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Kennedys

Kennedys is a global law firm specialising in dispute resolution and advisory services, with particular strength in insurance, liability and litigation. The official firm facts state 45 offices across 18 countries, alongside associate offices and cooperations.

London, United KingdomOfficial website (opens in new tab)

Firm overview

At a glance

A clear starting point for understanding the firm, its opportunities and the information students should check before applying.

Head office London, United Kingdom
Locations 90 office records
Practice areas 12 listed

Available routes

How can students join?

Student opportunities

Opportunities

Vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, insight programmes, work experience and other application routes.

United Kingdom - Virtual Work Experience

Type: Virtual Experience

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Free online registration is available throughout the year.
  • Programme dates: Self-paced and available online on an ongoing basis.
  • Duration: Approximately six hours
  • Status: available

Published application and programme dates

  • Free online registration is available throughout the year.
  • Programme: Self-paced and available online on an ongoing basis.
  • Who can apply: Students and graduates from law and non-law backgrounds worldwide.
  • Eligibility: Open worldwide to students and graduates from law and non-law backgrounds; no previous legal experience is required.
  • Academic requirements: No academic threshold or previous legal experience is required.
  • Application process: Register online, complete four self-paced virtual tasks and receive a completion certificate.
  • Assessments: No competitive selection assessment is stated
  • Progression: Certificate and experience may support later Kennedys applications.
  • Funding: No fee is charged. note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Kennedys has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: No UK right-to-work requirement is stated for the online programme.
  • Disability support: The programme is self-paced; additional accessibility support may be requested.
View United Kingdom - Virtual Work Experience official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme 2027

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom

  • Closing date: 2026-11-30
  • Application timing: Applications close on 30 November 2026.
  • Programme dates: One-week London scheme in April 2027.
  • Duration: 1 week
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications close on 30 November 2026.
  • Programme: One-week London scheme in April 2027.
  • Programme: One-week Manchester scheme in April 2027.
  • Eligibility: Final-year law students, law graduates, and non-law graduates who will have completed a law conversion course by September 2027.
  • Application process: Apply through the official Kennedys vacancy.
  • Funding: Paid vacation scheme.
View United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme 2027 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Hong Kong - Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong

  • Application timing: Applications opened 1 November 2025 and remain open until all positions are filled.
  • Programme dates: Two-year Training Contract beginning in 2028.
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications opened 1 November 2025 and remain open until all positions are filled.
  • Programme: Two-year Training Contract beginning in 2028.
  • Applications open 1 November 2026 and remain open until all positions are filled.
  • Programme: Two-year Hong Kong training contract beginning in 2029.
  • Who can apply: Candidates completing PCLL by June 2028 with 2:1 equivalent
  • Eligibility: country: Hong Kong local qualification requirements apply: true location: Hong Kong
  • Academic requirements: 2:1 law degree or equivalent, first-attempt PCLL before joining, excellent English and Chinese.
  • Application process: Application Assessment Interview Offer Online application Screening and assessment Interview Offer
  • Assessments: Programme-specific assessment and interview
  • Progression: Potential qualified role.
  • Funding: No separate funding details are published. not published or not applicable: true
  • Right to work: Local work-authorisation and professional-qualification requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request adjustments from the relevant recruitment team.
View Hong Kong - Training Contract official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Ireland - Dublin Internship

Type: Internship

Location: Ireland: Dublin

  • Application timing: The next exact Dublin internship application dates have not yet been published.
  • Programme dates: A 14-week Dublin internship running from January to April; the next intake year and exact dates have not yet been published.
  • Duration: 14 weeks
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • The next exact Dublin internship application dates have not yet been published.
  • Programme: A 14-week Dublin internship running from January to April; the next intake year and exact dates have not yet been published.
  • Who can apply: Students and graduates interested in the relevant office’s trainee pathway.
  • Eligibility: See the official programme page and live vacancy for cycle-specific eligibility.
View Ireland - Dublin Internship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

France - Paris Six-Month Internship

Type: Internship

Location: France: Paris

  • Application timing: Applications are accepted directly for the standing Paris six-month internship route.
  • Programme dates: Six-month internship; start dates are vacancy-specific.
  • Duration: Programme specific
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications are accepted directly for the standing Paris six-month internship route.
  • Programme: Six-month internship; start dates are vacancy-specific.
  • Who can apply: Law students or élève-avocats with suitable postgraduate study
  • Eligibility: Law student or trainee lawyer, typically Master 1 or Master 2, with private, business, international or insurance-law interest and strong English.
  • Academic requirements: Law student or élève-avocat with Master 1 or Master 2 study in private, business, international or insurance law.
  • Application process: Send a CV and cover letter to one of the Paris partners listed on the official EMEA early-careers page.
  • Assessments: Local vacancy-specific assessment and interview
  • Progression: Potential local trainee or legal-role progression.
  • Funding: note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Kennedys has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: Local work-authorisation and professional-education requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request adjustments from the local recruitment team.
View France - Paris Six-Month Internship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Denmark - Copenhagen Law Student Paralegal Roles

