London Graduate Recruitment

London's importance to global markets makes it a critical business centre for our clients. Orrick has earned a global reputation advising both established and emerging companies, banks and international financial institutions. We employ the latest technologies to ensure that clients enjoy the standards of quality and responsiveness that are critical to providing integrated international service. Much of Orrick's client work involves cross-border transactions or projects that span Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. This global focus requires close coordination from London with Orrick's offices around the world. If you value high quality work with skilled colleagues from diverse backgrounds in a firm that believes in community responsibility, then Orrick London could be the place for you. At Orrick, you will be a valued member of our team from the first day of your career.

The Office

Our London office is located over three floors in Tower 42, right in the heart of the City of London. Our offices and meeting rooms offer spectacular floor-to-ceiling views of London.

The Practice

The London office's main practice areas are:

• Acquisition Finance
• Arbitration and Litigation
• Banking, Capital Markets, Trade and Asset Finance
• Competition and European Union Law
• Corporate and Corporate Finance
• Employment
• Energy and Project Finance
• Global Bankruptcy and Debt Restructuring
• International Dispute Resolution
• Private Investment Funds
• Real Estate
• Structured Finance and Securitisation
• Tax

Our Clients

Our clients include leading investment banks, private equity and hedge funds, multinational and national corporates, and emerging companies.

Community Responsibility and Pro Bono

Orrick's Community Responsibility Programme offers the firm's resources -- both time and money -- to those in our communities who would not otherwise be able to afford access to legal services, education or the arts. Our pro bono programme is led by a full-time dedicated senior lawyer who is based in the United States. Examples of work our London lawyers perform to help the less fortunate in their communities include:

• Providing free legal services to Special Olympics Great Britain, an organisation dedicated to encouraging people with learning disabilities to take part in sports, train to competition standard and compete at national level.
• Volunteering with the BPP Law School Pro Bono Centre as part of a programme which won The Lawyer award for “Pro Bono Activity of the Year” in 2005. Our lawyers assist and supervise students providing free legal advice to members of the local community.
• Working with Advocates for International Development, a London-based charity that works on issues relating to international trade, debt management, development support and capacity-building both within government and civil society. Its projects include providing corporate advice on current or proposed legislation, building the capacity of national trade negotiation teams to assist their participation in WTO, bilateral and multilateral talks, assisting tribal peoples in the determination of their land rights and providing technical advice on the terms and structures of debt and trade agreements.
• Partnering with the Independent Panel for Special Education Advice, and its tribunal support service, to provide support to parents who are appealing to the Special Education Needs and Disability Tribunal and who cannot afford to hire the appropriate advocate to support their case. The issues at stake revolve around making sure that the local councils and schools provide the required support for children with special educational needs.
• Expanding the firm's relationship with Kiva Microfunds, an online platform that connects microfinance institutions in the developing world with social investors, to conduct research and analysis into the laws of Nepal and Argentina to determine whether restrictions exist there for capital transactions made to and from the United States, where the client is based.

Trainee Programme

Trainee Profile

If you set your standards high, have a strong work ethic and are a bright, talented graduate of any discipline, you will be guaranteed broad-based experience. Applicants should have at least three A-level passes at grades A and B (or equivalent) and a 2.1 degree. The offer of a training contract is subject to applicants passing the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (if applicable) and Legal Practice Course exam at the first attempt.

Training Environment

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe is a firm for academically outstanding graduates:

• We value team players and reward collaboration over competition.
• We give individuals the opportunity to flourish in a lively and supportive work environment and encourage interaction among lawyers across international offices at every level of experience within the firm.
• We support learning through a steadfast focus on training and mentoring, which will provide you with the right foundation for building your legal career and for working with clients.
• Trainees work closely with fee earners and gain practical experience in research, drafting, procedural and client-related skills.
• We offer the benefits of a major international law firm, providing leading practices in a variety of sectors, with the opportunity for interaction in an informal office environment.
• Trainees take four six-month seats, one of which must be a contentious seat, with regular appraisals throughout. In each seat, a partner supervises the trainee with help, as appropriate, from associates. We also offer the opportunity to sit a six-month seat in either our Hong Kong or Paris offices.
• Trainees undertake the Professional Skills Course during their induction programme.

Training Programme

We take your training seriously and have a dedicated training partner who oversees the supervision and management of trainees. Trainees have regular training sessions and we draw on a range of speakers including in-house experts, clients and specialist professionals in their fields to provide an extensive and varied programme.

Social Events

We encourage a team environment. There are regular office social activities including drinks evenings, sports outings and trainee events, which provide an opportunity to get to know colleagues in more informal surroundings.

Sponsorships

Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) funding
Legal Practice Course (LPC) funding and maintenance

Benefits

Pension, life assurance, private health insurance, dental plan, subsidised gym membership, season ticket loan and childcare vouchers.

Recruitment Process