Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Launch your career in commercial law with hands-on experience across multiple legal practice areas.
- Company: Join a leading law firm with a global presence and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid leave, and structured training for qualification.
- Why this job: Work on high-value international matters and shape your legal career from day one.
- Qualifications: Open to penultimate or final-year students with strong motivation for commercial law.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent networking and career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
Launch your career in commercial law with a two-year training programme designed to develop high-performing lawyers. You’ll gain hands-on experience on major international matters, rotating across multiple legal practice areas and collaborating with market-leading professionals. This is your opportunity to work with global clients at the forefront of corporate, financial and regulatory change.
Key Criteria
- Penultimate or final-year undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate
- 2:1 or above (achieved or on track) or strong international equivalent
- Any academic discipline (law and non-law backgrounds welcome)
- Clear motivation for a career in commercial law
- Strong analytical and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in fast-paced, collaborative environments
What you’ll do
Over two years, you will:
- Complete eight seats (including a six-month secondment)
- Work on complex, high-value matters across multiple disciplines, such as:
- Corporate and M&A
- Finance and capital markets
- Disputes and litigation
- Antitrust and regulatory
- Employment, tax and intellectual property
Exposure spans different sectors, jurisdictions and legal systems, giving you a clear route to choose your qualification area.
Training & support
You’ll receive:
- Close supervision from a qualified Associate (your seat principal)
- Support from Trainee Partners and the Early Careers team
- Practice-area specific learning and technical legal training
- Regular feedback and personalised development planning
- Access to internal networks, social activities and wellbeing support
You are encouraged to shape your career direction as you progress.
Qualification pathway – City Consortium Plus Programme
Prior to joining, you’ll complete a fully funded programme preparing you for the SQE and City legal practice, including:
- 11 months of structured learning and practical skills development
- Mini-seats across core practice areas
- Professional skills training covering advocacy, drafting and client interaction
- Mentoring and support, particularly for students from under-represented backgrounds
You will study alongside future trainees from other top City firms.
Secondments
A six-month secondment may take place:
- In an international office, or
- Within a major client team
This broadens commercial understanding and professional adaptability.
Additional benefits
- £56,000 annual salary in Year 1, £61,000 in Year 2
- Four weeks of paid leave on qualification
- Global collaboration and impactful work from day one
- A structured route to qualification as a solicitor in England & Wales
Applications open: 1 October 2025
Deadline: 1 December 2025 (Reviewed on a rolling basis — early applications recommended)
Programme start dates: February or August 2028/2029
Seniority level: Associate
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Administrative, Finance, and Legal
Industries: Law Practice
Support Associate in England employer: GradBay
Contact Detail:
GradBay Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Associate in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in the legal field, especially those who have gone through similar training programmes. They can offer insider tips and might even refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to commercial law. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to build your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for commercial law during interviews. Share specific examples of what excites you about the field and how your background, whether law or non-law, has prepared you for this journey.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Associate in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Motivation: Make sure to express your genuine interest in a career in commercial law. We want to see that you’re not just applying for the sake of it, but that you’ve got a clear vision of where you want to go and why this role excites you.
Highlight Your Skills: When writing your application, focus on showcasing your strong analytical and written communication skills. We love seeing examples of how you've used these skills in past experiences, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Application: Don’t send out a generic application! We want to see that you’ve tailored your application specifically for us. Mention our training programme and how it aligns with your career goals — it shows you’ve done your homework!
Apply Early: Remember, we review applications on a rolling basis, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances! Head over to our website and get your application in before the deadline — we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at GradBay
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the basics of commercial law and the specific areas mentioned in the job description. Brush up on key concepts in corporate law, finance, and regulatory matters. This will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions confidently.
✨Show Your Motivation
Be ready to articulate why you want to pursue a career in commercial law. Think about what excites you about the field and how this role aligns with your career goals. A clear motivation can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since strong written and verbal communication skills are crucial, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You might even want to prepare answers to common interview questions and get a friend to do a mock interview with you.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the training programme, the firm's culture, or the types of cases they handle. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the firm is the right fit for you.
