Applying

Do you want to be in the spotlight?

We are one of one of the world’s leading law firms, everybody who succeeds here does so because they thrive on complexity and responsibility. That is why our training programme is different, we put our trainees in the spotlight right from the very start. This is your chance to begin your legal career in the best way possible: working on the most exciting cases and deals with a supportive team behind you. There will be pressure, but there will also be lots of opportunities to excel.

Whoever you are, whatever your story.

We encourage applications from all diverse backgrounds; whatever your ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic background.

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities*. We encourage candidates with a disability or a long-term health condition to be open about this and request the support that they may need at each stage of the recruitment process. We will work with you to establish the most suitable support and to implement adjustments.

Our online application form also allows you to make us aware of any mitigating circumstances that may be relevant for us to consider upon review. This includes candidates whose grades have been impacted by Covid-19.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and to help remove unconscious bias from our recruitment processes, we have introduced blind application screening and blind interviewing. This means the Early Careers team member reading your application form will not see the name of the university you are attending or have graduated from. If invited to an interview your interviewers will not see a copy of your application form as we know if you have reached this stage of the recruitment process you have demonstrated great potential so far, and therefore the interview is a chance for us to understand your motivations, experience and interests in more detail as well as get to know you.

To have a confidential chat with a member of the Early Careers team before applying, please contacts us at early.careers@weil.com or on 0207 903 1000.

_{* Disability includes, but is not limited to, conditions such as visual and hearing impairments, mobility impairments, autism, diabetes, epilepsy, dyslexia, dyspraxia, mental health conditions, speech impairments and major illnesses such as cancer and MS.}

What we are looking for

If you want to be at the forefront of the action and you have the attributes we are looking for, which you could have developed through; legal and non-legal work experience, part-time jobs, virtual experience programmes, volunteering opportunities, society roles or throughout your academic studies – we want to hear from you.

Ambitious

We take pride in what we do and we’re always pushing ourselves to learn and improve. Getting exposure to the highest calibre of work, it takes real drive and commitment to deliver exceptional results.

Go-getters

We thrive in a fast-paced environment where everyone is an integral part of the team. You’ll solve complicated legal problems, work on cutting-edge matters, and love a challenge.

Team players

We are one firm, always collaborating and always putting the team first. Working in small and collegial teams, your colleagues will support you as much as they will rely on you.

Business mindset

Like us, you’ll be commercially aware with an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s about knowing what’s going on in the world of business, analysing the way it might impact our clients, and understanding the emerging challenges and opportunities.

Problem solvers

Like us you’re a critical and lateral thinker, digging deep to come to logical conclusions. With organisation, efficiency and a keen eye for detail, you’ll understand and analyse complex information.

Sharp communicators

Excellent communication skills is integral to our business. It’s all about conveying complex messages concisely, clearly and in a professional manner.

Meet the Early Careers Team

The Early Careers & Development team will be there to support you during the recruitment process. They will also be there to guide you throughout your time as a trainee at Weil.

Yohanna Wilson

Early Careers & Development Manager

University of Greenwich

Lizzie Arthey

Early Careers & Development Advisor

University College London

Ciara O'Reilly

Early Careers & Development Assistant

University of Exeter

Application Process

Select a Application Process

APPLY NOW

/01

Who can apply and academic requirements

You can apply for an insight day if you are a second-year student, penultimate-year student, finalist or graduate from any degree discipline.

We are looking to recruit candidates from all universities and degree disciplines. Our academic requirements are AAB at A-Level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree (obtained or predicted). We take into account mitigating circumstances and use Rare’s contextualised recruitment system enabling us to measure an individual’s performance against the average grades of their school. We review all application forms holistically, which means if you fall slightly short of our academic requirements but demonstrate great potential, you will still be considered.

/02

Online application form

Complete a short online application form explaining why you would like to attend an insight day at Weil. All applications are screened blindly, meaning the Early Careers team member reading your application form will not know the university you are attending or have graduated from, helping to remove unconscious bias. Applications for insight day 1 open on 18 September 2023 and close on 8 October 2023. Applications for insight day 2 open on 18 September 2023 and close on 6 November 2023. All application will be reviewed after the deadline.

/03

Insight day

During the day you will hear from our partners, associates and trainees about life at Weil. You will take part in a case study exercise and the Early Careers team will provide you with their application and interview top tips. You will also receive 1-2-1 feedback on your insight day application form helping you to improve future applications.

/04

Support and adjustments

The Early Careers team is here to support you throughout the recruitment process and the insight day if offered a place. In confidence, we can discuss the individual support and adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. A few examples of the support we can provide include, but are not limited to: providing the application form in a different format, providing presentation slides in advance, providing an interpreter or note taker on the day, scheduling regular rest breaks, booking a quiet room if required or printing copies of presentation slides. Ahead of the insight day, we will also arrange a confidential call with you to discuss what support and adjustments you may need throughout the day. We will work with you to enable you to perform at your best and get the most out of the insight day.

