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Gowling WLG
An international law firm offering London and Birmingham training contracts, with strengths in real estate, intellectual property, life sciences and corporate finance.
About Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG is an international law firm with UK training opportunities in London and Birmingham. Its practice combines transactional, advisory and disputes work, with particular strengths in real estate, intellectual property, life sciences, investment funds and corporate finance. Its sector approach connects legal services with the industries in which clients operate, helping trainees understand the commercial context behind individual assignments. Applicants can explore a broad training contract or a specialist real estate route, providing a choice between experience across different departments and a programme concentrated on property-related work.
The standard two-year training contract comprises four six-month seats, combining contentious and non-contentious experience. Trainees can gain exposure to different practice areas, with client and international secondments available. Development includes technical training and a trainee enrichment programme exploring clients’ businesses and what they need from their lawyers.
A separate real estate training contract involves four seats within the real estate group. The first cohort starts in September 2027, with opportunities offered across London and Birmingham.
The firm sponsors the required postgraduate studies before trainees join, including the PGDL for non-law graduates and SQE preparation. Published maintenance grants are £7,000 for each course in London and £5,500 in Birmingham.
Practice areas & rankings
Gowling WLG achieved 35 practice rankings in Chambers UK 2026, including nine Band 1 rankings. Its recognised strengths span capital markets, construction, corporate M&A, intellectual property, investment funds, life sciences, pensions litigation, planning and real estate. Capital Markets: AIM and Pensions Litigation moved into Band 1 in the 2026 guide.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 for Life Sciences: Transactional, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises on licensing, research and collaboration agreements, alongside corporate and investment transactions involving spin-offs. Its wider capabilities include biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent litigation, connecting the commercial development of research with the protection of intellectual property.
Ranked Band 1 for Investment Funds: Closed-ended Listed Funds, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, Gowling WLG advises on fund launches, IPOs, fundraising and secondary share issues. Its clients include sponsors, issuers, investment managers, brokers and investment banks. The practice has particular experience with AIM-quoted funds and investment trusts targeting assets such as real estate and student accommodation.
Ranked Band 1 for Capital Markets: AIM, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the team advises listed companies and nominated advisers on admissions, fundraising and transactions. Mining and technology are notable sectors. Its work includes advising Panmure Liberum as nominated adviser on Optima Health’s admission to AIM.
Gowling WLG is ranked Band 3 for Intellectual Property and Intellectual Property: Patent Litigation, London, in Chambers UK 2026. Intellectual property is also a recognised strength of its Midlands practice, complementing the firm’s work with innovative businesses and its life sciences capabilities.
Awards
Natural Resources & Environment Team of the YearBritish Legal Awards 2025
Won for advising The Lifescape Project on a template conservation covenant under the Environment Act 2021, protecting 225 hectares at High Fen Wildland in Norfolk.
Life Sciences Team of the YearLegal Business Awards 2024
Law Firm ESG Employee Engagement AwardLegal ESG Awards 2025
Awarded for a wildlife and wellbeing garden at the London office alongside nature based volunteering and pro bono environmental advice.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Applications for 2027 vacation schemes and September 2029 direct training contracts opened on 1 October 2026 and close on 18 November 2026. Specialist real estate training contract applications share this deadline.
The application includes three experience examples and two essay-style questions. A CV and covering letter are not required.
Choose experiences that reveal different strengths. A customer-facing job might demonstrate judgement and communication, while a university project could show analysis or collaboration. Explain your contribution and its effect, then connect the experience to the responsibilities of a trainee.
Research how the firm’s practices support its clients. For example, a life sciences business may need advice on investment, research agreements and patents. Understanding those connections can help you explain why its work appeals to you and develop a more substantial commercial answer.
Gowling WLG: quick answers
How much does Gowling WLG pay trainees?
Gowling WLG pays first-year trainees £52,000, rising to £56,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Gowling WLG earn £108,000.
When are the Gowling WLG application deadlines?
Vacation scheme and direct training contract both open 1 Oct 2026 and close 18 Nov 2026 · you may apply for ONE or the other, not both Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Gowling WLG take on?
Gowling WLG takes on around 18 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Gowling WLG use in its applications?
Gowling WLG uses an Arctic Shores task-based assessment, taking approximately 45–50 minutes. It explores natural strengths and preferences, allows breaks between tasks and provides a personalised feedback report. A practice task is available. Use the practice task to become comfortable with the interface and instructions. Set aside uninterrupted time and approach each activity attentively. Avoid trying to maintain a guessed “ideal” profile across tasks; concentrate on understanding what each task asks you to do.
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