Addleshaw Goddard
A full-service UK-headquartered firm with a genuinely global reach. Known for banking, corporate, and real estate work
About Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard traces its roots to the very first public record of solicitors in the UK — the Law List — published in 1775. Today the firm has 21 offices across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia with over 1,800 lawyers and revenue of £551 million in 2025 — an 11% increase year on year, with profit per equity partner of £1 million. The firm is the 19th largest law firm in the UK by revenue and ranked 97th worldwide.
The firm is known for its collaborative culture and genuine commitment to people from a wide range of backgrounds. In August 2025, Addleshaw Goddard retained 50 of 58 qualifying trainees — an 86% retention rate — its largest qualifying cohort to date. In the same announcement, the firm confirmed NQ salaries would remain at £100,000 rather than increase, diverting the additional funds into a £19 million bonus pool to address salary compression between junior and senior lawyers.
The four-seat training contract includes at least one contentious and one transactional seat. Secondment opportunities include Dubai, Oman, Singapore, and Paris offices, and a significant client secondment programme with FTSE 100 companies including JD Sports. The firm funds SQE preparation via University of Law and provides a £15,000 maintenance grant for London-based future trainees.
Practice areas & rankings
Addleshaw Goddard achieved 92 practice area rankings in Chambers UK 2026 across its UK and international offices. The firm won the headline M&A deal of the year at The Lawyer Awards 2025 for its role advising JD Sports on its $1.1 billion acquisition of Hibbett. The firm was also recognised for UK's first ever opt-in class action against a cartel of truck manufacturers and for advising on the sale of BT Tower to MCR Hotels. In June 2025 it was named one of the Top 20 Most Innovative Law Firms of the Past 20 Years by the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers report.
Banking and finance
A leading banking practice recognised consistently in Chambers UK across leveraged finance, acquisition finance, real estate finance, and restructuring. Particularly strong in mid-market and upper mid-market transactions.
Corporate and M&A
A large and active corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A. Notable work includes advising JD Sports on its $1.1 billion acquisition of US-based Hibbett and acting on complex cartel class action proceedings in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Real estate
One of the firm's most active practices. Advises institutional investors, developers, and lenders on high-value transactions and developments across the UK. The BT Tower sale is one of the most high-profile recent real estate mandates in the UK market.
Employment and incentives
A strong employment practice advising major employers on complex workforce issues, incentive arrangements, and employment disputes. Particularly active in financial services and retail sectors.
Infrastructure, projects, and energy
A growing practice reflecting the firm's investment in energy transition and infrastructure mandates. Particularly active on renewable energy projects and public sector infrastructure work across the UK and Middle East.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
The online application form asks for personal, academic, employment, and qualification details, and strengths-based questions exploring experiences and motivations. There is no Addleshaw Goddard type and the firm is explicitly looking for authentic personalities rather than a particular mould. Candidates can only submit one application per intake year. Applications are not reviewed on a rolling basis — all applications are considered after the deadline closes. The firm's early careers website includes a Career Matching Tool to help candidates identify which vacancies to apply for across London, Manchester, Leeds, and Scotland. Candidates must commit to a location at application stage.
How to answer why youAddleshaw Goddard: quick answers
How much does Addleshaw Goddard pay trainees?
Addleshaw Goddard pays first-year trainees £52,000, rising to £56,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Addleshaw Goddard earn £100,000.
When is the Addleshaw Goddard vacation scheme deadline?
Addleshaw Goddard's vacation scheme applications close on 5 Jan for the 2026/27 cycle. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Addleshaw Goddard take on?
Addleshaw Goddard takes on around ±60 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Addleshaw Goddard use in its applications?
Candidates who progress are invited to complete a 20-30 minute analytical thinking and reasoning skills assessment under timed conditions. This tests the ability to work through information quickly and accurately — a core skill for trainee solicitors.
What grades do you need to apply to Addleshaw Goddard?
To apply to Addleshaw Goddard you will generally need a 2:1 degree. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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