TRAINING AS A SOLICITOR
Founded in 1946 by lawyers committed to
legal excellence, internationalism and diversity,
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is a
leading international law firm with 16 closely
integrated offices located in major financial and
political centres around the world – New York,
Washington, D.C., Paris, Brussels, London,
Moscow, Frankfurt, Cologne, Rome, Milan,
Hong Kong, Beijing, Buenos Aires, São Paulo,
Abu Dhabi and Seoul. For more than 60 years,
the firm has been pre-eminent in shaping the
internationalisation of the legal profession.
What makes us different?
One firm
We are a single, integrated, global partnership. Our ‘one firm’ approach
enables us to deliver all our resources to all our clients, wherever in the
world they may be. The compensation we pay our partners and associates
is based solely on seniority, leaving them free to focus on achieving the
best results for our clients.
Quality clients
Our clients include multinational corporations (ArcelorMittal, Coca-Cola,
Sony Corporation, Google), many international financial institutions (such
as Santander, American Express, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Bank of
America, Deutsch Bank, Credit Suisse), private equity funds (including
TPG Capital, Warburg Pincus), sovereign governments (Hellenic Republic,
Republic of Argentina, Republic of Iraq, Russian Federation), sovereign
wealth funds and domestic corporations and financial institutions.
Leading edge
Many of our clients have sophisticated in-house legal teams. They look
to us when they require additional resources or when the issues raised
are particularly complex or challenging. We rarely work on ‘commoditised’
transactions based on standard forms. Our clients come to us with
groundbreaking transactions that demand an original approach and
creative thinking.
“A wonderful law firm with top-notch lawyers experienced
in every industry throughout the world.”
Chambers Global 2015
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
International structure
We are a truly global law firm. We do not have ‘satellite offices’. Instead,
we operate as a first-tier provider of legal services in all the countries in
which we have established an office (and many where we have not). Our
business model is built primarily on local lawyers practising local law in
local jurisdictions. Our 1,200 lawyers come from diverse backgrounds
and more than 50 countries; moreover, many are admitted to practise in
multiple jurisdictions. We actively encourage our lawyers to spend time in
different offices of the firm (and more than a third of our partners have
worked in two or more of the firm’s offices).
Multi-specialist
We train our lawyers to identify and consider all issues raised by a
transaction, and we encourage each senior lawyer to be a specialist in
more than one type of transaction. This multi-specialist approach equips
our lawyers with a deep understanding of the ways in which all aspects
of a transaction fit together. Unencumbered by departmental boundaries,
our lawyers’ ability to see the ‘big picture’ delivers a propensity for
innovation that can often be lost through over-specialisation.
Organic growth
We are dedicated to expanding our practice through organic growth.
Approximately 90 per cent of our current partners were promoted from
among our associates.
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“Those hungry for responsibility should be happy here.”
Chambers Student Guide 2016
“We attach enormous importance to the training
and development of our junior lawyers, they are
the future leaders of the firm and will ensure its
continued growth and great success.”
Glen Scarcliffe, Graduate Recruitment Partner
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
Our London Office
Non-departmentalised
Following the standard found in all our offices, the London office is not
departmentalised. Rather than limit our lawyers, we want them to follow
their interests and abilities.
Our lawyers are not grouped by practice area. They are mixed around the
office. This encourages discussion and integration between lawyers
working in different practice areas and contributes significantly to the
informality and collegiality of our office environment.
Core areas of practice
Our core areas of practice in London are mergers and acquisitions,
financing and restructuring, capital markets, international litigation and
arbitration, and competition. In addition, we have successful self-standing
practices in tax, financial regulation, employment, funds, and intellectual
property and information technology. Lawyers who focus on different
practices work closely together according to the requirements of a
particular transaction.
“You can source work from anywhere in the firm at
any time. It’s liberating. It means you can carry matters
across different seats and see them through.”
