Firm Profiles
Macfarlanes
Macfarlanes
A London-founded firm that has never merged, known for private capital, private wealth, and corporate work
A London-founded firm that has never merged, known for private capital, private wealth, and corporate work
Year 1 Trainee
£60,000
Year 2 Trainee
£65,000
Newly Qualified
£150,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
±33
Seats
4
Secondments
No
Offices
3
Macfarlanes was founded in 1875 and has grown organically into a corporate and private client powerhouse without ever having merged with another firm. The distinct lack of costly overheads has paid serious financial dividends, with the firm achieving the highest profit per equity partner of any UK-headquartered law firm. A New York office opened in 2026, adding to the firm's existing London and Brussels offices.
Macfarlanes is distinctive among City firms for its combination of corporate, private capital, private wealth, and dispute resolution under one roof, serving both institutional and ultra-high-net-worth clients on their most complex matters. Clients include Goldman Sachs, Reebok, and Paramount, with recent work including advising on a £1.1 billion development of the British Library and helping Ferrari Group PLC on the English law aspects of its IPO.
Macfarlanes offers around 33 training contracts each year, with trainees completing four six-month seats across a range of contentious and transactional departments. The training programme is a two-year programme with four six-month seats. Macfarlanes does not offer international secondments during the training contract. The firm's model keeps trainees in London building deep expertise across its core practice areas. The firm requires all future trainees to pass all SQE exams including bespoke Macfarlanes modules on the first sitting. All SQE fees are paid by the firm and trainees receive a £17,000 grant during the SQE preparation period. PGDL fees are also covered in full with a £13,000 grant.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
27
Category
Silver Circle
Macfarlanes won Private Capital Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2025. The firm was shortlisted for Finance Team of the Year and Restructuring Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2025. Macfarlanes will provide legal services to Team England as an official partner for the 2026 Commonwealth Games cycle.
Top practice areas:
Private capital and investment funds
Macfarlanes' fund formation team provides "terrific legal and commercially minded practical advice and produces top quality work" according to Chambers UK 2026 clients. The private capital practice covers fund formation, private equity, investment management, and the full private capital lifecycle. This is an area where Macfarlanes is considered one of the leading practices in the UK.
Private wealth and private client
One of the most distinguished private client practices at any City firm. Macfarlanes advises ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and trustees on tax planning, estate planning, trusts, and succession. This practice area distinguishes Macfarlanes from most other Silver Circle firms and is a significant draw for candidates interested in high-net-worth advisory work.
Corporate and M&A
A highly regarded corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A for FTSE 100 companies, private equity sponsors, and financial institutions. Notable work includes advising Verizon Communications on its $130 billion acquisition of Vodafone's 45% interest in Verizon Wireless — one of the largest deals in corporate history. Finance Chambers UK 2026 clients describe the finance team as having "demonstrated an ability to understand and assess complex matters and to provide clear, practical advice." The practice covers leveraged finance, real estate finance, restructuring, and insolvency.
Disputes
A top-tier litigation and arbitration practice handling high-value commercial disputes for institutional clients. The firm has a strong track record in landmark cases and regularly acts in matters with significant strategic commercial implications.
The application process
Written application
To apply, candidates complete an application form which asks for personal and academic information including full breakdowns of university grades and any mitigating circumstances. The application asks candidates to answer 'Why Macfarlanes?' and 'Tell us about yourself' in approximately 300 words each. The 'Why Macfarlanes?' question demands a specific and evidenced answer. The firm's private capital and private wealth practices, its refusal to merge, its pass-first-time SQE policy, its approach to trainee development, and its recent work are all specific differentiators. Generic answers about "culture" or "quality of work" will not stand out at a firm where every applicant mentions the same things. The work experience section has no word limit and you should include all relevant experience whether legal or not, with a focus on what was learned and what transferable skills it demonstrates. Macfarlanes places weight on intellectual curiosity and commercial awareness demonstrated through any context, not just legal work experienc
Psychometric Testing
After submitting the application, candidates are sent a link to a first online assessment. This tests situational judgement and critical reasoning through a series of scenarios from different practice areas. Candidates have seven days to complete it. If successful, candidates are invited to complete a second stage online assessment based around a job simulation. Candidates join a fictional project team working on a fictional event and respond to realistic situations similar to those faced by Macfarlanes trainees.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day is fully application blind (assessors have not seen candidates' application forms) and consists of three exercises: a business case study and competency-based interview, a written exercise, and a group negotiation exercise.
