King & Spalding

King & Spalding is an international US law firm with offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. London was its first international office and remains an important centre for its disputes and transactional practices. International arbitration is a particular strength, alongside fund finance, corporate transactions, litigation and energy-related work. The London practice advises companies, financial institutions, investment funds and sovereign clients on matters involving multiple jurisdictions. For prospective trainees, the firm offers a small annual intake and opportunities to work closely with partners and counsel across both contentious and transactional departments. Its combination of arbitration and finance makes it particularly relevant to applicants interested in international disputes, financial markets or the legal challenges surrounding major investments and projects.

King & Spalding recruits four London trainees annually, with two joining in March and two in September. The two-year programme comprises four six-month seats, with experience available across banking, disputes, energy and projects, finance, funds, international arbitration, international trade, corporate transactions, real estate and tax. Training includes direct involvement with partners and counsel, practical responsibility and client exposure. Client secondments and international placements in the Middle East or Singapore may also be available.

Future trainees qualify through the SQE route, with non-law graduates completing a conversion course beforehand. Published maintenance grants are £17,000 for the PGDL and £17,000 for the SQE. The small cohort provides opportunities to develop close working relationships with supervising lawyers and gain experience of matters from their early stages through to completion.