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Paul Weiss
A New York-headquartered firm offering London trainees experience across private equity, finance and related transactional practices.
About Paul Weiss
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is a New York-headquartered international firm whose London practice focuses particularly on private equity funds and their portfolio companies. Its English- and US-qualified lawyers advise across the investment lifecycle, combining M&A, finance and capital markets with tax, antitrust, restructuring, regulatory, funds and intellectual property expertise. The office handles both public and private cross-border transactions. For prospective trainees, this offers an opportunity to understand how several legal disciplines contribute to a client’s investment strategy, financing arrangements and ongoing business operations.
The London training contract lasts two years and comprises four six-month rotations through different practice groups. The firm describes a model of lean teams, hands-on work and mentorship, with trainees contributing to live matters from the outset. Its stated recruitment priorities include initiative, commitment to high standards and a proactive approach to learning.
Paul, Weiss is recruiting up to 10 trainees for 2029. Its published funding information advertises a £20,000 grant while studying the SQE and PGDL.
Practice areas & rankings
Paul, Weiss has five department rankings in Chambers UK 2026. These cover borrower-side leveraged finance, high-yield capital markets, private equity buyouts, restructuring and competition. The department rankings should be distinguished from individual partner recognition, including Band 1 rankings for Neel Sachdev in leveraged finance and Nicole Kar in competition.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 2 for Leveraged Finance: Borrowers/Sponsors: Big Ticket in London in Chambers UK 2026, Paul, Weiss advises major asset managers and private equity sponsors on substantial financing transactions. Chambers highlights its advice to Apollo on the £1.4 billion financing for its acquisition of Evri.
Ranked Band 3 for Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the firm advises on cross-border transactions involving the US, Europe and Asia. Its experience includes technology, e-commerce and telecommunications deals, alongside ongoing support for funds and portfolio companies. Chambers highlights its advice to General Atlantic on its acquisition of Actis.
Ranked Band 3 for Capital Markets: High-Yield Products, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, Paul, Weiss’s London offering includes US securities advice on high-yield debt, IPOs, liability management and other securities issuances. This practice complements the firm’s acquisition finance and sponsor work.
Ranked Band 4 for Restructuring/Insolvency in London in Chambers UK 2026, the firm advises directors, creditors and investors on financial distress, with both debtor- and creditor-side capabilities. Chambers highlights its representation of Northvolt’s second-lien lender group during restructuring negotiations and subsequent Chapter 11 filings.
Ranked Band 6 for Competition Law in London in Chambers UK 2026, Paul, Weiss advises on CMA merger investigations, foreign investment issues, behavioural matters and risk management. Chambers highlights its advice to KPS Capital Partners on investigations connected with the sale of Eviosys.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Paul, Weiss recruits all London trainees through its vacation schemes, with no direct training contract route. The current recruitment cycle is for 2029 entry. Applicants need a predicted or achieved 2:1, with no minimum A-level requirement. Applications for the spring 2027 vacation scheme close on 14 December 2026. Eligible applicants include penultimate- and final-year law students, final-year non-law students and graduates. Applications are reviewed after the deadline, rather than on a rolling basis. For preparation, explain why the London practice interests you and connect that interest to your experiences. Research a matter closely enough to discuss the client’s objectives and how different teams contribute. For example, an acquisition may involve financing, competition clearance, tax and intellectual property questions alongside the purchase itself. Support claims about initiative and teamwork with specific evidence of what you did and learned. The public recruitment pages do not publish the current application questions or word limits, so follow the live portal’s instructions.
How to answer why youPaul Weiss: quick answers
How much does Paul Weiss pay trainees?
Paul Weiss pays first-year trainees £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Paul Weiss earn $225,000.
How many trainees does Paul Weiss take on?
Paul Weiss takes on around 10 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Paul Weiss?
To apply to Paul Weiss 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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