Firm Profiles
Linklaters
Linklaters
A Magic Circle Firm
A Magic Circle Firm
Year 1 Trainee
£56,000
Year 2 Trainee
£61,000
Newly Qualified
£150,000
Linklaters is a leading Magic Circle law firm headquartered in London, renowned for its expertise in corporate, finance, and dispute resolution. With approximately 3,100 lawyers across 31 offices in 21 countries, the firm offers seamless cross-border legal services. Linklaters is committed to innovation, efficiency, and agility, placing clients at the heart of all it does.
TC Number
100
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
31
The firm offers approximately 100 training contracts each year, with trainees undertaking four six-month seats across a broad range of practice areas. There are strong opportunities for international secondments, currently available in offices ranging from Asia to Australia. Trainees may also have the chance to go on client secondments, offering a valuable opportunity to develop commercial awareness, deepen client relationships, and gain insight into the legal function from the client’s perspective.
Rankings in Chambers
54
Category
Magic Circle
Linklaters was named ‘Innovative Lawyers in Sustainability & ESG’ at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024 for its pro bono work in developing the Sector Transition Acceleration Contract (STAC), targeting Scope 3 GHG emissions. The firm also maintained its overall ranking as the 3rd Most Innovative Firm in Europe and was the highest UK-headquartered firm on social responsibility.
The Application Process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBC
A-Levels Requirements
N/A
Degree Requirements
Degree Requirements
2:1+
Application Writing
Linklaters’ process starts with a short online application form, which asks for basic information, academic record, and contextual data.
Assessment Centre
Successful candidates are invited to an Assessment Day, which may include a written case study, a competency and motivation-based HR interview, and a case study interview with associates or partners.
The day is designed to test legal reasoning, commercial awareness, and core interpersonal skills. Candidates are expected to analyse transactional documents and discuss their insights, as well as respond to strategic questions about the firm and the legal industry.
Interview Stage
Application Writing
Psychometric Testing
Linklaters’ process starts with a short online application form, which asks for basic information, academic record, and contextual data.
This is followed by an untimed Capp Online Assessment, designed around the firm’s agile mindset framework. The six modules include realistic, scenario-based exercises simulating trainee-level work such as critical thinking and global transactions, and typically take 60–90 minutes to complete. Candidates receive personalised feedback upon completion. Next, applicants have five days to complete the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test, which is timed and completed online. Practising beforehand is strongly encouraged.
Psychometric Testing
This is followed by an untimed Capp Online Assessment, designed around the firm’s agile mindset framework. The six modules include realistic, scenario-based exercises simulating trainee-level work such as critical thinking and global transactions, and typically take 60–90 minutes to complete. Candidates receive personalised feedback upon completion. Next, applicants have five days to complete the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test, which is timed and completed online. Practising beforehand is strongly encouraged.
Interview Stage
Assessment Centre
Successful candidates are invited to an Assessment Day, which may include a written case study, a competency and motivation-based HR interview, and a case study interview with associates or partners.
The day is designed to test legal reasoning, commercial awareness, and core interpersonal skills. Candidates are expected to analyse transactional documents and discuss their insights, as well as respond to strategic questions about the firm and the legal industry.
The Firm's History
1838 → John Linklater (21) qualifies and joins Julius Dods as a partner, forming Dods & Linklater.
No other person in the firm’s history has been made a partner immediately on qualification.
1843 → John’s brother, James, becomes a partner. Firm renamed Dods & Linklaters.
1845 → Dods leaves. Firm becomes J. & J.H. Linklater.
1855 → J. & J.H. Linklater & Hackwood.
1865 → JJ. & J.H. Linklater, Hackwood & Addison.
1870 → Linklater, Hackwood, Addison & Brown.
1879 → The last Linklater leaves the firm.
1895 → Linklater, Addison, Brown & Jones.
1907 → Jones departs. Firm rebrands as Linklater & Co.
1918 → Linklater & Co merges with Surtees, Philpotts & Co.
1920 → Merges with Paines, Blythe & Huxtable, becoming Linklater & Paines.
1962 → Opens office in Milan.
1972 → Opens office in New York.
1973 → Opens offices in Brussels and Paris.
1995 → Relocates London office to One Silk Street.
1998 → Forms Linklaters & Alliance with leading European firms.
2002 → Merges with multiple firms, rebranding as Linklaters.
