Which law firms recruit on a rolling basis? 2019-20

SLKEJRWOI97

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Jan 22, 2020
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Although it's been covered above, Hogan Lovells recruits rolling basis for TC too (in case anyone wanted any clarification because I know that some firms do rolling basis recruitment for their VSs but not their TCs)
 
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Dfrtyh

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Aug 24, 2020
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Hi all,

@Jaysen has asked me to update the list of firms that accept applications on a rolling and non-rolling basis for the 2019-20 cycle.

If anyone has anything to update or add to the list, please feel free to leave a comment. Otherwise, I hope you all find this useful and good luck with your applications!

Law firms which recruit on a rolling basis:


Addleshaw Goddard (Facebook 2015)
Allen & Overy (website)
Ashurst (Facebook 2015)
Baker McKenzie (website)
BCLP (Rolling for all VS and TCs except Manchester and Hong Kong TCs) (website)
Bird & Bird (website)
Burges Salmon (website)
Cleary Gottlieb (VS rolling, TC non-rolling) (2019/20 recruitment brochure)
Clyde & Co (website "the sooner you apply the better")
CMS (website under FAQ "What is the deadline for applications?")
Dechert (TCLA member, 2018)
Dentons (website)
DLA Piper (lawcareers.net)
Eversheds (Wikijob)
Gibson Dunn (website under "Summer Vacation Scheme" tab)
Hogan Lovells (website)
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF discussion board)
Jones Day (Apply4Law)
Macfarlanes (website)
Mayer Brown (Open Days, VS and TC all rolling basis) (website "When is the deadline for applications")
Morrison Foerster (website, under "London" tab)
Mishcon de Reya (website)
Norton Rose Fulbright (website)
Pennington Manches (confirmed by graduate recruitment, 2019/20)
Reed Smith (website)
Ropes & Gray (website)
Slaughter and May (TCs on rolling basis, VS unconfirmed) (website)
Sidley Austin (VS rolling, TC non-rolling) (website)
Skadden (Graduate recruitment brochure, download here)
Shoosmiths (confirmed by graduate recruitment, 2019/20)
Stephenson Harwood (confirmed by graduate recruitment, 2019/20)
Travers Smith (website)
White & Case (VS rolling, TC non-rolling) (Graduate recruitment brochure, download here)


Law firms which do not recruit on a rolling basis

Bristows (website suggests non-rolling "we begin considering applications in January")
Charles Russell Speechlys (The Lawyer Portal)
Cleary Gottlieb (VS rolling, TC non-rolling) (2019-20 recruitment brochure)
Clifford Chance (website)
Cooley (lawcareers.net)
Covington & Burling (website)
Davis Polk (job listing 2017)
Fried Frank (confirmed by HR rep)
Trowers and Hamlins (Twitter 2016)
Linklaters (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Osborne Clarke (website)
Pinsent Masons (website "After the deadline, we'll review all applications...")
Taylor Wessing (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Kirkland & Ellis (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Latham & Watkins (confirmed by graduate recruitment, 2019/20)
Freshfields (website)
Shearman & Sterling (website) (UPDATE: Shearman may review and interview before the deadline, but will not offer spaces until after the deadline; see thread here)
Watson Farley & Williams (confirmed by graduate recruitment)
Withers (website suggests non-rolling "we start to review applications approximately one month prior to the deadline”)


Unconfirmed

K&L Gates (no information on website)
Simmons & Simmons (no information on website this year)
Weil Gotshal & Manges (no information on website this year)
 

Adam Gilchrist

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May 4, 2020
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Be the change you want to see, and all that
I've only included firms who I could find information for this year definitively, either through their website or through their social media/law societies.

