As you would expect from an international law firm, our London office is diverse and multicultural, enabling us to work efficiently and effectively with colleagues and clients from all over the world.
Our workforce reflects the nature of our work and we aim to attract and retain the best people. We are happy to consider suitably qualified international applicants for both our Lawyer and Business Services vacancies.
Lawyers:
We have an international workforce in the London office, reflecting the nature of our work, and our associates come from all over the world. We are always looking for talented lawyers to join us and will consider applications from suitably qualified overseas candidates. Our prerequisite is that applicants should have good, solid experience with a leading law firm, working with market-leading, global clients and be fluent in both written and spoken English.
Process of interviews
We recognise that it is important to meet the people you will be
working with, so as well as an interview with an HR Recruitment
Manager, you will also be interviewed by at least two Partners (in
the later stages of the process). We use competency-based
interviews that usually last an hour and give you the best
opportunity to talk about your experiences and successes and how
you work in particular circumstances. It is an opportunity for you
to explore the role more fully and for us to get to know you and to
understand your past work experiences.
Interviews are typically via video conference unless a partner is
visiting the jurisdiction in which you are based, or we are running
a specific recruitment campaign.
Discounting procedure
Discounting (of post-qualification experience (PQE) levels) is taken into consideration for qualified lawyers from other jurisdictions especially where the training period is different to that in the UK. The level of discount can vary, depending on the practice group and your specific experience, but it is intended to make a candidate's transition to the UK market as easy and fair as possible.
Work permits/Sponsorship
The firm has a licence to issue Certificates of Sponsorship (work permits) under the new points-based system and can arrange sponsorship for you, if applicable. The process can take up to 4-6 weeks from the date it is submitted and will be managed by your HR contact in conjunction with our immigration lawyers. The application cannot be submitted until we are in receipt of full references, confirming dates of employment for each previous employer, as well as copies of educational and professional qualifications.
Once your Certificate of Sponsorship has been issued (and, please note, this is a reference number rather than a physical certificate) we will send you a letter. You will then be required to obtain an entry clearance visa at the British Embassy in your country of usual residence. The processing time for visas varies depending upon your nationality and place of usual residence.
Practicing law in the UK
The firm encourages foreign lawyers/barristers to requalify once
they have settled in London. They can become solicitors of the Law
Society of England and Wales by taking the Qualified Lawyers
Transfer Test (QLTT),
The test covers four heads: property; litigation; professional
conduct and accounts; and principles of common law. The Law Society
will confirm which heads of the test you must pass, together with
any requirement for further training.
Subject to departmental managing partner approval and successful
completion of your probationary period, the firm will cover the
cost of requalification for all permanent associates.
Relocation allowance and benefits
We provide a relocation allowance if you are joining the London office from outside the UK. We also have a generous and comprehensive flexible benefits scheme, covering financial security, health and lifestyle options.
Training and support
We take the development of our lawyers very seriously and offer a wide variety of training courses and seminars. These focus on both the legal aspects of a lawyer's role and softer skills such as presentation and negotiating skills. We try to make this training as varied and as interesting as possible. While training is generally targeted at all associates, we do offer a number of courses specifically for lawyers who are joining us from other jurisdictions.
How to apply
We are happy to talk to lawyers directly about potential opportunities within our firm.
You can either go to the vacancy search function or contact the recruitment team.
Candidates can phone and speak to us in confidence - either about an existing application, or simply to gather more information before deciding to apply.
Business Services:
Our London workforce is diverse and multicultural and we are happy to consider applications from international candidates for Business Services vacancies. All applicants should have relevant qualifications and be fluent in both written and spoken English.
All offers are subject to candidates having the right to work in the UK, however your application will be considered even if you do not have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Before we can confirm any potential offer for this position we would need to undertake a resident labour market test to demonstrate that no suitably qualified worker who is settled in the UK can be found to fill this job. Additionally you would need to be available to start work when indicated in the job advertisement.
How to apply
We are always looking for talented business services staff to join our firm. The link below gives you access to all our current opportunities and allows you to apply online.
Please read our UK equal opportunity statement before proceeding.