Type: Student Role

Location: Denmark: Copenhagen

  • Application timing: Applications are vacancy-led; exact dates are published with Copenhagen vacancies.
  • Programme dates: Part-time role of around 15 hours per week alongside university study.
  • Duration: 15 hours per week
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications are vacancy-led; exact dates are published with Copenhagen vacancies.
  • Programme: Part-time role of around 15 hours per week alongside university study.
  • Who can apply: Law students eligible for the local opportunity
  • Eligibility: Bachelor law students, normally in the final year of the bachelor degree.
  • Academic requirements: Local law-student eligibility and vacancy criteria apply.
  • Application process: Vacancy search Application Assessment or interview Offer Check the Kennedys careers portal Apply to the current local vacancy Complete local assessments and interviews
  • Assessments: Local vacancy-specific assessment and interview
  • Progression: Potential local legal-career progression.
  • Funding: note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Kennedys has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: Local work-authorisation and professional-education requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request adjustments from the local recruitment team.
View Denmark - Copenhagen Law Student Paralegal Roles official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Scotland traineeship

Type: Traineeship

Location: United Kingdom: Edinburgh, Glasgow

  • Applications open: 2026-09-01
  • Closing date: 2026-10-31
  • Application timing: Applications for the Scotland Traineeship 2028 close on 31 October 2026.
  • Programme dates: Two-year Scotland traineeship beginning in 2028.
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications for the Scotland Traineeship 2028 close on 31 October 2026.
  • Programme: Two-year Scotland traineeship beginning in 2028.
  • Who can apply: Scottish law graduates with Diploma in Legal Practice
  • Eligibility: Applicants must hold an undergraduate Scots Law LLB and complete the Diploma in Legal Practice before starting the traineeship.
  • Academic requirements: Undergraduate law degree and Diploma in Legal Practice required before joining.
  • Application process: Apply through the Kennedys careers portal. Shortlisted candidates complete the published selection process and an assessment centre scheduled for 23 November 2026 in Glasgow.
  • Assessments: Strengths-based assessment Interview Assessment-centre exercises
  • Progression: Potential qualified solicitor role.
  • Funding: Kennedys funds the Diploma in Legal Practice course fees and provides a maintenance grant.
  • Right to work: UK right-to-work requirements apply. Sponsorship must be confirmed in the live vacancy or offer.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request reasonable adjustments during application and assessment.
View United Kingdom - Scotland traineeship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Ireland - Dublin trainee programme

Type: Training Contract

Location: Ireland: Dublin

  • Application timing: The official Dublin trainee-programme page is the application source for the 2027 intake.
  • Programme dates: Two-year Dublin training contract with three eight-month rotations.
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Status: upcoming

Published application and programme dates

  • The official Dublin trainee-programme page is the application source for the 2027 intake.
  • Programme: Two-year Dublin training contract with three eight-month rotations.
  • Who can apply: Eligible Irish trainee solicitor candidates
  • Eligibility: country: Ireland local qualification requirements apply: true location: Dublin
  • Academic requirements: Irish trainee-solicitor eligibility requirements apply; the PPC is completed during the programme.
  • Application process: Apply through Kennedys’ official Dublin trainee-programme page when the application form is available.
  • Assessments: Programme-specific assessment and interview
  • Progression: Potential qualified solicitor role.
  • Funding: Kennedys pays Law Society fees and provides salary and benefits during the training contract and Professional Practice Course.
  • Right to work: Local work-authorisation and professional-qualification requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request adjustments from the relevant recruitment team.
View Ireland - Dublin trainee programme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: United Kingdom

