It's definitely not a must to have a law degree - your application will be judged on its merits so transferable skills such as business acumen or commercial experience will be just as important as your degree.
About a third of our trainees are from a non-law background but some of our Patents practice group actively look for science graduates and engineers. Whatever your background, all Trainees start their training contract on an equal footing - two years at law school will have given you all the academic grounding you need, and then it's all about learning on the job.

2. When is the deadline for applications?

For our vacation scheme it's the end of January, while for applications for a training contract the deadline is the end of July. However, we do advise that you apply early as we offer interviews on an ongoing basis to suitable candidates.

3. Am I at a disadvantage if I have not completed a vacation placement at Taylor Wessing?

No. Placements are certainly a good way of getting an insight into the law and Taylor Wessing, and last year about half of our Trainee Solicitor intake had joined us for a vacation placement. The important thing to do when making applications for a training contract is to consider the transferable skills you've picked up from your experience - regardless of where it was.

4. Do you specify which electives future trainees should take on the Legal Practice Course and where they should study?

Due to the nature of our firm's work, we encourage trainees to take the corporate/commercial electives. If you're particularly interested in a specific course, get in touch with our Trainee Solicitor Recruitment team and we'll be able to advise you on how valuable it will be in terms of your training contract. As for where you choose to study, we're flexible.

5. How many trainee solicitors join Taylor Wessing each year?

We recruit 24 trainee solicitors each intake. This is a relatively small number for a firm of our size, but we've found that this works best as we're able to give every trainee solicitor the attention and support they need - it also means you get plenty of responsibility, client contact and hands-on work right from the start.

6. What is the recruitment process?

The process is the same for whether you are applying for the vacation scheme or a training contract. The first stage is our online application form.
If you're successful, you'll be invited in to attend the first stage of our assessment process. This stage includes taking part in a group exercise, which involves an element of presenting, and you will also undertake a psychometric test.
If you are successful at this stage of the process we will invite you back in to take have an interview with a Partner and a member of our Human Resources Team. Following this we will let you know if you have been successful in gaining a place on our vacation scheme or a training contract.

7. How soon will I hear if I've been successful?

We'll try and tell you within six weeks of submitting your online application whether we want you to come in for the first stage of assessment. If you're invited to interview, we will tell you within a week whether you've been successful or not.

8. Can I defer my entry?

Possibly. We look at each case on an individual basis so you should talk to our Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Team if you're thinking about deferring. We'll be looking to find out what you hope to gain out of a deferred entry and how this fits in to your overall career plans and goals, so it helps to have a clear idea of what you intend to do with your time before joining the firm.

9. Will a master's degree or LLM improve my prospects?

Not particularly. We've found that postgraduate study isn't the most reliable indicator as to whether you have what it takes to succeed at a firm like ours - take a look at What we're looking for more details. That said, if you have an area you're particularly interested in, we'll consider it alongside all the other criteria when we look at your applications.

10. What's your attitude towards applicants with a disability?

We welcome applications from people with a disability and, as an equal opportunities employer, we have systems in place to ensure all applicants are treated on the same basis and judged exclusively on their merits and suitability for the job.

11. Is Taylor Wessing a good place to work?

The overwhelming answer is yes - in fact, it's one of the reasons for the continued success of our firm. When you join us, you'll usually sit with either a senior associate or a partner. This may seem daunting from the outside, but there's no need to worry. All the partners and associates are very accessible, and you'll soon realise there is no "them-and-us" philosophy at Taylor Wessing. You'll also be allocated a trainee buddy who has already done a seat in the practice area you are starting in, so they'll be an invaluable source of support and guidance.

12. What's the social life like?

Our trainees are a very sociable group and meet up regularly for things like lunches, sports matches and drinks in the local pubs. Plus there are plenty of events for the whole firm and individual practice group areas.

13. How much research will I have to do?

Research is a crucial element of our work and it's usually the trainee's job to do it - how much you do depends on the practice group you're working in and its workload at the time. It's possible to go for months without doing any research, but then spend an entire week camped out in our Information Centre. Fortunately, the Information Centre staff are extremely helpful and friendly. 'If in doubt, always ask' is the best advice - they will always do their best to point you in the right direction.
When doing research, it helps to remember that this will form the basis of the advice given to the client, so it is very important. What's more, once you have done the research, you'll be the resident expert on the subject - so don't be surprised if you are called on to answer questions when colleagues find out about your newfound knowledge!
We have various computerised systems to help you with your research as well as a comprehensive selection of books. Some of these systems can be accessed from the computer on your desk, whereas others are only available in the Information Centre - you'll be fully trained in how to find exactly what you need.

14. How much responsibility am I likely to get as a trainee?

A lot. Exactly how much responsibility you get will depend on things like the department you're in, the type of work involved, and your own ability and willingness to undertake it. However, we pride ourselves on being able to offer our trainees a degree of responsibility in a range of different practice areas that is very uncommon in larger firms at such an early stage of a legal career.

