Firm Profiles
Winston Taylor
Winston Taylor
An international law firm now operating as Winston Taylor following its 2026 merger with Winston & Strawn — known for technology, life sciences, private wealth, and IP, with a genuine transatlantic practice.
An international law firm now operating as Winston Taylor following its 2026 merger with Winston & Strawn — known for technology, life sciences, private wealth, and IP, with a genuine transatlantic practice.
Year 1 Trainee
£52,000
Year 2 Trainee
£57,000
Newly Qualified
£115,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
35
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
20
Taylor Wessing was founded through the 2002 merger of UK firm Taylor Joynson Garrett (tracing roots to 1782) and German firm Wessing & Berenberg-Gossler (founded 1873). In December 2025, Taylor Wessing announced a merger with Chicago-headquartered Winston & Strawn, creating a new transatlantic firm known as Winston Taylor with combined revenues in excess of £1.3 billion and spanning 20 offices.
Taylor Wessing's legacy business focused on four core sectors: technology, media and communications; life sciences and healthcare; private wealth; and real estate, infrastructure and energy. The Winston & Strawn merger brings additional private equity, litigation, and restructuring capabilities from the US, significantly strengthening the combined firm's transatlantic offering. The combined firm's London HQ occupies new offices at 5 New Street Square.
In 2024/25, Taylor Wessing's global revenue was £526 million with profit per equity partner of £1.1 million. The firm raised NQ salaries to £115,000 in July 2024. Trainee salaries and NQ figures will be reviewed under the Winston Taylor branding — candidates should check the current firm website for the latest salary information.
The training contract involves four six-month seat rotations. All trainees undertake a seat in either corporate or finance and at least one contentious seat. International and client secondment opportunities are available. The firm uses University of Law for SQE preparation and provides a £17,000 SQE maintenance grant and a £10,000 PGDL maintenance grant, with all fees covered.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
Category
International
Taylor Wessing (now Winston Taylor) holds a Band 1 ranking from Chambers UK for private client work, one of the firm's strongest practice areas globally. The firm is ranked in Band 2 for IP. The merger with Winston & Strawn was one of the most significant law firm combinations of 2025/26.
Top practice areas:
Technology, media and communications
The practice area most associated with Taylor Wessing globally. The firm advises some of the world's most innovative technology, media, and communications companies — from start-ups to global platforms — on transactions, IP, regulatory, and dispute matters. Clients include Sky, Monzo, L'Oreal, and Revolut.
Intellectual property
One of the largest IP teams in Europe. Advises on patents, trademarks, and copyright across life sciences, technology, and media sectors. Band 2 ranking from Chambers UK.
Life sciences and healthcare
A major life sciences practice advising pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device clients on transactions, regulatory matters, and litigation. Ranked Band 2-3 by Chambers UK.
Private wealth
A leading private wealth practice ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK. Advises ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and trustees on tax planning, succession, and estate matters.
Corporate and M&A
A strong corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A, with particular depth in technology and life sciences sectors. Recent work includes advising BMLL on its $250 million acquisition by Nordic Capital.
The application process
Written application
The online application requires a covering letter detailing work and education history, alongside competency-based questions. The firm uses Rare Contextualised Recruitment and every application is reviewed in context, meaning grades and achievements are assessed relative to the candidate's background and school. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and applying early is strongly encouraged as places are filled before the deadline.
Psychometric Testing
After screening, candidates are invited to complete an online verbal reasoning and critical thinking test. Candidates have seven days to complete it. On completion, candidates are notified whether they are progressing to stage 3.
Interview Stage
Candidates who pass the online test are invited to complete a two-hour online written exercise. This assesses analytical thinking, commercial reasoning, and written communication skills. Following the written exercise, candidates are notified whether they have secured a place at the assessment centre.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre is the final stage of the process. Both in-person and online assessment centres are hosted. The assessment centre consists of two exercises:
Commercial awareness exercise
Tests knowledge and understanding of commercial issues relevant to a career at Taylor Wessing, including the firm's sector focus across technology, life sciences, and private wealth, alongside the candidate's motivations and suitability.
Competency-based interview
Covers the candidate's motivations for a career in law and at Taylor Wessing specifically, and the skills and experiences that demonstrate suitability. The partner and talent team member conducting the interview are looking for genuine commercial awareness, clear motivation, and specific knowledge of the firm.
The application process
Written application
The online application requires a covering letter detailing work and education history, alongside competency-based questions. The firm uses Rare Contextualised Recruitment and every application is reviewed in context, meaning grades and achievements are assessed relative to the candidate's background and school. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and applying early is strongly encouraged as places are filled before the deadline.
Psychometric Testing
After screening, candidates are invited to complete an online verbal reasoning and critical thinking test. Candidates have seven days to complete it. On completion, candidates are notified whether they are progressing to stage 3.
