UK Trainee FAQs

When can I apply for a training contract with Cooley?

Law undergraduates: You can apply once you reach the penultimate year of your degree.

Non-law undergraduates: You can apply once you reach the final year of your degree. Post-graduates or those seeking a career change should apply two years prior to the year in which they aim to start their training.

When can I apply to attend a spring or summer programme at Cooley?

See above.

How much do you pay for the spring and summer programmes?

We pay £550 per week for each programme, and we offer a free lunch in Arthur’s, our on-site café, each day.

What are the dates for spring and summer programmes?

The spring programme is from 7 – 17 April 2025; the summer programme is from 30 June – 11 July 2025.

Can I meet Cooley representatives on campus or at other events in 2024 – 2025?

Yes, you can. We always enjoy being out and about, getting to know prospective Cooley applicants, and answering their questions. We are looking forward to campus visits for the following law fairs and other in-person and virtual events that Cooley is involved with. We’ll add to this list over time.

• 18 September 2024 – Aspiring Solicitors Virtual Diversity Law Fair
• 2 October 2024 – Queen Mary
• 7 October 2024 – Aspiring Solicitors Virtual Diversity Law Fair
• 8 October 2024 – Legal Cheek Law Fair
• 9 October 2024 – York
• 10 October 2024 – Bristol
• 12 October 2024 – Oxford
• 16 October 2024 – Rare Vantage (virtual panel event)
• 21 October 2024 – UCL
• 22 October 2024 – Kings College
• 22 October 2024 – Warwick
• 24 October 2024 – Legal Cheek Commercial Awareness Academy virtual series session
• 25 October 2024 – Bright Network – Diverse Legal Leaders (at etc.venues St Paul’s, London)
• 28 October 2024 – Nottingham
• 30 October 2024 – Cardiff
• 5 November 2024 – Meet Cooley (in office)
• 6 November 2024 – Inclusive Futures Fair (virtual)
• 12 November 2024 – Manchester
• 13 November 2024 – Birmingham
• 28 November 2024 – Meet Cooley (virtual)
• 6 December 2024 – LawCareersNet Live
• 11 December 2024 – Meet Cooley (in office)

When can I apply to attend a Meet Cooley event?

The Meet Cooley events in November and December 2024 are for those who are eligible and planning to apply for a 2025 spring or summer programme. Priority is 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 or career changers.

The Meet Cooley event in May 2025 (date will be confirmed in early 2025) will be reserved for first-year law students, plus first- and penultimate-year non-law students.

What are the academic requirements for summer programmes and periods of recognised training?

Cooley requires a minimum of a 2.1 at degree level (any discipline) and 128 UCAS points or equivalent, not to include points from AS levels or general studies. We will accept applications from individuals who do not meet these requirements if they have clear and valid mitigating circumstances – and have otherwise demonstrated excellence at another point in their academic or professional history.

What do we look for?

Cooley trainees need plenty of motivation and initiative. They should be adaptable and capable of thinking on their feet. Candidates should have developed great communication skills from a variety of situations and understand the critical importance of inclusivity and collaboration. Cooley will look for evidence of taking on leadership and seeking responsibilities. Interesting achievements, making the most of non-academic and work experience (not necessarily legal) opportunities – in addition to evidence of working hard to contribute to teams – will help applicants stand out.

Are there any compulsory seats during qualifying work experience (QWE)?

You will typically complete a mixture of contentious and noncontentious work as part of your four seats (a mixture of litigation and transactional work), therefore you will likely do seats in a mix of Cooley’s litigation and corporate/commercial practices.

If I am offered a training contract, will Cooley provide sponsorship toward PGDL and SQE studies?

We offer financial assistance for law school – both the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) – in addition to a living allowance while studying of £20,000 per academic year. Cooley has transitioned to the SQE pathway for trainees who commenced training with us in 2024, so applicants are strongly encouraged to follow this pathway for training contract entry from this point forward. Cooley trainees attend The University of Law to follow the PGDL and SQE pathway.

Do you accept applications from non-law students?

Yes, we accept applications from all disciplines.

Do you accept applications from those who do not meet the academic criteria?

There is space on the application form to briefly explain mitigating circumstances, and we are happy to consider applications from those who may have just missed out on achieving the grades expected as a result of those mitigating circumstances. If you require any further information, please feel free to reach out to the legal talent team.

What if I live outside London and need to travel to your office for an interview or event?

We make reimbursement payments to candidates for reasonable travel expenses (typically advanced/standard class travel options).

How much contact do you have with future trainees whilst they are completing their law school studies?

We send future trainees regular updates of firm events in which they can participate, as well as invitations to socials, such as summer and festive season gatherings. We want our future trainees to feel part of the firm from the earliest possible moment and be able to continue making those all-important networks and connections.

If I am offered a training contract, can I defer my start date to the following year?

Cooley has a small intake and will usually need those offered training places to commence in the year they are due to start.

Deferral requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What are the salary and benefits? 

First-year trainees earn £55,000, and second-year trainees earn £60,000.

Other benefits include 25 days of annual leave, private healthcare, season ticket loan, pension scheme (with firm contribution), life assurance, critical illness cover, income protection, GymFlex membership/fitness and nutrition reimbursement, fertility and family-forming benefit, subsidised café, cycle to work scheme, wellness programmes, great social events, sports activities, and much more.

If you require any more information, please email uktrainee@cooley.com.