Freshfields
London·New York
Corporate·Disputes·Banking
Founded in 1743 with the Bank of England as its first client (still a client today), Freshfields is the oldest international law firm in the world and has remained at the top of the European legal market for more than 250 years.
Why this firm
The oldest international law firm in the world
One of the five Magic Circle firms
An eight-seat rotation instead of the usual four: more departments, shorter stretches
A genuinely international practice: short-notice postings abroad aren't unusual
What this firm looks for
Drawn from Freshfields's own recruitment materials
Based on the firm's published recruitment materials, graduate recruitment commentary and stated values.
Ambitious, collaborative, entrepreneurial
Freshfields' own careers pages state it wants ambitious, collaborative and entrepreneurial law students who are looking to grow, lead and make an impact early in their careers, used verbatim across its graduate recruitment pages.
Agility, resilience, team focus
The firm's UK Early Careers page names enthusiasm and drive, agility and flexibility, resilience and tenacity, and being team-oriented and people-focused as the specific qualities it looks for.
Tech-forward trainees
Backed concretely by its 2025 partnership with King's College London funding a free LLM in Law and Technology (AI, crypto, cyberspace law) for incoming trainees, described by the firm as upskilling trainees to fit its strategic direction as a global firm.
Past applications
Real material for Freshfields
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A real application for Freshfields
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Personal Statement
Personal Statement Freshfields
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