Location
Canary Wharf, London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Clifford Chance is one of the largest international law firms in the world, with over 30 offices globally. We provide clients with the highest-quality legal advice combining global standards with local expertise. Our ACCESS Development Programme is a bespoke two-year initiative designed to provide fair access to the legal profession, supporting young people from diverse backgrounds to develop personally and professionally. The programme consists of ten components focused on core development areas and culminates in the opportunity to apply for our SPARK programme, which may lead to a Training Contract.

The programme begins with a launch event at our London office, followed by a combination of virtual and in-person sessions where participants gain insights into our work, clients, and the legal sector. Participants will also spend time with various companies across different sectors to broaden their career understanding. Additional support includes executive coaching, group sessions with experts, university admissions guidance, one-to-one sessions with our Early Talent Acquisition Team, and multiple networking opportunities.

We are committed to providing support with accommodation and travel expenses where applicable. Throughout the programme, participants will build a strong network and receive ongoing mentorship from dedicated ACCESS mentors, tutors, and lawyers across the firm.

Experience
No prior legal experience is required. We seek candidates with strong business awareness, problem-solving skills, commercial insight, and the ability to identify legal and business issues. Candidates should demonstrate an inquisitive mind, creativity in applying knowledge, client service orientation, leadership, collaboration, organisation, and resilience in a fast-paced environment.

About you
You should be a motivated team player with strong oral and written communication skills, reliability, responsiveness, and a genuine desire to learn and progress. You will take ownership of your work, be proactive, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement. A genuine interest in the legal profession, Clifford Chance, and alignment with your career ambitions is essential.

Qualifications
To apply, you must be in Year 12 (England and Wales), S5 (Scotland), or Lower Sixth (Northern Ireland). Additionally, you must meet two or more of the following criteria:
- Attend or have attended from age 11 a state-funded, non fee-paying school/college
- Come from a household where no parent or guardian attended university
- Currently receive or have previously received free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance, and/or a 16 to 19 Bursary
- Attend a school or college with below average A-level or Higher point scores and/or low progression rates to higher education
- Have been or currently be in local authority care for three months or longer
- Be or have been a full-time or part-time carer
- Have come to the UK as a refugee or asylum seeker
- At age 14, have a main household earner in a lower socioeconomic group

Note: Candidates meeting the local authority care criterion do not need to meet any other criteria.