The first is a two-part interview with a partner and a senior associate. It begins with a business case study in which candidates are given time to review commercial background materials before discussing their analysis. This is followed by a competency-based interview covering motivations, past experience, and general suitability for a career at the firm. The application-blind format means assessors are meeting candidates fresh and the case study and competency interview are the primary opportunity to make an impression.
The second is the written exercises, where candidates review legal and commercial information and respond to a simulated client query. The task assesses the ability to communicate clearly and structure advice logically in writing. No legal knowledge is required as the exercise tests how clearly and concisely you can turn complex information into practical written advice.
Lastly, there will be a structured interview covering the candidate's application, motivations for applying to Macfarlanes specifically, and general suitability for a career at the firm. Because the assessment day is application blind for the other exercises, this interview is where the assessors engage directly with what the candidate has written expect to be probed on every claim made in the application.
The application process
Written application
To apply, candidates complete an application form which asks for personal and academic information including full breakdowns of university grades and any mitigating circumstances. The application asks candidates to answer 'Why Macfarlanes?' and 'Tell us about yourself' in approximately 300 words each. The 'Why Macfarlanes?' question demands a specific and evidenced answer. The firm's private capital and private wealth practices, its refusal to merge, its pass-first-time SQE policy, its approach to trainee development, and its recent work are all specific differentiators. Generic answers about "culture" or "quality of work" will not stand out at a firm where every applicant mentions the same things. The work experience section has no word limit and you should include all relevant experience whether legal or not, with a focus on what was learned and what transferable skills it demonstrates. Macfarlanes places weight on intellectual curiosity and commercial awareness demonstrated through any context, not just legal work experienc
Psychometric Testing
After submitting the application, candidates are sent a link to a first online assessment. This tests situational judgement and critical reasoning through a series of scenarios from different practice areas. Candidates have seven days to complete it. If successful, candidates are invited to complete a second stage online assessment based around a job simulation. Candidates join a fictional project team working on a fictional event and respond to realistic situations similar to those faced by Macfarlanes trainees.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day is fully application blind (assessors have not seen candidates' application forms) and consists of three exercises: a business case study and competency-based interview, a written exercise, and a group negotiation exercise.
The first is a two-part interview with a partner and a senior associate. It begins with a business case study in which candidates are given time to review commercial background materials before discussing their analysis. This is followed by a competency-based interview covering motivations, past experience, and general suitability for a career at the firm. The application-blind format means assessors are meeting candidates fresh and the case study and competency interview are the primary opportunity to make an impression.
The second is the written exercises, where candidates review legal and commercial information and respond to a simulated client query. The task assesses the ability to communicate clearly and structure advice logically in writing. No legal knowledge is required as the exercise tests how clearly and concisely you can turn complex information into practical written advice.
Lastly, there will be a structured interview covering the candidate's application, motivations for applying to Macfarlanes specifically, and general suitability for a career at the firm. Because the assessment day is application blind for the other exercises, this interview is where the assessors engage directly with what the candidate has written expect to be probed on every claim made in the application.
Firm history
Firm History
Ready to Apply?
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.
Firm Profiles
Macfarlanes
A London-founded firm that has never merged, known for private capital, private wealth, and corporate work
Year 1
Trainee
£60,000
Year 2
Trainee
£65,000
Newly
Qualified
£150,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
27
Category
Silver Circle
Macfarlanes won Private Capital Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2025. The firm was shortlisted for Finance Team of the Year and Restructuring Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2025. Macfarlanes will provide legal services to Team England as an official partner for the 2026 Commonwealth Games cycle.
Top practice areas:
Private capital and investment funds
Macfarlanes' fund formation team provides "terrific legal and commercially minded practical advice and produces top quality work" according to Chambers UK 2026 clients. The private capital practice covers fund formation, private equity, investment management, and the full private capital lifecycle. This is an area where Macfarlanes is considered one of the leading practices in the UK.
Private wealth and private client
One of the most distinguished private client practices at any City firm. Macfarlanes advises ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and trustees on tax planning, estate planning, trusts, and succession. This practice area distinguishes Macfarlanes from most other Silver Circle firms and is a significant draw for candidates interested in high-net-worth advisory work.
