Firm Profiles
Osborne Clarke
Osborne Clarke
An international law firm known for technology, energy, and real estate — operating across London, Bristol, and Reading with one of the best cultures in the mid-market and a direct training contract route alongside the vacation scheme.
An international law firm known for technology, energy, and real estate — operating across London, Bristol, and Reading with one of the best cultures in the mid-market and a direct training contract route alongside the vacation scheme.
Year 1 Trainee
£55,500
Year 2 Trainee
£57,500
Newly Qualified
£97,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
35
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
26
Osborne Clarke is an international law firm with offices across Europe and Asia, founded in Bristol in 1748. The firm is headquartered in London and operates with a clear strategic focus on three global trends: digitalisation, decarbonisation, and urban dynamics. This sector focus gives the firm genuine depth in technology, energy and clean tech, and real estate.
OC is known in particular for its culture and is routinely described by trainees as one of the most collaborative and supportive of any firm in its competitive tier. The firm has awarded all UK staff a 5% profit share bonus for five consecutive years. In 2025, the firm introduced OC-GPT, a multi-award winning internal generative AI tool.
Training contracts are available in London, Bristol, and Reading. Candidates choose their preferred location at application stage. The firm funds SQE preparation via BPP, covering full course fees and the first sitting of SQE examinations, with a £15,000 maintenance grant for the SQE year and £11,000 for the PGDL year. London NQ salary is £97,000; Bristol NQs receive £74,000 and Reading NQs receive £87,300.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
59
Category
International
Osborne Clarke holds Band 1 rankings from Chambers UK in technology, media and telecoms (media/entertainment and IT outsourcing), AIM-listed capital markets, and mid-market real estate. The firm won a 5% profit share for all staff for the fifth consecutive year in 2025 and was recognised for its OC-GPT generative AI tool. Monzo's acquisition of Habito in December 2025 was advised by Osborne Clarke — Monzo's largest ever acquisition.
Top practice areas:
Technology, media and telecoms
OC's flagship practice. Band 1 in Chambers UK for media/entertainment and IT outsourcing. Clients include Microsoft, EE, and Omnicom. The firm advises on technology transactions, data protection, digital commerce, and AI governance.
Capital markets
A leading AIM-listed capital markets practice, ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK. Advises listed companies, nomads, and investment banks on equity capital markets transactions.
Real estate
A comprehensive real estate practice covering investment, development, planning, and real estate finance. Ranked for mid-market real estate work by Chambers UK.
Energy and clean tech
A significant energy practice reflecting OC's focus on decarbonisation. Advises energy companies, investors, and developers on transactions, projects, and regulatory matters across renewables and energy transition.
Life sciences
A leading life sciences practice advising on transactions, IP, and regulatory matters. Recent work includes advising BioNTech on its $549 million acquisition of InstaDeep.
The application process
Written application
The online application form is the first stage. Candidates should explain what makes them a great candidate beyond academia and work experience. Interests, hobbies, and personal qualities are all relevant. The form asks about commercial understanding, skills, and motivations, as well as work experience from any sector. The firm uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System and candidates are strongly encouraged to opt in so that academic achievements can be viewed in context. There is also space to explain mitigating circumstances. Candidates should use continuous prose throughout, keep answers succinct, and double-check carefully before submitting. Attention to detail is explicitly assessed.
Psychometric Testing
After the application form, candidates are invited to complete an online verbal reasoning test and an online deductive reasoning test, both provided by SHL. These assess the ability to understand written information and evaluate arguments — skills central to legal practice. Practice tests are available on the SHL website.
Interview Stage
Candidates who progress are invited to a half-day virtual assessment centre. This involves a commercial research and presentation exercise. All information needed is provided on the day — no advance preparation is required for the exercise itself. The session tests communication skills, commercial understanding, and problem-solving ability.
Assessment Centre
The final stage is a full in-person assessment day. It includes a group discussion, a partner interview, and a Watson Glaser critical thinking test. There is also significant opportunity to network with current trainees throughout the day.
The group discussion assesses teamwork, listening, and communication. The partner interview covers commercial awareness, understanding of Osborne Clarke, and motivation. The Watson Glaser tests critical thinking and the firm strongly recommends practising beforehand. Candidates should review their application and stay current with commercial news before the day, but should also be ready to think on their feet.
The application process
Written application
The online application form is the first stage. Candidates should explain what makes them a great candidate beyond academia and work experience. Interests, hobbies, and personal qualities are all relevant. The form asks about commercial understanding, skills, and motivations, as well as work experience from any sector. The firm uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System and candidates are strongly encouraged to opt in so that academic achievements can be viewed in context. There is also space to explain mitigating circumstances. Candidates should use continuous prose throughout, keep answers succinct, and double-check carefully before submitting. Attention to detail is explicitly assessed.
Psychometric Testing
After the application form, candidates are invited to complete an online verbal reasoning test and an online deductive reasoning test, both provided by SHL. These assess the ability to understand written information and evaluate arguments — skills central to legal practice. Practice tests are available on the SHL website.