Interview Stage
Candidates who pass the online test are invited to complete a two-hour online written exercise. This assesses analytical thinking, commercial reasoning, and written communication skills. Following the written exercise, candidates are notified whether they have secured a place at the assessment centre.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre is the final stage of the process. Both in-person and online assessment centres are hosted. The assessment centre consists of two exercises:
Commercial awareness exercise
Tests knowledge and understanding of commercial issues relevant to a career at Taylor Wessing, including the firm's sector focus across technology, life sciences, and private wealth, alongside the candidate's motivations and suitability.
Competency-based interview
Covers the candidate's motivations for a career in law and at Taylor Wessing specifically, and the skills and experiences that demonstrate suitability. The partner and talent team member conducting the interview are looking for genuine commercial awareness, clear motivation, and specific knowledge of the firm.
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
Winston Taylor
An international law firm now operating as Winston Taylor following its 2026 merger with Winston & Strawn — known for technology, life sciences, private wealth, and IP, with a genuine transatlantic practice.
Year 1
Trainee
£52,000
Year 2
Trainee
£57,000
Newly
Qualified
£115,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
Category
International
Taylor Wessing (now Winston Taylor) holds a Band 1 ranking from Chambers UK for private client work, one of the firm's strongest practice areas globally. The firm is ranked in Band 2 for IP. The merger with Winston & Strawn was one of the most significant law firm combinations of 2025/26.
Top practice areas:
Technology, media and communications
The practice area most associated with Taylor Wessing globally. The firm advises some of the world's most innovative technology, media, and communications companies — from start-ups to global platforms — on transactions, IP, regulatory, and dispute matters. Clients include Sky, Monzo, L'Oreal, and Revolut.
Intellectual property
One of the largest IP teams in Europe. Advises on patents, trademarks, and copyright across life sciences, technology, and media sectors. Band 2 ranking from Chambers UK.
Life sciences and healthcare
A major life sciences practice advising pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device clients on transactions, regulatory matters, and litigation. Ranked Band 2-3 by Chambers UK.
Private wealth
A leading private wealth practice ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK. Advises ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and trustees on tax planning, succession, and estate matters.
Corporate and M&A
A strong corporate practice advising on domestic and cross-border M&A, with particular depth in technology and life sciences sectors. Recent work includes advising BMLL on its $250 million acquisition by Nordic Capital.
About the firm
TC Number
35
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
20
Taylor Wessing was founded through the 2002 merger of UK firm Taylor Joynson Garrett (tracing roots to 1782) and German firm Wessing & Berenberg-Gossler (founded 1873). In December 2025, Taylor Wessing announced a merger with Chicago-headquartered Winston & Strawn, creating a new transatlantic firm known as Winston Taylor with combined revenues in excess of £1.3 billion and spanning 20 offices.
Taylor Wessing's legacy business focused on four core sectors: technology, media and communications; life sciences and healthcare; private wealth; and real estate, infrastructure and energy. The Winston & Strawn merger brings additional private equity, litigation, and restructuring capabilities from the US, significantly strengthening the combined firm's transatlantic offering. The combined firm's London HQ occupies new offices at 5 New Street Square.
In 2024/25, Taylor Wessing's global revenue was £526 million with profit per equity partner of £1.1 million. The firm raised NQ salaries to £115,000 in July 2024. Trainee salaries and NQ figures will be reviewed under the Winston Taylor branding — candidates should check the current firm website for the latest salary information.
The training contract involves four six-month seat rotations. All trainees undertake a seat in either corporate or finance and at least one contentious seat. International and client secondment opportunities are available. The firm uses University of Law for SQE preparation and provides a £17,000 SQE maintenance grant and a £10,000 PGDL maintenance grant, with all fees covered.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
AAB
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
2:1
Written application
The online application requires a covering letter detailing work and education history, alongside competency-based questions. The firm uses Rare Contextualised Recruitment and every application is reviewed in context, meaning grades and achievements are assessed relative to the candidate's background and school. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and applying early is strongly encouraged as places are filled before the deadline.
Psychometric Testing
After screening, candidates are invited to complete an online verbal reasoning and critical thinking test. Candidates have seven days to complete it. On completion, candidates are notified whether they are progressing to stage 3.
Interview Stage
Candidates who pass the online test are invited to complete a two-hour online written exercise. This assesses analytical thinking, commercial reasoning, and written communication skills. Following the written exercise, candidates are notified whether they have secured a place at the assessment centre.
Assessment Centre
The assessment centre is the final stage of the process. Both in-person and online assessment centres are hosted. The assessment centre consists of two exercises:
Commercial awareness exercise
Tests knowledge and understanding of commercial issues relevant to a career at Taylor Wessing, including the firm's sector focus across technology, life sciences, and private wealth, alongside the candidate's motivations and suitability.
Competency-based interview
Covers the candidate's motivations for a career in law and at Taylor Wessing specifically, and the skills and experiences that demonstrate suitability. The partner and talent team member conducting the interview are looking for genuine commercial awareness, clear motivation, and specific knowledge of the firm.
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.