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Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
A global commercial law firm with particular strength in disputes, offering London trainees experience across transactions, advisory work and litigation.
About Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer was formed in June 2025 through the combination of Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin. Its international practice advises companies, financial institutions, investors and public bodies on substantial transactions, disputes and regulatory matters.
Dispute resolution is a defining strength, alongside corporate transactions, finance, real estate, infrastructure and energy work. Its London teams handle matters ranging from major acquisitions and property developments to investigations, shareholder disputes and collective claims.
For prospective trainees, the firm offers opportunities to explore how contentious and transactional work connect. A major project may require advice on financing, construction contracts and regulatory obligations, followed by dispute resolution if problems arise. The breadth of the practice allows trainees to compare different styles of legal work while developing an understanding of clients’ commercial priorities.
The two-year Trainee Associate Programme comprises four seats. Available areas include disputes, corporate, finance, competition, regulation and trade, intellectual property, employment, pensions and tax.
Trainees share an office with a senior associate, and most have two formal supervisors during each seat. A partner mentor and dedicated HR team provide further support. Development includes the Business Skills Academy and practice-specific learning.
Secondments can involve overseas offices, clients or internal ESG, pro bono and legal teams. Availability depends on the placement.
Future trainees study through BPP’s City Consortium Solicitor Training Programme. The firm pays SQE fees and provides a £20,000 maintenance grant. PGDL funding includes a £12,500 grant in London or £10,000 elsewhere. Fees for eligible self-funded study can be reimbursed.
The firm recruits trainees through vacation schemes. Participants experience two practice areas, receive supervision and a trainee buddy, and earn £500 per week. Training contract offers depend on scheme performance.
Practice areas & rankings
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has 65 ranked departments in Chambers UK 2027. Its London Band 1 practices include commercial litigation, competition litigation, non-contentious construction, borrower-side corporate finance, employment, planning and high-value real estate.
The firm won International Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2026. This followed its recognition as International Growth Leader at the British Legal Awards 2025.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
The firm is ranked Band 1 for Commercial and Corporate Litigation in London in Chambers UK 2027. It handles substantial disputes involving joint ventures, shareholder agreements, contested acquisitions and group actions. Sector experience includes energy, mining and telecommunications. Recent work includes defending Amazon in a multibillion-pound competition class action, reflecting the scale and complexity of its contentious practice.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is ranked Band 1 for Competition Law: Litigation in London in Chambers UK 2027. The practice frequently defends substantial damages claims and collective proceedings, with notable experience in technology and transport. Its broader competition capabilities include regulatory investigations and merger approvals. This work combines detailed legal and economic analysis with litigation strategy and an understanding of the client’s business model.
The firm is ranked Band 1 for Employment: Employer in London in Chambers UK 2027. Its practice advises employers on complex tribunal and High Court proceedings, board-level disputes and workplace investigations. Financial services and retail are notable client sectors. The work often involves sensitive commercial and reputational considerations alongside employment rights, regulatory obligations and the management of senior personnel.
The firm is ranked Band 1 for Real Estate: £150 million and above in London in Chambers UK 2027. It advises institutional investors, developers and public bodies on major transactions and urban regeneration projects. Matters frequently combine property, corporate and finance issues. Recent work includes advising Cain International on a student accommodation platform supporting approximately 2,400 beds across five university cities.
Awards
Innovation in Data-enhanced KnowledgeFinancial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024
Recognising the firm's use of data analytics to improve legal services.
Shortlisted: Most Innovative Law Firm in Asia-PacificFT Innovative Lawyers Awards Asia-Pacific 2025
Shortlisted at the FT's 2025 Asia-Pacific awards.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Candidates complete an online application for a vacation scheme. Applications close on 1 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT, with the current vacancy confirming that applications are reviewed after the deadline.
The spring scheme runs from 12 to 23 April 2027. Summer schemes run from 7 to 25 June and from 5 to 23 July. Successful participants can progress to training contracts starting in 2029 or 2030.
The application form asks candidates to complete personal details, academic credentials, and work experience, and to answer three written questions with a maximum of 300 words each. The three questions focus on a topic of interest, your reasons for choosing a career at HSF Kramer specifically, and a team project or challenge you have faced.
Each 300-word answer requires a different approach. The topic of interest question tests intellectual curiosity and commercial awareness so you must choose something you genuinely find interesting and can discuss in depth, ideally with a legal or commercial angle. The motivation question is your opportunity to explain specifically why HSF Kramer rather than other firms. You may choose the firm's disputes heritage, its energy and resources practice, its transatlantic reach post-merger, or its unique secondment programme which are all specific and differentiating. The team challenge question is a competency question. Use the STAR structure and keep the focus on what you specifically decided and did, not just what the team achieved.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: quick answers
How much does Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer pay trainees?
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer pays first-year trainees £56,000, rising to £61,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer earn £145,000.
When is the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer vacation scheme deadline?
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer runs more than one vacation scheme round in the 2026/27 cycle: the spring scheme closes on 1 Dec and the summer scheme closes on 1 Dec. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer take on?
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer takes on around 60 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer use in its applications?
Every HSF Kramer applicant undergoes psychometric tests. The assessment is comprised of multiple components, including situational judgment questions and a personality and behavioural questionnaire. The test is not officially time-limited but records the time taken, and most candidates complete it in approximately 30 to 35 minutes. The situational judgment section presents realistic workplace scenarios testing professional judgment, ethics, and decision-making. The personality questionnaire assesses behavioural traits and cultural fit. There are no right or wrong answers in this section, but authenticity matters as inconsistent responses are visible.
What grades do you need to apply to Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer?
To apply to Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer you will generally need a 2:1 degree. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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