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Sullivan & Cromwell
A New York-headquartered firm offering broad transactional training in London, with international and client secondment opportunities.
About Sullivan & Cromwell
Sullivan & Cromwell is a New York-headquartered international law firm whose London office opened in 1972. London is the firm’s second-largest office and combines English, US and dual-qualified lawyers advising on cross-border transactions. Its clients include corporates, financial institutions, investment banks, private equity firms, governments and sovereign wealth funds. The office’s work spans mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, finance, restructuring, competition and tax. Its broad transactional practice is particularly relevant to applicants interested in how the corporate, financing and regulatory aspects of a transaction fit together.
Sullivan & Cromwell’s London training combines its broad General Practice Group with specialist competition and tax work. The official programme describes at least four six-month seats, supervised by partners or senior lawyers. Overseas opportunities have included New York, Paris, Hong Kong and Sydney. Trainees also attend the firmwide orientation in New York.
The firm pays applicable PGDL fees and SQE course and examination fees, alongside a £20,000 annual maintenance grant during those studies. It reports 100% retention in 2026, with all five qualifying trainees remaining
Practice areas & rankings
Sullivan & Cromwell’s Chambers UK 2026 recognition includes department rankings for international mining, international projects and debt capital markets. Its announcement also identifies individual recognition across corporate/M&A, private equity, restructuring, competition and financial services regulation.
The firm won Best Law Firm for Quality of Work at the Legal Cheek Awards 2026 and was highly commended for peer support and perks. These awards draw on trainee and junior lawyer survey responses.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Sullivan & Cromwell advises on UK and cross-border acquisitions, disposals and other corporate transactions for listed companies, banks and private equity investors. Its practice involves businesses operating across Europe and the US and draws on the firm’s international network. Jeremy Kutner received individual recognition in Corporate/M&A: £800 million and above in Chambers UK 2026.
Ranked Band 3 for Capital Markets: Debt, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the firm advises both issuers and underwriters on domestic and international debt offerings. Chambers highlights its work for AB InBev on a US$1 billion offering of SEC-registered senior notes. The practice combines financing advice with securities documentation and disclosure requirements across jurisdictions.
Ranked Band 3 for Projects: Mainly International, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, Sullivan & Cromwell advises sponsors and borrowers on major developments, particularly in oil and gas and mining. Its work includes financing packages drawing on several funding sources, including project bonds. Chambers highlights advice on financing the US$30 billion Rovuma LNG development in Mozambique.
Ranked Band 3 for Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: International, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, the firm advises mining and exploration companies on project finance, restructurings and disputes. Its experience includes gold, nickel and copper developments. Chambers highlights its involvement in the US$2.3 billion debt restructuring of the Ambatovy project in Madagascar.
Awards
Global London Law Firm of the YearLegal Business Awards 2026
Won after a City push that included the hires of former Weil London chief Mike Francies and Kirkland restructuring partner Kon Asimacopoulos.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Sullivan & Cromwell offers vacation scheme and direct training contract routes. Applications for its 2027 spring and summer vacation schemes run from 17 September to 30 November 2026. The firm expects up to 25 places across both schemes, which last two weeks and pay at least £2,500 in total. Eligible applicants include penultimate-year law students, final-year non-law students and postgraduate students; first-year university students are excluded. Direct applications for the 2029 trainee intake run from 3 to 31 May 2027.
The firm seeks a predicted or achieved First or 2:1, an excellent previous academic record, intellectual curiosity, integrity, commercial awareness and strong interpersonal skills.
Future Trainee’s October 2026 guide reports that the online application includes a cover letter limited to one page and a full percentage breakdown of academic results. It attributes the letter requirements to the firm’s recruitment manager’s account to Chambers Student. These details should be checked against the instructions in the live application form.
For preparation, use the letter to connect three things: why commercial law interests you, why Sullivan & Cromwell’s London practice suits you, and what evidence shows you would contribute effectively. Explain why a particular area of work interests you rather than simply naming transactions. The broad training model provides a useful point to explore: consider why you want exposure to several connected transactional disciplines before specialising.
Sullivan & Cromwell: quick answers
How much does Sullivan & Cromwell pay trainees?
Sullivan & Cromwell pays first-year trainees £70,000, rising to £75,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Sullivan & Cromwell earn £180,000.
When is the Sullivan & Cromwell vacation scheme deadline?
Sullivan & Cromwell runs more than one vacation scheme round in the 2026/27 cycle: the summer scheme closes on 30 Nov and the spring scheme closes on 30 Nov. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Sullivan & Cromwell take on?
Sullivan & Cromwell takes on around 12 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Sullivan & Cromwell?
To apply to Sullivan & Cromwell 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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