Last updated:
Watson Farley & Williams
A sector-focused international firm, with a compulsory overseas seat
About Watson Farley & Williams
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is an international law firm founded in London in 1982, with 19 offices across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the United States. The firm has more than 650 lawyers and is particularly recognised for its expertise in energy, transport and infrastructure, advising clients on complex transactions and disputes across these sectors. Its specialist approach has established WFW as a prominent adviser on renewable energy projects, shipping finance and aviation finance, with its lawyers regularly acting for international banks, infrastructure investors and energy developers. Unlike firms offering a broad range of general corporate services, WFW concentrates much of its work on industries requiring significant sector-specific knowledge, particularly those affected by the global energy transition.
WFW recruits approximately 19 trainees annually and offers a distinctive training contract comprising six four-month seats, rather than the traditional four six-month rotations. Trainees complete one seat in assets and structured finance and another in dispute resolution, with further opportunities across corporate, capital markets, employment, projects, real estate, tax and regulatory practices. The firm also offers a seat within its general counsel team during the second year. A defining feature of WFW's training contract is its guaranteed international secondment, with every trainee spending four months in an overseas office. Current secondment destinations include Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, Frankfurt, Paris, Singapore and Tokyo, typically undertaken during the third, fourth or fifth seat.
WFW provides financial support to future trainees completing their postgraduate legal qualifications, including funding towards the PGDL and SQE preparation. Published recruitment information lists a £10,000 PGDL maintenance grant and an £18,000 SQE maintenance grant, alongside support with the relevant postgraduate courses. Trainees also benefit from structured supervision, professional development and access to the firm's international network throughout their training contract.
Practice areas & rankings
In the 2026 edition of Chambers UK, Watson Farley & Williams received 11 practice area rankings and 19 individual lawyer recognitions, demonstrating its strength in shipping finance, aviation finance and renewable energy. The firm achieved a Band 1 ranking for Asset Finance: Shipping Finance, alongside Band 2 rankings for Asset Finance: Aviation Finance, Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy, and Shipping. Its construction disputes practice was ranked Band 3, while its corporate practice retained recognition for mid-market M&A transactions. These rankings reflect WFW's specialist position in sectors involving substantial capital investment and complex international financing arrangements.
WFW was highly commended for Energy/Infrastructure Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2025, recognising its work in a sector central to the firm's international strategy. The firm's international energy practice also received individual recognition in 2025, with Madrid-based partner María Pilar García Guijarro winning Energy, Natural Resources & Mining Lawyer of the Year at the Women in Business Law EMEA Awards and Lawyer of the Year at the Iberian Lawyer Energy Awards. These awards highlight WFW's established reputation in renewable energy and infrastructure transactions across European markets.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Shipping finance is one of WFW's defining practice areas and is ranked Band 1 in Chambers UK 2026. The firm advises banks, shipowners, leasing companies and financial institutions on vessel acquisitions, refinancing transactions and complex maritime financing structures. Its international network allows lawyers to coordinate transactions involving multiple jurisdictions, particularly across major shipping markets in Europe and Asia. The practice is especially recognised for its expertise in asset-backed lending and ship finance arrangements, with London partners Lindsey Keeble, Kate Silverstein and Kavita Shah receiving individual Chambers recognition.
WFW's renewable energy practice is ranked Band 2 for Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy in Chambers UK 2026. The team advises developers, investors and financial institutions on renewable energy projects, including offshore wind farms, solar developments and energy infrastructure. Its work covers project financing, acquisitions, construction contracts and regulatory matters throughout the lifecycle of energy assets. A notable mandate involved advising Vattenfall on the sale of its interests in the Norfolk Boreas and Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind projects to RWE, a transaction with an enterprise value of approximately £963 million.
WFW's aviation finance practice is ranked Band 2 in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting its expertise in aircraft financing, leasing and investment transactions. The team advises airlines, aircraft lessors, banks and institutional investors on the acquisition and financing of commercial aircraft, as well as refinancing arrangements and complex cross-border transactions. Its work frequently involves coordinating legal advice across multiple jurisdictions, particularly where aircraft are financed or leased internationally. The practice benefits from WFW's broader transport sector expertise, with partners Jim Bell, Dominic Pearson and Patrick Moore individually recognised by Chambers UK.
WFW's shipping practice is ranked Band 2 in Chambers UK 2026, with expertise spanning maritime transactions and commercial disputes. The team advises shipowners, charterers and financial institutions on charterparty disputes, vessel sales and purchases, shipbuilding contracts and maritime insolvency matters. It is particularly experienced in disputes arising from ship finance arrangements and the enforcement of maritime security. Its international presence allows the firm to handle disputes involving vessels, counterparties and assets located across different jurisdictions.
WFW's construction practice is ranked Band 3 for Contentious Construction and Band 4 for Non-contentious Construction in Chambers UK 2026. The team advises developers, contractors and investors on major construction and infrastructure projects, with particular experience in the energy and transport sectors. Its non-contentious work includes negotiating construction contracts and advising on project development, while its disputes practice handles claims arising from delays, defective works and contractual disagreements. The firm's combination of construction and sector-specific expertise is especially relevant to large renewable energy and infrastructure developments.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
WFW offers both vacation scheme and direct training contract applications, allowing candidates to apply through either route. The firm also permits candidates to apply for a vacation scheme and a training contract simultaneously. Applicants who do not meet the stated academic requirements can explain mitigating or contextual circumstances in their application, which the firm considers during its selection process. The application process begins with an online form requiring candidates to provide details of their academic achievements, work experience and extracurricular activities. Applicants must also answer five written questions designed to assess their motivation for pursuing a career as a commercial solicitor and their suitability for WFW. The firm encourages candidates to explain why they are interested in commercial law specifically, rather than another legal career, and to demonstrate a genuine understanding of its sector-focused approach. Strong applications should connect candidates' previous experiences with the skills required of a trainee solicitor, while demonstrating an informed interest in WFW's work across energy, transport and infrastructure. The firm explicitly advises applicants to formulate their own answers rather than relying on AI-generated responses, emphasising the importance of authenticity and independent research.
How to answer why youWatson Farley & Williams: quick answers
How much does Watson Farley & Williams pay trainees?
Watson Farley & Williams pays first-year trainees £51,500, rising to £56,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Watson Farley & Williams earn £107,000.
How many trainees does Watson Farley & Williams take on?
Watson Farley & Williams takes on around 19 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Watson Farley & Williams?
To apply to Watson Farley & Williams you will generally need a 2:1+ degree. At A-level, Watson Farley & Williams asks for ABB. 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.