Be at the heartof private equityfrom the beginning.

Begin your legal career with intent – at the heart of private equity.

A career in law with clear direction

Simpson Thacher was founded in 1884 and has been at the heart of private equity in London since the market was established. Now, for the first time, we are offering a training contract in the City – and we are looking for the people who will become our next generation of private equity lawyers.

This is not a generic training contract. It is a market-first programme shaped by the sector in which we are globally recognised as leaders. If private equity is where you want to build your career, there is no better place to start.

Our opportunities
Simpson Thacher in numbers

Simpson Thacher in numbers

  • 140+

    Years since the Firm was founded

  • 50+

    Years advising on private equity

  • $1.8tn

    In private equity deals advised on (2021–2025)

  • 1,100+

    Deals advised on (2021–2025)

  • 2,000

    Lawyers across 14 offices worldwide

Your route

Your route into private equity

Our vacation scheme is the starting point for every Simpson Thacher trainee. Prove yourself there and we will offer you a private equity training contract.

The private equity training contract

Two years. The full private equity lifecycle. Direct access to partners who are invested in your development. This is what a private equity training contract looks like when it is built by the firm that leads the sector.

The vacation scheme

Two weeks working on live matters at the heart of private equity. Real work, high standards and a genuine insight into life as a trainee at Simpson Thacher. Perform well and a training contract offer follows.

Social mobility initiative

We know the best private equity lawyers come from every kind of background. But we also know that accessing opportunities at firms like ours is not always straightforward. We are committed to changing that.
Our history

Approaching 50 years in the heart of London

Simpson Thacher launched in London in 1978, building its practice alongside the private equity industry. Today our London office is at the forefront of the European market – advising on the transactions that matter most, for the clients who set the standard and shape the market.

A global footprint

A global footprint

Fourteen offices. A single, collaborative firm – working together to deliver the best possible advice to clients wherever they need us.

This is just the beginning

This is just the beginning

Take the time to explore this website. Find out everything you need to know about the world of private equity, life at Simpson Thacher and the opportunities here for you.

Start your application

We’re now accepting applications for our vacation schemes.

Private equity explained

To be a private equity lawyer, you first need to understand the sector.