2027 London - Summer Vacation Scheme

Our vacation schemes are designed to give you a taste of what it's like to tackle exciting challenges and deliver high-profile work that matters to our clients.

Gaining exposure to live deals and cases is a valuable part of your professional development. During the three-week scheme, you'll have the opportunity to experience two different practice areas, allowing you to tailor your placement to your interests and gain insight into the breadth of work we do.

In each seat, you'll be supervised by one of our colleagues, working closely with them on meaningful client matters and developing the skills needed for a successful legal career. Typical tasks may include legal research, drafting, due diligence, document review, and preparing for client meetings.

You'll receive feedback at the end of your first seat, giving you the opportunity to reflect, develop and apply your learning throughout the remainder of the scheme.

Alongside your seat experience, you'll attend a range of presentations, workshops and networking events designed to deepen your understanding of our practice areas, build your commercial awareness, and provide insight into what it takes to succeed as a commercial lawyer at HSF Kramer.

At the end of your scheme, you will be considered for a place on our Trainee Associate Programme dependent on your performance.

Our Summer Vacation Schemes will take place between:

Scheme 2: 5 July 2027 - 23 July 2027

About us

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambitions. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.

A leading global law firm, with over 6,000 people, we are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. We’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions.

We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re invested and resourceful. We understand the part technology and digitalisation play in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact wherever in the world we operate. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with an open mind and curiosity.

We are known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture. Being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover they are our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your growth. Our ambition.

Inclusivity

We value diverse perspectives and embrace difference. We’re proud of our achievements, committed to building on our good work, as well as our awareness of and focus on well-being. You’ll be supported to bring your whole and best self to work in an environment that is not only professional, but also connected and caring. We’re renowned for our culture. We balance being human, bold and outstanding and you’ll find these are more than our values: a lived experience. At the heart of this, you’ll be supported to grow, achieve your ambitions and play a part in helping us achieve the firm’s. So as a graduate, by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Practice areas

Antitrust Business advisory Capital markets Class actions Competition Corporate Crisis management Data, privacy and cybersecurity Digital legal delivery Dispute resolution Emerging technology Employment Environmental ESG Finance Financial services and regulation Government affairs Human rights Immigration Intellectual property International arbitration Investment management Litigation Media and entertainment Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) Pensions Private credit Private equity Projects Public law Real estate Regulatory and compliance Restructuring and insolvency Rewards and incentives Special situations Sustainability Tax Technology White collar defense and investigations

Application process

When to apply

Applications close on 1 December 2026 (23:59 GMT), so make sure you've completed and submitted your online application form by then. Please note that all applications will be reviewed after the deadline.

What we offer you

What you'll get in return

We support and care for you to help you grow, with a complete package that includes:

A trainee buddy who will be on hand to share invaluable advice and support you in each of the practice areas you sit in

A salary of £500 per each week of the scheme.

During your time with us, you'll grow and help the firm to grow with you. It's a two-way deal. Work hard and perform well on your vacation scheme and you'll be rewarded with a place on our Trainee Associate Programme.

What we're looking for

Our summer vacation schemes are open to penultimate-year students, finalists and graduates.

We consider applicants from any degree discipline, with a keen interest in commercial law.

We look for candidates with a strong and consistent academic record. We typically look for a minimum of AAB at A-level (or equivalent). At university, applicants should be on track to achieve, or have achieved, consistent 2:1s across modules, with an average mark of 63% or above in each year of study (or the international equivalent).

We consider contextual recruitment data and if mitigating circumstances have affected your academic performance at any stage of your education, we strongly encourage you to explain these in your application, as they will be taken into consideration.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer London Insight events / open days

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer London Insight events / open days

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer London Insight events / open days

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer London Insight events / open days

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