United Kingdom
Welcome to the London Office.
More than 200 Jones Day lawyers work in the heart of London's financial centre. Our strengths in London reflect the Firm's rich heritage in, and vast experience of, cross-border disputes and transactions. We advise Firm clients all over the world on their multijurisdictional deals and cases which rely on English law for their documentation and resolution.
We demand teamwork across offices and practices and between lawyers, and deliver award winning client service across the globe.
For lawyers coming to Jones Day, this means an exciting career, working without rivalry or competition, alongside more than 2,400 lawyers in 40 offices and 18 different jurisdictions. New lawyers have the opportunity to be involved in demanding and complex matters, advising multinational clients encountering globalized challenges.
At Jones Day, diversity is not only enthusiastically endorsed, but diligently pursued. Diversity makes us better and helps us deliver the service our clients expect. By mentoring and promoting individuals irrespective of background, we leverage the distinct strength and experiences of an exceptionally talented group of lawyers, while enhancing the atmosphere of our Firm.
Jones Day's demonstrated commitment to diversity does not stop with recruitment. We are committed to making meaningful progress on diversity in the legal profession to increasing diversity within the Firm and to recruiting, retaining, and promoting the best talent from all backgrounds.
We are proud of our accomplishments and we remain unwaveringly optimistic about the Firm because of our people, who allow us to tap the true potential of our global organisation.
We are proud to partner with Aspiring Solicitors who are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the legal profession, where diverse exceptional talent is nurtured and developed to achieve potential.
Since 2013, Aspiring Solicitors has worked passionately and tirelessly to create a more inclusive and representative legal community. Working closely with students, universities, partner law firms and in-house legal teams, they provide opportunities for aspiring lawyers from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Learn more at Jones Day's dedicated Diversity page. You can also download our London Diversity Brochure.
Jones Day is proud of its long tradition of pro bono work. In London, our active pro bono practice enables lawyers to use their legal skills to help individuals and non-profit organisations both in the UK and internationally.
Visit the Pro Bono section of our main website to learn more about the Firm’s worldwide pro bono philosophy and global community involvement.
The mission of the Jones Day Foundation is to:
- Promote the rule of law in developing countries
- fostering innovation in academics, medicine and the arts
- Improving the living conditions and economic opportunities for people in impoverished settings (particularly children and women)
- Provide support & comfort to people who are victims of natural & other disasters around the world
Training in London
We do things a little differently here, and it really works for us. The non-rotational training contract is integral to our culture and success and the benefits are felt at every level.
We recruit approximately 15 trainees each September from our Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes. Approximately 30% of our annual trainee intake were graduates, postgraduates, or career changers when they applied for the position. Approximately 60% of our trainee intakes year on year have studied a non-law degree. Often, these candidates can bring a different perspective and interesting skills which can be applied to legal work. Just make sure you can give genuine reasons as to why you want a career in law.
How It’s Different
Unlike traditional training contracts, Jones Day trainees are not assigned ‘seats’. Instead, they have the freedom to seek work across practices, with any partner or team throughout their two years' training. In the absence of a rigid seat system, trainees have heightened responsibility to mould their experience and manage their time. Our trainees are quickly integrated into various teams across the Firm and gain unparalleled exposure to different areas of law. Sharing an office with a fellow trainee is a great base to begin this journey. We believe the right mix of responsibility and support leaves our trainees with a valuable grounding to excel in their legal career.
Many of our partners trained here too, so they understand what it takes to make our system work. As a trainee, you’ll find them easy to approach and eager to work with you.
Why It’s Different
"I am often asked why I chose this Firm for my training over 13 years ago and why I have stayed throughout my professional career. Without doubt what first attracted me was the flexibility of the non-rotational training system. Back then, I had no idea what area of law I wanted to specialize in, so a training contract which gave me the flexibility to work across departments on several matters at the same time and see them through to the end was a fantastic opportunity.
Once here, I found that the non-rotational training system creates a great atmosphere in the office. If partners and associates rely on trainees "walking the floors" to hand out work, they keep their doors open, value trainees' contributions and personally invest in them. As a result, you feel the atmosphere is collegiate – the training system would not work if it were not.
The office has also always had, and continues to be involved in, high quality, challenging work. Since my first day as a trainee, I’ve felt privileged to work on complex transactions for global clients across multiple jurisdictions.
The practice of law is a profession, not just a business, and Jones Day is a legal institution which places client service ahead of anything else; but it is still a meritocracy where people are rewarded well if they work hard and pull together to improve the overall performance of the Firm worldwide."
