Mayer Brown
An international law firm known for banking, finance, and construction
About Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown is an international law firm founded in Chicago in 1881, with offices in 27 cities across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Global revenue in 2025 reached $2.17 billion with profit per equity partner of $3.2 million. The firm's London office, formed through the 2002 merger with UK firm Rowe & Maw, operates as a strong full-service practice particularly known for banking and finance, construction, real estate, and dispute resolution.
The firm recruits approximately 14 trainees per year in London. Although this is one of the smaller intakes of any international firm, this means the training experience is intimate and trainees take on significant responsibility from an early stage.
To fast-track development, trainees share an office with a partner or senior associate who supervises their progress throughout each seat rotation. The firm funds SQE preparation via BPP and provides a £20,000 maintenance grant during the study year and £15,000 for PGDL students.
Practice areas & rankings
Mayer Brown is recognised in the UK market for both depth and innovation.
The firm was named the 23rd Most Innovative Law Firm in Europe by the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe 2024, earning Highly Commended mentions in deals & financing, unlocking finance, and sustainability & ESG. In April 2024, its antitrust team won Behavioural Matter of the Year – Europe at the Global Competition Review Awards for a landmark ECJ case nullifying supermarket dawn raids. Also in 2024, Mayer Brown LLP took home the Europe Commodity Finance Deal of the Year at the TXF Commodity Finance Deals awards for a €1.23bn MET Group facility, highlighting its project finance capabilities.
In Chambers UK 2026, Mayer Brown was ranked in 27 practice areas with three Band 1 rankings: Construction (Contentious), Construction (Non-contentious/Engineering), and Real Estate Finance. In July 2025, Mayer Brown raised NQ salaries from £135,000 to £150,000 — matching the Magic Circle and surpassing several Silver Circle firms — reflecting the firm's position as one of the strongest performers in its competitive tier.
Banking and finance
A comprehensive banking practice advising on acquisition finance, real estate finance, leveraged finance, and structured finance. Consistently ranked by Chambers UK across multiple finance sub-categories. The finance team is considered one of the best-trained in the City.
Construction
Mayer Brown's most distinguished practice in the UK market, holding Band 1 rankings in both contentious and non-contentious construction in Chambers UK 2026. The firm advises on major domestic and international construction and engineering projects, disputes, and arbitrations. This is a genuine differentiator versus other international firms of similar size.
Real estate
A leading real estate practice with a Band 1 ranking for real estate finance in Chambers UK 2026. The London real estate team advises developers, investors, and lenders on high-value transactions and financings across the commercial and residential property sectors.
Dispute resolution
A strong disputes practice advising on commercial litigation and arbitration including construction disputes, banking disputes, and commercial contract matters. The disputes team works closely with the construction and finance practices on contentious matters.
Corporate and M&A
A solid corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A transactions. Notable recent work includes advising Legal & General on a £4.6 billion pension buy-in with Ford in October 2025, and advising Hasbro on the European aspects of its $500 million sale of Entertainment One to Lionsgate.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
The application form asks for personal information including educational background and any relevant work experience. Non-legal work experience is explicitly welcomed as the firm is interested in any experience where transferable skills can be demonstrated. The application must be thoroughly checked for spelling and grammatical errors. There is a Forage virtual experience programme available (Introduction to Finance) which Mayer Brown recommends completing before applying, as it provides relevant examples to include in the application.
How to answer why youMayer Brown: quick answers
How much does Mayer Brown pay trainees?
Mayer Brown pays first-year trainees £55,000, rising to £60,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Mayer Brown earn £150,000.
When is the Mayer Brown vacation scheme deadline?
Mayer Brown runs more than one vacation scheme round in the 2026/27 cycle: the summer scheme closes on 4 Dec and the spring scheme closes on 4 Dec. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Mayer Brown take on?
Mayer Brown takes on around ±14 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Mayer Brown use in its applications?
Alongside the application form, candidates must complete an immersive assessment consisting of behavioural questions, numerical and verbal reasoning questions, and video response questions. The behavioural questions test how candidates would react in trainee scenarios. The numerical and verbal reasoning questions test performance in typical trainee tasks. The video response questions allow candidates to explain motivation for a career in law at Mayer Brown and demonstrate key competencies. Responses are scored against traits that help candidates succeed at Mayer Brown, and candidates must meet or surpass benchmark scores to progress. At the end of the assessment, candidates receive a report explaining how they performed and highlighting potential development areas. No legal knowledge is required.
What grades do you need to apply to Mayer Brown?
To apply to Mayer Brown 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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