Last updated:
Orrick
A US law firm with a London practice focused on technology, venture capital, energy and finance.
About Orrick
Orrick is an international US law firm organised around four sectors: Technology & Innovation, Energy & Infrastructure, Finance, and Life Sciences & HealthTech. Its London practice combines advice to technology companies and venture capital investors with renewable energy transactions, structured finance and commercial disputes. London lawyers work with colleagues across the firm’s international network, including its European and Silicon Valley teams, on cross-border investments and transactions. The office also offers expertise in corporate M&A, employment, financial regulation, restructuring, tax, cybersecurity and international arbitration. Its combination of technology investment and energy work gives applicants several distinct reasons to consider the firm, while its small London trainee intake provides a different training environment from firms recruiting much larger cohorts.
Orrick’s two-year London training contract comprises six four-month seats, including contentious and transactional work. The additional rotations give trainees scope to explore a broad range of departments before qualification. Each seat includes partner supervision, with coaching from the wider team and regular appraisals throughout the programme. The training principal also works individually with trainees to understand their interests, identify strengths and address development needs. Trainees also receive support from a buddy, seat supervisor and mentor, alongside induction sessions, seminars and training lectures.
The firm’s 2026–27 recruitment brochure confirms a bespoke SQE preparation course and a £20,000 maintenance grant. Applicants particularly interested in spending a seat elsewhere should establish what opportunities are available for their intake.
Practice areas & rankings
Orrick has six ranked departments in Chambers UK 2026. Its leading ranking is Band 1 for Private Equity: Venture Capital Investment, UK-wide. It also holds Band 2 rankings for Capital Markets: CLOs and Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy, both UK-wide. Further rankings cover Information Technology & Outsourcing, Oil & Gas, and International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 for Private Equity: Venture Capital Investment, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, Orrick advises technology companies, venture capital firms, angel investors and financial intermediaries. Its work spans investment rounds through to IPOs, supported by connections between its European and Silicon Valley offices. Chambers highlights its advice to Mosaic Capital on an investment within Highview Power’s £300 million financing.
Ranked Band 2 for Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the team advises on acquisitions, financing, development and regulatory matters. Offshore wind is a particular strength, alongside onshore wind, biomass and waste-to-energy projects. Clients include energy companies and investment funds, with matters extending across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Orrick is ranked Band 2 for Capital Markets: CLOs, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026. Structured finance forms part of the London office’s broader finance offering, alongside banking, capital markets and restructuring. This provides an alternative focus for applicants whose interests lie in financial products and institutions rather than the firm’s technology company work.
Ranked Band 4 for Information Technology & Outsourcing, London, in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises emerging businesses and established companies on strategic partnerships, collaborations and licensing. It also assists with technology legislation and AI developments. Chambers highlights its work for Human Native AI on partnerships with Mistral, Mumsnet and News Corp.
Awards
Impact Deal Award, High Yield and Structured FinanceIFLR Europe Awards 2026
Won by the London structured finance team for advising BNP Paribas as arranger on Barings EU MM CLO 2025-1, the first CLO in Europe to combine a multi-currency structure for private credit assets.
Energy Transition Deal of the YearIJGlobal Awards 2024
Won for advising Mosaic Capital on its investment in the Carrington liquid air energy storage project, the first large scale plant of its kind in the UK.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Orrick accepts online applications through its recruitment portal. Its 2026–27 brochure gives an opening date of 1 September 2026 for both routes, with applications closing on 31 December 2026 for the vacation scheme and 31 March 2027 for direct training contracts. The direct vacancy is advertised for 2029 entry and is intended primarily for applicants unable to attend a vacation scheme.
Applicants should have achieved, or be on track for, a 2:1 in any discipline. Orrick uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System to consider academic achievements in their socioeconomic context. Its careers page states that direct applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, although that page still displays the previous cycle’s dates.
For preparation, explain which aspects of Orrick’s work interest you and support that interest with specific research. An application focused on technology could discuss the commercial challenges facing growing companies; an energy-focused application could consider project development, investment or regulation. These are preparation suggestions, rather than published application questions.
Orrick: quick answers
How much does Orrick pay trainees?
Orrick pays first-year trainees £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Orrick earn £170,000.
When is the Orrick vacation scheme deadline?
31 January 2026 Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Orrick take on?
Orrick takes on around 6 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Orrick use in its applications?
Orrick uses a Watson Glaser critical thinking test. Applicants should prepare to evaluate written information carefully, distinguish evidence from assumptions and assess whether conclusions follow logically. The firm-specific question count, time limit, pass mark and invitation timing were not verified, so candidates should follow the instructions accompanying their test invitation.
What grades do you need to apply to Orrick?
To apply to Orrick you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Orrick asks for BBB. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
Get the tools and support you need to succeed.