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The non-rotational training system has afforded me the opportunity to work across various departments within the same deal, thereby enhancing my training by providing a comprehensive and well-rounded experience which other city firms fail to offer. This approach has enabled me to pursue work that aligns with my specific interests, while also granting me the chance to gain exposure to areas where I may not have originally intended to dedicate six months of my time. - Dilraj Rai |
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The firms entrepreneurial approach to training allowed me to explore elements of a deal across various departments, therefore putting me in a stronger position to understand the clients’ needs and develop meaningful professional relationships with colleagues across the firm. - Eleanor Martin |
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The non-rotational training system at Jones Day attracted me to apply to the firm in order to experience both contentious and non-contentious work simultaneously without being restricted to a seat. This distinctive system has equipped me with the fundamental skills required in key practice areas and has allowed me to work closely with many colleagues across different offices in less than a year! - Mehreen Khan |
A Vacation Scheme is your opportunity to spend some serious time interviewing us and our opportunity to get to know you. Our placements in the Winter, Spring and Summer vacations replicate our Training Contract as much as possible and have an emphasis on the authentic trainee experience. The experience is challenging, but gives you a real insight into life at our Firm.
We recruit nearly all our trainees from our Vacation Schemes. If you enjoy your time with us, and we see your potential, it's the way to secure a Training Contract and your future at Jones Day.
Assessment
We want to get a full picture of your potential as a future lawyer and therefore review feedback from all aspects of your scheme. We give you the opportunity to show a variety of skills we are looking for. Throw yourself into the experience and try not to focus on the assessment process too much!
Real work
Research, drafting, preparing documents, attending client meetings and conference calls, visiting court - not just a series of workshops and seminars.
Autonomy
Flexibility to try out work from any practice area. We encourage you to experience a real mix to help you discover where your strengths and interests lie.
Inspiration
Our lawyers are always available to share their knowledge, expertise and advice to the next generation.
Guidance
A trainee mentor to answer your questions, offer advice and guidance and help you settle in.
Community
Opportunities to come to know people in the Firm on a social level as we organise lunches, dinners and ice breaker activities.
Review
Opportunities to meet with lawyers and the Graduate Recruitment team throughout your scheme to reflect and discuss ways to make the most of your time
From your training contract offer right through to qualification, it is important to us that every trainee feels supported and encouraged to fulfil their potential. We recognize that the freedom of our training system affords works best within a supportive and collaborative environment. Support is provided in a variety of ways:
- Stay in touch with the Graduate Recruitment Team, our Lawyers and your fellow cohort, whether at Law School or not
- Assigned a trainee buddy before you join
- Invites to all the in-house socials
- Pastoral care, change in personal circumstances etc.
- Assisting Graduate Recruitment Team with our Recruiting Events
We have appointed University of Law (ULaw) as our preferred law school partner for the Law Conversion Course (PGDL) and the LLM Legal Practice (encompassing SQE 1&2). We believe this partnership offers our future trainees the best possible preparation for the workplace.
Studied a non-law degree? The PGDL will equip you with the foundation legal knowledge and skills to take on the SQE. You will complete a 9-month course from September to May and we will cover your fees and pay you a maintenance grant of £12,500 for the academic year. You are also able to select a ULaw campus of your choice.
If you have completed a law degree in an international jurisdiction that is not recognised as a qualifying law degree by the Solicitors Regulation Authority you, too, will need to complete the PGDL. This will include those studying law in Scotland and Ireland who have not studied English Land Law during their degree.
LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2) The LLM is a professionally focused course that will prepare you for the centralised SQE 1&2 assessments as well as developing the knowledge and skills you require for a career as a solicitor. From August to April, this rigorous course will prepare you to take on the SQE assessments with confidence. We will cover your fees and pay you a maintenance grant of £17,000 for the academic year. SQE 1 will focus on foundation subjects and black letter law and SQE 2 will accelerate a combination of both written and oral skills required to perform as a lawyer at the highest level. Through a blended learning approach, you will benefit from the ideal learning experience through online, face to face and individual coaching and feedback.
SQE Plus
An additional offering for Jones Day future trainees, the SQE Plus programme is designed to equip you with the technical excellence, commerciality and preparedness as you head into your training contract at Jones Day.
Jones Day future trainees will study the LLM Legal Practice (SQE 1&2) and SQE Plus course in a mixed class at the Moorgate Campus.
Learning by actually doing the work is the best form of training. We expect our trainees to seek out feedback from all senior associates and partners with whom they have worked.
