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Willkie Farr & Gallagher
A US firm, Band 1 nationally for non-contentious insurance
About Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Willkie Farr & Gallagher is an international law firm founded in New York in 1888, with a strong presence across the United States and Europe. The firm is particularly recognised for its expertise in private equity, corporate M&A, asset management, restructuring and complex litigation. Its London office, established in 1988, has experienced significant growth, with headcount more than doubling since 2019. Willkie is known for its work with leading private equity sponsors, financial institutions and multinational corporations, combining the transactional strength of a major US law firm with an increasingly prominent position in the London legal market.
Willkie recruits a small cohort of approximately seven trainees each year, offering a training contract consisting of four six-month seats. Trainees must complete at least one contentious seat, which may include litigation or international arbitration, and one transactional seat in private equity or corporate insurance. Other opportunities include asset management, finance and restructuring. The firm's relatively small trainee intake allows for close supervision and early responsibility, with trainees sharing an office with their supervisor. Although international secondments are not currently part of the formal trainee programme, opportunities for client secondments may become available after qualification.
Willkie provides financial support for future trainees undertaking the PGDL and SQE, covering the relevant course fees and offering a maintenance grant of £20,000. The firm also provides structured professional development throughout the training contract, including regular feedback sessions and dedicated support from its trainee development team. In 2026, Willkie reported a 100% trainee retention rate, with all qualifying trainees accepting permanent positions at the firm.
Practice areas & rankings
In the 2026 edition of Chambers UK, Willkie Farr & Gallagher received 8 practice area rankings and 23 individual lawyer recognitions, reflecting the strength of its London practice across insurance, competition litigation, corporate investigations and restructuring. The firm's Chambers recognition is particularly notable in specialist practices where it competes with much larger London offices.
Willkie was named Competition/Regulatory Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2025 for its work on Merricks v Mastercard, a landmark collective competition action brought on behalf of millions of UK consumers. The award highlights the firm's position in high-value competition litigation and its involvement in cases that have helped shape the UK's collective proceedings regime.
Willkie was also highly commended in the US Law Firm of the Year category at the Legal Business Awards 2024and shortlisted for International Law Firm of the Year and Private Equity Team of the Year at the 2026 Legal Business Awards.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Willkie's insurance and reinsurance practice is one of its most established strengths in London, retaining a Band 1 ranking for Insurance: Non-contentious in Chambers UK 2026, with five individually ranked lawyers. The team advises insurers, reinsurers and private equity investors on acquisitions, disposals, corporate reorganisations and regulatory matters. Its work frequently involves complex cross-border transactions, combining specialist insurance expertise with the firm's wider corporate capabilities.
Willkie's competition litigation team is ranked Band 2 for Competition Law: Private Enforcement: Claimant in Chambers UK 2026, with partner Boris Bronfentrinker individually ranked Band 1. The practice handles major collective actions, competition damages claims and regulatory investigations, representing both claimants and defendants. Its most prominent recent mandate was Merricks v Mastercard, which resulted in a £200 million settlement following litigation concerning interchange fees. The team also represented consumer organisation Which? in collective proceedings against Apple concerning alleged abuse of dominance.
Willkie's corporate crime and investigations practice retained its Band 2 ranking in Chambers UK 2026, with London managing partner Peter Burrell individually recognised in Band 1. The team advises corporations and senior executives on regulatory investigations, financial misconduct allegations and enforcement proceedings. Its international capabilities are particularly relevant to investigations involving multiple jurisdictions, where clients may face simultaneous scrutiny from UK and overseas authorities.
Private equity is a central part of Willkie's London transactional practice, which is ranked Band 4 for Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above in Chambers UK 2026. The team advises private equity sponsors and portfolio companies on leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, disposals and investments, frequently working alongside Willkie's European and US offices. Its transactional work is supported by specialist finance and restructuring teams, allowing the firm to advise clients throughout the investment lifecycle.
Willkie's restructuring and insolvency practice is ranked Band 4 in Chambers UK 2026, with three individually ranked lawyers. The team advises creditors, debtors and investors on complex financial restructurings, including cross-border recapitalisations and distressed transactions. Its recent work includes advising an ad hoc group of senior secured noteholders on the recapitalisation of Lowell Group, a major European credit management business. The transaction involved approximately £1.6 billion and earned Willkie a nomination for Restructuring Team of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2025.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
The application begins with an online form requiring candidates to provide their academic history, details of up to five relevant work experiences and answers to suitability questions. Applicants should select experiences that best demonstrate their potential as commercial solicitors, explaining the responsibilities they undertook and the skills they developed. The suitability questions provide an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of Willkie's work, particularly its transactional and disputes practices, alongside genuine motivation for joining the firm. Candidates are encouraged to research Willkie thoroughly and tailor their responses to its London office rather than relying on generic statements about working at a US law firm. Willkie uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System, allowing academic achievements to be considered alongside applicants' educational and socioeconomic backgrounds. The firm does not recruit on a rolling basis, so applicants are encouraged to submit their applications only when they are satisfied with the quality of their answers.
How to answer why youWillkie Farr & Gallagher: quick answers
How much does Willkie Farr & Gallagher pay trainees?
Willkie Farr & Gallagher pays first-year trainees £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Willkie Farr & Gallagher earn £180,000.
When is the Willkie Farr & Gallagher vacation scheme deadline?
Willkie Farr & Gallagher runs more than one vacation scheme round in the 2026/27 cycle: the summer scheme closes on 7 Dec and the spring scheme closes on 7 Dec. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Willkie Farr & Gallagher take on?
Willkie Farr & Gallagher takes on around 7 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Willkie Farr & Gallagher?
To apply to Willkie Farr & Gallagher 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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