Clyde & Co is a leading global law firm, helping organisations
successfully navigate risk and maximise opportunity in the sectors
that underpin global trade and commercial activity and enable global
prosperity, namely: insurance, aviation, marine, construction, energy,
trade and natural resources.
Globally integrated, Clyde & Co offers a comprehensive range of
contentious and non-contentious legal services and commercially-minded
legal advice to businesses operating across the world. It is committed
to operating in a responsible way by progressing towards a diverse and
inclusive workforce that reflects the communities and clients it
serves and provides an environment in which everyone can realise their
potential, using its legal and professional skills to support its
communities through pro bono work, volunteering and charitable
partnerships, and minimising the impact it has on the environment
including through a commitment to the SBTi Net-Zero standard and the
setting of ambitious emissions reduction targets.
The firm has 490 partners, 2400 lawyers, 3200 legal professionals and
5500 people overall in nearly 70 offices and associated offices worldwide.
Our Middle East and Africa footprint
Located in commercial hubs across the Middle East and Africa, our 9
offices allow us to support international investors and local
organisations with a full-service offering of local specialists across
most business sectors and areas of law.
Our services: Commercial, Commercial Disputes, Corporate, Cyber Risk,
Data Protection & Cybersecurity, Employment & Immigration,
Finance, Global Recoveries, Insolvency & Reorganisation,
Intellectual Property, International Arbitration, Projects &
Construction, Real Estate, Regulatory & Investigations, Technology
Our sectors: Aviation, Education, Energy & Natural Resources,
Government & Public Bodies, Healthcare, Hospitality,
Infrastructure, Insurance & Reinsurance, Marine, Retail &
Consumer, Technology, Communications, Media & Entertainment, Trade
& Commodities
Clyde & Co in the Middle East and Africa
With over 34 years' experience in the region and the largest presence
of any international law firm in the Middle East, we pride ourselves
on being able to help clients recognise and overcome the challenges of
doing business in the Middle East and Africa.
In the Middle East, our more than 55 partners and 150 legal
professionals work from five offices located across the region. Our
Dubai office acts as a central hub for our Middle East and Africa
regional operations that include, in the Middle East, offices in Abu
Dhabi in the UAE, Doha in Qatar, Cairo in Egypt and Riyadh in Saudi
Arabia. Our large regional presence enables us to support our clients
across the full spectrum of their corporate and commercial needs
throughout the GCC and wider Levant.
Our deep sector knowledge covers insurance, energy, transport,
infrastructure, marine and trade as well as aviation, education,
finance, healthcare, hospitality, and technology.
What is a training contract?
A training contract is a two-year placement that is undertaken by
trainee solicitors who are looking to qualify in England & Wales,
and have completed the PGDL and SQE LLM in Legal Practice for non-law
graduates or SQE LLM in Legal Practice for those that hold a law
degree. For those that accept a training contract with us, Clyde &
Co will provide support for your tuition fees.
The final step before qualification, it can be likened to an
apprenticeship: an opportunity to put all your academic knowledge to
vocational use. Trainees will spend two years getting a practical
legal education overseen by senior solicitors at the firm.
What does the role involve?
As a trainee lawyer, you can expect tasks to be very varied. To keep
things simple, here are a list of tasks that you can expect to
encounter during your time at Clyde & Co:
- Legal research
- Drafting documents as part of transactions and litigation,
including facility agreements, witness statements and pleadings
- Communicating and meeting with clients
- Document review
- Bundling documents in preparation for trial
- Assisting case-handlers with active files
- Upholding the firm's reputation at external events
- Developing legal knowledge by attending both internal and external
training sessions
- Managing workload as well as getting involved in pro bono
What we're looking for
We are looking for candidates genuinely interested in the law and
committed to a career in the Middle East upon qualification. Whilst
our programme is open to both law and non-law students and graduates
from universities near and far, regional focus is important to us and
this year we are particularly interested in candidates with
advanced or fluent Arabic language skills.
We look for candidates with excellent academics (a minimum of three A
Levels at grades A, A, B or equivalent) and be on track for or have a
2:1 degree, but your commercial acumen, interpersonal skills and
adaptability are also of interest to us.
We are looking for candidates to start their training contracts with
us in 2027.
UAE nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
What we offer
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package as a newly
qualified solicitor. As a trainee, you will also be entitled to a
range of rewards and benefits:
- Private medical including health checks
- Financial support relating to tuition fees
- Maternity and paternity pay
- Flexible working arrangements
We'll make sure you have plenty of support and guidance throughout
your programme. You can also look forward to a tailored induction
programme and on- going internal training designed to ensure you have
the skills, knowledge, and commercial acumen you need to become a
well-round solicitor.
The application processes
We are looking for applicants with the motivation to join our firm
and potential to be successful in the role throughout our process.
You'll need to make your application online via our online application
system. You will then be invited to complete our digital immersive
assessment which simulates a realistic preview of the role of a
trainee solicitor. It looks to assess specific strengths and skills
required in the role and asks you to complete a series of motivational
and strengths-based questions though video interviews.
Following this, if successful we will be in contact to invite you to
our virtual assessment day which will consist of a short-written
exercise, a role play scenario, a group exercise and a strengths-based
interview. An Arabic proficiency exercise will be added for
Arabic-speaking candidates.
The deadline to submit your application is 5th January 2025.
Reasonable Adjustments
Let us know if you need us to make adjustments or changes to the
interview process to help you best demonstrate your suitability for
the role. We will do our best to accommodate your request. If you wish
to discuss anything regarding the interview process, please contact
Early Careers (EarlyCareers@clydeco.com).