Our Continuum training programme consists of regular "how-to" seminars delivered by senior lawyers from the different practice areas which help build a trainee’s technical toolset. Trainees also complete the Professional Skills Court fast-tracked at the commencement of the training contract, delivered at ULaw in a Jones Day exclusive class. Complementary training sessions include specific courses on company accounts, resilience training and presentation skills.
Each trainee has a dedicated partner and trainee mentor. The partner’s role is to provide support on a professional and pastoral level and help with making connections around the Firm. The second year trainee is on hand to help with settling in and getting to grips with the new environment. You will share an office with a fellow first year trainee so that you can support each other.
Bringing together employees with shared experiences or backgrounds to provide support, training, and networking opportunities.
The induction week at the commencement of your training contract in the London office is supplemented by a week-long trip to Washington D.C. to attend the New Lawyer Academy. New lawyers assemble from our offices around the world to meet and network with each other and learn what it means to be One Firm Worldwide. Our Firm leaders, partners and associates talk to the new lawyers about Jones Day’s culture, history, organisation and achievements and lead substantive and interactive training sessions. Every year our new lawyers take away from the Academy a sense of great pride.
Trainee rewards reflect the importance Jones Day attaches to the trainee role as well as the trainees’ contribution to the Firm’s business. Benefits include five weeks’ holiday a year, private healthcare, season ticket loan, group pension plan, salary sacrifice schemes and life assurance. Current trainee salary:
Start at £54,000
After 12 months £63,000
On Qualification £145,000
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE APPLYING
An application for a 2023/2024 Vacation Scheme is also an application for a Training Contract commencing September 2026. We do not offer a direct training contract application route as we expect to recruit all of our trainees from our pool of scheme candidates. This is because we believe it is essential for candidates to understand and experience our distinctive training contract structure.
ELIGIBILITY
- Any final year students, graduates, postgraduates and career changers from law or non-law backgrounds can apply for any scheme. Penultimate year students of qualifying law degrees can also apply for any scheme. We would invite other students including first years to come along to Events, enjoy your early years at University, and apply when eligible. Why not take the opportunity to gain an early understanding of the work of the Firm by undertaking our Forage Work Experience Programme.
- To apply for our schemes, you will need a strong 2.1 degree (gained or predicted) and we do not have minimum school grade requirements. In order to hire from the widest talent possible, we have integrated Rare's contextual recruitment system into our recruitment process. This allows us to better understand an applicant’s potential in the context in which their experiences have been gained (including in the context of their school's average student attainment). There is also opportunity to tell us about any mitigating circumstances on the application form that may have led to a lower-than-expected performance.
Scheme Dates
WINTER SCHEME (4 December – 15 December 2023)
Applications open: 1 September 2023
Application deadline: 20 October 2023
SPRING SCHEME (8 – 19 April 2024)
Applications open: 1 September 2023
Application deadline: 31 December 2023
SUMMER SCHEME (1 - 12 July 2024)
Applications open: 1 September 2023
Application deadline: 31 January 2024
Watch this video for our top recruitment tips
You must register through our web page to apply for a training contract position within Jones Day.
Before you start your application, we will ask you some questions to ensure (a) you are eligible to apply for our Vacation Schemes and Training Contract and (b) we can assess your application accurately and fairly in the context of your educational and personal circumstances.
Once you submit your application, we will acknowledge its receipt immediately by e-mail. Your application will then be screened and a decision will be made about whether to invite you to interview. We may also request an academic reference.
If successful, you will be invited to an interview with two senior lawyers which will last approximately 40 minutes and which will take place online between October and March. All interviews, whether in-person or online are an opportunity for you to express your genuine interest in a legal career and why you believe Jones Day is the firm for you. Our interviewers are eager to hear about you more generally and about your interests and motivations. You will also have the opportunity to have a chat with a trainee beforehand who can answer any questions the candidate may have about life at Jones Day. We do not give assessment exercises or written tests before or during the interview.
If you pass the interview stage, you will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre at our London office. Your suitability for a Vacation Scheme position will be assessed through a group exercise and a one-to-one discussion with senior lawyers. Light refreshments, lunch and the opportunity to meet our current trainees will also be available.
If successful at interview the assessment centre stage, you will be invited to join one of our Vacation Schemes which will form the assessment for a Training Contract position. Of course, your approach to our work tasks is an important part of the assessment, but we will also be assessing your general effectiveness on the scheme, from communicating with our lawyers to working with the other scheme candidates. We ultimately want to see whether you would be suited to our distinctive training system.
Candidates from each scheme will be selected for a Training Contract offer. We have to make some difficult decisions as the standard on all of our schemes is very high and we recruit in small numbers. Regardless of the outcome, our scheme will provide you with a unique insight into life at a global law firm which will enhance your CV.