Corporate and M&A
A highly regarded corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A for FTSE 100 companies, private equity sponsors, and financial institutions. Notable work includes advising Verizon Communications on its $130 billion acquisition of Vodafone's 45% interest in Verizon Wireless — one of the largest deals in corporate history. Finance Chambers UK 2026 clients describe the finance team as having "demonstrated an ability to understand and assess complex matters and to provide clear, practical advice." The practice covers leveraged finance, real estate finance, restructuring, and insolvency.
Disputes
A top-tier litigation and arbitration practice handling high-value commercial disputes for institutional clients. The firm has a strong track record in landmark cases and regularly acts in matters with significant strategic commercial implications.
About the firm
TC Number
±33
Seats
4
Secondments
No
Offices
3
Macfarlanes was founded in 1875 and has grown organically into a corporate and private client powerhouse without ever having merged with another firm. The distinct lack of costly overheads has paid serious financial dividends, with the firm achieving the highest profit per equity partner of any UK-headquartered law firm. A New York office opened in 2026, adding to the firm's existing London and Brussels offices.
Macfarlanes is distinctive among City firms for its combination of corporate, private capital, private wealth, and dispute resolution under one roof, serving both institutional and ultra-high-net-worth clients on their most complex matters. Clients include Goldman Sachs, Reebok, and Paramount, with recent work including advising on a £1.1 billion development of the British Library and helping Ferrari Group PLC on the English law aspects of its IPO.
Macfarlanes offers around 33 training contracts each year, with trainees completing four six-month seats across a range of contentious and transactional departments. The training programme is a two-year programme with four six-month seats. Macfarlanes does not offer international secondments during the training contract. The firm's model keeps trainees in London building deep expertise across its core practice areas. The firm requires all future trainees to pass all SQE exams including bespoke Macfarlanes modules on the first sitting. All SQE fees are paid by the firm and trainees receive a £17,000 grant during the SQE preparation period. PGDL fees are also covered in full with a £13,000 grant.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
N/A
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
N/A
Written application
To apply, candidates complete an application form which asks for personal and academic information including full breakdowns of university grades and any mitigating circumstances. The application asks candidates to answer 'Why Macfarlanes?' and 'Tell us about yourself' in approximately 300 words each. The 'Why Macfarlanes?' question demands a specific and evidenced answer. The firm's private capital and private wealth practices, its refusal to merge, its pass-first-time SQE policy, its approach to trainee development, and its recent work are all specific differentiators. Generic answers about "culture" or "quality of work" will not stand out at a firm where every applicant mentions the same things. The work experience section has no word limit and you should include all relevant experience whether legal or not, with a focus on what was learned and what transferable skills it demonstrates. Macfarlanes places weight on intellectual curiosity and commercial awareness demonstrated through any context, not just legal work experienc
Psychometric Testing
After submitting the application, candidates are sent a link to a first online assessment. This tests situational judgement and critical reasoning through a series of scenarios from different practice areas. Candidates have seven days to complete it. If successful, candidates are invited to complete a second stage online assessment based around a job simulation. Candidates join a fictional project team working on a fictional event and respond to realistic situations similar to those faced by Macfarlanes trainees.
Assessment Centre
The assessment day is fully application blind (assessors have not seen candidates' application forms) and consists of three exercises: a business case study and competency-based interview, a written exercise, and a group negotiation exercise.
The first is a two-part interview with a partner and a senior associate. It begins with a business case study in which candidates are given time to review commercial background materials before discussing their analysis. This is followed by a competency-based interview covering motivations, past experience, and general suitability for a career at the firm. The application-blind format means assessors are meeting candidates fresh and the case study and competency interview are the primary opportunity to make an impression.
The second is the written exercises, where candidates review legal and commercial information and respond to a simulated client query. The task assesses the ability to communicate clearly and structure advice logically in writing. No legal knowledge is required as the exercise tests how clearly and concisely you can turn complex information into practical written advice.
Lastly, there will be a structured interview covering the candidate's application, motivations for applying to Macfarlanes specifically, and general suitability for a career at the firm. Because the assessment day is application blind for the other exercises, this interview is where the assessors engage directly with what the candidate has written expect to be probed on every claim made in the application.
Firm History
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.