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.
Learn More – Create Your Own Story at Ashurst Perkins Coie
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
12 September 2026
Applications close
3 January 2027
Testimonials
"My two years as a trainee solicitor at Ashurst Perkins Coie have provided an exceptional foundation for my professional career. From day one, I was struck by the firm's genuinely collaborative culture, defined by partners and associates who consistently dedicated time to mentor trainees and share their legal expertise. The structural variety of the training contract provided comprehensive exposure across diverse practice areas, allowing me to strategically identify my professional specialties before qualification. Although the fast-paced environment and sophisticated caseload were demanding, this rigor accelerated my career growth alongside market-leading practitioners. Furthermore, utilizing the firm's integrated legal AI technologies significantly enhanced my technical fluency and operational efficiency to provide cutting edge solutions to our clients. Beyond legal practice, engaging in firm initiatives—such as the dragon boat team and corporate social responsibility programs—helped me to find a real sense of community here."
— Oscar Tsoi, 2023 Trainee, 2025 Newly Qualified Lawyer
"My two years of training at Ashurst Perkins Coie has built an incredible foundation for my legal career. I rotated through Global Loans, Corporate Transactions, Dispute Resolution, and Global Markets, each seat offering a distinct perspective on complex, cross-border work. What I valued most about the firm was the trust placed in trainees: you're given genuine responsibility from day one, and whether it is running a closing checklist or drafting core transaction documents, there is always a supportive team behind you ready to guide and develop your thinking. Since qualifying into the Global Markets team, I have continued to benefit from that same culture of mentorship and collaboration – now with the focus of advising derivatives and structured finance matters for leading financial institutions across the globe. Ashurst Perkins Coie is a place where intellectually rigorous work meets a warm, collegial environment, and I am proud to be building my career here."
— Ian Chow, 2023 Trainee, 2025 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.
Recruitment Privacy Notice
Ashurst Perkins Coie Group respects your privacy and is committed to complying with its data protection obligations. To find out more about how we process your personal data through our recruitment activities, please refer to our Recruitment Privacy Notice.