Securing a job in a law firm is no easy task, but knowing the best time to apply can make a significant difference in your success. The ideal timing varies depending on your level of experience and what you are applying for—whether you're a student, graduate, experienced lawyer, or a legal professional in a non-fee-earning role. Understanding recruitment cycles, seasonal trends, and firm-specific hiring patterns will help you stand out in a competitive legal job market.
For law students looking to gain work experience or secure a future training contract, timing is everything. Vacation schemes, the primary route into training contracts, typically open for applications in late autumn, with deadlines falling between January and March. Many top firms use these schemes as a pipeline for hiring trainees, making them essential for students aiming for a future role. If you're targeting a training contract directly, applications usually open in spring and close in late summer, though some firms recruit on a rolling basis. Planning ahead and applying early will increase your chances of securing a spot.
For law graduates who have completed their studies but don’t yet have a training contract, the key hiring periods mirror those for students. Training contract applications open early in the year, but graduates without immediate success should also consider paralegal roles, which are often recruited year-round. Many law firms prefer to hire their future trainees from their pool of paralegals, making these roles an excellent stepping stone into a full solicitor position. Additionally, firms may advertise last-minute training contract vacancies in autumn, so staying vigilant throughout the year is crucial.
Experienced Solicitors and Lawyers: Timing for Lateral Moves
Timing is less rigid for qualified solicitors and lawyers but still important. Law firms often reassess their hiring needs at the start of the financial year (a lot of the time, April) and in September, after the summer break. Many firms look to expand teams in Q1 and Q3, making these periods ideal for job seekers. The end of the year can also be an opportune time, as firms finalise budgets and may look to fill vacancies before the new year begins. Networking and speaking to recruitment consultants can help experienced lawyers identify the right opportunities as they arise.
Legal professionals in HR, marketing, finance, IT, and administration often follow a different hiring pattern. While law firms recruit these roles throughout the year, the busiest hiring periods tend to align with corporate hiring cycles—January to March and September to November. If you're targeting a business services role, applying at the start of these windows can improve your chances of success. Firms undergoing expansion or digital transformation may have ongoing recruitment needs, so staying engaged with industry trends is essential.
That’s not to say these are the only times you’ll be able to secure a role within a law firm, each firm will be different and the best way to find out when and if law firms are hiring is to contact the firm’s you are interested in working for directly!
Applying for a law firm role at the right time can give you a competitive edge. Whether you're a student seeking work experience, a graduate looking for a training contract, an experienced lawyer considering a move, or a legal professional targeting a support role, understanding hiring trends will help you plan strategically. Keeping an eye on application deadlines, maintaining a strong professional network, and remaining proactive in your job search will maximise your chances of securing the right role at the right time.
Most of all, don’t give up – the right role for you is out there!
Take a look at our careers page; you never know, you could find your ideal job in law: https://www.jobs-in-law.co.uk/jobs/