Early Careers
Your gateway to becoming an international lawyer
Starting your career at HFW means learning through real work, building confidence over time and developing an understanding of the industries we work in. From the outset, early‑career professionals are trusted to contribute, supported by approachable colleagues and structured guidance that helps turn experience into capability.
Our early‑careers pathways are designed to provide strong foundations, exposure to meaningful work and the space to explore where your interests and strengths lie as you progress.
Offices
Core sectors
Explore Early Careers regional pathways
Join our UK team as a Trainee or Solicitor Apprentice, gaining hands‑on experience and working closely with lawyers across our global network.
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In Australia, we recruit seasonal clerks and graduates to work alongside specialist lawyers on domestic and international matters.
Each year, we recruit ‘stagiaires’ to work alongside our litigation, corporate or tax lawyers. Placements are for students at French universities.
Our Hong Kong office recruits trainee solicitors to work directly with clients and gain exposure to market leading work.
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Developing your career at HFW
Explore our core sectors
Supporting your development at HFW
Early careers at HFW are built around hands‑on experience. Whether you join through a trainee programme, apprenticeship or business services pathway, you’ll be involved in real matters and projects from the start, working alongside experienced professionals who are invested in your development.
Learning is practical and closely linked to the work you do, helping you build technical skills, commercial awareness and confidence as your responsibilities grow.
Development at early‑career level focuses on building capability gradually and sustainably. Structured frameworks provide clarity and support, while day‑to‑day work offers the opportunity to apply learning in practice.
You’ll benefit from regular feedback, guidance from colleagues and access to learning resources that support both technical and professional development. As you progress, opportunities broaden, helping you understand how the firm operates and where your strengths are best applied.
HFW’s sector focus shapes early‑careers experience. Teams are organised around industries, giving early‑career professionals insight into how legal and business expertise supports clients operating in global markets.
This structure allows you to build an understanding of the commercial context behind the work, while gaining exposure to different teams and ways of working. Where appropriate, early‑career roles may also involve working with colleagues in other offices, supporting a broader view of the firm and its work.
Early‑career professionals join a firm that values collaboration, respect and open communication. Colleagues are approachable, and support is built into the way teams work together.
Diversity and inclusion are part of everyday working life, supported by employee networks, practical initiatives and a commitment to creating an environment where people feel respected and able to be themselves. Wellbeing support and flexibility, where possible, help ensure early‑career professionals can build confidence and capability over time.
