Our opportunities
Globally, we’re renowned for breaking new ground in high-growth markets. In Asia, this has translated into a series of ‘firsts’. Whether you’re a Chinese or international law graduate, we’ll give you equal opportunity to excel in one of the world’s most significant economies, with the world’s largest international corporate players.
Our training contract for Junior Associates is a two-year programme that is closely modelled on the Linklaters London contract for trainee solicitors. It’s specifically designed to provide you with experience across a range of practice areas. Under partner and associate supervision and guidance, you’ll be involved in a broad variety of client work. And with necessary training and sufficient time, you’ll develop significant skills and expertise.
Ultimately, you’ll become a confident commercial lawyer, ensuring your future success at Linklaters.
As a Junior Associate, you will experience a four-seat rotation in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong offices. And your ongoing development will be nurtured from all angles. In each six-month seat, you will work with a more senior lawyer who will act as your mentor, providing overall training and supervision. For each practice area, you’ll also have the support of a Group Trainee Solicitor Partner who will mentor you as you develop.
Following that, you’ll continue to meet with human resources at key stages throughout your training, to explore further international placements or client secondments. The learning will continue long after you qualify, not least because our partners receive strategic business leadership training from members of the Harvard Business Faculty.
What’s more, you’ll benefit from specific seminars and training modules relevant to each practice area. And at the end of training contract, based on the needs of the business, you will have the flexibility to choose the practice that you want to develop further for your career path.
Becoming a Junior Associate with Linklaters Greater China is your chance to work on complex and demanding deals. Blend your skills with lawyers from many different fields and jurisdictions. Gain freedom to specialise in specific practice areas, on a broad global stage.
To receive a training contract, you must successfully apply through our Graduate Programmes.
Our Programmes
Penultimate year/final year/postgraduate (law)
Mainland China Elite Internship Programme
Gain an in-depth view of life as a Trainee, and our global business, with a three-month Internship in Beijing or Shanghai.
The Internship is your opportunity to see what it takes to succeed in a global law firm and includes the potential for a full-time work placement. Designed to increase your understanding of business strategy and practice areas in mainland China, the Scheme will give you valuable exposure to live projects, as well as access to bespoke training sessions and workshops.
Your performance will be monitored throughout your Internship. A formal performance review will take place at the end of the Internship. Successful candidates will be considered for a Training Contract.
In addition to support from the Graduate Recruitment team, you will have access to experienced lawyers and Trainees in the workplace and at social events. They will be on hand to answer your questions and give you the constructive advice and feedback you need to make the most of the Scheme and your talents. The firm will also work with you to agree on an appropriate schedule that balances your work and class commitments.
Our three-month Internship is for individuals from mainland China who are penultimate or final-year undergraduates or postgraduates in law, as well as law postgraduates from the United Kingdom and United States.
The China-London Training Contract
This is a unique opportunity for native Mandarin-speaking undergraduates or postgraduates to be trained as England and Wales qualified lawyers before returning to China to embark upon an exciting career as a commercial lawyer in Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai.
You’ll develop skills across different offices and practice areas, and gain exposure to the international work and strategy of Linklaters. Starting with a bespoke Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in London, this is followed with four six-month seats (two in London and two in our China offices). Combining this broad-ranging experience with ongoing feedback, training and support, you’ll develop the professional and commercial skills every successful lawyer needs. Upon qualification, you will have the opportunity to commence your career as an Associate in Hong Kong, Beijing or Shanghai.
Penultimate or final-year law undergraduates or postgraduates in the United Kingdom who can speak, read and write Mandarin as a native speaker and are keen to work in China upon completion of a Training Contract can apply for this role.