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Gibson Dunn
A global US law firm whose London practice combines international disputes, corporate transactions, finance and regulatory advice.
About Gibson Dunn
Gibson Dunn is a global US law firm advising companies, financial institutions, investment funds, governments and other organisations. Its London office offers a broad practice spanning corporate M&A, private equity, finance, restructuring, real estate, competition, regulatory matters and disputes. The combination of English and US law capabilities supports transactions and cases involving several jurisdictions. For prospective trainees, the programme offers experience across both transactional and contentious work, with opportunities to work closely with partners and senior associates in small teams. Its London practice is particularly relevant to applicants interested in exploring major commercial transactions alongside international arbitration, litigation and investigations
Gibson Dunn’s two-year London training contract comprises four six-month seats. Trainees complete at least one seat in the transactional department and one in disputes, with other allocations reflecting interests and business needs. They typically share an office with a partner or senior associate, supporting close supervision and regular feedback.
Seat options include corporate, finance and restructuring, competition, employment, tax, technology, real estate, energy, projects and dispute resolution. International and client secondments are available, including an overseas opportunity in Abu Dhabi.
The firm funds conversion-course and SQE fees and provides a £20,000 maintenance allowance for each year of study. Mentoring, trainee buddies and departmental training supplement practical experience. Pro bono work also forms part of the trainee experience.
Practice areas & rankings
Gibson Dunn has 14 ranked departments in Chambers UK 2026. These include international arbitration, infrastructure, investment funds, corporate M&A, competition, real estate finance, aviation finance, capital markets and tax. Its breadth of recognition reflects a London practice combining disputes with transactional and advisory work.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 2 for International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, Gibson Dunn handles disputes arising from commercial contracts, joint ventures, infrastructure projects and insurance arrangements. Clients include businesses in telecommunications, financial services and energy, alongside governments. The team conducts proceedings before major arbitral institutions and in ad hoc arbitrations.
Ranked Band 3 for Infrastructure, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises on corporate transactions involving infrastructure assets and businesses. Energy and cross-border matters are particular strengths. Its work includes advising KKR on an investment in a 30% stake in data centre platform Gulf Data Hub.
Ranked Band 3 for Investment Funds: Investor Representation, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, Gibson Dunn advises on primary investments, secondary transactions, co-investments and fund restructurings. The practice represents investors and sponsors, with supporting expertise in regulatory and tax issues affecting international investments.
Ranked Band 4 for Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above, London, in Chambers UK 2026, the team advises public companies, private equity funds and financial institutions on domestic and international transactions. It has particular experience in technology, life sciences and infrastructure, supported by English and US law capabilities.
Awards
US Law Firm of the YearWomen in Business Law EMEA Awards 2025
Named the US firm most successful in providing a platform for leading female business lawyers in Europe.
Creditor Law Firm of the Year, EuropeGlobal Restructuring Review Awards 2025
Recognised for advising creditors on complex restructuring and insolvency matters across Europe.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 8 January 2027. Recruitment is rolling. Candidates normally apply through a vacation scheme, with direct training contract applications available for those unable to attend. The application portal lists training contracts starting in 2028 and 2029.
The online form explores your experiences, interest in Gibson Dunn and reasons for becoming a solicitor.Build your motivation around the work and training experience you want. Consider why exposure to both transactions and disputes appeals to you, and how working closely with senior lawyers would support your development. Connect these points to experiences that have helped you understand your interests and preferred working style. Choose examples showing initiative, judgement and responsibility. Explain what you contributed, why you took that approach and what changed as a result. When discussing a transaction or case, identify the client’s objective and the legal or commercial challenges that made the work significant.
Gibson Dunn: quick answers
How much does Gibson Dunn pay trainees?
Gibson Dunn pays first-year trainees £65,000, rising to £70,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Gibson Dunn earn £180,000.
When are the Gibson Dunn application deadlines?
Vacation scheme and standalone training contract both open 1 Sep 2026 and close 8 Jan 2027 · scheme places allocated on a ROLLING basis, so apply early · spring scheme 30 Mar to 9 Apr 2027, summer 21 Jun to 2 Jul 2027 Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Gibson Dunn take on?
Gibson Dunn takes on around 25 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Gibson Dunn use in its applications?
Candidates complete an online situational judgement and strengths assessment before the interview stages. The provider, duration and detailed format are not specified in the recruitment FAQs. For situational judgement preparation, consider how you would prioritise work, communicate difficulties and seek guidance when needed. Read each scenario carefully before deciding which actions best address the immediate problem and its wider consequences. For strengths questions, reflect on the activities you find engaging and how you naturally approach challenges. Follow the assessment instructions closely and give consistent, considered responses.
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