Akin Gump: TC rolling basis, unclear for VS (https://www.akingump.com/en/careers/uk-students/how-to-apply.html)
A&O: Rolling basis (https://krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGn...siteid=5040&Areq=3883BR#jobDetails=30326_5040)
Ashurst: Non-rolling (https://www.ashurst.com/en/careers/students-and-graduates/uk/vacation-schemes/what-you-need-to-know/)
BCLP: Rolling except for Manchester & HK TCs, which are non-rolling (https://trainee.bclplaw.com/apply-now)
Bird & Bird: Rolling (https://londongraduates.twobirds.com/faqs/)
Clifford Chance: Non-rolling (https://careers.cliffordchance.com/london/what-we-offer/training-contract.html)
Clyde & Co: Rolling (https://www.instagram.com/p/CF9_tueJSLs/)
CMS: Rolling (https://www.cmsearlytalent.com/faqs)
Covington & Burling: (https://www.cov.com/en/careers/lawyers/london-graduate-recruitment-programme/application-information)
Davis Polk: Rolling (https://www.facebook.com/uclpass.so...s-from-penultimate-or-final-/943800519346243/)
Dentons: Rolling (https://challengers.dentons.com/uk-trainees/applications/applications-process/)
DWF: ENG/SCO Non-Rolling (https://dwfgroup.com/en/careers/graduate-recruitment/faqs), NI/ROI Rolling
Eversheds Sutherland: Non-rolling (https://www.instagram.com/p/CFyvjXrpFBX/)
FieldFisher: Rolling (https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/careers/graduates)
Forsters: Non-rolling (http://graduates.forsters.co.uk/howtoapply.aspx)
Freshfields: Non-rolling (https://ukgraduates.freshfields.com/faqs)
Gibson Dunn: Rolling (https://www.gibsondunn.com/careers/law-students/)
Hogan Lovells: Rolling (https://graduates.hoganlovells.com/page/vacation-schemes/)
HFW: Rolling (http://www.training-contracts.com/Grad-Rec-Our-Recruitment-Process)
Howard Kennedy: Non-rolling (https://www.howardkennedy.com/en/careers/trainees/trainee-faqs)
HSF: Non-rolling (https://www.instagram.com/p/CFHyLw7JR5h/?igshid=1bm6vievzo38v)
Jones Day: Rolling (https://www.jonesdaycareers.com/en/...raduates-graduates-postgraduates/how-to-apply)
Linklaters: Non-rolling (https://careers.linklaters.com/en/early-careers/your-application)
Macfarlanes: Rolling (https://www.macfarlanes.com/join-us/trainee-solicitors/faqs/)
Mayer Brown: Rolling basis (https://www.mayerbrownfutures.com/europe/faq/)
Milbank: Non-rolling (https://www.milbank.com/en/careers/london/index.html)
Mishcon de Reya: Rolling (https://www.mishcon.com/graduates/faqs)
Norton Rose: Rolling (https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-gb/careers/graduates/apply/faq)
Osborne Clarke: Non-rolling (https://futuretrainees.osborneclarke.com/insight/faqs/)
Pennington Manches Cooper: Rolling (https://www.penningtonslaw.com/careers/trainee-lawyers/training-contract)
Pinsent Masons: Rolling (https://graduate.pinsentmasons.com/your-route-into-law/vacation-placements/england/)
Reed Smith: Rolling (https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-faqs)
Ropes & Gray: Rolling (https://www.ropesgray.com/en/legalhiring/Career-Opportunities/Trainee--Recruitment-London/FAQs)
Shearman & Sterling: Non-rolling (https://ukgraduates.shearman.com/application-information/faqs/)
Sidley Austin: VS Rolling, TC non-rolling (https://www.sidleycareers.com/en/europe/london-opportunities?tab=faqs)
Simmons & Simmons: Rolling (https://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/graduates/faq)
Skadden: Rolling (https://www.skadden.com/-/media/fil...ondon-graduate-page/carve-your-path.pdf?la=en)
Slaughter & May: Rolling (https://www.slaughterandmay.com/careers/trainee-solicitors/work-experience-opportunities/)
Taylor Wessing: Rolling (https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/careers/united-kingdom/students-and-graduates/graduates-faq)
Travers Smith: Rolling (https://www.traverssmith.com/join-us/graduate-recruitment/application-process/)
Trowers & Hamlins: Non-rolling (https://www.trowers.com/careers/students-and-graduates/training-contracts)
Weil: Rolling (https://ukrecruiting.weil.com/vacation-scheme)
White & Case: Vac schemes on rolling basis, TC apps on non-rolling basis (https://www.whitecase.com/careers/locations/united-kingdom/students#application-assessment-process)
Wilkie Farr: Rolling (https://www.willkie.com/careers/london)
Womble Bond Dickinson: Non-rolling (https://www.trainingcontract.com/apply/)
 
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haylaw

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Jan 16, 2019
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Stephenson Harwood have said that although they review applications before the deadline, they do not send out all invitations until they have received them all. Does this mean that they will still recruit on a rolling-basis but save some places for after the deadline, or rather that they recruit on a non-rolling basis totally.
"while we review applications throughout the year, we never make offers to fill all our places before the application deadline"
 

Jessica Booker

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@Jessica Booker What are your thoughts on this wording?

To me this is clear. They review applications as they come in and may even interview and offer candidates before applications close. However, there will be opportunities, whether interviews or offers even if you applied on the day of the deadline.
 
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Adam Gilchrist

Esteemed Member
Future Trainee
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May 4, 2020
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172
Be the change you want to see, and all that
I've only included firms who I could find information for this year definitively, either through their website or through their social media/law societies.