  • Applications open: 2026-09-01
  • Closing date: 2027-02-26
  • Application timing: Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 26 February 2027.
  • Programme dates: 2028 intake; exact start date not published on the standing page.
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 26 February 2027.
  • Programme: 2028 intake; exact start date not published on the standing page.
  • Who can apply: Law and non-law graduates meeting pre-joining study requirements
  • Eligibility: live vacancy controls offices and exact deadline: true programme: Training Contract uk right to work required: true
  • Academic requirements: Degree and pre-joining qualification requirements are stated in the live vacancy.
  • Application process: Application Online assessment Interview Assessment centre Offer Online application through the Kennedys careers portal Online strengths-based assessment Video interview or telephone interview where used Assessment centre Final decision
  • Assessments: Strengths-based assessment Interview Assessment-centre exercises
  • Progression: Potential NQ role.
  • Funding: Exact pre-joining funding and maintenance support are not fully published on the standing page. pre joining study support: Vacancy and offer specific
  • Right to work: UK right-to-work requirements apply. Sponsorship must be confirmed in the live vacancy or offer.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request reasonable adjustments during application and assessment.
View United Kingdom - Training Contract official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Singapore - Relevant Legal Training

Type: Traineeship

Location: Singapore: Singapore

  • Programme dates: RLT begins around August each year.
  • Duration: 6 months
  • Status: variable

Published application and programme dates

  • Programme: RLT begins around August each year.
  • Who can apply: Eligible law graduates with Singapore work rights
  • Eligibility: country: Singapore local qualification requirements apply: true location: Singapore
  • Academic requirements: Local SILE, degree, internship, work-right and admission requirements apply.
  • Application process: Application Written assessments Two-partner interview Offer Careers portal application Written assessments Interview with two partners Offer
  • Assessments: Written assessments Interview with two partners
  • Progression: Potential progression to practice training or legal role.
  • Funding: No separate funding details are published. not published or not applicable: true
  • Right to work: Local work-authorisation and professional-qualification requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request adjustments from the relevant recruitment team.
View Singapore - Relevant Legal Training official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Graduate Apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom

  • Applications open: 2026-09-01
  • Closing date: 2026-11-30
  • Application timing: Applications close on 30 November 2026.
  • Programme dates: The graduate solicitor apprenticeship lasts 33 months.
  • Duration: 30 months
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications close on 30 November 2026.
  • Programme: The graduate solicitor apprenticeship lasts 33 months.
  • Who can apply: Law graduates or non-law graduates with a conversion course
  • Eligibility: Law graduates, or non-law graduates who have completed a GDL or PGDL.
  • Academic requirements: Law degree, or non-law degree plus conversion course, before joining.
  • Application process: Apply through the relevant 2027 Kennedys graduate solicitor apprenticeship vacancy.
  • Progression: Qualification subject to programme and SQE completion.
  • Funding: Paid programme with funded CILEX and SQE study through BPP.
  • Right to work: UK right-to-work requirements apply. Sponsorship must be confirmed in the live vacancy or offer.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request reasonable adjustments during application and assessment.
View United Kingdom - Graduate Apprenticeship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Kennedys Mentoring Scheme

Type: Mentoring

Location: United Kingdom

  • Programme dates: Available during the relevant recruitment, training or employment stage.
  • Duration: Ongoing
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Programme: Available during the relevant recruitment, training or employment stage.
  • Who can apply: Graduate programme participants
  • Eligibility: audience: Graduate programme participants disability specific: false
  • Academic requirements: No separate academic threshold applies to this support resource.
  • Application process: Application stages are not published for this route unless stated below. Engage through the relevant programme or after joining
  • Assessments: Assessment details are not published for this route unless stated below.
  • Progression: Supports confidence and progression.
  • Funding: note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Kennedys has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: The underlying programme or employment route controls right-to-work requirements.
  • Disability support: Mentoring supports development during training.
View United Kingdom - Kennedys Mentoring Scheme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Denmark - Copenhagen Three-Year Training Programme

Type: Traineeship

Location: Denmark: Copenhagen

  • Application timing: Applications are vacancy-led; exact Copenhagen recruitment dates are published with live vacancies.
  • Programme dates: Three-year Copenhagen training programme.
  • Duration: Programme specific
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications are vacancy-led; exact Copenhagen recruitment dates are published with live vacancies.
  • Programme: Three-year Copenhagen training programme.
  • Who can apply: Law students studying for a master's degree, ideally in the final semester
  • Eligibility: Candidates in the final semester of a master’s degree in law.
  • Academic requirements: Law student studying for a master's degree, ideally in the final semester.
  • Application process: Vacancy search Application Assessment or interview Offer Check the Kennedys careers portal Apply to the current local vacancy Complete local assessments and interviews
  • Assessments: Local vacancy-specific assessment and interview
  • Progression: Potential local legal-career progression.
  • Funding: note: No programme-specific funding is inferred where Kennedys has not published it. status: not_published_or_not_applicable
  • Right to work: Local work-authorisation and professional-education requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request adjustments from the local recruitment team.
View Denmark - Copenhagen Three-Year Training Programme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Hong Kong - Summer Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong

