We offer three outstanding training programs in our Hong Kong and Beijing offices that provide an all-encompassing experience of work and life at one of the world’s top-rated firms in Asia.
Davis Polk has one of the largest local presences in China of any U.S. firm, and our sophisticated and fully integrated U.S., Hong Kong and English law platform makes our China practice one of the best among international firms. Our training programs all offer the opportunity to do real work in close collaboration with our lawyers. We deliver training tailored to your needs, with a variety of challenging assignments and mentoring to provide ongoing career advice.
Learn more about our programs:
Asia Summer Associate Program
This program is a perfect introduction to Davis Polk for U.S. law students who are interested in long-term careers in Hong Kong or Beijing. It is offered to rising 2L students who are fluent in written and spoken Mandarin and who are interested in joining our Hong Kong or Beijing office immediately following graduation.
What to expect
As a summer associate, you’ll work closely with our lawyers on corporate, dispute resolution and/or regulatory matters that involve complex legal issues and well-known companies and financial institutions across Asia. Each summer associate is matched with both a partner mentor and an associate liaison who will introduce you to the firm and provide ongoing professional guidance. A range of cultural and social events will introduce you to Hong Kong and Beijing and give you the chance to better know your Davis Polk colleagues.
Asia summer associates are paid an annualized salary of $215,000, prorated for the number of weeks worked. Summer associates can work in either Hong Kong or Beijing or split their summer between the two offices.
How to apply
We are now accepting applications for summer 2025. Please email your resume, transcript and cover letter to recruitCN@davispolk.com.
Beijing Internship Program
Our Beijing office offers a three-month internship in the summer or winter for students in their penultimate year of a law degree from recognized universities in China. The internship offers a perfect introduction to a career in law and to Davis Polk. We recruit PRC legal consultants from participants in our Beijing Internship Program.
What to expect
As an intern, you’ll support our team of U.S. and Hong Kong qualified lawyers on a wide range of challenging corporate and dispute resolution matters. You will be fully integrated and receive the same level of responsibility as a first- or second-year PRC legal consultant. You will attend training programs, draft documents, participate in conference calls, go to client meetings, travel on client business and conduct meaningful research.
How to apply
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please email a cover letter addressed to the Legal Recruiting Manager that includes the reasons for your application, along with transcripts, CV in both English and Chinese to hr.beijing@davispolk.com.
Hong Kong Summer Vacation Scheme
Our two-year Hong Kong trainee solicitor program provides you with the opportunity to work closely with and learn from highly regarded Davis Polk lawyers who will help you build your skills and develop a deep understanding of the Asian legal market. We will recruit our 2026 trainee intake from participants in our 2024 vacation scheme program.
What to expect
As a vacation scheme student, you will have the opportunity to work on international transactions for various clients, participate in in-depth training programs and information sessions focused on the work of our Asia practice, and attend social events with Davis Polk lawyers. If you are selected as one of our trainee solicitors, we will provide a stipend to help you through the year after graduation from university. The PCLL course fee and conversion exam fee (if applicable) will be reimbursed upon your joining the firm as a trainee.
Trainee solicitors in our Hong Kong office play an integral role on the client teams and work with established and emerging Chinese companies, the Chinese government and state-owned entities, global financial institutions and leading multinational corporations. Trainees rotate through both the Corporate and Litigation practice groups in Hong Kong. Subject to business needs and global conditions, trainees will have the opportunity to go on a six-month secondment to our Beijing office.
How to apply
Applications for our 2024 vacation scheme are now closed. We will be accepting applications for our summer 2025 vacation scheme from penultimate-year law undergraduates and law postgraduates between 1 September 2024 and 31 January 2025. Fluency in written and spoken Mandarin is required. To apply, please email a cover letter addressed to the Legal Recruiting Manager that includes the reasons for your application, along with a CV and detailed breakdown of your academic results to recruitHK@davispolk.com when applications reopen on 1 September 2024.
Find out more
We expect to host two groups of three to five law students in June and July 2024. Each group will spend four weeks with the firm and be interviewed for our 2026 training program.