Chambers Student Guide 2016
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Our London Office
Multi-office deal teams
The London office is a key part of our closely integrated network of
international offices. Our focus on high-quality, highly innovative and,
high-profile transactions means that our work almost always has a crossborder element. We work with colleagues in our U.S., European, Middle
Eastern and Asian offices on a daily basis. Deal teams typically combine
the skills and resources of lawyers from more than one office.
Practice environment
Our London office offers a dynamic, challenging and stimulating
environment in which to practise law. Our firm conducts the highest
quality work for the most interesting clients. You will work with colleagues
of a consistently high calibre across numerous jurisdictions. Lawyers
in London are supported by an international network of know-how,
precedents and best practice built on the vast experience of all our
lawyers worldwide. Our London office practises in a smaller and more
informal environment than is possible in the largest UK firms. We believe
we provide the optimal setting in which to train and, ultimately, practise
as a solicitor.
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
“I worked on an emerging markets IPO where
Cleary acted as counsel for the underwriters.
I gained a fascinating insight into the challenges
facing an emerging market business but was
also liaising directly with our clients at major
international financial institutions. The deal team
was small and towards closing timing was tight,
but it made for an exciting couple of months
and a real sense of camaraderie developed
within the team as a result.
Chloe Barrowman, Trainee Solicitor
“As part of the team representing Google in
the Commission’s investigation into Android,
it has been fun to explore the fast-moving
technologies in this area of mobile OSs and
apps and to analyse the commercial strategies
of market participants, keeping a finger on the
pulse of the news, and thinking about what
developments might mean in legal terms.”
Wanjie Lin, Newly Qualified Solicitor
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“I was part of the team that worked on the
proposed merger between Santander Asset
Management and Pioneer Global Asset
Management. Reported in the FT as a deal
which “would create one of Europe’s largest
fund managers with more than €300bn of
assets under management”. It was a privilege
and fantastic opportunity to be part of a deal
of this magnitude so early in my career.”
Lauren Murrell, Trainee Solicitor
“We advised Citigroup, Stanbic IBTC, and
Standard Chartered in connection with a
bond offering by the Federal Government of
Nigeria. The bonds were in the form of global
depositary notes denominated in the local
Nigerian currency. The offering was one of the
first issuances of a local currency-denominated
debt security in the form of GDNs in Africa.”
Sam Meiklejohn, Newly Qualified Solicitor
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
Training Contract
We offer a training contract that is unique in the
London market.
Bespoke
We do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ training solution. By recruiting
12–15 trainees each year, we are able to offer bespoke training that is
tailored to our trainees’ interests, experience and aptitudes.
Direct responsibility
We also do not believe that the transition from trainee solicitor to
associate occurs overnight on qualification. So, we encourage our trainee
solicitors to accept increased responsibility as soon as they are ready to
do so. Given appropriate levels of supervision and support, our trainees
operate as lawyers from the day that they join us.
Flexible
Trainees spend six months in four different seats. In each seat, they
share a room with a partner or senior associate who supervises their
day-to-day workload. While a trainee solicitor will work with his or her
supervisor for the majority of the time, we actively encourage our
trainees to also work with other lawyers in the office. This allows trainees
to gain experience in all practice areas, including those in which their
direct supervisor does not prioritise. Our non-departmentalisation means
that, unlike at many firms, trainees can see projects through from initial
instruction to completion; furthermore, they have the flexibility to carry
work between seats without any arbitrary cut-off after six months. We
think this flexibility provides our trainee solicitors with the best possible
preparation for practise as an associate of the firm.
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“Year upon year trainees tell us they pursued Cleary for its international
scope, and they’re rarely disappointed on this front.”
Chambers Student Guide 2016
“My seat abroad in Paris was exciting and
fulfilling. My colleagues were wonderfully
welcoming, and I hit the ground running,
getting involved with complex and fastpaced arbitration matters. I was also
delighted to continue my involvement
with a piece of English litigation from my
previous seat – one of the great features
of the training contract is the flexibility to
remain involved in projects without an
arbitrary cut-off between seats.”
