Summer Vacation Scheme - 2026

Agencies: Please note we do not engage agents with our Early Career opportunities. Please do not forward through any candidates as we only consider direct applications only.

Are you ready to kickstart your career in law?

Join our dynamic two-week paid scheme in London, where you'll gain invaluable insights into the inner workings of a leading law firm. Experience our diverse practice areas Corporate & Commercial, Real Estate, Employment, and Litigation, while also participating in interactive workshops with our Finance, Marketing, Business Development, and HR teams. This is an excellent opportunity for us to assess your skills and dedication towards a career in law as many participants through our Summer Vacation Scheme have successfully transitioned into training contracts with our firm.

Hours and location:

The scheme will run during our office hours, from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday, and will take place at our London office: 2 Marylebone Road, NW1 4DF. We look forward to welcoming you into a collaborative and friendly environment where you’ll be fully immersed in the day-to-day life of a commercial law firm.

Duration:

The work experience will be for a fixed term of two weeks from 29 June – 10 July. Please ensure you are available to attend the vacation scheme before making your application. You will be eligible to be paid a minimum of £520 for each week.

What You’ll Experience:

• Client Exposure: Sit in on client meetings and calls to see how our lawyers advise in real time.
• Legal Work: Conduct research, draft legal documents, and contribute to live matters under supervision.
• Mentorship: Be paired with a mentor who will guide you through the scheme.
• Training & Development: Attend seminars and workshops across practice areas, including sessions on our CSR and B Corp commitments.
• Commercial Awareness: Learn how we integrate ethical values into commercial decision-making.
• Networking: Build relationships with trainees, associates, and partners through structured networking events and informal socials.
• Feedback & Growth: Receive tailored feedback to help you reflect on your strengths and areas for development.
• Future Opportunities: The scheme is a key route to securing a training contract with us starting in September 2026.

Person Specification:

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following qualities and competencies:

Academic & Career Commitment

• On track for a 2:1 or above in a qualifying law degree or postgraduate conversion course.
• Eligible to commence a training contract in September 2027 (with SQE1 and SQE2 completed).
• Genuine interest in pursuing a career in commercial law and a long-term commitment to the legal profession.

Core Skills & Attributes

• Attention to Detail: Ability to produce accurate written work and spot inconsistencies or ambiguities.
• Analytical Thinking: Capable of interpreting complex information and applying legal reasoning to real-world scenarios.
• Commercial Awareness: Understanding of current affairs, business trends, and how they impact clients and legal strategy.
• Communication Skills: Clear, confident, and professional in both written and verbal communication.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Willingness to work with others, share ideas, and contribute to a positive team dynamic.
• Initiative & Curiosity: Proactive in seeking learning opportunities and asking thoughtful questions.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Able to manage competing priorities and respond constructively to feedback.
• Time Management: Organised and able to meet deadlines under pressure.

Values & Cultural Fit

• Passionate about contributing to Joelson’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and B Corp commitments.
• Interest in how law intersects with ethical business practices and sustainability.

Application Process:

The application process will consist of the following:

• Submission of your online application including CV and Cover Letter.
• A 2-minute video question
• A 45-minute online written test
• A video interview with members of our legal team (taking place early March)

Please let us know in your application if you require any reasonable adjustments for the assessment processes mentioned or during the Vacation Scheme itself. Additionally, if you have experienced any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted your studies, feel free to share that information with us. Rest assured, this will not affect your application negatively. We are committed to providing the necessary accommodations to support your experience with us.

The deadline for applications will be on the close of business on 31 January 2026 . However, depending on the number of applications we may close the vacancy before this time.

Environment, Social & Governance:

Being a responsible business is at the core of what we do. We place value in creating a fair and equal working environment and ensuring that we operate ethically. Our B Corp certification shows our dedication to these values!

Which is why we place great emphasis on taking care of our employees, managing our social and environmental impact within our community through undertaking Pro Bono cases and by being a member of LawWorks.

We have partnered with Ecologi and are now a climate positive workforce. Moreover, this year we are proud to be supporting City Harvest as our firm charity.

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

At Joelson we actively encourage diversity and inclusion as an integral part of the cultural fabric of our firm. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to recruiting, retaining and developing our diverse teams.

Our DE&I Committee is comprised of dedicated individuals from various backgrounds, working collaboratively to promote an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered. We are passionate about driving meaningful change, creating equal opportunities, and eliminating biases within our firm.

As a part of this, you will receive a short survey upon submission of your application, so that we have data by which to measure our progress and continue to improve our diversity levels. Such diversity data will be anonymised to protect applicant privacy.