To have a confidential chat with a member of the Early Careers team before applying, please contact us at early.careers@weil.com or on 0207 903 1000.

APPLY NOW

Application Process

Select a Application Process

APPLY NOW

/01

Who can apply and academic requirements

You can apply for a vacation scheme if you are penultimate-year student, finalist or graduate from any degree discipline.

We are looking to recruit candidates from all universities and degree disciplines. Our academic requirements are AAB at A-Level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree (obtained or predicted). We take into account mitigating circumstances and use Rare’s contextualised recruitment system enabling us to measure an individual’s performance against the average grades of their school. We review all application forms holistically, which means if you fall slightly short of our academic requirements but demonstrate great potential, you will still be considered.

/02

Online application form

Complete a short online application form answering two motivational and one commercial question. Applications are screened blindly, meaning the Early Careers team member reading your application form will not know the university you are attending or have graduated from, helping to remove unconscious bias. Applications open on 18 September 2023 and close on 20 December 2023. All application will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

CLICK HERE to read our application top tips or CLICK HERE to register for one of our application and interview workshops, which will run throughout the autumn term.

/03

Pre-recorded video interview

The pre-recorded video interview is an opportunity to build on your application form and bring it to life. It offers us an insight into your achievements and motivations for a career in commercial law, especially at Weil.

During the video interview, you will answer two questions - one motivational and one commercial. You will have 15-seconds to prepare for each question and 90-seconds to answer. Before you answer the questions, you will have the opportunity to complete a practice question as many times as you would like to help you feel more at ease.

CLICK HERE to read our pre-recorded video interview top tips or CLICK HERE to register for one of our application and interview workshops, which will run throughout the autumn term.

/04

Virtual interview and in-tray exercise

You will attend a 45-minute interview with an associate and Early Careers team. To help remove unconscious bias from our recruitment process, we have introduced blind interviewing, which means the interviewers will not see a copy of your application form. If you make it to the interview stage, we know that you have demonstrated great potential so far, therefore the interview is a chance for us to understand your motivations, experience and interests in more detail, as well as getting to know you. You will also have the opportunity to learn more about the firm and our culture. In addition, you will complete an in-tray exercise and have the chance to meet one of our trainees for a 15-minute Q&A.

CLICK HERE to read our virtual interview top tips or CLICK HERE to register for one of our application and interview workshops, which will run throughout the autumn term.

/05

What you can expect from the in-tray exercise

In the in-tray exercise, you will imagine that you are working as a trainee at an international law firm. Your supervisor and other people working at the firm will ask you to help with several typical trainee tasks. You will then have to decide how to respond to the different requests. You will be assessed on how you work under pressure, prioritise your workload and manage your time. Your written communication and attention to detail skills will also be tested. You will have 1 hour 15 minutes to complete the exercise.

CLICK HERE for top tips on how to prepare for an in-tray exercise.

/06

Vacation scheme offer

If you perform well in your interview and the in-tray exercise, we will offer you a place on our vacation scheme. During the scheme, you will complete several assessments; a group negotiation exercise, a group client pitch presentation, a pro bono research project, real trainee tasks allocated by your supervisor and attend a partner interview.

Supporting you to succeed
On the first day of the vacation scheme, we will talk you through the different assessments, so you know what to expect and how you will be assessed, helping you perform at your best. You will also be supported and guided by your supervisor, trainee buddy and the Early Careers team throughout the two weeks.

/07

Training contract offer

In the second week of the vacation scheme you will attend a partner interview, which will focus on your interest in a career in commercial law, what you think makes us different, and why you are attracted to our opportunity and core practice areas. Our partners will also want to see if you have the transferable skills to be a successful trainee.

Supporting you to succeed
To help you perform at your best during the partner interview we will run a interview top tips session and provide you with 1-2-1 feedback on your first interview to help you prepare. If you demonstrate you have the potential to become an exceptional lawyer throughout the vacation scheme, we will offer you a training contract.

/08

Support and adjustments

The Early Careers team is here to support you throughout the recruitment process and the vacation scheme if offered a place. In confidence, we can discuss the individual support and adjustments you need to help you perform at your best. A few examples of the support we can provide include, but are not limited to include: providing the application form in a different format, conducting your pre-recorded video interview over Zoom or the telephone, attending an interview in person instead of virtually, adding extra time to the in-tray exercise and giving you the time to customise the way you view the virtual in-tray exercise with the accessibility toolbar, watch a video here. Ahead of the vacation scheme, we will also arrange a confidential call with you to discuss what support and adjustments you may need throughout the two weeks. We will work with you to enable you to perform at your best and get the most out of the vacation scheme.