  • Applications open: 2026-11-01
  • Closing date: 2027-02-28 Asia/Hong_Kong
  • Application timing: Applications open 1 November 2026 and close 28 February 2027.
  • Programme dates: Vacation schemes run in June and July 2027.
  • Duration: Programme-specific
  • Status: upcoming

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 1 November 2026 and close 28 February 2027.
  • Programme: Vacation schemes run in June and July 2027.
  • Who can apply: Law students and graduates seeking a Hong Kong training contract.
  • Eligibility: Applicants need a 2:1 law degree or equivalent, English and Chinese language capability, and must be eligible to start a Hong Kong training contract in 2029.
  • Academic requirements: A 2:1 degree or equivalent is required.
  • Application process: Application Assessment Interview Offer Online application Screening and assessment Interview Offer
  • Assessments: Programme-specific assessment and interview
  • Progression: The scheme is part of the route to a 2029 Hong Kong training contract.
  • Right to work: Local work-authorisation and professional-qualification requirements apply.
  • Disability support: Applicants may request adjustments from the relevant recruitment team.
View Hong Kong - Summer Vacation Scheme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Applications are open through the official Kennedys early-careers vacancies page. Office-specific closing dates apply.
  • Programme dates: Six-year programme leading to an LLB and qualification through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications are open through the official Kennedys early-careers vacancies page. Office-specific closing dates apply.
  • Programme: Six-year programme leading to an LLB and qualification through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
  • Who can apply: School leavers with A Levels or equivalent
  • Eligibility: School-leaver route for applicants who meet the requirements stated in the relevant live vacancy.
  • Academic requirements: A Levels or equivalent and any office-specific requirements stated in the live vacancy.
  • Application process: Online application\nOnline assessment\nInterview or assessment centre\nOffer
  • Assessments: Online assessment Interview or assessment centre
  • Progression: Potential qualified lawyer role.
  • Funding: Paid apprenticeship with funded LLB and Solicitors Qualifying Examination study through BPP.
  • Right to work: UK right-to-work and apprenticeship-funding eligibility rules apply.
  • Disability support: Reasonable adjustments are available during recruitment and employment.
View United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Bristol Professional Liability Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship 2027

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom: Bristol

  • Closing date: 2026-11-30
  • Application timing: Applications close on 30 November 2026.
  • Programme dates: 33-month Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship starting in 2027.
  • Duration: 33 months
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications close on 30 November 2026.
  • Programme: 33-month Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship starting in 2027.
  • Who can apply: Graduates with a law degree, or a non-law degree plus GDL/PGDL.
  • Eligibility: Applicants need either a law degree or a non-law degree followed by the GDL/PGDL.
  • Academic requirements: Law degree, or non-law degree with successful completion of the GDL/PGDL.
  • Application process: Apply through the official Kennedys vacancy page.
  • Funding: Kennedys fully funds study during the programme.
  • Right to work: The official vacancy states that this role is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.
View United Kingdom - Bristol Professional Liability Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship 2027 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom support

UK Visa and Funding

UK qualification funding, maintenance support and published visa-sponsorship or right-to-work information for joining the firm in the United Kingdom.

Areas of work

Practice areas

The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.

Aviation

Aviation disputes, claims and regulatory work.

Casualty and Liability

Casualty, personal injury and liability defence.

Commercial Disputes

Complex commercial litigation and arbitration.

Construction and Engineering

Construction disputes and advisory work.

Corporate and Commercial

Corporate, transactional and commercial advice.

Cyber and Data

Cyber incidents, privacy and technology risk.

Healthcare

Clinical negligence, healthcare regulation and life sciences.

Insurance and Reinsurance

Coverage, claims, regulation and reinsurance.

Marine

Shipping, marine insurance and transport.

Professional Liability

Professional indemnity and financial lines.

Property and Energy

Property damage, energy and natural resources.

Regulatory and Investigations

Regulatory, compliance and investigations.

Offices

Locations

Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.

Career paths

Roles

Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.

Legal Director

Introduced as a new role tier — the firm's own announcement confirmed 44 Legal Directors created in one round

Associate

Business Services

Professional support roles

Senior Associate

Trainee Solicitor

Two-year training contract

Special Counsel

Confirmed via the same announcement (two Special Counsel appointed alongside 44 Legal Directors)

Partner

Access and inclusion

EDI

Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.

Community and legal access

Pro bono

The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.

Verified information for this section is being checked.

Firm research

Firm highlights

Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.

Verified information for this section is being checked.