Private equity training contract
Learn on the deals that define the sector from the beginning
There is no better way to become a private equity lawyer. And no better place to do it.
Private equity training contract
There is no better way to become a private equity lawyer. And no better place to do it.
This is a training contract shaped by the work we know better than anyone – focused, inspiring and intellectually challenging, spanning every area of law that the world’s most complex private equity transactions demand.
You will work on the biggest deals, alongside the best people, for the most influential clients in the sector. You will be embedded in high performance teams from day one, given real responsibility and direct access to partners who are genuinely invested in your development.
This is the first time we have offered a training contract in London. We have spent nearly 50 years building our reputation in this market. Now we are developing the next generation of lawyers who will build on this success. That could be you.
Duration of the private equity training contract
Length of each seat rotation
SQE and PGDip grant
NQ salary, on completion of your training contract
Annual start date
Our associates and partners are the best in the business. Hear what brought them to Simpson Thacher, what keeps them here and what they are looking for in the next generation of private equity lawyers.
What sets this training contract apart are the exceptional quality of work, meaningful responsibility and genuinely collaborative culture – giving you the opportunity to develop faster and further.
You will not be handed templates. You will draft from scratch, run client calls, attend negotiations and be expected to think for yourself – with the support of partners who roll up their sleeves and work alongside you. The expectation is that you try first. The support is there when you need it.
From day one, you will work on complex, market-defining transactions for the world’s leading private equity firms. No two matters are the same. The pace is fast, the standards are high and the experience you accumulate is unlike anything available at any other firm.
We are collegiate, not competitive. At Simpson Thacher, work is allocated on capacity, not politics. There are no sharp elbows here – just a shared commitment to doing exceptional work for exceptional clients. From the most junior trainee to the most senior partner, everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Over the course of your training contract, you will rotate through four six-month seats that take in the full breadth of Simpson Thacher’s practice. Seats are available in:
Antitrust – Energy and Infrastructure – Finance – Investment Funds – Funds Regulatory – Litigation – M&A – Real Estate Finance – Real Estate M&A – Restructuring – Tax
Every rotation will add a new dimension to your understanding of the full private equity ecosystem – and how the best lawyers in the world advise on it.
We are looking for curious, driven individuals who are genuinely excited by the prospect of a career in private equity. To thrive here, your background matters less than your mindset: you do not need a law degree, nor do you need to have attended a Russell Group university.
What we truly value is raw ambition, a sharp commercial mind and the readiness to hit the ground running from day one. While we welcome applicants from all academic disciplines and international backgrounds, we do look for a strong record of achievement – a minimum 2:1 degree (gained or predicted), or equivalent.