Jones Day is a truly global Firm, with a distinctive non-rotational training contract and a formidable reputation in disputes and transactions… but what is it actually like working here?
We understand how difficult it can be to really understand the role of a corporate lawyer and whether it might be the career for you.
This programme will allow you to step into the shoes of a Jones Day, London trainee and try your hand at realistic work, all through the lens of our non-rotational training contract. You’ll work through a transaction which is typical for our London lawyers - a dynamic, international client, buying a joint venture. You will be able to appreciate the interconnectivity of our practices and level of responsibility our trainees are afforded, picking up crucial legal skills along the way including legal drafting and commercial awareness.
So, what’s in it for you?
- You’ll discover whether Jones Day could be a good fit for you.
- You’ll learn essential legal skills for free, and complete at your own pace.
- You’ll receive a certificate of completion from Jones Day and experience you can use to enhance your future applications.
To continue your journey, come and meet us…
Our events are open to all, whatever your year of study or graduation and whether you are from a law or non-law background. We recruit from a wide pool of students, graduates, postgraduates and career changers. It's never too late or too early if you are serious about a career in a global law firm. We welcome first year students to meet us at our events, take our Forage work experience programme and apply to us when eligible.
Details for events we have booked for the academic year will be listed below and regularly updated over the Autumn term. They will also be advertised on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages and with the relevant University careers department, so be sure to connect and sign up with your University Careers Service to be sure you don’t miss out. We also organise many of our events directly with the University Student Law Societies. Sign up with your University Law Society President to keep up to date.
As applications are now closed for our 2023/24 vacation schemes, we do not currently have any upcoming events. This page will be updated as events are confirmed.
In the meantime, our Forage work experience programme is available to all.
A. Approximately 15 each September.
Q. Am I at a disadvantage if I am studying a non-law degree?
A. No. Approximately 60% of our trainee intakes year on year have studied a non-law degree. Often, these candidates can bring a different perspective and interesting skills which can be applied to legal work. Just make sure you can give genuine reasons as to why you want a career in law.
A. Approximately 30%. We review every application on its own merit and recognize valuable experience and academics at any stage.
A. Throughout the training contract and particularly in the second year, trainees begin the process by discussing their areas of interest with the Training Principal, who, alongside the Graduate Recruitment team, will support each trainee through the process. We endeavour to retain as many trainees as we possibly can each year and work closely with our practice area leaders.
A. Please come and meet us at one of our Events/Open Days at your University, our London office or virtually. We do not offer work placement opportunities or insight days to students in their early years at University.
A. Not at present. If you are interested in opportunities abroad please contact/visit the website of the relevant overseas office.
A. As leaders in cross-border M&A and global disputes, we look for extraordinary individuals who are committed to a legal career; want to be challenged on an international platform; and can become part of our future - not just qualify with us. Half our London partners trained with the Firm. Successful candidates have obtained or are predicted a 2.1 degree in any discipline; have strong intellectual and analytical ability; good communication skills; and can demonstrate resourcefulness, drive, dedication and the ability to be a team player.
Q. What if I haven't done very well in my exams?
A. Our minimum academic criteria for degree results is a 2.1 (or equivalent) predicted or gained. We do not have minimum grade boundaries for A-levels, GCSEs or equivalent, and prefer to review applications as a whole and in the context of each candidates circumstances. There is a section on the application form to explain any mitigating circumstances which have led to lower than expected performance.
Q. What format does the interview take?
A. The interview format is designed to get the best from our candidates regardless of whether they are online or in person. Our interviewers are well versed in ensuring that candidates have a positive interview experience. To make the most of the online interview format, we have put together the attached guide containing useful hints and tips that candidates should consider before joining an online interview.
Q. What is the process for international candidates?
A: It is not our policy to reassess candidates who have previously interviewed or attended a Vacation Scheme with us and been unsuccessful in their application. Whilst we do not preclude candidates from re-applying if they have not previously interviewed with us, since our criteria for selecting candidates to attend our Vacation Schemes remain the same year on year, if you have been unsuccessful one year, it would be unlikely that you would be successful a following year unless your profile has improved considerably since your last application. If so, and you would like to reapply, you should highlight why your profile has changed in any new application and covering letter.
Q. Do you offer your trainees overseas placements or the chance to work abroad?
A. Lawyers in our London office work with lawyers and clients all over the world so opportunities for travel (and placements/secondments) abroad will arise on specific transactions and/or to meet international clients and colleagues.
