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Training in London

Careers

Our two-year London training programme provides you with a wealth of experiences and excellent training to ensure a successful career as an English law-qualified lawyer. We will recruit our 2026 trainee intake from participants in our summer 2024 vacation scheme.

How to apply

2024 Vacation Scheme

Applications for our summer 2024 vacation scheme are now closed.

What to expect

Our vacation scheme offers a perfect introduction to a career in law and to Davis Polk. In 2024, we expect to host two groups of between eight and 10 law students per group. Each group will spend a week with the firm, with scheme dates in June or July. You will work on international transactions for some of our major clients and learn about our practice, culture and distinctive approach to client care, receive £750 to cover expenses and be interviewed for our 2026 training programme. We look to offer around six places.

If you are selected as one of our trainees, we will provide you with training and full sponsorship to help you through the first and second stages of the SQE in the year after you graduate from university. In the two-year training programme that follows, you’ll experience our corporate and finance practices, spend time in a specialist area of law such as tax, executive compensation, financial regulatory or antitrust and competition, and have the opportunity to work in our New York or Brussels office. You will share an office with a more senior colleague, receive tailored training and have extensive contact with and access to our partners. With a first year base salary of £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year and then £170,000 on qualification, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days’ holiday.

Download our careers brochure

Find out more

If you are a first-year law student and would like to find out more about Davis Polk and training with us, please join us for our Open Day from 2 p.m. on 28 March 2024. Applications open on 1 February 2024 and close on 15 March 2024.

Apply by emailing the Training Principal at londonrecruiting@davispolk.com with a copy of your CV.