Our Training Contracts

We expect to recruit two to three trainees to join us annually.

Our trainees will spend six months in four different seats. Under the supervision and guidance of partners and associates, you will get involved in a broad variety of client work. During this time, you may have the opportunity to take part in an international placement in our London office, just as London trainees have the opportunity to spend one of their seats in Hong Kong.

If you are interested in a position as a trainee solicitor, you should first complete our Vacation Scheme. It is our general firm policy to recruit our trainees from candidates who have participated in our Vacation Schemes.

Funding. We fund the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) for all our future trainee solicitors. We also fund the PCLL Conversion Examinations for those graduates without a Hong Kong LLB or JD. We will also provide a maintenance grant for this period of study.

Salary. We offer a market-leading salary and benefits package that reflects the premium nature of our practice.

Professional Freedom, Senior Guidance. You will receive more than a handshake and an orientation package when you arrive at Cleary Gottlieb. You will start a relationship with an assigned mentor, an experienced lawyer who can guide you through professional and personal life at the firm.

Even more important is the day-to-day mentoring you will receive working with senior lawyers, advising clients and participating in firm life. Lawyers in Cleary’s offices take the time to help each other—in meetings, at lunch, in the hallways.

Our approach to mentoring is one that comes full circle—we guide your career ahead and, in turn, eventually you will help new associates advance their careers.

Legal Education. Our Hong Kong office runs regular in-house CPD training covering the major practice areas of work in Asia. This training is delivered by partners and senior lawyers in Hong Kong and Beijing. We will also arrange training, on an ad hoc basis, to be given by outside experts and other specialists, on both pure law topics and “business skills” training (such as time/project management and communication skills). In addition, informal training takes place at the regular practice group meetings in Hong Kong and Beijing, where practical issues from recent transactions are considered and discussed.