Graduates

Who should apply?

We are looking to recruit graduates who are enthusiastic, articulate and personable. In order to get the best out of an excellent working environment comprising of a supportive culture, early responsibility and client contact, you need to be a team player, self aware and robust.

Lex100 Trainee Survey - 2007/8 edition

In the annual trainees survey carried out by Lex100 we have been placed in the winners' list in two of their ten categories: work/life balance and manageable stress levels. This is the third year of the survey and for the third year we have been acknowledged as amongst the highest achievers in the two categories that form an important part of the culture of the firm.

The trainees at Kennedys said that they like our approach of recruiting in the year they start work.  One trainee said “… we get responsibility from an early stage - hit the ground running.” Another said “… you’re made to feel part of the team from day one…” and “…. everyone is approachable and you know there is always someone who will answer your questions.”

We are described in the results as a "top choice" for litigation and the Lex100 verdict is that this together with the quality of work "makes Kennedys merit serious consideration" by students applying for training contracts.  The survey is published as "the student guide to the UK's premier law firms" and is circulated at all of the universities and law schools.  You can see the results at www.lex100.com.

The Citizenship Foundation

Since the beginning of 2007 we have been involved in a programme that involves our trainees and other fee earners delivering the Citizenship part of the national curriculum to 14-16 year old pupils at the Mulberry School (www.mulberry.towerhamlets.sch.uk ).

The programme is arranged by a charity called the Citizenship Foundation (www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk ) whose aim is to “… foster understanding and respect for law, justice, democracy and for different opinions, values and cultures.”

The firm’s involvement was reported in The Times Student Law section published on 16 October in these terms: “Trainees at Kennedys are taking part in a project with the Citizenship Foundation to help to provide the legal side of the national curriculum citizenship courses at a nearby girls’ school. Akbar Merchant, a second-year trainee, says it is “intrinsically rewarding as the students are bright and interested. You are encouraged to draw on your own personal experience of being a lawyer so there is an element of role-modelling. It is also a good opportunity to build on your presentation skills”.

Training programme

The purpose of the training contract is to give trainees a mix of experience and skills that will set you up in a legal career as a solicitor with Kennedys. Our ability to consistently offer the majority of trainees positions on qualification is attributable to producing newly qualified lawyers who are competent, confident and commercially driven. A balance of work experience, responsibility, supervision and formal training achieves this. We ensure that our trainee solicitors are given a sound training in the core disciplines. You are given a good level of responsibility early on, dealing with varied areas of work. We have an open-door policy and partners and supervisors are readily accessible.

When and how to apply

Kennedys recruits in the year of intake to ensure that we recruit the right trainees for the firm and our teams.

We are now accepting on-line applications from LPC graduates and students. Follow the links in the left-hand margin for our online application form. If you already have a Kennedys or WebSAF username and password click on the link for registered applicants, otherwise please follow the link for new applicants. Applications for our September 2009 intake will reopen in August 2008.

Additional information

Graduate vacancies per year: 10
Total number of trainees: 20
Partners: 91
Total staff: 523
Starting Salary: £28,000
Minimum qualifications: Our usual criteria are a 2.1 degree, not necessarily in Law, as well as 300 UCAS points or equivalent. For further clarification, please contact Sanem Hassan.
Vacation schemes: No.

Contact details

Write to us:
Human Resources Department
Kennedys
25 Fenchurch Avenue
London EC3M 5AD

Email us:
personnel@kennedys-law.com