UK Early Careers: Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage the Vacation Scheme where possible, as it is a great opportunity for candidates to get a deeper understanding of the firm, culture, and work. However, we do understand that this route isn’t for everyone and see many successful direct applications.

The recruitment process is designed to identify future talent who demonstrate excellence, adaptability, and alignment with our firm’s standards and values. In short, we are seeking candidates who combine intellectual curiosity, technical excellence, resilience, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit — all qualities that reflect The Goodwin Way.

Yes! We welcome applications from all degree disciplines.

Please contact earlycareerslon@goodwinlaw.com if you require any disability-related adjustments or accommodations at any stage of the application process. If you require an adjustment or would like to have a confidential conversation about the support you may need, please contact a member of the Early Careers team. (This may include sensory and physical conditions, long-term health conditions, neurodivergence and mental health conditions).

The following identifies expectations and potential consequences regarding applicants’ use of artificial intelligence in the hiring process. AI proficiency, and specifically GenAI proficiency, is valuable, but Goodwin restricts its use during the hiring process to ensure fairness and accurate candidate assessment.

Goodwin embraces responsible and ethical use of AI. We are enthusiastic about using AI in the practice and the business of law. Our lawyers and Global Operations Team members leverage AI daily. We encourage candidates to use AI to prepare application materials, research topics related to our work and industry, and practice interview skills.

Do not use AI tools in interviews or written assessments or tests. Unless a specific exception is granted (for instance, if you are asked to conduct an AI coding exercise), responses in interviews and written-skills assessments or tests must come directly from you, without AI assistance. Using AI to generate answers during an interview or skills assessment may lead to rejection of your application for employment.

Your written application materials and answers must reflect your own experience and voice. The ideas and content should be genuinely yours, showcasing your personal skills and insights.

It is acceptable to enlist AI for research, brainstorming, and practice before your interviews – for example, to gather information about Goodwin, or to polish your resume or writing sample, provided they remain factually accurate and authentically reflect your own writing style and voice.

Balance tech savvy with personal judgment. We value candidates who are forward-thinking and tech-savvy, but who work using their own sound judgment. AI should assist, not replace, your own thinking. In short, use AI to amplify your strengths, but always maintain your unique perspective and voice in everything you share.

The Vacation Scheme offers candidates valuable insight into what it is like to train and work at Goodwin, while also giving them the opportunity to learn more about the firm and its culture. Candidates will be asked to indicate their preferred practice areas. During the two-week scheme, they will spend one week in each of two practice areas and will be paired with an associate supervisor and a trainee buddy in each.

The Trainee Solicitor Programme is our two-year structured programme to satisfy the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) requirement of the SQE route to qualification.

We have a rolling client secondment.

All trainees will have both a partner supervisor and associate supervisor in each seat. Trainees will share an office with either their partner or associate supervisor. The supervisors will be key to trainees’ development in their seats.

There is a wide range of formal and informal support networks for trainees, which includes:

• Early Careers team, including our Trainee Development Partner
• Associate and partner supervisors
• Trainee buddies
• Mentors
• Coaching
• Onsite counselling psychologist
• Employee Assistance Programme (mental health and wellbeing support)
• 24/7 unlimited general practitioner (GP) access

We provide a thorough induction consisting of legal, legal technology and AI, and skills-based training, as well as an ongoing Trainee Excellence training programme made up of various skills sessions throughout the full two years. There is also team-specific technical training provided on each seat rotation.

Future trainees will be required to study the SQE LLM course with our partner law school. Non-law graduates will complete a PGDL. We will sponsor future trainees for both the PGDL (if applicable) and the SQE LLM and provide £12,000 maintenance grant for the PGDL year of study and £18,000 for the SQE LLM year of study.

We recognise that there can be a wait between being offered a place on our trainee programme and the actual start date. For this reason, we organise a number of in-office events for current and future trainees to meet with each other and socialise with other Goodwin representatives. In the year before joining, future trainees attend a series of in-person and virtual pre-boarding sessions and presentations. Future trainees are paired with a buddy and encouraged to remain in contact throughout their transition from future trainee to trainee and beyond.

We currently do not offer work experience or first-year programmes. Please keep an eye on our Early Careers page and social media for any further updates. Note that first-year students are eligible to attend our virtual Open Afternoons.

Contact us in May and June, when we review all partnerships.