Watson, Farley & Williams was founded in 1982 in the City of London. It has grown rapidly to 68 partners and a total staff of over 420 since this time (220 fee earners). We now have offices in London, Athens, Paris, New York, Rome, Singapore, Bangkok and Hamburg.

Areas of work

The firm is divided into four international practice groups: International Corporate, International Finance, International Litigation and International Tax. These groups are not divided by location but work together internationally. The International Corporate Group is divided into five sub-groups: Employment/Immigration, EU/Competition. Projects and Commercial Property.

Training and development

The firm looks to recruit graduates who, in addition to a sound academic background, exhibit energy, ambition, self-assurance, initiative and commercial awareness. Each trainee undertakes six four-month seats; we aim to seat trainees with a partner or a senior assistant from day one. Currently, a trainee can expect to have a four-month period in Paris, Piraeus, Singapore or Bangkok. Each trainee will have at least one seat in one of our more specialised areas such as tax, projects, property, employment or EU competition. Trainees undertake professional skills training during their training contract and we also hold regular in-house seminars at which we invite guest speakers and partners to speak.

Fast Facts

Number of employees
Over 420 staff (220 fee earners).

Number of graduate vacancies per year
12.

Work locations UK
London.

Work locations global
Piraeus, Paris, New York, Singapore, Bangkok, Rome and Hamburg.

Degree disciplines required
All; the ratio of law to non-law graduates in the organisation is 2:1.

Salary
£34,000 (trainees joining September 2007).

Placements available
2 weeks vacation schemes.

Application procedure
Online application form

Deadline
Application deadlines for both law and non-law students:
Training Contract - 31 July 2008
Vacation schemes - 24 February 2008.

“Watson, Farley & Williams LLP or an affiliated undertaking has offices in each of the following cities: London, Piraeus, Paris, New York, Singapore, Bangkok, Rome, Hamburg.”