WHAT WE OFFER
Discover our training contracts, vacation schemes and solicitor apprenticeship schemes, designed to help you kickstart a global legal career.
Training contract
Completing a training contract at HFW opens the door to becoming a global lawyer, engaging in matters with international scope.
Vacation schemes
Offering spring and summer vacation schemes each year, new graduates are given the opportunity to work and experience our culture first hand.
Solicitor apprenticeship
Programme designed in collaboration with the University of Law providing trainee solicitors the opportunity to meet a wide range of people and build their legal networks.
A GLOBAL LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Joining HFW offers the opportunity to launch your legal career on a global scale, gaining exposure to cross-border casework and collaborating with teams in multiple jurisdictions. Trainees will typically complete at least one international secondment as part of their training contract.
POSTCARDS FROM TRAINEES
Rachael Opeagbe
I am currently in Dubai for the second seat of my training contract working in the Shipping department. Considering the impact of Covid-19, it was a relief when the international secondments were back up and running! So far, I have worked on several charterparty disputes, which includes drafting letters of demand and notices of arbitration. Luckily, I am splitting my time between the Litigation and Transactional teams, so I will have a chance to work on many interesting cases.
The weather in Dubai is a welcomed change from rainy London and it is only going to get better! There is so much going on in Dubai with EXPO 2020 and the ‘Year of the 50th’, so there is lots to do. In the space of four weeks, I have been to a jungle themed brunch with 20 trainees from other law firms who are also out here on secondment, drinks at CE LA VIE, a boat party and the Burj Khalifa to name a few.
This is my first time moving away from home (outside of university) and living alone, so it took some adjusting at the start. However, the stunning hotel apartment I am staying in makes it all a little easier with a great view of downtown Dubai and the Dubai office have been so lovely helping me settle in.
Looking forward to seeing what the next five months bring.
Anna Bella Inglesi
For my second seat, I was seconded to HFW’s Piraeus office. I was formally part of the English-law Shipping Litigation team but had the opportunity to assist the Shipping Finance team, which enhanced my understanding of the work done by the firm across different practice areas. It was certainly a unique learning experience with a great deal of responsibility. First week in the office and I was asked to assist with drafting witness statements!
Piraeus constitutes a key hub for the shipping industry and my seat reflected this. The majority of clients, Registries, P&I Clubs are all located just around the corner! Athens itself is a vibrant city and has a lot to offer: from museums and cultural sites, to traditional Greek restaurants (“tavernas”) and amazing beaches. I would highly recommend seizing the opportunity to visit as many islands as you can during the weekends! There are many beautiful islands just two hours away from the office and the weather is always great!
I would definitely recommend the Piraeus seat to anyone, especially those interested in understanding how the shipping industry operates. Working within a small team will allow you to take more responsibility and exposure to the work carried out by the firm.
Meli Besse
For my very first seat at the firm, I have been seconded to HFW’s Monaco office, as part of the shipping litigation team. As well as being an internationally renowned superyacht hub, Monaco is an attractive location for some of the biggest names in the commercial shipping sector, and the Monaco office is well placed to represent this diversified portfolio of industry players. This leads to incredibly varied work, with contentious matters ranging from complex, multi-party charter party litigation to representing clients in disputed contracts in the high-value arena of superyacht sales and purchases.
Much like the country itself, the office out here is small but dynamic. A large caseload divided between few means it is all-hands-on-deck, providing fantastic learning opportunities for a trainee, and giving me a great deal of responsibility. It also means a tight-knit office environment: the team is incredibly social and friendly and we will occasionally all share a lunch together as an office at one of the local eateries.
Monaco itself is of course in an idyllic location, sandwiched between the chic French and Italian Rivieras. My journey into work currently involves sun-drenched mornings taking in the sea views as I stroll past Monaco’s main port – I can only imagine returning to the London commute will be a bit of a shock to the system!
You’d be forgiven for thinking the world’s second smallest country would be somewhat discreet and subdued. Rather, Monaco is constantly abuzz with events attracting people from all over the world, making it a veritable melting pot of cultures. We have just concluded Classic Yacht Week, hosting some of the world’s most elegant traditional wooden boats, and now – out with the old and in with the new – the port is welcoming superyachts of up to 100+ meters for the Monaco Yacht Show. Never a dull moment!
RECRUITMENT PROCESS OVERVIEW
We have a dedicated recruitment process for training contracts, vacation schemes, and solicitor apprenticeships, which spans from the initial application form to the assessment centre and Partner interviews.