Job Title: Trainee Solicitor
Location(s):
- Dubai - ICD Brookfield Place, Level 32, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), PO Box 938
- Abu Dhabi - 9th Floor, Al Sila Tower, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square, PO Box 26492, Abu Dhabi
The role
During the two-year Training Contract, you will experience the challenging high-performance world of commercial law and gain the breadth of experience you need to emerge as a confident solicitor in England and Wales. You will have four six-month rotations, the first rotation being spent in our London office and the remaining three in our Middle East offices, giving you the opportunity to explore the firms practice areas. Seats choices will be within our core areas of Corporate, Global Financial Markets, Real Estate & Construction, Projects, and Litigation & Dispute Resolution. You may also have the opportunity to undertake a client secondment.
We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.
Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.
Salary: AED 320,000 (first year trainee) / AED 340,000 (second year trainee)
Eligibility: Our Training Contract is open to law and non-law students. You must be eligible to start your Training Contract in August 2026 and/or February 2027. You must have achieved or be on track to achieve a 2:1 or above in your undergraduate degree.
How to Apply:
- Complete the online application form
- Take the Watson Glaser critical reasoning test
- If you pass the Watson Glaser test, your application form will be reviewed
- Successful candidates at application review will be invited to a recorded video interview
- If you are successful at the video interview stage, you will be invited for an assessment day
Responsibilities:
Whilst your experience in each seat will be very different, in all of them you will develop your legal and business skills, gain insight into our high-profile clients, and enhance your commercial awareness. The tasks you undertake could include drafting and proofing documents, conducting due diligence on a client's acquisition target, attending client meetings, preparing documents for a court hearing, researching titles and leases on a real estate portfolio, or creating a data room ahead of a major transaction. You may even run some smaller transactions for our clients.
At the start of each seat, you will receive specialised training in that sector and a dedicated supervisor. Throughout your Training Contract, you will be closely supported by the Early Talent Development team, your Supervisor, Legal Support Manager, Resource Manager, and your Monitoring Partner. They will all be available to act as mentors and advisors on a full range of subjects, but it will be up to you to make the most of this support network. You will have access to learning and development support from the Clifford Chance Academy, arguably the legal sector's leading in-house learning and development facility.
The competencies that we look for in our Trainees include:
- Business awareness and problem solving with commercial insight and an ability to identify legal and business issues. You will need an inquisitive mind and an ability to articulate apply your knowledge creatively in a solution-focused manner with an ability to explore and analyse ideas.
- An ability to understand our clients needs and provide exceptional client service, putting clients at the heart of everything you do.
- Leadership and collaboration skills with a natural enthusiasm for being a team player.
- An ability to multi-task, remain organised and thrive through challenges in a fast-paced high-pressure and high-performance environment with demanding deadlines.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including being reliable and responsive, and providing regular updates to team members when needed.
- An ability to demonstrate a real desire to learn from those around you and with an ambition to progress and gain exposure within the firm and with clients.
- The ability and desire to take pride in your approach to work and your work output, including proactively seeking feedback and taking responsibility for your own career. You will take ownership of your work, being proactive, solution-oriented, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement.
- Knowledge of and a genuine interest in the role, firm and our clients with an understanding of how this aligns with your skillset and career ambitions.
- Strong ties to the Middle East and fluent Arabic drafting and speaking skills are preferred for our Middle East programmes.
Further Academic Requirements:
If you are applying for our Middle East Training Contract and you have not studied a law degree then you will need to complete the PGDL prior to joining us as a Trainee. Please note that if you are a Scots or Irish law student or graduate you may be required to do elements of the PGDL. All Future Trainees will also need to complete the SQE prior to joining us as a Trainee. All Future Trainees who have already completed the SQE will still need to complete the Clifford Chance Plus Programme, which is a bespoke course designed by our lawyers in collaboration with the University of Law. Both the PGDL and SQE are funded by Clifford Chance and we will provide a maintenance grant to use during your studies. More details can be found on our website here.
Equal Opportunities:
At Clifford Chance we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer, and every other aspect of employment. Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. Find out more here.
