Inspired by youInspired by you
Inspired by you

Your training and development

Inspired by youInspired by you
Your training at Osborne Clarke is exactly that: Yours.

A bespoke programme that evolves through continuous review and communication, created with your skills, your ambitions and your passions as the guiding principle.
Roll on Friday’s Best Law Firms to Work at 2023
Ranked fifth in the best law firms to work at table.

Building future lawyers

Following your time with BBP completing the SQE preparation courses and examinations, you’ll embark on two-years of different placements throughout the firm, each one building on the growth and development gained by the one before. Starting from an initial scoping meeting to define your first step, followed up with regular reviews and discussion about what comes next and what you need to get there. By the time you reach qualification you’ll know what you want to do and be prepared - and inspired - to do it. And it doesn’t stop there. Unlike other training programmes, ours extends into your first year as a qualified associate, where you’ll be given further support to develop specialist "future of work” skills, grow your network and, if you haven’t already, experience a secondment.

Taking care of the human

The OC difference lies with our people. So beyond ensuring our future lawyers have all the legal and technical training to succeed, we’re just as focused on what the human behind them needs.
A trusted support system that includes dedicated development managers and supervisors, mentors and of course a peer network active from the moment you receive your training contract offer (with its own social budget).
A flexible approach to connected working, with no expectation of five days in the office. We are also committed to offering successful candidates the opportunity to train on a part-time basis, and are actively involved with the Law Society's 'Project Rise'.
The opportunity to broaden your social and networking skills thanks to high levels of client exposure from the get-go.
Access to our OC Mind and Body network to ensure you have everything you need to be mentally and physically at your best.
The chance to broaden your horizons and nurture empathy by getting involved in a range of CSR projects. Read more about OC for Good.
“We’ve designed a training and development program that puts the individual front and centre. We want to bring out the very best in our people, make the most of their unique talents, and inspire them every step of the way.”
Alexandra Gower, Training Principal

Are you inspired by...

…new experiences?
One of the most rewarding experiences both personally and for your career is going on secondment, either to a client or to one of our international locations. The fastest and most exciting route to growing your network, while building industry, sector and client insight and experience. You’ll have the opportunity to experience a secondment either during your first two years, or after qualification.
Apply now
…innovation?
Whether you start out with an interest in legal tech, or go on to develop one, we would encourage you to spend time with OC Solutions. At the forefront of innovation in our industry, the team focusses on providing our clients with digital solutions that will help revolutionise the way they work.
Apply now
…doing good?
Our role as good corporate citizens is central to who we are as a firm, and fundamental to your growth both as a lawyer, and as an individual. From the day you start at Osborne Clarke you will be an integral part of our CSR and D&I committees, giving you the chance to have an active role in improving life at the firm, in our communities and the world at large. We allocate more hours to spend on CSR activities than many of our peers, and we’re proud of what our people have achieved, with pro-bono work, fundraising, and making Osborne Clarke a more diverse and inclusive place to work.
Apply now

Everything you need to know:

  • 01
    We have 30 training contract vacancies available to start in September 2026: 13 in London, 14 in Bristol and 3 in Reading.
  • 02
    The application process will open on 1 October 2023.
  • 03
    Deadline for applications is 23:59 on 15 January 2024.
  • 04
    Assessment centres and interviews will run throughout February and March 2024. Please ensure that you are available on the proposed dates as unfortunately we are unable to provide any alternatives. If you are invited to attend an in-person session please note that we are unable to provide a virtual alternative due to the nature of the exercises undertaken.

Locations

Osborne Clarke has three UK locations where you could complete your training. Find out more:
Introducing our Bristol office

Bristol is a thriving city and one of the most vibrant legal centres outside of London. From our Bristol office we advise national and international clients, as well as the high-growth and entrepreneurial businesses that are putting the South West on the map. Our Bristol team includes some of our key corporate, commercial and litigation Partners, as well as specialist teams in areas like pensions, tax and residential development.