15. And how much client contact?

As above, this depends on the practice area and type of work you are doing, but due to the size of our firm and the range of our practice groups, you might be surprised just how much client contact you get at an early stage. Of course, you'll need to prove to the partners that you are capable of dealing with clients in a confident and personable way - but if we didn't believe you had these qualities, we wouldn't have offered you a training contract in the first place. You could also spend time in-house with a client through secondments at places like BA, Google and E-Sure.

16. In general, what are the hours of work?

They can vary - it depends on the practice area you're working in and how busy it is at the time. We're all expected to work long hours when necessary, but no-one wants you to stay in the office just for the sake of it.

17. Can I get involved in pro bono/community work?

We're committed to playing a responsible and positive role in the communities where we work. That's why we have a Charities Committee which is dedicated to organising and developing charity and pro bono projects within the firm.
We have developed a range of legal pro bono projects including an advice clinic recently established with the Blackfriars Settlement, a local community assistance initiative. Trainees and associates provide legal advice at the weekly clinic for those who would not otherwise be able to access it or afford it. Our community partnerships extend to local schools and hospitals.
Join us as trainee solicitor or take part in our vacation programme and we'll be pleased to hear any suggestions you might have for developing our community and pro bono work.

18. What kind of sporting activities could I get involved in at Taylor Wessing?

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in sports teams at Taylor Wessing. There are both men's and women's football teams. The men play in the London Legal League and the women play in a 5-a-side league. Both the teams "toured" Europe this year at a competition in Lisbon and the men competed against the German Taylor Wessing offices (an annual event). If football's not for you, there are plenty of other chances to represent Taylor Wessing in the sporting arena. The firm enters a team in the annual Law Society Rugby Sevens tournament at Richmond. There is a very successful netball team which recently clinched the Golden Lane Netball League. There is a mixed hockey team that plays fixtures throughout the year against other law firms. In the summer there's a chance to dust off your whites and hear the sound of leather on willow in a number of cricket fixtures against clients. There are also always people mad enough to organise entrants for various fun runs or even just pound the pavements at lunchtime.

19. Why choose Taylor Wessing?

We believe Taylor Wessing offers new trainees the opportunity to work on top quality work in a supportive environment. Our trainees are encouraged to take on as much responsibility as they feel able to cope with, but there is always someone available to help out. The European nature of our firm means you'll be involved in cross-border work and may also have the opportunity to work in Europe or internationally once you have completed your training.

20. How much choice do I have as to which seats I do?

Due to the importance of corporate work in our firm, everyone will do a six-month seat there. You'll also need to get some contentious experience. Beyond that, it's up to you. Our Trainee Solicitor Recruitment team will meet with you during the LPC to discuss any early ideas you have about practice areas you're interested in. Halfway through your first seat, we'll meet again to evaluate whether you're still happy with your choices. We'll do our best to give you the seats you want, but we can't guarantee anything and you'll need to be flexible about the changing needs of the business.

21. Are trainees given regular feedback on their performance?

Yes, you'll have a formal appraisal halfway through and at the end of each seat but we also believe strongly in ongoing feedback from your supervisors to ensure you're on the right track.

22. Do you run the Professional Skills Course (PSC) in house?

Yes. We are accredited to run the full PSC in house, which is provided through a combination of internal and external trainers. You'll complete three core modules on finance and business skills, client care and advocacy. This will be supplemented by a minimum of 24 hours of extra training on these topics, known as electives.

23. What other training is available after qualification?

At Taylor Wessing, we see professional development as a continuous feature of your time with us and a crucial part of your career progression. As a newly qualified associate, you'll have a comprehensive training programme designed to give you all the skills you need at this early stage in your careers. You'll learn how to manage a practice effectively, develop a successful client base and nurture client relationships, as well as gaining an understanding of some of the financial and management processes of the firm.
Our Skills Training Programme (STP) has a big part to play in your development during your training contract and once you’ve qualified. It’s tailored to equip you with the skills you need as your experience grows and your career progresses. It covers areas such as client relationships, technical skills, team management and working under your own initiative. From time to time, you’ll identify skill areas you want to develop that are outside the STP. When that happens, our Learning and Development team will be on hand to help you find the programme that’s right for you.
This structured approach to training and professional development then carries on through from 4 to 6 years' Post Qualification Experience (PQE) to our Senior Associate Programme. We'll also work directly with you to identify your own development needs and interests, and there is a wide range of courses, workshops and e-learning packages to help build your skills and awareness across areas such as IT, team-building or money laundering.

24. Do trainees get the opportunity to get involved in marketing/business development?

You'll be encouraged to get involved in some of the many marketing/business development events we hold to develop client relationships - things like seminars, themed parties, champagne receptions, games evenings, discussion lunches and formal dinners.

25. How many trainees do you keep on after qualification?

Our aim is to keep on all trainees who successfully complete their training contract. After all, we've invested a great deal in finding, recruiting and training the people we think will be able to help us develop the long-term future of our firm. Some trainees move on after qualification, perhaps if they're unable to secure the seat of their choice, but we're proud of the high proportion of Trainee Solicitors who have trained with us and gone on to develop long and successful careers here. In 2008 we had 28 jobs for 24 people.

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