Stephenson Harwood
Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm with more than 1,500 people, including 250+ partners, across 11 offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Firm overview
At a glance
A clear starting point for understanding the firm, its opportunities and the information students should check before applying.
Available routes
How can students join?
Student opportunities
Opportunities
Vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, insight programmes, work experience and other application routes.
United Kingdom - Summer Vacation Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-01-04 10:00:00
- Application timing: Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 4 January 2027.
- Programme dates: 7–17 June 2027.
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 4 January 2027.
- Programme: 7–17 June 2027.
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 on 4 January 2027.
- Programme: 12–23 July 2027.
- Who can apply: Eligible students and graduates
- Eligibility: ideal a levels: ABB ideal degree: 2:1 training contract eligibility required: true
- Academic requirements: Applicants must be eligible to begin the Training Contract year being recruited for. Ideally ABB at A Level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree.
- Application process: Application form Online assessment Assessment centre Two-week Vacation Scheme Training Contract decision Online application Amberjack online assessment Assessment centre Vacation Scheme offer Training Contract assessment during or after the scheme
- Assessments: Online assessment Assessment-centre exercises Quality of legal work and engagement during the scheme Training Contract assessment
- Progression: Assessment for a London Training Contract.
- Funding: The firm publishes London Living Wage support, daily lunch and funded accommodation for eligible students living outside London through its social-mobility support information. daily lunch: true eligible non london accommodation support: true exact scheme pay published: false london living wage support described on social mobility page: true
- Expenses: Daily lunch is provided under the published placement support.
- Travel support: No universal Vacation Scheme travel reimbursement is published.
- Accommodation support: Eligible students from lower socio-economic backgrounds living outside London may receive funded accommodation.
- Right to work: Applicants must have permission to participate in the London scheme.
- Disability support: Adjustments and alternative formats are available through the Future Talent team.
United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship Open Day
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2026-11-06 10:00:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme dates: 15 December 2026.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme: 15 December 2026.
- Who can apply: School and college students
United Kingdom - Training Contract Open Day
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2026-11-06 10:00:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme dates: 18 December 2026.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme: 18 December 2026.
- Who can apply: Students and graduates
United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship
Type: Apprenticeship
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-02-15 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 15 February 2027.
- Programme dates: Starts September 2027; six-year Level 7 solicitor-apprenticeship route.
- Duration: 6 years
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 15 February 2027.
- Programme: Starts September 2027; six-year Level 7 solicitor-apprenticeship route.
- Who can apply: School leavers
- Eligibility: School-leaver route; a degree is not required.
- Academic requirements: Excellent academic record expected. Exact minimum entry requirements must be checked in the live application.
- Application process: Online application\nAmberjack assessment\nAssessment stage\nApprenticeship offer
- Assessments: Online assessment Assessment exercises Interview
- Progression: Qualification as a solicitor after completing the apprenticeship and SQE.
- Funding: Paid employment with a £30,000 starting salary, a £5,000 starting grant, annual salary progression and BPP study support.
- Right to work: UK right-to-work and apprenticeship-funding eligibility apply.
- Disability support: Alternative formats and recruitment adjustments are available.
United Arab Emirates - Dubai Vacation Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Arab Emirates: Dubai
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-01-04 10:00:00
- Application timing: Applications open 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 on 4 January 2027.
- Programme dates: 7–17 June 2027.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 on 4 January 2027.
- Programme: 7–17 June 2027.
United Kingdom - Bright Sparks work experience
Type: Work Experience
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-02-26 10:00:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 26 February 2027 at 10:00.
- Programme dates: 16–20 August 2027.
- Duration: 1 week
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 26 February 2027 at 10:00.
- Programme: 16–20 August 2027.
- Who can apply: Year 12 students attending a UK state school who live within one hour of London by public transport and meet at least one stated social-mobility criterion.
- Eligibility: Applicants must attend a UK state school, live within one hour of London by public transport, have the right to work in the UK and meet at least one published social-mobility criterion.
- Academic requirements: Current Year 12 student at a state non-fee-paying school, within commuting distance of London, eligible to work in the UK, and meeting at least one published social-mobility criterion.
- Application process: Application Selection Participation Online application Selection Programme offer
- Assessments: Programme-specific selection
- Progression: Career insight and preparation for future applications.
- Funding: Paid at the London Living Wage.
- Expenses: All travel and lunches are provided.
- Travel support: Travel is provided.
- Right to work: Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
- Disability support: Alternative formats and adjustments are available through the Future Talent team.
United Kingdom - Virtual Solicitor Apprenticeship Open Day
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2026-11-06 10:00:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme dates: 17 December 2026.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme: 17 December 2026.
- Who can apply: School and college students
United Kingdom - Disability Open Day
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2026-11-06 10:00:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme dates: 14 December 2026.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme: 14 December 2026.
- Who can apply: Students with a disability, neurodiversity or long-term health condition
- Eligibility: For students with a disability, neurodiversity or long-term health condition.
- Application process: Register through the official open-day application route by 10:00 on 6 November 2026.
United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-01-04
- Application timing: Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 4 January 2027.
- Programme dates: 5–16 April 2027.
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close 4 January 2027.
- Programme: 5–16 April 2027.
- Who can apply: Eligible students and graduates
- Eligibility: ideal a levels: ABB ideal degree: 2:1 training contract eligibility required: true
- Academic requirements: Applicants must be eligible to begin the Training Contract year being recruited for. Ideally ABB at A Level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree.
- Application process: Application form Online assessment Assessment centre Two-week Vacation Scheme Training Contract decision Online application Amberjack online assessment Assessment centre Vacation Scheme offer Training Contract assessment during or after the scheme
- Assessments: Online assessment Assessment-centre exercises Quality of legal work and engagement during the scheme Training Contract assessment
- Progression: Assessment for a London Training Contract.