Joe-han Ho, Newly Qualified Solicitor
International
Our trainees can expect to travel during their training contracts. In addition, there are
opportunities for our trainees to spend one of their seats in another of our offices,
typically Brussels, Paris, Moscow, Hong Kong, New York, Washington, D.C. or Abu Dhabi.
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
“Spending six months in New York was a great
way to finish my training contract and allowed
me to meet many of the lawyers I had worked
with as part of multi-office deal teams. Having
shown an interest in the firm’s intellectual
property work, I was able to spend my six
months focusing on this area of practice. While
I worked predominantly with the New York IP
group, I was still given the opportunity to assist
our London and Paris offices with the IP aspects
of a number of cross-border transactions.”
Natalie Farmer, Newly Qualified Solicitor
Multi-specialist
On qualification, some of our trainees immediately choose to focus on a single practice area,
such as competition or international litigation and arbitration. However, many choose to maintain
a more wide-ranging corporate practice. It is not unusual, for example, for associates to work
for a number of years across a range of M&A, capital markets and finance transactions in order
to round out their experience before opting to specialise in one area or another. This is a key
part of our multi-specialist approach.
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“On day one, you join among friends.”
Chambers Student Guide 2015
“I found the LPC year extremely
valuable, both in terms of preparing
me for starting work and, even more
importantly, for forming friendships
with fellow trainees. Being in a class
with the rest of your intake and making
regular trips to the office to take part
in engaging seminars given by future
colleagues really makes you feel part
of the firm even before starting the
training contract itself.”
Niccolo Torrigiani, Trainee Solicitor
“Having classes together developed
a strong rapport between the Cleary
trainee group. It is a great advantage
to be able to start the training contract
with a group of colleagues who are
also good friends.”
Maha Al Ali, Trainee Solicitor
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
Training and Know-How
Development of our trainees
We place great importance on the development of our trainees and on
maximising their experience during the training contract. This hands-on
training is supplemented by a dedicated trainee training programme,
which is designed to provide very real, practical support for the work
undertaken by trainees across all practice areas. Trainees also attend the
office-wide training sessions on topical legal issues and the Europe-wide
seminars on M&A, capital markets and finance. The training goes handin-hand with other legal support provided by a dedicated Knowledge
Management (KM) infrastructure. The professional support lawyers
responsible for the KM resources provide advice and guidance on
precedents and other materials and legal issues.
The formal legal training
The University of Law is our exclusive partner for the GDL, the LPC and
the PSC. We believe that this partnership has a number of advantages:
■
It has allowed us to develop an LPC+ in conjunction with the University
of Law in which we provide additional training sessions at our offices.
These cover market practice and trends to give an up-to-the-minute
perspective on topics relevant to our practice as well as legal topics
designed to supplement those studied on the LPC itself.
■
As our future trainees tend to study together at the University of Law’s
Moorgate centre in London, they are able to get to know each other
before joining us. In particular, the LPC electives are taught in firmspecific (although not necessarily exclusive) groups.
■
By collaborating with a single course provider at each of the three
stages of the formal legal education process, we are able to build
incrementally, and without unnecessary duplication, on previous
learning so as to provide a streamlined approach.
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Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion were among the founding principles of Cleary Gottlieb. Over its 70-year
history, the firm has continued its strong commitment to those principles.
As a firm, we place a premium on the unique perspectives of individuals from a range of
backgrounds, beliefs and life experiences. We believe this tradition helps to keep the firm an open
and exciting place to work and enables our lawyers to benefit from the creativity, talents and
perspectives that an inclusive environment provides.
As the first international firm of U.S. origin to sign the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter,
the flagship diversity initiative of the legal profession, and as participants in and supporters of
Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, we demonstrate our commitment to positive action.
Our diversity committee, made up of partners, associates and business support staff, plays an active
and innovative role in maintaining and promoting a healthy work environment that is free from all
forms of discrimination.
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
“We provided pro bono support to a charity
referred to us by LawWorks. We advised the
charity on a potential loan from the chair of its
board of trustees and provided a draft of the
loan agreement. Ultimately, the trustees
decided against entry into the loan upon
careful consideration of their charity law duties
highlighted by our memorandum. The lean
team structure consisting only of one partner
and two trainees allowed me to have numerous
contacts with the trustees, who on several
occasions called me directly for advice and
explanation of our work product.”
