Early Careers

Each year, we recruit exceptional talent from a range of disciplines to help us continue to provide a personal, innovative and high-quality service for our clients. The expertise of our partners and lawyers, combined with our collaborative approach and award-winning training and wellbeing programmes, makes the firm an exciting place at which to begin your legal career. 

In addition to our vacation scheme and trainee solicitor programme, we offer work experience placements that aim to provide support and guidance to students from a variety of backgrounds. Read on to find out more about the exciting opportunities that are available.

A-level work experience placements

We are offering 20 work experience placements in our London office between 17 and 21 July 2023.

The five day programme will introduce you to Penningtons Manches Cooper and the work our lawyers do. You will learn about the skills required to be a successful lawyer and will have the chance to put these skills to use in our interactive workshops. In addition, you will interact with colleagues across all levels of the firm and take part in practical know-how sessions that cover career pathways and application advice.

To be eligible for a place, you must be studying towards your A-levels and be between 16 and 18 years of age. We are proud to be signatories of the PRIME commitment which encourages meaningful work experience opportunities for students from low income backgrounds in law firms across the UK and Republic of Ireland. To support our inclusion efforts, 50% of places will be offered to students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

To apply, please complete the work experience summer 2023 application form which can be found here. Applications close on 31 May 2023.

EMpower programme

As part of our wider commitment to increasing the representation of Black and ethnic minority individuals in the legal sector, in spring 2022, we launched our new programme, EMpower. The programme aims to provide a unique opportunity for students to gain a greater understanding of our practice areas, and the culture at Penningtons Manches Cooper. Students will be able to take part in interactive workshops, work shadow our lawyers, receive invaluable application advice, and develop key networking skills.

Find out what participants of the EMpower programme had to say:

“My favourite parts of the programme have to be the family law negotiations exercise, the IP law exercise, and the work shadowing. It was really interesting to see the practical side of the law, an opportunity only a few law firms offer to first year students.”

“This was a really enjoyable week, in particular the in-person days. This aspect made it a bit easier to network informally and ask questions, and to get a feel for the culture of the firm.”

“I have learned a great deal from the team talks in terms of general understanding of the different practice areas of law and gained extraordinary insights into the work that the firm does. I appreciate that the programme offered plenty of opportunities to raise questions and network with different staff. The work shadowing was a golden opportunity which I particularly enjoyed.”

“The EMpower programme has enabled me to see the big picture here, that the staff at Penningtons Manches Cooper are ever so friendly and approachable and can transmit their knowledge in a clear and inspiring manner. Thank you for such a great experience.”

To read more about what it is like to train and work at Penningtons Manches Cooper, please visit:

• The Chambers Student Guide
• Lawcareers.net
• All About Law
• Legal Cheek