Job Specifications
About The Firm
We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.
Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.
Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.
You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.
Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.
Job Description
Deadline for Applications: 16th February 202
SPARK has been developed from a one-week internship into a nine-month development programme to give you deep insights into our work and to develop your legal knowledge, commercial awareness, and core business skills. With both in-person and virtual content, the programme follows key pillars designed to be fast-paced, dynamic and full of opportunities to meet representatives from the firm and to learn about our business. You can find out more about the various pillars here. You'll benefit from an unparalleled introduction to the high-performance world of commercial law experiencing a blend of classroom-based learning, dedicated skill development, time spent shadowing our lawyers and more. It can also lead you straight to a Training Contract. Elements of the programme are paid at £500 per week. Where applicable, we will support travel and accomodation costs.
You will need to be available in the UK for the dates listed below:
Launch = 5th May 2026
Insights (3 days), Skills (2 days) = 22nd June to 26th June 2026
Shadowing = 29th June to 3rd July 2026 or 6th July to 10th July 2026
Eligibility
SPARK is open to first year law students on a three-year degree, second year students on a four-year law degree or penultimate year non-law students. If your law degree is not England and Wales qualifying, you are considered as a non-law student and will need to apply in your penultimate year. You must be studying your first undergraduate degree at a University in the UK. You must also have the right to work in the UK.
How To Apply
Complete the online application form.
Take the Watson Glaser critical reasoning test.
If you pass the Watson Glaser test, your application form will be reviewed by the early talent acquisition team.
Successful candidates at application review will be invited to a recorded video interview.
If you are successful at the video interview stage, you will be invited for an in-person assessment day which is typically no more than 3-4 hours in duration. It will consist of a written exercise, a combined commercial and competency-based interview with two fee-earners, and a group exercise.
Who You Will Work With
Over the course of the programme, you will build your network and receive many learning and development opportunities with your dedicated Buddy Bubble, the early talent acquisition team, lawyers across the firm, our affinity networks, and your dedicated supervisor during the week of SPARK Shadowing.
What You Will Do
Your journey with the firm will start with SPARK Launch at our London office to celebrate your place on the programme and provide you with information and advice that will set you up for success.
You will have access to a dedicated Buddy Bubble made up of a newly qualified associated, a trainee, 2-3 future trainees, and 2-3 SPARK interns. You will receive support on how to make the most of these relationships.
You'll spend two weeks with us during the summer. During week one, you'll experience an intensive schedule of classroom-based learning at the firm, taking a deep dive into our business. During week two, you'll get a behind the scenes feel for what a Training Contract at the firm could look like as you will experience a week in a practice area with a dedicated supervisor.
Furthermore, we are committed to providing you with dedicated skills training during the programme to aid your professional development, and t