Linklaters
A Magic Circle firm known for corporate, capital markets, and banking
About Linklaters
Linklaters is a leading Magic Circle law firm headquartered in London, with approximately 3,100 lawyers across 31 offices in 21 countries. In financial year 2024-25, Linklaters reported revenues of £2.32 billion and average profits per equity partner of £2.2 million. The firm advises corporations, financial institutions, and governments on their most complex cross-border matters, with consistent top-tier strength across corporate, finance, capital markets, litigation, and energy
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. The firm funds SQE preparation in full and provides a maintenance grant during the study period
Practice areas & rankings
Linklaters continues to be recognised as one of the most sought-after employers in the legal sector, consistently attracting some of the strongest applicant pools in the market.
Linklaters achieved a record year in Chambers UK 2026, securing the highest number of UK-wide Band 1 department and individual recognitions of any firm with 59 practice rankings including 25 Band 1 rankings, and 198 lawyer recognitions. The firm was also named Innovative Lawyers in Sustainability and ESG at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024 for its work developing the Sector Transition Acceleration Contract targeting Scope 3 GHG emissions.
Corporate and M&A
Linklaters is a powerhouse in corporate and M&A, an area where it has traditionally stood out against its Magic Circle rivals. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers for the highest-value M&A deals. The firm advises on the most complex cross-border transactions for FTSE 100 companies, sovereign wealth funds, and major financial sponsors.
Banking and finance
Comprehensive banking practice spanning acquisition and leveraged finance, bilateral and syndicated credit facilities, financial structuring, high yield, real estate finance, trade and emerging markets finance, and asset finance. Consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK for big-ticket banking and finance.
Capital markets
Leading capital markets practice covering debt, equity, equity-linked, regulatory capital, liability management, high-yield, derivatives, and structured financings across international markets.
Energy and natural resources
One of the leading practices globally for energy, infrastructure, and natural resources work. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK in renewables and alternative energy, power, oil and gas, and mining, reflecting the firm's depth across the full energy transition spectrum.
Restructuring and insolvency
A top-tier practice advising lenders, borrowers, and insolvency practitioners on major restructurings across the UK and internationally. Consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK.
Firm 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)
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Linklaters’ process starts with a short online application form, which asks for basic information, academic record, and contextual data. There are no open motivation essay questions at this stage.The Trainee Recruitment team reviews applications after the deadline has passed and all assessments have been completed.
How to answer why youLinklaters: quick answers
How much does Linklaters pay trainees?
Linklaters pays first-year trainees £56,000, rising to £61,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Linklaters earn £150,000.
When is the Linklaters vacation scheme deadline?
Linklaters's vacation scheme applications close on 3 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 Linklaters take on?
Linklaters takes on around ±100 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Linklaters use in its applications?
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.
What grades do you need to apply to Linklaters?
To apply to Linklaters 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.
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