GDPR Notice and Privacy Policy
For purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation, as implemented in the United Kingdom (GDPR), we want you to be aware that when you apply to us, we hold personal data about you. We also want to explain why we hold your personal data and to let you know whom you can contact if you have any questions. The purpose of this Notice is to provide you with that information. This Notice should be read in conjunction with our Privacy Policy.
Controller Identity: Jones Day London, an Ohio general partnership and firm of solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 223579), whose office is at 21 Tudor Street, London EC4Y 0DJ.
Types of Data and Purposes: We hold personal data about you that you have provided to us or requested be provided to us as part of our recruitment process. We will continue to hold this and other similar data as you progress through the application process. This may include, inter alia, the following types of personal data:
- contact data (including name, university and home addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers);
- citizenship, nationality and immigration data;
- personal, educational and work history data (such as education history and professional qualifications, external work experience history, previous and current assignments and responsibilities).
Some of this personal data may be sensitive data. We will process sensitive data where the processing is necessary for the purposes of our carrying out our recruitment process and for meeting our health and safety obligations to you.
We may also obtain personal data about you from publicly available third party sources, including social media sites as part of our training contract recruitment process.
Recipients: The primary recipients of your personal data will be referees whom you have indicated we may contact, providers of our IT systems, the SRA and our professional regulators and/or recipients with whom we are required by applicable law or a court order to disclose your personal data. Please see the detailed provision of our Privacy Policy.
Legitimate Interests: We hold the personal data you have provided to us for the legitimate interests of our graduate recruitment application process. See details on "Recruiting" in our Privacy Policy.
International transfers of data: Your personal data is held by our IT systems in the UK, the EEA and in the United States. We transfer personal data to the United States and to the EEA in accordance with the rules established by UK and EEA laws for such transfers. Please see the detailed provision of our Privacy Policy.
Retention Period: We will keep your personal data until a decision has been made on your application. We will continue to hold your personal data until applicable limitation periods have passed and in order to comply with retention obligations under applicable law. Please see the detailed provision of our Privacy Policy.
Data Subject Rights: You have a number of rights under the GDPR. These rights (which are subject to conditions) include the right of data portability (for us to help you move your data to someone else at your request), the right to object to the processing of your personal data, the right to require us to update and correct your data, the right to require erasure of your data, the right to obtain a restriction on processing of your personal data, the right for you to review the personal data we hold and, where applicable, the right to withdraw your consent to the processing of your personal data. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner. Please see the detailed provision of our Privacy Policy.
Other Statutory or Contractual Information: In many instances, we will remove your personal data from our records at your request. In some instances, we may need to keep this information to meet our legal obligations. Should you wish us to remove your personal data from our records in circumstances where we need to retain it or are otherwise legally permitted to retain it, we will inform you and arrange to delete it as soon as these circumstances no longer apply.
Questions or concerns regarding this Notice should be directed to the London Office Administrative Partner using the address provided above or by email to privacy@jonesday.com.
Jones Day offers experienced lawyers a superior platform from which to develop their practices. Our global footprint attracts lawyers who seek a more cross-office, cross-practice, client-focused and team-oriented environment in which to practice. Our collaborative, global approach attracts lawyers searching for a more cross-office, cross-practice, client-focused, and team-oriented environment in which to practice.
Lawyers joining Jones Day can have the opportunity to be part of a firm that has repeatedly earned high rankings for client service by the BTI Consulting Group, which bases its rankings on survey results from Fortune 1000 corporate counsel. We are proud of our unwavering commitment to client service and expect all of our lawyers to share our dedication.
Depending on the specific needs of our offices and practices, we hire accomplished attorneys at various levels of experience. We always welcome inquiries from lawyers who share our commitment to providing outstanding client service.
Tina Banwell, Office Administrator, Experienced Lawyers. Submit applications using SelfApply. We do not accept applications sent via email.
Jones Day seeks to employ the most qualified people for every position in the Firm, continually delivering superior client service through professional excellence and teamwork. We offer competitive compensation and benefits in a stimulating work environment. When a position opens, it will appear, below, along with a link to an email to which you can attach your resume and a cover letter.
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters and are not responsible for fees from recruiters or other agencies except under specific written agreement with Jones Day. We also do not accept or retain resumes that do not relate to a specific, open position or resumes of individuals who do not meet the stated minimum qualifications for the position which has been posted.
Keran Hampson, Administrative Services Manager, Staff and Legal Support. Submit CV and cover letter via email.
Rose Taylor, Manager, Graduate Recruitment & Development. Submit Applications online. We do not accept applications sent via email.
Emily Stew, Hiring Partner.
Jones Day
21 Tudor Street
London, EC4Y 0DJ
(T) +44.20.7039.5959