Akin Gump: TC rolling basis, unclear for VS (https://www.akingump.com/en/careers/uk-students/how-to-apply.html)
A&O: Rolling basis (https://krb-sjobs.brassring.com/TGn...siteid=5040&Areq=3883BR#jobDetails=30326_5040)
Ashurst: Non-rolling (https://www.ashurst.com/en/careers/students-and-graduates/uk/vacation-schemes/what-you-need-to-know/)
BCLP: Rolling except for Manchester & HK TCs, which are non-rolling (https://trainee.bclplaw.com/apply-now)
Bird & Bird: Rolling (https://londongraduates.twobirds.com/faqs/)
Clifford Chance: Non-rolling (https://careers.cliffordchance.com/london/what-we-offer/training-contract.html)
Clyde & Co: Rolling (https://www.instagram.com/p/CF9_tueJSLs/)
CMS: Rolling (https://www.cmsearlytalent.com/faqs)
Covington & Burling: (https://www.cov.com/en/careers/lawyers/london-graduate-recruitment-programme/application-information)
Davis Polk: Rolling (https://www.facebook.com/uclpass.so...s-from-penultimate-or-final-/943800519346243/)
Dentons: Rolling (https://challengers.dentons.com/uk-trainees/applications/applications-process/)
DWF: ENG/SCO Non-Rolling (https://dwfgroup.com/en/careers/graduate-recruitment/faqs), NI/ROI Rolling
Eversheds Sutherland: Non-rolling (https://www.instagram.com/p/CFyvjXrpFBX/)
FieldFisher: Rolling (https://www.fieldfisher.com/en/careers/graduates)
Forsters: Non-rolling (http://graduates.forsters.co.uk/howtoapply.aspx)
Freshfields: Non-rolling (https://ukgraduates.freshfields.com/faqs)
Gibson Dunn: Rolling (https://www.gibsondunn.com/careers/law-students/)
Hogan Lovells: Rolling (https://graduates.hoganlovells.com/page/vacation-schemes/)
HFW: Rolling (http://www.training-contracts.com/Grad-Rec-Our-Recruitment-Process)
Howard Kennedy: Non-rolling (https://www.howardkennedy.com/en/careers/trainees/trainee-faqs)
HSF: Non-rolling (https://www.instagram.com/p/CFHyLw7JR5h/?igshid=1bm6vievzo38v)
Jones Day: Rolling (https://www.jonesdaycareers.com/en/...raduates-graduates-postgraduates/how-to-apply)
Linklaters: Non-rolling
Macfarlanes: Rolling (https://www.macfarlanes.com/join-us/trainee-solicitors/faqs/)
Mayer Brown: Rolling basis (https://www.mayerbrownfutures.com/europe/faq/)
Milbank: Non-rolling (https://www.milbank.com/en/careers/london/index.html)
Mishcon de Reya: Rolling (https://www.mishcon.com/graduates/faqs)
Norton Rose: Rolling (https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-gb/careers/graduates/apply/faq)
Osborne Clarke: Non-rolling (https://futuretrainees.osborneclarke.com/insight/faqs/)
Pennington Manches Cooper: Rolling (https://www.penningtonslaw.com/careers/trainee-lawyers/training-contract)
Pinsent Masons: Rolling (https://graduate.pinsentmasons.com/your-route-into-law/vacation-placements/england/)
Reed Smith: Rolling (https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-faqs)
Ropes & Gray: Rolling (https://www.ropesgray.com/en/legalhiring/Career-Opportunities/Trainee--Recruitment-London/FAQs)
Shearman & Sterling: Non-rolling (https://ukgraduates.shearman.com/application-information/faqs/)
Sidley Austin: VS Rolling, TC non-rolling (https://www.sidleycareers.com/en/europe/london-opportunities?tab=faqs)
Simmons & Simmons: Rolling (https://www.simmons-simmons.com/en/graduates/faq)
Skadden: Rolling (https://www.skadden.com/-/media/fil...ondon-graduate-page/carve-your-path.pdf?la=en)
Slaughter & May: Rolling (https://www.slaughterandmay.com/careers/trainee-solicitors/work-experience-opportunities/)
Taylor Wessing: Rolling (https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/careers/united-kingdom/students-and-graduates/graduates-faq)
Travers Smith: Rolling (https://www.traverssmith.com/join-us/graduate-recruitment/application-process/)
Trowers & Hamlins: Non-rolling (https://www.trowers.com/careers/students-and-graduates/training-contracts)
Weil: Rolling (https://ukrecruiting.weil.com/vacation-scheme)
White & Case: Vac schemes on rolling basis, TC apps on non-rolling basis (https://www.whitecase.com/careers/locations/united-kingdom/students#application-assessment-process)
Wilkie Farr: Rolling (https://www.willkie.com/careers/london)
Womble Bond Dickinson: Non-rolling (https://www.trainingcontract.com/apply/)

OK, I've finished the list. Obvious provisos:
  • Check the links, don't just rely on me.
  • Non-listed firms simply meant I could not easily find information about this year's recruitment process - so I didn't use tweets/law society brochures/job descriptions/TCLA posts from previous years, since some firms do change their stance on rolling/non rolling. On top of that, I only worked from the legalcheek list, so doubtless there are firms that I didn't check out because they were not on the list. I also didn't spend that long digging either, so if I couldn't quickly find a firm's policy on it, i just left them off the list.
  • If a firm isn't listed, it's often worth sending them a message on Instagram if they have a recruitment page, which many seem to do. They often seem to be fairly receptive to questions asked in the comments on their posts.
 
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