• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

Which law firms recruit on a rolling basis? 2018-2019

I know Mayer Brown recruit mostly through their Vacation Scheme but I am also aware that they recruit on a rolling basis. As the deadline is fast approaching, would it be wiser of me to apply for a Training Contract with them instead?
 
I know Mayer Brown recruit mostly through their Vacation Scheme but I am also aware that they recruit on a rolling basis. As the deadline is fast approaching, would it be wiser of me to apply for a Training Contract with them instead?

I'd still go for the vacation scheme:

From the website: "However we strongly recommend that you apply for a Vacation Scheme rather than directly for a Training Contract; the vast majority of our Training Contracts each year are offered to high-performing participants on our Vacation Schemes so that is definitely the most effective way to secure a Training Contract."

It's hard to tell how many vac scheme places they've filled up, but even then I'd follow their advice.
 
I'd still go for the vacation scheme:

From the website: "However we strongly recommend that you apply for a Vacation Scheme rather than directly for a Training Contract; the vast majority of our Training Contracts each year are offered to high-performing participants on our Vacation Schemes so that is definitely the most effective way to secure a Training Contract."

It's hard to tell how many vac scheme places they've filled up, but even then I'd follow their advice.

Thank you!
 
Hi, when I emailed Burges Salmon, they do review applications on a rolling basis but only confirm if they will interview/reject you in August after the deadline. Not sure if it helps but I thought I'd post it.

Also, Goodwin Proctor recruits for their VS on a rolling basis and for training contracts only after the deadline. This was confirmed by graduate recruitment to me last year.

Hope this helps!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Salma
Hi, when I emailed Burges Salmon, they do review applications on a rolling basis but only confirm if they will interview/reject you in August after the deadline. Not sure if it helps but I thought I'd post it.

Also, Goodwin Proctor recruits for their VS on a rolling basis and for training contracts only after the deadline. This was confirmed by graduate recruitment to me last year.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing Evania!
 
Hello everyone,
Does anyone know if Irwin Mitchell recruit on a rolling basis?

I couldn't track anything down online about this, so I've sent them an email. I'll let you know if they get back to me.

Just FYI, the automatic email they sent back did say: "We strongly recommend you apply early", but does not mention a rolling basis.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Amanda
I couldn't track anything down online about this, so I've sent them an email. I'll let you know if they get back to me.

Just FYI, the automatic email they sent back did say: "We strongly recommend you apply early", but does not mention a rolling basis.
Thanks Jaysen -Ill also keep checking the website
 
Here's a draft list of the law firms that do and don't recruit on a rolling basis. I say draft because some of them I will need to confirm with the law firm. The links in blue should be confirmed (although sometimes it's unclear whether it's a rolling basis for both vacation schemes and training contracts).

Law firms which recruit on a rolling basis:

Addleshaw Goddard (Facebook 2015)
Allen & Overy (website)
Ashurst (website)
Baker McKenzie (website)
BCLP (recruitment brochure 2015)
Bird & Bird (website)
Burges Salmon (website)
Cleary Gottlieb (2016-17 recruitment brochure)
Clyde & Co (lawcareers.net)
CMS (2017 twitter)
Dentons (website)
DLA Piper (lawcareers.net)
Eversheds (Wikijob)
Hogan Lovells (website)
Jones Day (Apply4Law)
Macfarlanes (website)
Mayer Brown - vacation schemes (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
MoFo (confirmed by a HR rep)
Mischon de Reya (website)
Norton Rose Fulbright (website)
Reed Smith (website)
Simmons & Simmons (website)
Slaughter and May (yes for training contracts)
Sidley Austin (website)
Travers Smith (website)
Weil Gotshal & Manges (website)
White & Case (rolling only for vacation schemes)
Withers (confirmed by graduate recruitment)

Law firms which do not recruit on a rolling basis

Clifford Chance (website)
Cooley (lawcareers.net)
Covington & Burling (website)
Davis Polk (job listing 2017)
Fried Frank (confirmed by HR rep)
Herbert Smith Freehills (confirmed by HSF brand ambassador)
Trowers and Hamlins (Twitter 2016)
Latham & Watkins (website)
Linklaters (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Mayer Brown - training contracts (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Osborne Clarke (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Taylor Wessing (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Kirkland & Ellis (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Freshfields (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Shearman & Sterling (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Skadden (confirmed by graduate recruitment)

Unconfirmed

K&L Gates
Pinsent Masons (possibly not rolling basis)

Do you know if Stephenson Harwood is rolling basis?
 
Do you know if Stephenson Harwood is rolling basis?

Their FAQ suggests they do, just that they don't fill all of their places: "...However, while we review applications throughout the year, we never make offers to fill all our places before the application deadline. So if you haven't heard from us in the meantime, your application is still under consideration."

I have sent them an email just to confirm.
 
Their FAQ suggests they do, just that they don't fill all of their places: "...However, while we review applications throughout the year, we never make offers to fill all our places before the application deadline. So if you haven't heard from us in the meantime, your application is still under consideration."

I have sent them an email just to confirm.

Thanks Jaysen! :)
 
Hi!

Not sure if this is the right place for this cycle but does anyone know if Pinsent Masons recruit on a rolling basis? I can see in the first post that you were unsure Jaysen but not sure if this has changed.

Their new website says both of these things:

"After the deadline, we'll review all the applications and if you're one of the ones who best meet our requirements, we'll ask you to take an online psychometric test."

and

"Please be aware, if a vacancy becomes oversubscribed, we will close it for applications before the stated deadline. We recommend you submit your full application as early as possible."

Hopefully, someone might be able to clear this up!
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.