2004 → ’Clear blue water’ strategy halved partners, boosting profitability by 25% in a year.
2005 → Merges with Yasuda and Wani, becoming Japan’s first fully merged law firm.
2008 → Becomes the largest law firm by revenue.
2012 → Forms integrated alliance with Allens
2013 → Forms alliance with Webber Wentzel.
2024 → 31 Offices and Counting
(please note these are highlights and the firm's history is far more complex)
Firm Profiles
Linklaters
A Magic Circle Firm
Year 1
Trainee
£56,000
Year 2
Trainee
£61,000
Newly
Qualified
£150,000
Linklaters is a leading Magic Circle law firm headquartered in London, renowned for its expertise in corporate, finance, and dispute resolution. With approximately 3,100 lawyers across 31 offices in 21 countries, the firm offers seamless cross-border legal services. Linklaters is committed to innovation, efficiency, and agility, placing clients at the heart of all it does.
TC Number
100
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
31
The firm offers approximately 100 training contracts each year, with trainees undertaking four six-month seats across a broad range of practice areas. There are strong opportunities for international secondments, currently available in offices ranging from Asia to Australia. Trainees may also have the chance to go on client secondments, offering a valuable opportunity to develop commercial awareness, deepen client relationships, and gain insight into the legal function from the client’s perspective.
Rankings in Chambers
54
Awards
Category
Magic Circle
Linklaters was named ‘Innovative Lawyers in Sustainability & ESG’ at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024 for its pro bono work in developing the Sector Transition Acceleration Contract (STAC), targeting Scope 3 GHG emissions. The firm also maintained its overall ranking as the 3rd Most Innovative Firm in Europe and was the highest UK-headquartered firm on social responsibility.
The Vacation Scheme Application Process
Application Writing
Linklaters’ process starts with a short online application form, which asks for basic information, academic record, and contextual data.
Psychometric Testing
This is followed by an untimed Capp Online Assessment, designed around the firm’s agile mindset framework. The six modules include realistic, scenario-based exercises simulating trainee-level work such as critical thinking and global transactions, and typically take 60–90 minutes to complete. Candidates receive personalised feedback upon completion. Next, applicants have five days to complete the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test, which is timed and completed online. Practising beforehand is strongly encouraged.
Interview Stage
Assessment Centre
Successful candidates are invited to an Assessment Day, which may include a written case study, a competency and motivation-based HR interview, and a case study interview with associates or partners.
The day is designed to test legal reasoning, commercial awareness, and core interpersonal skills. Candidates are expected to analyse transactional documents and discuss their insights, as well as respond to strategic questions about the firm and the legal industry.
The Firm's History
1838 → John Linklater (21) qualifies and joins Julius Dods as a partner, forming Dods & Linklater.
No other person in the firm’s history has been made a partner immediately on qualification.
1843 → John’s brother, James, becomes a partner. Firm renamed Dods & Linklaters.
1845 → Dods leaves. Firm becomes J. & J.H. Linklater.
1855 → J. & J.H. Linklater & Hackwood.
1865 → JJ. & J.H. Linklater, Hackwood & Addison.
1870 → Linklater, Hackwood, Addison & Brown.
1879 → The last Linklater leaves the firm.
1895 → Linklater, Addison, Brown & Jones.
1907 → Jones departs. Firm rebrands as Linklater & Co.
1918 → Linklater & Co merges with Surtees, Philpotts & Co.
1920 → Merges with Paines, Blythe & Huxtable, becoming Linklater & Paines.
1962 → Opens office in Milan.
1972 → Opens office in New York.
1973 → Opens offices in Brussels and Paris.
1995 → Relocates London office to One Silk Street.
1998 → Forms Linklaters & Alliance with leading European firms.
2002 → Merges with multiple firms, rebranding as Linklaters.
2004 → ’Clear blue water’ strategy halved partners, boosting profitability by 25% in a year.
2005 → Merges with Yasuda and Wani, becoming Japan’s first fully merged law firm.
2008 → Becomes the largest law firm by revenue.
2012 → Forms integrated alliance with Allens
2013 → Forms alliance with Webber Wentzel.
2024 → 31 Offices and Counting
(please note these are highlights and the firm's history is far more complex)
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBC
N/A
A-Levels Requirements
Degree Requirements
2:1+