careers from the outset, supported at all times by colleagues of the highest calibre. Since the inception of the training contract programme in London, we have consistently hired and developed high performing associates who continue to excel at the firm.

During the two-year training contract, trainees have the opportunity to spend time in a number of different departments, including corporate, finance and restructuring, dispute resolution, employment, tax, real estate, energy, funds and antitrust/competition. Trainees typically share an office with a partner or a senior associate and work with them on their matters, as well as with other lawyers throughout the firm. Gibson Dunn trainees frequently work on international transactions and cases with our colleagues and clients overseas. The firm is also able to offer trainee secondments to overseas firm offices, as well as with clients.

Gibson Dunn trainees frequently work on some of the London office’s local and international pro bono activities. The firm is proud to have a strong and sustained commitment to pro bono work, and trainees are strongly encouraged to participate in this tradition.

We currently expect to offer around seven training contracts for 2024. To secure a training contract you should first apply for our vacation scheme.

In 2022, from 27 June to 15 July, Gibson Dunn will host its three-week summer vacation scheme for students who wish to apply for a training contract with the firm. The vacation scheme is a key part of the recruitment process at Gibson Dunn, as we recruit our future trainees from the scheme. 

The scheme is intended for law students in their penultimate or final year of study, students of other disciplines in their final year, recent graduates (in any discipline), and those already taking a GDL or LPC course. 

As a summer vacation scheme student, you will have the opportunity to sit in at least two different practice groups, and work alongside our associates and partners perform meaningful work on the firm’s high-profile matters. You will also take part in a bespoke series of seminars, workshops and talks aimed at helping you learn about the kind of work we do and at developing your skills. Our summer vacation scheme is not all about work, and you will have plenty of opportunities to meet and chat with our lawyers at social events.

Applications for the 2022 summer vacation placement will be accepted from 1 October 2021, with a deadline of 1 February 2022. Places on our summer scheme will be allocated on a rolling basis and so early application is advised. All applications must be made online through our website.

We offer our trainees a highly competitive salary: the starting salary for trainees is £50,000 in the first year and £55,000 in the second year. Newly qualified associates are paid £145,000 as at 2021. We also operate a discretionary bonus scheme which applies to trainees.

We cover GDL and LPC fees in full, and also give a competitive maintenance allowance for each year of study. We offer an attractive benefits package, including private health insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, corporate gym rates, a client development allowance, a professional development allowance and a books & materials allowance.

We also competitive maintenance allowance of £10,500 for each year of study.

We welcome undergraduate law students in their penultimate year of study, students of other disciplines in their final year, those who have already graduated and those completing the GDL or LPC.

We are looking for individuals who are capable of taking the initiative and fulfilling our clients’ needs, who have exceptional intellectual, interpersonal and organisational skills and who can rise to the challenge of working directly with partners within small, focused teams and having client contact early in their careers.

Our work is intellectually demanding, so applicants should have obtained, or expect to obtain, a 2:1 degree or better. It does not matter to us which university you come from or what subject you study. We are looking for genuine enthusiasm for the work we do and potential to become a first- class lawyer and trusted adviser to our clients. It also helps to be someone who enjoys teamwork and with whom others like to engage.

Key characteristics we look for in a Gibson Dunn trainee are intellectual curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, maturity and sociability.

As we recruit our trainees via the summer vacation scheme, the first stage of the application process is to complete our online application for a summer scheme placement. 

The next stage of the process is an interview with our Graduate Recruitment team, followed by two second-stage interviews (a general CV interview and a case study) with partners and associates. 

Places on our summer scheme will be allocated on a rolling basis and so early application is advised. 

Vacation Scheme: 27 June 2022 to 15 July 2022. 

Applications accepted from 1 October 2021 to 1 February 2022.