NEW: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2026-27

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

HSF Kramer VSs (non rolling):

Spring vac scheme:

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Dec 2026
Vac scheme dates: 12 - 23 Apr 2027

Summer vac scheme (1):

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Dec 2026
Vac scheme dates: 7 - 25 June 2027

Summer vac scheme (2):

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 5 - 23 July 2027

For some reason there isn’t a WVS anymore…

Latham & Watkins VSs (non rolling iirc):

Spring vac scheme:

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 06 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 05 - 16 Apr 2027

Summer vac scheme:

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 06 Dec 2026
Scheme dates: 21 June - 2 July 2027

Jones day VSs (rolling)

Winter vac scheme:

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 16 Oct 2026
Vac scheme dates: 30 Nov - 11 Dec 2026

Spring vac scheme:

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 27 Nov 2026
Vac scheme dates: 05 - 16 Apr 2027

Summer vac scheme:

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 08 Jan 2027
Vac scheme dates: 28 June - 9 July 2027

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Skadden VSs 2026-27 (non rolling):

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Dec 2026

Spring scheme 1 dates: 30 March - 9 April 2027
Spring scheme 2 dates: 12 April - 23 April 2027
Summer scheme dates: 21 June - 2 July 2027

Seems they got rid of the 2nd summer scheme…

 

[hiiiiiyah]

it might be me being blind but I think Sidley have changed the application dates for their winter vac:
Application period:
2026 Winter Vacation Scheme:
Application open: 1 September 2026
Application deadline: 25 September 2026

 

[BubbleTeaFan]

Macfarlanes - non-rolling
Winter Vacation Scheme

• Applications open: Monday 3 August 2026
• Applications close: Friday 28 August 2026
• Scheme dates: Monday 30 November to Friday 11 December 2026

Spring Vacation Scheme

• Applications open: Tuesday 1 September 2026
• Applications close: Friday 30 October 2026
• Scheme dates:
  • Scheme one: Tuesday 30 March to Friday 9 April 2027
  • Scheme two: Monday 12 to Friday 23 April 2027

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

it might be me being blind but I think Sidley have changed the application dates for their winter vac:
Application period:
2026 Winter Vacation Scheme:
Application open: 1 September 2026
Application deadline: 25 September 2026

Thank you for sharing this - I've now updated the list!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Wait is Latham's vac scheme now rolling?

Hi!

I believe they recruit on a non-rolling basis - their FAQs section states: "No, applications are reviewed after the deadline closes."

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Skadden VSs 2026-27 (non rolling):

Applications open: 01 Sept 2026
Applications close: 01 Dec 2026

Spring scheme 1 dates: 30 March - 9 April 2027
Spring scheme 2 dates: 12 April - 23 April 2027
Summer scheme dates: 21 June - 2 July 2027

Seems they got rid of the 2nd summer scheme…

Macfarlanes - non-rolling
Winter Vacation Scheme

• Applications open: Monday 3 August 2026
• Applications close: Friday 28 August 2026
• Scheme dates: Monday 30 November to Friday 11 December 2026

Spring Vacation Scheme

• Applications open: Tuesday 1 September 2026
• Applications close: Friday 30 October 2026
• Scheme dates:
  • Scheme one: Tuesday 30 March to Friday 9 April 2027
  • Scheme two: Monday 12 to Friday 23 April 2027

Thank you both!!

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Anyone think Covington is not doing a WVS this year seeing as they don’t have dates up?

 

[TCGrad1642]

Anyone think Covington is not doing a WVS this year seeing as they don’t have dates up?

That’s what I had assumed but could still be time for that to change!

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Hey everyone!

I’m sitting the SQE this year, so I’m trying to focus my applications on firms that, based on last year’s process, either didn’t have a video interview or generally had fewer middle stages before the assessment centre/interview.

So far I’ve gathered: Debevoise, King & Spalding, Paul Weiss, Covington, Slaughter and May, Cleary, Fried Frank, Orrick, HSF Kramer, Linklaters, Travers Smith, and Sullivan & Cromwell.

Does anyone know if I’m missing any firms with a similarly straightforward application process, or if any of the above have changed their process?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Cooley vac schemes (non rolling):

Spring vac scheme dates: 05 - 16 Apr 2027
Summer vac scheme dates: 28 June - 9 July 2027
Applications open: 21 Sept 2026
Applications close: 04 Jan 2027​

 

[TheHamlet4]

Do we realistically expect any more winter vac scheme to be added to the list? Based on my research Ashurst, W&C, Penningtons, Reed Smith should announce theirs soon.

 

[hiiiiiyah]

Reed Smith says that apps for vac schemes (doesn't specify dates) will be open from 7 September to 5pm on 18 December. they're rolling.

 

[tldrba]

Ashurst Perkins Coie Winter VS (non rolling)

Scheme dates: 30 November – 4 December 2026
Applications open: 17 Aug 2026
Applications close: 11 Sep 2026, 12pm noon

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Ashurst Perkins Coie Summer VS (non rolling):

Applications open: 11 Sept
Applications close: 11 Dec (12pm noon)
Scheme dates: 28 June - 16 July

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Do we realistically expect any more winter vac scheme to be added to the list? Based on my research Ashurst, W&C, Penningtons, Reed Smith should announce theirs soon.

Hey!

I expect there will be a few more, including those that you have listed! Based on their websites, it seems a few firms haven't released specific dates yet and have simply stated that applications will open in September/Autumn - as soon as they release them, we'll add them here!