The Legal Cheek View
This is the White & Case profile for those considering solicitor apprenticeships. Students looking to apply for training contracts should check out Legal Cheek‘s main White & Case profile.
Global law firm White & Case entered the solicitor apprenticeship market in 2025, driven by what it says is a focus on social mobility in its hiring strategy. The firm offers expertise in finance, dispute resolution, corporate, and energy & infrastructure, providing apprentices with significant cross-border and multi-jurisdictional experience.
The White & Case apprenticeship kicks off with an extended induction programme, helping recruits learn the ropes of life in a law firm. This is followed up by an ongoing training programme focusing on polishing newbies’ technical and professional skills. Apprentices will begin their journey with a six-month stint in one of White & Case’s business services teams, gaining comprehensive experience of the firm’s operations. Alongside this, apprentices start their academic journey with the University of Law, blending their legal education with real-world experience. The day release structure of solicitor apprenticeships sees recruits complete their law degree part time over the course of their first four years.
As one of the newer entrant to the solicitor apprenticeship market, White & Case is keen to ensure apprentices thrive on the programme. “We prioritise support,” the firm’s early careers team told Legal Cheek, explaining that “all solicitor apprentices have a buddy, dedicated supervisors and a partner mentor.” This support system is complemented by tutors and dedicated skills coaches at The University of Law who will shepherd apprentices through the academic section of the programme.
After the initial business-focused rotation, apprentices transition into their yearly legal seat rotations. Within the first four years, apprentices will experience three yearly seats before studying for the first group of Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE). A novel approach to the SQE, White & Case apprentices will take five months’ leave from the firm to study for the SQE1 exams full-time between years four and five. This is a move which the early careers team believes will “maximise apprentices’ chances of success” on these challenging assessments. For SQE2, they will return to the NY headquartered outfit on a day-release model in their fifth year.
Choosing between university and a solicitor apprenticeship can be difficult. However, White & Case will ensure its apprentices don’t miss out on the social aspects of uni life. Sporty apprentices can join various clubs, including football, badminton, Pilates, and yoga. The firm has also reintroduced the W&C World Cup this year, held in Madrid, where football and volleyball teams from across the globe will compete for the trophies. All White & Case staff can either participate or spectate, offering apprentices a great opportunity to network and socialise with the firm’s global lawyer pool in the sun. Training at such an international firm certainly has its perks!
Speaking of the firm’s international reach, White & Case’s early careers team revealed to Legal Cheek that solicitor apprentices may be offered the opportunity to go on an international placement and gain valuable experience in different jurisdictions. Even when working from the firm’s London base, there will be plenty of collaboration with colleagues based around the world, leaving apprentices with a truly global perspective on the law.
Firm-wide and team-wide socials are complemented by regular W&C Affinity Network events. These include the BAME LINK Affinity Network, the Spectrum LGBTQ+ Affinity Network, the Black Affinity Network, and over 25 local women’s networks. Apprentices have ample opportunities to engage with and contribute to their communities within the workplace.
White & Case is known for its bougie perks, and its swanky London offices offer more than just a sleek work environment. The Broad St Kitchen (BSK), the firm’s restaurant/café, provides unlimited free coffee, pastries, and three meals a day. BSK has recently been refurbished to include a separate restaurant section and a café-style space to encourage collaboration. Additionally, new employees receive an annual £500 wellbeing allowance and access to an on-site physio for regular massages, ensuring they are well taken care of.
Having heard all about this new apprenticeship offering, we pressed White & Case’s early careers team for their insider top tips on the application process. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the team here are quick to mention the importance of “a global mindset” — applicants can demonstrate this by reading up on international affairs and looking into commercial news that has a prominent cross-border element.
Apprenticeship hopefuls are are also encouraged to “show your personality” and include a wide range of interests and experiences on the application form. “Part-time jobs, volunteering and student societies” can be just as valuable as legal work experience if they are closely tailored to the firm’s values. And, of course, “get to know White & Case” and be ready to explain why this firm in particular has caught your attention.
This is White & Case’s Solicitor Apprenticeship profile. Read White & Case’s full Legal Cheek profile here.