Insight Events | 2026 Training Contracts

The role

At Howard Kennedy you have all the space you need to be yourself, while working with brilliant minds who will inspire, challenge and support you every day.

We recognise that everyone’s goals are different, and so we want to help you achieve your aspirations. In return, you’ll bring hard work, a commercial mindset as well as sharing our goals, vision and values. 

As a Trainee, you'll be encouraged to be yourself. We know that people perform better if they feel welcomed, included, and valued. Coupled with a supportive culture, we'll help you grow through development and skills building so you can become the lawyer you want to be.

Our insight events are a great opportunity to understand more about a training contract at Howard Kennedy and meet people across the business. The sessions are designed to give you a feel for what life is like as a Trainee at Howard Kennedy prior to, or alongside, submitting an application for a Training Contract. In the events, we will cover:

- An overview of the firm's history, departments, market position and clientele.
- An introduction into the firm's responsible business strategy.
- A Q&A session with our current Trainees.
- An overview of the Trainee recruitment process.
- An insight into the day-to-day work of a Trainee.

We will be hosting two events this year and will ask which suits you best on your application form.

- An in person event at our office in London on Tuesday 21st January 2025 from 9:30am - 1:30pm
- An online event on Teams on Wednesday 29th January 2025 from 1:30pm - 5:30pm.

Apply now to embrace your space to be extraordinary.

About you

We believe that the more diverse our people are, the more successful we'll be as a business. This starts with our future lawyers - our trainees.

We know that there isn't just one path into the law. This is why we consider applications from those with previous experience, both in and out of the legal world. We strive to hire people from a diversity of backgrounds based on merit and attitude.

We believe the potential to become an excellent lawyer is about much more than the school you attended or university you studied at. This is why throughout the process, you are encouraged to be yourself. Our assessment process is designed to allow you to highlight your strengths, whilst finding out more about what you can expect from a training contract with us.

In order to eliminate bias and allow for an objective recruitment process we use "blind screening" for all applications. This means any personal information such as your name, and information relating to your schooling including which university you attended is anonymised.

In order to apply in this recruitment round you need to have completed, or be able to complete prior to September 2025, one of the below qualifications:

- LLB or other qualifying law degree as outlined by the SRA
- GDL/PGDL
- LPC
- SQE 1
- SQE 1 & 2

About us

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.

We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.

Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm’s values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.

At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.

As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.