Vacation schemes

Vacation scheme programme

We offer vacation schemes in our Basingstoke, Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford, London, Oxford and Reading offices. You will spend time working in one of the firm’s practice areas in either business services, dispute resolution, private individuals or real estate. Throughout the week you will gain hands-on experience, enabling you to develop an understanding of our work and culture.

There will be opportunities to be involved in real assignments, whether this be drafting documents, attending client and team meetings, conducting research or sometimes even attending court hearings and arbitrations. You will be allocated a trainee buddy  and senior mentor who will be on hand to support and guide you throughout your time with us.

During your week at the firm, you can also expect:

• introductory sessions on our practice areas;
• a team building session with your fellow vacation scheme participants;
• the chance to meet with our CEO to learn more about the firm’s vision and strategic objectives;
• a meeting with members of our PennFuture committee, a group that aims to bring together junior lawyers from each of our offices; and
• networking and social opportunities with colleagues across the firm.

The programme is paid so you can cover travel and subsistence costs. This will be paid in advance of the programme taking place. We also ensure lunch is covered whilst you are with us, through direct provision and lunch vouchers.

We run one spring and two summer vacation schemes each year. There are ten places available on each scheme across all our locations. The dates for 2025 are as follows:

Spring scheme: Monday 7 April - Friday 11 April 2025

Summer scheme one: Monday 9 June - Friday 13 June 2025

Summer scheme two: Monday 23 June - Friday 27 June 2025

Recruitment process

Applications for our vacation scheme programme must be submitted online by 3 January 2025. Click here for a list of our graduate events taking place this year!

A large proportion of our training contract positions are recruited through the vacation scheme, so if this is your end goal, the scheme is a good route to take. You will automatically be considered for our 2027 trainee solicitor programme when applying for the vacation scheme. During the course of the week, you will be assessed to determine whether you are invited to a final round training contract interview which will take place following your vacation scheme.

If you require individual arrangements or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the early careers team at traineepost@penningtonslaw.com. 

What are we looking for?

The vacation scheme is open to candidates who are planning to take up a training contract in two years’ time.

We are looking for dedicated, diverse candidates with a strong academic record and commercial awareness.  

Eligibility criteria:

• penultimate year or final year law undergraduates, final year non-law undergraduates or post-graduates and career changers
• no minimum A-level grade requirements  
• having, or being on track for a 2:1 degree in any discipline
• a commitment to a career in law
• being a great team player
• exceptional communication skills

We understand that extenuating circumstances can occur during studies and therefore if you do not meet these criteria and feel that your grades are not a true indicator of your abilities, please include some context within your application and this will be considered.