- Funding: The firm publishes London Living Wage support, daily lunch and funded accommodation for eligible students living outside London through its social-mobility support information. daily lunch: true eligible non london accommodation support: true exact scheme pay published: false london living wage support described on social mobility page: true
- Expenses: Daily lunch is provided under the published placement support.
- Travel support: No universal Vacation Scheme travel reimbursement is published.
- Accommodation support: Eligible students from lower socio-economic backgrounds living outside London may receive funded accommodation.
- Right to work: Applicants must have permission to participate in the London scheme.
- Disability support: Adjustments and alternative formats are available through the Future Talent team.
United Kingdom - Stephenson Harwood Scholarship Award
Type: Scholarship / Bursary
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-02-26 10:00:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications open 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 on 26 February 2027.
- Programme dates: Starts September 2027.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 on 26 February 2027.
- Programme: Starts September 2027.
- Who can apply: UK state-school students from lower socio-economic backgrounds who intend to study law at a UK university.
- Eligibility: Applicants must meet the scholarship’s published academic, financial-need and social-mobility criteria.
Hong Kong - Hong Kong Summer Vacation Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong
- Applications open: 2026-08-16
- Closing date: 2027-01-31
- Application timing: Applications open 16 August 2026 and close 31 January 2027.
- Programme dates: June and July 2027.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 16 August 2026 and close 31 January 2027.
- Programme: June and July 2027.
United Kingdom - London training contract
Type: Training Contract
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-02-26 10:00:00
- Application timing: Applications open 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 on 26 February 2027.
- Programme dates: Commencement dates: March 2029 and September 2029.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 on 26 February 2027.
- Programme: Commencement dates: March 2029 and September 2029.
United Kingdom - Virtual Training Contract Open Day
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2026-11-06 10:00:00 Europe/London
- Application timing: Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme dates: 9 December 2026.
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications opened at 10:00 UK time on 5 October 2026 and close at 10:00 UK time on 6 November 2026.
- Programme: 9 December 2026.
- Who can apply: Students and graduates
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.
UK visa sponsorship and right to work
Not confirmed on the firm's official careers site this pass.
View official source for UK visa sponsorship and right to work (opens in new tab)
London Training Contract
25 contracts annually; £50,000 and £55,000 trainee salaries; £105,000 NQ salary; full PGDL/SQE funding and maintenance grants.
View official source for London Training Contract (opens in new tab)
Solicitor Apprenticeship
Six-year BPP route with £30,000 starting salary, £5,000 starting grant and £5,000 annual salary increases.
View official source for Solicitor Apprenticeship (opens in new tab)
Scholarship Award
Up to five scholars receive £15,000 per year for three years plus mentoring, skills days and a guaranteed Vacation Scheme.
View official source for Scholarship Award (opens in new tab)
Areas of work
Practice areas
The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.
Commercial Litigation
Official service group.
International Arbitration
Official service group.
Marine and International Trade
Official service group.
Aviation
Official service group.
Corporate
Official service group.
Finance
Official service group.
Employment, Pensions and Private Wealth
Official service group.
Real Estate
Official service group.
Competition
Official service group.
Intellectual Property
Official service group.
Projects and Infrastructure
Official service group.
Restructuring and Insolvency
Official service group.
Offices
Locations
Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.
United Kingdom, London
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood London office
View United Kingdom, London official page (opens in new tab)
China, Shanghai
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Shanghai office
France, Paris
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Paris office
Greece, Athens
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Athens office
Hong Kong
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Hong Kong office
Saudi Arabia, Al Khobar
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Al Khobar office
View Saudi Arabia, Al Khobar official page (opens in new tab)
Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Riyadh office
Singapore
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Singapore office
South Korea, Seoul
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Seoul office
Spain, Madrid
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Madrid office
United Arab Emirates, Dubai
Office
Official Stephenson Harwood Dubai office
View United Arab Emirates, Dubai official page (opens in new tab)
Career paths
Roles
Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.
Trainee Solicitor
Two-year training contract, four seats, ~25/year
View official information for Trainee Solicitor (opens in new tab)
Managing Associate
Confirmed via industry commentary on the firm's pay structure
Barrister
Confirmed via a named individual — described as "a barrister with 30 years' experience" on the firm's own Legal 500 lawyer profile
Solicitor Advocate
Confirmed via a named individual with Higher Rights of Audience since 2016
Partner
Salaried Partner
A distinct partner tier below equity partnership, confirmed via industry commentary
Associate
Access and inclusion
EDI
Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.
Disability, Neurodiversity and Long-term Health Condition Open Day
Distinct early-careers Open Day held on 15 December 2025.
Recruitment adjustments
Alternative formats and recruitment adjustments are available.
View official source for Recruitment adjustments (opens in new tab)
Workplace adjustments
Workplace-adjustment support is discussed through the firm and Enable network.
View official source for Workplace adjustments (opens in new tab)
Disability-specific programme audit
A current disability-specific Open Day was identified; no separate disability internship or scholarship was identified on the reviewed pages.
View official source for Disability-specific programme audit (opens in new tab)
Community and legal access
Pro bono
The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.
Firm research
Firm highlights
Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.
Official firm platforms
Links & Socials
Verified official websites, careers and application platforms, office directories and social-media accounts.
Main website
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Careers
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Early Careers
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
London Early Careers
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
London Training Contracts
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Vacation Schemes
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Solicitor Apprenticeships
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Open Days
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Scholarships
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Bright Sparks
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
FAQs
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Hong Kong Early Careers
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Dubai Early Careers
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Paris Early Careers
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Offices
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
About
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Socio-economic Background
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
Accessibility
Official Stephenson Harwood page.