Interview Stage
Candidates who progress are invited to a half-day virtual assessment centre. This involves a commercial research and presentation exercise. All information needed is provided on the day — no advance preparation is required for the exercise itself. The session tests communication skills, commercial understanding, and problem-solving ability.
Assessment Centre
The final stage is a full in-person assessment day. It includes a group discussion, a partner interview, and a Watson Glaser critical thinking test. There is also significant opportunity to network with current trainees throughout the day.
The group discussion assesses teamwork, listening, and communication. The partner interview covers commercial awareness, understanding of Osborne Clarke, and motivation. The Watson Glaser tests critical thinking and the firm strongly recommends practising beforehand. Candidates should review their application and stay current with commercial news before the day, but should also be ready to think on their feet.
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
Osborne Clarke
An international law firm known for technology, energy, and real estate — operating across London, Bristol, and Reading with one of the best cultures in the mid-market and a direct training contract route alongside the vacation scheme.
Year 1
Trainee
£55,500
Year 2
Trainee
£57,500
Newly
Qualified
£97,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
59
Category
International
Osborne Clarke holds Band 1 rankings from Chambers UK in technology, media and telecoms (media/entertainment and IT outsourcing), AIM-listed capital markets, and mid-market real estate. The firm won a 5% profit share for all staff for the fifth consecutive year in 2025 and was recognised for its OC-GPT generative AI tool. Monzo's acquisition of Habito in December 2025 was advised by Osborne Clarke — Monzo's largest ever acquisition.
Top practice areas:
Technology, media and telecoms
OC's flagship practice. Band 1 in Chambers UK for media/entertainment and IT outsourcing. Clients include Microsoft, EE, and Omnicom. The firm advises on technology transactions, data protection, digital commerce, and AI governance.
Capital markets
A leading AIM-listed capital markets practice, ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK. Advises listed companies, nomads, and investment banks on equity capital markets transactions.
Real estate
A comprehensive real estate practice covering investment, development, planning, and real estate finance. Ranked for mid-market real estate work by Chambers UK.
Energy and clean tech
A significant energy practice reflecting OC's focus on decarbonisation. Advises energy companies, investors, and developers on transactions, projects, and regulatory matters across renewables and energy transition.
Life sciences
A leading life sciences practice advising on transactions, IP, and regulatory matters. Recent work includes advising BioNTech on its $549 million acquisition of InstaDeep.
About the firm
TC Number
35
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
26
Osborne Clarke is an international law firm with offices across Europe and Asia, founded in Bristol in 1748. The firm is headquartered in London and operates with a clear strategic focus on three global trends: digitalisation, decarbonisation, and urban dynamics. This sector focus gives the firm genuine depth in technology, energy and clean tech, and real estate.
OC is known in particular for its culture and is routinely described by trainees as one of the most collaborative and supportive of any firm in its competitive tier. The firm has awarded all UK staff a 5% profit share bonus for five consecutive years. In 2025, the firm introduced OC-GPT, a multi-award winning internal generative AI tool.
Training contracts are available in London, Bristol, and Reading. Candidates choose their preferred location at application stage. The firm funds SQE preparation via BPP, covering full course fees and the first sitting of SQE examinations, with a £15,000 maintenance grant for the SQE year and £11,000 for the PGDL year. London NQ salary is £97,000; Bristol NQs receive £74,000 and Reading NQs receive £87,300.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
N/A
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
N/A
Written application
The online application form is the first stage. Candidates should explain what makes them a great candidate beyond academia and work experience. Interests, hobbies, and personal qualities are all relevant. The form asks about commercial understanding, skills, and motivations, as well as work experience from any sector. The firm uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System and candidates are strongly encouraged to opt in so that academic achievements can be viewed in context. There is also space to explain mitigating circumstances. Candidates should use continuous prose throughout, keep answers succinct, and double-check carefully before submitting. Attention to detail is explicitly assessed.
Psychometric Testing
After the application form, candidates are invited to complete an online verbal reasoning test and an online deductive reasoning test, both provided by SHL. These assess the ability to understand written information and evaluate arguments — skills central to legal practice. Practice tests are available on the SHL website.
Interview Stage
Candidates who progress are invited to a half-day virtual assessment centre. This involves a commercial research and presentation exercise. All information needed is provided on the day — no advance preparation is required for the exercise itself. The session tests communication skills, commercial understanding, and problem-solving ability.
Assessment Centre
The final stage is a full in-person assessment day. It includes a group discussion, a partner interview, and a Watson Glaser critical thinking test. There is also significant opportunity to network with current trainees throughout the day.
The group discussion assesses teamwork, listening, and communication. The partner interview covers commercial awareness, understanding of Osborne Clarke, and motivation. The Watson Glaser tests critical thinking and the firm strongly recommends practising beforehand. Candidates should review their application and stay current with commercial news before the day, but should also be ready to think on their feet.
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.