Halo

From mid-2023 our Bristol office has been housed in the brand new Halo building in the buzzing Finzels Reach area of the city. Halo has been certified by BREEAM as Outstanding – the first building in the UK to attain this certification. With energy coming from renewable sources like solar panels, and innovative water and heat saving technology throughout, Halo is is one of the UK’s most sustainable office buildings. While working in the office you’ll be able to enjoy green spaces throughout, excellent cycle facilities that include changing areas and showers, and beautiful in-house yoga and spin studios.

Salary

Competitive in the Bristol market, in your first year you will receive £46,500 p.a., rising to £48,500 p.a. in your second year, and to £70,000 once qualified.

Just as there’s more to life than work, there’s more to how we reward your contribution to Osborne Clarke than simply your salary. Find out more about our Flexible benefits (UK only).

Placement programme

Bristol trainees have been able to complete placements in up to four of the following areas:

  • Competition
  • Corporate Tax
  • Employment
  • Incentives
  • Pensions
  • Commercial
  • Corporate (including mergers and acquisitions, private equity and equity capital markets)
  • Financial Institutions
  • Commercial disputes
  • Property disputes
  • Regulatory disputes
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Banking
  • Construction and projects
  • Planning and environment
  • Project finance
  • Real Estate
What else?

Bristol is where Osborne Clarke was founded, and one of our early clients was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. We acted as legal advisors to Brunel on the construction of the Suspension Bridge and the Great Western Railway. There’s always something happening at our Bristol office, from our legal battle of the bands in aid of our location charity, to informal team evenings in one of Bristol’s many great bars and restaurants.


Halo
Counterslip
Bristol, United Kingdom
BS1 6AJ

Introducing our London office

Our London office is in the heart of the City – ideally situated for the top-flight clients we advise. As you’d expect there’s a lot of M&A (we’re one of the top 10 firms for this in the City), capital markets and financial institutions work. But there’s much more to our London office than that. For example, we have one of the most highly regarded Real Estate teams in the square mile, our Tech, Media and Comms  team is the go-to team for cutting edge tech companies and we excel in areas like International Arbitration.

Salary

Competitive in the London ‘City’ market, in your first year you will receive £53,000 p.a., rising to £55,000 p.a. in your second year, and to £91.500 once qualified.

Just as there’s more to life than work, there’s more to how we reward your contribution to Osborne Clarke than simply your salary. Find out more about our Flexible benefits (UK only).

Placement programme

London trainees have been able to complete placements in up to four of the following areas:

  • Corporate Tax
  • Employment
  • Incentives
  • Commercial
  • Corporate (including mergers and acquisitions, private equity and equity capital markets)
  • Financial Institutions
  • Commercial disputes
  • Construction disputes
  • IP disputes
  • Property disputes
  • Regulatory disputes
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Banking
  • Planning
  • Projects (including project finance)
  • Real Estate
What else?

Despite its size, our London team is close-knit, enjoying a wide range of social and team activities, like our annual quiz and sporting competitions. There’s also a chance to get involved with fundraising for our location charity.


Osborne Clarke London
One London Wall
London
EC2Y 5EB

Introducing our Reading office

The Reading office is home to a close-knit and growing OC team. With its own distinct, high profile client pool, the office is known for doing City work for leading names from its Thames Valley base. There's a strong technology focus (from start-ups to Big Tech) and the team's strong links to our Silicon Valley office mean that we advise many US clients making their entry to the UK market, as well as venture capitalists and private equity investors across all sectors, including telecoms, life sciences, infrastructure and energy & utilities. 
 
Our Reading team is a regional market leader, with fee earners working not only on Thames Valley-based matters but also leading and assisting on cross-office matters and with our international teams. 

Salary

Competitive in the Reading market, in your first year you will receive £47,700 p.a., rising to £49,500 p.a. in your second year, and to £82,350 once qualified.

Just as there’s more to life than work, there’s more to how we reward your contribution to Osborne Clarke than simply your salary. Find out more about our Flexible benefits (UK only).

Placement programme

Reading trainees have been able to complete placements in up to four of the following areas:

  • Employment
  • Commercial
  • Corporate
  • Commercial Disputes
  • Banking
  • Real Estate

Osborne Clarke Reading
3 Forbury Place, 23 Forbury Road
Reading
RG1 3JH

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The inside view

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