Last updated:
Harbottle & Lewis
A media, music and entertainment specialist with six training contracts a yearA London law firm known for media, entertainment and technology, alongside reputation management, corporate transactions and private client advice.
About Harbottle & Lewis
Harbottle & Lewis is a London law firm advising businesses and individuals, with a particular focus on creative, entrepreneurial and technology-led clients. Its practice combines media and entertainment expertise with corporate, employment, intellectual property, reputation management and private client services. This gives trainees opportunities to explore both commercial transactions and the legal issues affecting individuals, creators and growing businesses. Its clients’ activities span film, television, theatre, publishing, music, games and digital technology. For applicants, understanding how those industries operate—and how their businesses protect, finance and commercialise ideas—is a useful starting point for researching the firm.
Harbottle & Lewis offers six training contracts annually, divided between March and September intakes. The two-year programme comprises four six-month seats. Options include corporate, commercial litigation, employment, family, film, television and theatre, intellectual property litigation, media and entertainment, private client, property, and technology, data and digital.
Trainees receive support from training principals, a supervisor and a buddy. Supervisors oversee day-to-day development and conduct mid-seat and end-of-seat appraisals, providing opportunities to discuss progress and future training needs.
The firm provides PGDL and SQE course-fee funding, with BPP its named SQE partner. Non-law graduates complete the conversion course before SQE preparation and assessments. Published maintenance grants are £10,000 for the PGDL and £10,000 for the SQE
Practice areas & rankings
Harbottle & Lewis has 16 ranked departments in Chambers UK 2026. Its highest-ranked practices include reputation management, publishing, theatre and live events, and games, interactive entertainment and social media. Other recognised areas include film and television, music, advertising, sport, corporate M&A, family finance and employment.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 for Defamation/Reputation Management, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice forms an important part of the firm’s work for businesses, brands and individuals. Its services include defamation, privacy and reputation protection, connecting disputes work with issues affecting clients’ public profiles.
Ranked Band 1 in this UK-wide category in Chambers UK 2026, the practice sits at the intersection of the firm’s technology and entertainment expertise. It is particularly relevant to applicants interested in digital content, games businesses and the commercial use of intellectual property.
Ranked Band 1 for Media & Entertainment: Publishing, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, publishing is one of the firm’s established creative-sector strengths. It complements its wider work across media, intellectual property and reputation management.
Ranked Band 1 for Media & Entertainment: Theatre & Live Events, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice is another distinctive part of the firm’s entertainment offering. Trainees can explore this work through the film, television and theatre seat.
Ranked Band 3 for Corporate/M&A: £10–100 million, London, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises on acquisitions, disposals, investments and corporate finance. Clients include owner-managed businesses, institutions, angel investors, venture capital funds and private equity houses. Technology, media and entertainment are important sectors, alongside advertising and hospitality.
Awards
Reputation Management Law Firm of the YearCitywealth Magic Circle Awards 2025
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Harbottle & Lewis recruits directly for training contracts and does not currently run a vacation scheme. Applications for 2029 entry open on 1 November 2026 and close on 31 January 2027. Candidates complete an online form covering their academic background, work experience and motivation.
Explain why the firm’s work interests you beyond recognising its clients or enjoying the industries it serves. An interest in film, games or music becomes more persuasive when connected to the commercial and legal questions involved: who owns the rights, how a project is financed, how revenue is generated and where disputes might arise.
Use research selectively. A relevant matter, lawyer’s practice or conversation with a trainee can help explain how you reached your decision to apply. Connect that research to your own interests and experience rather than filling your answer with facts about the firm.
Legal and non-legal experience both provide useful evidence. Explain your responsibilities, the decisions you made and the skills you developed. Part-time employment, volunteering and extracurricular commitments can demonstrate communication, organisation and responsibility
Harbottle & Lewis: quick answers
How much does Harbottle & Lewis pay trainees?
Harbottle & Lewis pays first-year trainees £50,000, rising to £53,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Harbottle & Lewis earn £87,000.
When are the Harbottle & Lewis application deadlines?
Harbottle & Lewis's training contract applications close on 31 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 Harbottle & Lewis take on?
Harbottle & Lewis takes on around 6 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Harbottle & Lewis?
To apply to Harbottle & Lewis 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.
Get the tools and support you need to succeed.