UK Trainees
Become a Trainee – Spring and Summer Programmes
To be considered for one of Cooley’s four training places per year, you first must participate in our London spring or summer programmes, which will give you insight into the breadth of work we do – and the exciting range of clients we are proud to serve and partner with on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation. There will also be many opportunities to experience the distinctive, welcoming and collaborative spirit of our firm.
During the two-week spring or summer programmes (each of which accepts approximately six people per year, and per programme), you will contribute to meaningful work, engage in professional development sessions, and connect with Cooley colleagues through work assignments and socially. A programme mentor, a trainee buddy and the legal talent team will help you make the most of the opportunities available to you, as well as support your integration throughout the programmes.
Our programmes have earned recognition since 2022 from The Legal 500’s Future Lawyers trainee solicitor survey for the quality of experience they offer.
To submit an application, please click on the ‘Apply now’ button below. You will be directed to review the privacy notice for London candidates as part of the application registration process.
Applications for the Cooley London spring and summer programmes are now open and will close on 31 December 2024. Applications for our Meet Cooley insight events are also open now, with a deadline of 4 October 2024 for our first in-office insight event taking place on 5 November 2024. See further dates and deadlines on the Meet Cooley tile below.
For more information, see our FAQs page. If you can’t find your answer there, please email UKtrainee@cooley.com.
Meet Cooley
Meet Cooley events are an excellent way to gain a valuable understanding of our work, our people and our culture. These insights will help you make considered decisions about whether you can see yourself developing your legal career with us.
2024 Meet Cooley events and application deadlines:
- 5 November 2024 (in-person event; apply by 4 October)
- 28 November 2024 (virtual event; apply by 31 October)
- 11 December (in-person event; apply by 8 November)
For the three 2024 events, priority will be given to those who have reached at least their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree, as well as graduates.
Another Meet Cooley event will take place in May 2025 (the exact date will be published here and in our application system in early 2025), with an application deadline of 27 March 2025. This event is aimed at those who are at an earlier stage in their academic pathway. Priority will be given to those who haven’t applied for the spring or summer programme or training contract.
I’ve really had the opportunity to take on responsibility and get involved at Cooley. Trainees are completely embedded within the day-to-day work of teams. Everyone has gone above and beyond to include me. Support lawyers, associates and partners alike have had so much enthusiasm for sharing their knowledge and teaching us all about the practice of law through our Cooley Uni programme too. Within a month of starting, I’ve been directly emailing and speaking to clients, drafting court applications, and researching challenging and developing areas of law
Emily Hall
Our programme offers unparalleled opportunity for trainees to be part of a collaborative team that encourages their growth through hands-on experience.’
Claire Keast-Butler
Trainees in Cooley’s London office contribute directly to the success of our team — they are challenged to learn by doing, and guided by brilliant mentors.
James Maton
