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Lewis Silkin
A UK law firm known for employment, business immigration and its work with creative, technology and media businesses.
About Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin combines a substantial employment and business immigration practice with advice to creative, technology and media businesses. Its work spans corporate transactions, advertising, intellectual property, commercial agreements, data protection and disputes. The firm has offices across the UK, alongside Dublin and Hong Kong, and offers training contracts in London, Belfast, Cardiff and Manchester. For prospective trainees, its specialist focus provides opportunities to understand both the legal and commercial challenges facing employers, brands and creative businesses. Its relatively small trainee intake also offers opportunities to work closely with experienced lawyers and develop responsibility through practical client work.
The two-year training contract comprises four six-month seats. Trainee preferences are considered alongside business needs, and there are no compulsory seats, although employment is a likely rotation because of the practice’s size. Trainees receive supervision within their departments and can gain experience in areas such as corporate, dispute resolution and employment. Client secondments may be available, including opportunities with media, gaming and financial services businesses; these are not guaranteed.
The firm funds the PGDL and SQE. Published maintenance grants are £16,500 per course for London and £15,600 per course outside London. Development combines practical work with supervision, workshops and seminars. Salary levels differ between offices, so the figures above relate specifically to London.
Practice areas & rankings
Lewis Silkin has 27 practice rankings in Chambers UK 2026, including 11 Band 1 rankings. These include Corporate/M&A: £10–100 million in London, business immigration UK-wide, advertising and marketing UK-wide, and several employment categories. Information technology and intellectual property also hold Band 1 rankings in Northern Ireland.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
The firm holds Band 1 rankings in Chambers UK 2026 across several employment categories, including Employment: Employer and Employment: Senior Executive in London. Employment is its largest practice, offering trainees exposure to contentious and advisory matters, including tribunal proceedings, employment contracts and workplace issues.
Ranked Band 1 for Media & Entertainment: Advertising & Marketing, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises major advertising networks, agencies and brands. Work includes commercial agreements, advertising regulation and disputes, alongside gaming development and licensing matters. The wider team also works across music, film, television and digital media.
Ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, business immigration is a prominent part of the firm’s people-focused offering. It complements the employment practice and is relevant to applicants interested in the challenges businesses face when recruiting and managing an international workforce.
Ranked Band 1 for Corporate/M&A: £10–100 million, London, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice provides transactional experience alongside the firm’s specialist advisory work. Trainee tasks can include drafting board minutes, supporting filings, researching legal issues and assisting with transaction documents.
Awards
Firm of the YearThe Lawyer Awards 2025
Won the headline category, with judges citing its innovative approach while staying true to its employment law and entrepreneurial roots.
Employment Team of the YearChambers UK Awards 2025
Recognised for outstanding employment law work, strategic growth and excellence in client service.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Lewis Silkin recruits directly for training contracts, without a vacation scheme. Applications for 2029 entry open on 21 October 2026 and close at 23:59 on 21 December 2026. The Candid application asks for personal and academic information, work experience, contextual recruitment information and a motivation response. Recruitment is not rolling.
Your preparation should centre on two questions: why you want to become a solicitor and why you want to train at Lewis Silkin. Use specific experiences to explain your interest and connect your research to the firm’s specialist work. For example, consider what interests you about advising employers or working with creative businesses.
Lewis Silkin: quick answers
How much does Lewis Silkin pay trainees?
Lewis Silkin pays first-year trainees £49,500, rising to £54,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Lewis Silkin earn £90,000.
When are the Lewis Silkin application deadlines?
Lewis Silkin's training contract applications close on 21 Dec 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 Lewis Silkin take on?
Lewis Silkin takes on around 10 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Lewis Silkin use in its applications?
All applicants are invited to a Neurosight online assessment. It usually takes around five minutes, has no time limit and adapts to the candidate. It measures strengths relevant to trainee work, begins with warm-up questions and requires no advance preparation or practice. The completion deadline is 31 December 2026. Candidates receive a personalised feedback report. The firm’s guidance is to approach the assessment with an open mind and respond naturally.
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