The junior associate programme is made up of three seats over 12 months. Usually you’ll complete one seat with a transactional focus; one within a specialised group; and another, based on where your interests and our business needs meet
Junior associates usually join us in one of two intakes - at the beginning of September or at the beginning of February. Because you’ll start in a group of around five to eight people – you will begin building your own network from the start. There’s some intensive early training so that you can really feel as though you know the way the firm works. Because of our open door approach, you’ll be working directly with partners and managing associates from day one, as well as gaining client exposure. But although you’ll certainly feel challenged, you’ll never feel overwhelmed, as you will be supported in everything you undertake as your seats progress.
The work is very varied – you’ll have the opportunity to network widely within the firm and at all levels. Global opportunities are an everyday reality, so you’ll have frequent and regular contact with your colleagues in other Linklaters offices across the world. There are practice retreats where you’ll get to meet your colleagues in other countries face to face. There is also scope to go on secondments at other Linklaters offices and at our client organisations.
We are entirely focused on your training and development. You’ll have access to technical skills training as well as softer skills training; you’ll also learn a huge amount from your colleagues. Working with such talented and professional people, your professional development will be continuous and Linklaters will offer the support and advice you need to help reach your career ambitions. You will be guided by a mentor in the shape of your “principal” so that through regular evaluation and feedback your development and evolution will be a daily and ongoing process.
At the end of the year we sit and discuss where you are in your career, what your aims and goals are and how we can help you meet those goals. We look at what is going well, areas where you feel you may need support in terms of development and how your careers objectives are aligned with the firm’s strategy. It is an exciting time to be working at Linklaters and the scope for committed and talented associates is vast.