First Years Insight Scheme

The Freshfields First Years Insight Scheme will take place on 16 and 17 April 2025.

We’ll show you what life as an international commercial lawyer is like, and what sets us apart from other firms, so you can make a confident decision on whether to apply for a vacation scheme or trainee associate programme. You’ll also meet trainees, associates and partners, and learn about improving your application from our early careers team. This opportunity lasts for two days and is a practical scheme to help you develop your understanding of our selection process and the skills you need to demonstrate to secure a vacation scheme or trainee associate programme. Following this you may be invited to interview for a 2026 vacation scheme.

Eligibility

You're eligible for the First Years Insight Scheme if you are in the first year of an undergraduate degree in any discipline at the time of applying.

The Freshfields First Years Insight Scheme will take place on 16 and 17 April 2025. You must be available to attend both days from 09:00 – 18:00.

Firm Overview

Freshfields is a major international law firm, providing business law advice of the highest quality. We want to be the law firm that clients turn to for legal advice where it most matters, wherever in the world that may be. The Firm has over 2,400 lawyers in 32 offices around the world, providing a comprehensive service to national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments.

Our people make our firm - we are a people business and want to create a welcoming and supportive environment where all can flourish. We see diversity as a strength which creates fresh perspectives and generates new ideas. We enjoy our work and are determined to do an outstanding job. We deliver best when working in teams. Our culture is a product of the combined mindsets and behaviours of our people which is through the Being Freshfields principles, outlined below:

- We show respect to everyone

- We are there for one another

- We are open with each other

- We are positive role models

We think and work globally - we don’t just say we are one firm; we act like one firm right across the world. We work wherever our clients need us. This is how we define ourselves, not by reference to where we have offices. Cross-border work isn’t just what we do, it is what we excel at. We understand what it really takes to work across different legal systems and commercial environments and to bridge language and cultural gaps.

We aim to add value in everything we do - we are passionate about helping our clients succeed. We use our experience and creativity to help clients make judgements and achieve their goals.

In everything we do, we seek to make a real difference to the communities in which we operate. Freshfields is committed to promoting equality and diversity and to developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds make important and positive contributions to our business and how we service our clients.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.

Application deadline:
Thursday 13 February 2025 at 23:59 (UTC)
(i) Times are displayed in your local time zone