To have a confidential chat with a member of the Early Careers team before applying, please contact us at early.careers@weil.com or on 0207 903 1000.

APPLY NOW

Application Process

Select a Application Process

APPLY NOW

/01

Who can apply and academic requirements

You can apply for a direct training contract if you are able to join the firm as a trainee in 2024/25.

We are looking to recruit candidates from all universities and degree disciplines. Our academic requirements are AAB at A-Level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree (obtained or predicted). We take into account mitigating circumstances and use Rare’s contextualised recruitment system enabling us to measure an individual’s performance against the average grades of their school. We review all application forms holistically, which means if you fall slightly short of our academic requirements but demonstrate great potential, you will still be considered.

/02

Online application form

/03

Pre-recorded video interview

During the video interview, you will answer two questions - one motivational and one commercial. You will have 15-seconds to prepare for each question and 90-seconds to answer. Before you answer the questions, you will have the opportunity to complete a practice question as many times as you would like to help you feel more at ease.

/04

Virtual interview and in-tray exercise

You will attend a 45-minute interview with an associate and Early Careers team. To help remove unconscious bias from our recruitment process, we have introduced blind interviewing, which means the interviewers will not see a copy of your application form. If you make it to the interview stage, we know that you have demonstrated great potential so far, therefore the interview is a chance for us to understand your motivations, experience and interests in more detail, as well as getting to know you.

You will also have the opportunity to learn more about the firm and our culture. In addition, you will complete an in-tray exercise and have the chance to meet one of our trainees for a 15-minute Q&A.

/05

What can you expect from the in-tray exercise

CLICK HERE for top tips on how to prepare for an in-tray exercise.

/06

In person partner interview

The interview will focus on your interest in a career in commercial law. The partners will want to know what you think makes us different and why you are attracted to our opportunities and core practice areas. The partners will also want see if you have the transferable skills to be a successful trainee.

Supporting you to succeed
Ahead of your partner interview and to help you perform at your best we will run a partner interview top tips session and provide you with 1-2-1 feedback on your first interview to help you prepare.

/07

Training contract offer

If we think you are a great match for our firm and have the potential to become an exceptional lawyer, we will offer you a training contract.

/08

Support and adjustments during the recruitment process

The Early Careers team is here to support you throughout the training contract recruitment process. A few examples of the support we can provide include, but are not limited to: providing the application form in a different format, conducting your pre-recorded video interview over Zoom or the telephone, attending an interview in person instead of virtually, adding extra time to the in-tray exercise and giving you the time to customise the way you view the virtual in-tray exercise with the accessibility toolbar, watch a video here.

To have a confidential chat with a member of the Early Careers team before applying, please contact us at early.careers@weil.com or on 0207 903 1000.

/09

Support and adjustments if offered a training contract

We will work with you to make adjustments as appropriate and on a case-by-case basis following discussions with professional health advisers and medical experts, including any recommendations from specialists a trainee may have. Before starting your training contract, we will send you a confidential health assessment questionnaire. The information you provide is sent directly to our outsourced Occupational Health team, who will review the information submitted. Depending on the information provided, they will then make contact with you to discuss any adjustments that may be required. With your consent, this information is shared with the Early Careers & Development Manager so that they can advise the practice areas you will be sitting in of the adjustments needed.

Once you commence work with us, the Early Careers & Development Manager will keep in touch with you regularly to ensure that you are continuously supported.

APPLY NOW

Application Process

Select a Application Process

APPLY NOW

/01

Online application form

You’ll answer two motivational and one commercial question on our short, online application. Applications are open from 9 October 2023 to 7 January 2024. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, however all applications will be screened.

You can also attend one of our virtual events, where you’ll have the chance to meet our people, build your network, discover our culture, and ask any questions you have about the application process. These events are taking place on 2 November and 6 December 2023.

/02

Pre-recorded video interview

The pre-recorded video interview is an opportunity to build on your application form and bring it to life. During the video interview, you will answer one motivational and one commercial question. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare for each question and 90 seconds to answer. And, before you answer, you can complete a practice question as many times as you like to help you feel more at ease.

/03

Telephone interview

If successful at our pre-recorded video interview, you’ll be invited to speak to one of our Early Careers team on the phone. They’ll ask you about your motivations for pursuing the Solicitor Apprenticeship route, why you are interested in Weil, and it will also be your chance to ask any questions you have about the programme, the firm and our working culture.

/04

Assessment centre

The final stage of your application will be an assessment centre in our London office. Alongside other potential apprentices, you’ll complete a series of guided tasks and get the chance to really see what it’s like working at Weil. The Early Careers team will be on-hand all day to support you and you’ll meet your future colleagues and be able to ask any final questions you have.

APPLY NOW