King & Spalding
London·Atlanta
Energy·Litigation·Life sciences
Many of King & Spalding's energy lawyers previously worked as in-house project counsel or engineers at major energy companies, giving the practice genuine technical depth, not just legal knowledge.
Why this firm
350+ lawyers dedicated purely to energy
Band 1-ranked for international arbitration by Chambers Global, and topped the Global Arbitration Review GAR 30 ranking again in 2025
A genuine litigation and life sciences bench sits alongside its energy core, not a single-specialism firm
Founded in 1885 in Atlanta, where the firm is still headquartered today
What this firm looks for
Drawn from King & Spalding's own recruitment materials
Based on the firm's published recruitment materials, graduate recruitment commentary and stated values.
Fit with a "Top 20 global" platform
The firm's own UK graduate recruitment page states it wants candidates who show a strong desire to grow within a Top 20 global law firm, a specific self-positioning claim by global revenue, rather than generic ambition language.
No minimum grade screen
King & Spalding publicly states it applies no minimum A-level or degree classification bar for its London trainee scheme, an explicit, checkable stance that it screens on qualities other than transcript cut-offs.
Motivation, curiosity, initiative
King & Spalding's own stated criteria also name keen motivation, intellectual curiosity, innovative thinking and initiative as qualities it looks for in candidates.
Past applications
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King & Spalding Energy Insight Day Write-Up
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