John Kwan, Newly Qualified Solicitor
Pro Bono
In London, our lawyers provide pro bono legal advice on a wide range of issues to a variety of not-forprofit and charitable organisations and individuals, including in the areas of corporate and charities law,
human rights law, intellectual property and litigation. Trainees have the opportunity to contribute actively
to our pro bono effort from the outset of their careers at the firm.
We are highly involved in LawWorks, the leading pro bono resource for legal volunteers in the UK and
a referral agency for pro bono matters. The firm also participates in the Collaborative Plan for Pro
Bono, working alongside a number of other law firms in order to improve access to justice in the UK.
We recently established a partnership with Toynbee Hall’s free legal advice clinic, enabling the charity
to provide a regular twice-monthly legal advice service for women.
Our London office is also involved in the Citizenship Foundation’s School Twinning Programme, through
which our lawyers are paired with classes at inner-city London schools in order to teach the legal
aspects of citizenship to 14- and 15-year-olds. Associates and trainees additionally have an opportunity
to take part in mentoring activities.
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“We acted for the bookrunners on the Government
of Pakistan’s offering of its shares in Habib Bank
Limited. I got involved in various tasks, including
the due diligence process and the drafting of key
agreements. It was great to learn about the
complexities of such transactions and liaise
frequently with clients on a deal which is reportedly
Pakistan’s largest-ever equity offering.”
Ufuoma Brume, Trainee Solicitor
“We advised a Brazilian clearinghouse on their
rights in respect of taking and enforcing security
outside of Brazil in the event one of their nonBrazilian investors became insolvent. We drafted
a multi-jurisdictional advice memorandum and I
worked closely with colleagues in Paris, Brussels
and New York. I learned about a variety of
financial transactions clearinghouses typically
engage in and about different insolvency rules
and regulations.”
Nadia Pascal, Trainee Solicitor
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Your qualities
We seek individuals, both law and non-law graduates, whom we believe
have the exceptional qualities necessary to become the leaders of the
profession in the next generation. We recruit our trainees with a view to
them becoming potential future partners of the firm. While our aim is
to recruit 12–15 trainees to join us in September 2018 or March 2019,
we will only recruit those candidates that we think have a long-term
future with us.
We look for candidates who are enthusiastic about the practice of law
in a challenging and dynamic international setting. While academic
excellence is a prerequisite, we place particular emphasis on recruiting
candidates with whom we and our clients will enjoy working. A sense of
humour is as important as the ability to think critically and creatively
about cutting-edge legal issues.
Our values
Collaboration, not competition, is the way we practise. It guides everything
from whom we hire to how we compensate ourselves. Our reasoning is
not complicated: the best work product results from talented people
working in a common enterprise and sharing their knowledge, time and
experience with others. Only a handful of firms around the world are so
confident of their core values that they are willing to share the rewards
of their work the way we do. Generations of Cleary Gottlieb lawyers have
proved that there is no better way to foster excellence. Outstanding work
is the standard we set for everyone and we have created an environment
in which everyone is eager to deliver it.
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Vacation Scheme
We actively encourage all candidates who are considering applying
to us for a trainee solicitor position to undertake a two-week vacation
placement with us, as almost all our trainee solicitors have done.
We offer 46 vacation places each year (approximately ten in winter,
twelve in spring and twelve in each of two summer schemes) and pay
£500 per week.
The vacation schemes aim to provide potential training contract
applicants with a practical insight into life as a Cleary Gottlieb lawyer.
Our objective throughout is to involve participants directly in client work.
In addition to providing hands-on experience, the scheme incorporates a
series of practice overview sessions designed to ensure exposure to the
full range of work that we undertake in London. There are also social
events outside the office to help participants get to know the current
partners, associates and trainees of the firm.
