“We define our working environment in just six words: ambition & excellence, open & approachable, respect & co-operation.

These are our values, and we measure everything we say and do against them. Which means we can characterise the people

you’ll find here in five words: team players, through and through.”

David Ryan

Managing Partner

About us

Pinsent Masons is a full service international law firm with over 1000 lawyers globally.  We have offices in all the major UK business centres and more recently have been developing our overseas network of offices in the Asia Pacific and Gulf Region.  Pinsent Masons provides legal services to a wide variety of clients including multi-national corporations, government departments and public sector institutions.

At Pinsent Masons you can expect a constant flow of stimulating assignments.  The aim is to develop not just your legal expertise but also your market knowledge and commercial awareness.  The firm is organised into five key practice areas: Corporate & Tax, Financial Institutions & Human Capital (which includes Banking, Employment, Financial Services and Pensions) Projects & Construction, Property and Strategic Business Services (which includes Competition, Dispute Resolution, Information & Communications Technology and Intellectual Property).

Each year we recruit 60 trainee solicitors, in recent years these have included a number of Kings students, this is why we are delighted to be working closely with the KCL Law Society. 

Why join Pinsent Masons LLP?

Pinsent Masons has an ambitious strategy for growth in the years ahead.  Our London office will be stronger, our international reach will be greater, but our values will remain the same.  Anyone looking to join the firm will need to buy into this vision. 

To achieve the above we need exceptional individuals.  This is not about the school or university you attended but your unique qualities as an individual.  To be successful you will need to possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, have the ability to develop strong working relationships with both clients and colleagues, finally you must have a genuine interest in our clients and the business world.  How you demonstrate this is up to you.

Getting to know us

Attending one of our Insight Evenings will provide you with detailed information about the firm, our clients, our training contract and the skills you will need to develop if you are to become a successful lawyer.  In 2011 we are holding Insight Evenings in December as well as other informal events to allow you to get to know the firm and meet our people.  Information about upcoming events can be found on our events page.

A good 70% of our trainees regularly join us after experiencing the working environment first-hand, over a two-week summer placement.  It’s by far the best way for you to get to know us, and for us get to know you.  A placement offers you a structured programme of work experience, skills training and presentations, working alongside trainees and solicitors on real client matters.  You’ll experience first-hand what it’s like to be part of a team, and get the chance to make a great first impression.  It’s also a great time to get a feel for the social scene, make friends and start building a network of contacts that might come in very useful!

A summer placement is the start of our investment in you.  To make sure we give this opportunity to the most promising people, we interview for every position.  If you gain a placement, it’s because we’re already thinking of you as a potential trainee.  And over two weeks, we’ll do our best to give you every chance to prove us right.  That’s why placement students don’t need to make a separate application for the training programme.  If you’ve already gained a placement, in our eyes you’re already a candidate.

How to apply

Applications for Summer 2012 vacation placements must be submitted by 31 January 2012, with interviews typically taking place in February. 

Direct training contract applications can be made until 31 July 2012 with assessment days taking place in August. 

We are currently recruiting for training contract to commence in September 2014 or March 2015 although a small number of places may become available with earlier start dates.

To find out more please visit our website at www.pinsentmasons.com/graduate

 Trainee Profile

Hi everyone! I'm a former Kings student currently in the course of my Training Contract at Pinsent Masons LLP. I started my Law degree at Kings in 2006 and graduated in 2009. In the summer of my second year, I did a vacation scheme at Pinsent Masons, and successfully secured a Training Contract with the firm.

Having graduated in 2009, I decided to take a gap year and defer the start of my Training Contract. I spend just over two months in Australia, travelling along the east coast and doing some pretty adventurous things along the way...scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef and camping on Fraser Island among others! I recommend that you take any opportunity to travel as it's such good experience and you learn a lot from it.

After my gap year, I completed the LPC at the College of Law in Moorgate. The future Pinsent Masons trainees in my intake were given a project to complete during the year. This gave us a chance to get to know each other, and the firm better.

I started my Training Contract in September 2011, and am currently doing my first seat in the Corporate department. Despite only being here for a few months, I've learnt a massive amount and continue to do so. This has a lot to do with the fact that I've been given so much responsibility from both partners and senior associates. For example, I've drafted documents in relation to acquisitions, worked on a verification note for a listing and helped to organise a completion. The best part for me is seeing how the work that I do contributes to deals, and also not knowing what to expect when I walk through the door every morning. No day is the same!

Looking back at when I was in your shoes, I was really anxious about my applications and being able to find a Training Contract. The best advice I could give you is to work hard and get out there to as many law firm events as you can. Make an informed decision about the firms you apply to, and really tailor each application. That should put you in good stead. Good luck!

Sibel Beled