Training Contract
If you're a law student in your penultimate year or beyond, you can apply for our vacation scheme, which offers a pathway to a two-year training contract.
As a trainee you will rotate through four practice areas to give you experience across the breadth of law we practice, and help you find the area you would like to focus on. A thorough induction kicks off your life as a trainee, introducing you to all the resources you will need to support your work and training.
Search opportunitiesWhat we can offer you
PCLL sponsorship & stipend
All our trainees must complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) prior to commencing a training contract. We offer a stipend during your 1-year PCLL studies and reimburse the full costs for the course once you start your training contract.
Welcoming culture
Our people make our culture! We have a culture focused on collaboration, communication and equality across all levels of roles. Our Partners are especially supportive of our Trainees and want to help you succeed.
Secondment opportunity
One of the four seats is likely to be an international secondment to one of our overseas offices.
The recruitment process
To be eligible, you need to be on track for a high 2:1 in your law degree. Strong English and Chinese skills are also required, and any additional foreign language skills are welcome.
If you don't meet this criteria, and there are mitigating circumstances, please tell us about this in your application.
Showcase your talent by sharing why you want to be a lawyer and why you want to join Ashurst Perkins Coie. By being concise in your online application, you can share your insights into the legal industry and provide more details about yourself.
You will be asked to complete an online assessment designed to measure a range of critical reasoning and behavioral strengths that align with a trainee role at Ashurst Perkins Coie. The assessment gives you a realistic preview of what life at Ashurst Perkins Coie looks like and the types of scenarios you are likely to experience as a trainee.
We recommend completing the online exercise in one sitting; however, it is untimed so you can complete it at your own pace. It typically takes around 60 minutes. Once completed, you’ll be sent an individual feedback report outlining your key strengths and development areas.
You can learn about the types of questions you'll be asked by visiting our Preparation Hub.
You’ll meet face-to-face with our graduate recruitment partner(s), lawyers, and our people and culture team for individual and group interviews designed to assess your personal and technical skills.
It’s also an opportunity for you to find out more about us, so please prepare some questions.
Key dates
Applications open
6 September 2025
Applications close
4 January 2026
Testimonials
"My 2 years of training at the firm have been both rewarding and transformative. Each of my seats through restructuring and special situations, corporate transactions, and global loans gave me exposure to high-profile matters that pushed me to learn quickly and think on my feet. The partners and associates I worked with were not only incredible mentors but also generous with their time and guidance. What makes Ashurst Perkins Coie stand out to me is the mix of challenging work and a genuinely supportive culture: you’re trusted with responsibility early on, but you never feel like you’re on your own. And, while there are plenty of office drinks along the way, the real highlight has been working alongside such smart, driven, and down-to-earth colleagues (and yes, our cutting-edge legal AI technology has more than earned its place on the team)."
Ivana Gu, 2022 Trainee, 2024 Newly Qualified Lawyer
"Training at Ashurst Perkins Coie has been an incredibly rewarding journey. The firm’s strong emphasis on collaboration and knowledge-sharing gave me the opportunity to work closely with talented professionals across a wide range of practice areas and jurisdictions. The firm has also been a pioneer in integrating AI into its daily legal operations, which has significantly enhanced the way we work and deliver value to clients. After completing my 2-year traineeship, I joined the litigation team. The team is made up of legal enthusiasts who are genuinely passionate about the law and the work we do. Among them is my desk mate—a proud father and an active footballer for the Hong Kong Law Society football team—who scored the first-ever goal at the new Kai Tak stadium. Day to day, I am working alongside colleagues who bring both intellectual rigor and personal warmth to the workplace."
Kun Ou, 2022 Trainee, 2024 Newly Qualified Lawyer
Applicant Resource Hub
For answers to all of your FAQs and information on application and interview tips, the benefits we provide, life at Ashurst Perkins Coie, our L&D programs and our commitments to diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
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Diversity, Inclusion & Opportunity
We have deep and enduring commitments to diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all.
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If you can’t find answers to your questions on this page or on the Applicant Resource Hub then please contact our Early Careers team.
Agencies
Agency submissions and candidate introductions will only be accepted with prior approval from a member of the Ashurst Perkins Coie Talent Acquisition team. To submit or introduce a candidate, an agency must have valid agreed terms of business in place with Ashurst Perkins Coie. Any agency submissions or candidate introductions made without prior approval or without the agreed terms of business in place will be considered invalid.