We receive a very high number of applications for vacation scheme
placements and training contracts each year. To succeed, candidates
need to demonstrate exceptional academic ability. We normally expect
candidates to be on course to attain a high 2.1 or better from a leading
university and to have achieved at least AAA at A-Level or the equivalent.
Alongside academic ability, we value evidence of extra-curricular
achievement. Foreign language skills are a valuable asset, but are
not essential.
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CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
“The Cleary vacation scheme was a great
opportunity to learn more about what makes the
firm stand out from its peers. Everything about
the structure of the fortnight is designed to bring
the work and the people at the heart of the firm
to life. I was impressed by the international
nature of the firm’s practice, and left feeling
excited at the prospect of a future at Cleary.”
Ed Hicks, Future Trainee Solicitor
“By taking part in the vacation scheme,
I was able to see how the firm’s structure
works in practice. There was plenty of
opportunity to get involved in real work
from the areas I was interested in, with
support from lawyers from across the firm.”
Beth Leggate, Future Trainee Solicitor
“We all receive a variety of viewpoints from our
peers, and so participating in a vacation scheme
at Cleary really is the best way to find out for
yourself. It was a brief but genuine introduction
to life at the firm that has left me enthusiastic
about joining the Cleary community.”
Andrew Boyce, Future Trainee Solicitor
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The Package
Salary
We offer a salary and benefits package that reflects the premium nature
of our practice and is commensurate with our aim to recruit the best
lawyers of the future. As at September 2015, our salaries are:
■
£42,000 for the first twelve months
■
£47,000 for the second twelve months
■
£96,000 on qualification
Trainees additionally receive a discretionary, year-end bonus. In keeping
with the fundamental principles of the firm, the level of any bonus paid,
whether to trainees or to associates, depends solely on seniority.
Funding
We fund the Legal Practice Course for all our future trainee solicitors.
For non-law graduates, we also fund the Graduate Diploma in Law. In
each year of professional study, we pay a maintenance grant of £8,000.
Benefits
Additional benefits include:
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■
5% employer pension contribution
■
Healthclub membership
■
Private healthcare cover
■
Life insurance of twice annual salary
■
Long-term disability insurance
■
Childcare vouchers
■
Back up care
■
Employee assistance programme
■
Subsidised staff restaurant
■
Season ticket loan
CLEARY GOT TLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
When & How to Apply
All candidates should submit a cover letter and full curriculum vitae, including a
breakdown by subject of all A-Level (or equivalent) results and degree results where
known. Details of at least one academic referee should be included, whom we may
choose to contact directly.
Applications for both vacation placements and trainee solicitor positions should be
submitted via our website (www.cgsh.com/london/apply).
We will review applications for vacation schemes on a rolling basis. Direct training
contract applications will not be reviewed until after the deadline on the 31st July 2016.
2015
October 1
2015 Winter Vacation Scheme applications and 2016
Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme applications open
November 16
2015 Winter Vacation Scheme applications close.
Successful applicants will be invited to an open day
December 7-17
2015 Winter Vacation Scheme
2016
January 22
2016 Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme applications close.
Successful applicants will be invited to an open day
February 1
Training Contract applications open
April 4-15
Spring Vacation Scheme
June 20 - July 1
Summer Vacation Scheme 1
July 4-15
Summer Vacation Scheme 2
July 31
Training Contract applications close
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Selected Honours
Debt Equity, M&A, and
Restructuring Teams of
the Year
International Financial Law
Review, 2015
Global Elite firm every year
since its inception
Legal Business’ “Global 100,”
2003-2014
Top 10 Global Firm
#2 / Global M&A
Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters
and Mergermarket, 2014
Law360 “Global 20” List of
Preeminent Global Law Firms,
2013-2015
Russian Law Firm of the Year
Law Firm of the Year
International Financial Law Review,
2013-2015 (Cleary has won six
times since the award’s inception
in 2003)
Legal Business (UK), 2013
Most Innovative US Law
Firm in Europe
Top 10 Innovative Law Firm
International Financial Law Review,
2013
Financial Times’ U.S. Innovative Lawyers,
2013 and 2014
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