Our Graduate Opportunities
We’re recruiting trainees for 2028 with vacancies open to both law and non-law students and graduates. Those in their penultimate year of a law degree, final year of a non-law degree, or beyond are eligible to apply for our vacation schemes and training contracts. Applications for these opportunities will open on 1 October 2025 and close on 14 December 2025.
Our Open Days will take place in November 2025 and March 2026. Candidates can apply for our November open day if they are in their penultimate year of a law degree, final year of a non-law degree, or beyond. Our March open day is for students in their first year of a law degree, or penultimate year of a non-law degree. Applications for our November open day will open on 1 October and close on 2 November 2025, and for our March open day will open on 5 January and close on 8 February 2026.
Law Fairs / Events
Getting first-hand insights into what it is like to be a trainee at Kirkland is one of the best things you can do. That’s why we’ve got a number of current and former trainees lined up to answer your questions. You can meet them at the many careers events and law fairs we attend.
Maybe you would value a chat with some of our existing and former trainees about the experience of launching their careers with Kirkland.
Every year we are busy attending careers events and law fairs to get to know some of our potential recruits face-to-face.
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Rewards & Benefits
First year trainees receive a starting salary of £60,000 and this rises to £65,000 in the second year. We pay the fees for your PGDL course (if required) and the LLM in Legal Practice (including the SQE exams) and provide a competitive maintenance grant for the year(s) of study. A full list of our benefits can be found in our brochure.
Brochure
To find out more about our training contract please view our brochure below.
View Brochure
Awards & Recognitions
The Legal 500 UK – Top Tier Firm 2025
Chambers UK – Top Ranked 2025
Chambers Student Guide – Elite Firm for Trainee Satisfaction 2025
Aspiring Solicitors – Best Firm Event 2024