Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Akin’s appeal lies in its ability to combine the pace, platform and responsibility of a US firm with a London office that trainees describe as having ‘critical mass’ and a ‘supportive culture’. Recruits were drawn to the opportunity to do ‘high-quality international work in lean teams’, gain ‘exposure to more senior-level work’ early on, and specialise in areas such as funds and financial restructuring, without sacrificing a ‘positive learning environment’. 

The work itself is a major selling point. Trainees praise the ‘quality of work and calibre of clients’, adding that matters are often ‘bespoke’, complex and interesting. Responsibility comes quickly, whether through involvement in deals from start to finish, drafting documents with minimal comments, taking an international secondment or ‘authoring an article’ with senior lawyers. This level of trust is demanding, but it is also central to the firm’s training offer. 

Akin’s culture helps make the intensity manageable. Respondents repeatedly point to ‘friendly and warm’ lawyers, ‘supportive and engaged’ colleagues and seniors who are ‘appreciative of your efforts’ and ‘willing to teach’. Trainees also value being given context before tasks, even in ‘time-pressured situations’, so they can understand how their work ‘fits into the bigger picture’. 

Akin could still improve in some areas, though. Some trainees would welcome ‘a more intentional system for allocating work’, more formal training and stronger internal resources. Clearer communication around seat rotations, supervisor pairings, secondments and qualification would also be welcomed. A smaller cohort brings closeness and responsibility, but can mean that parts of the training contract feel ‘less structured’ than at some other firms. 

The challenges are unsurprising for a high-end US firm: trainees mention long hours, managing pre-closing deadlines, creating first drafts and ‘closing three deals in three weeks’ as some of the more difficult moments of their training contract. 

For those who want sophisticated work, close learning from senior lawyers and early responsibility in a personable US firm environment, Akin is an excellent training ground.

A Day in the Life of a Trainee at Akin Summer Ahmed , Trainee

Departments to date: Corporate M&A

University: Durham University

Degree: Law

09:00 – I arrive at the office and look over emails which have been sent overnight. These usually include updates on ongoing matters, market developments and internal communications. I also often check the virtual data rooms (VDR) for the deals I am working on for newly uploaded documents, so I can flag these to the wider team. I also take time to update signing and document trackers or VDR indices— keeping everything organised and up to date is key in a transactional seat, where members of the team often rely on trainees to provide status updates and keep track of email correspondence.

09:30 – We have a monthly team meeting, where we discuss developments on current deals within the practice group, new trends in the market, as well as potential new projects, clients and business development updates. It is always interesting to see what other members of the team have been working on, and ask how I can be involved. I also have a catch-up with my supervisor, which is a great opportunity to discuss priorities for the day, current projects, any interesting market or firm news and managing my workload. I also use this as an opportunity to ask questions about work I have done throughout the week, which is a great learning opportunity. After this, I usually make a to do list to stay on top of my tasks throughout the day.

10:00 – Throughout the morning, I usually send follow-up emails to clients and colleagues in relation to my different workstreams, update associates on any changes to trackers, and circulate dial-in details for any upcoming meetings. This is always good practice to ensure nothing is missed, and everyone has the appropriate holds in their calendars.

10:30 – I then move on to drafting any corporate ancillary documents which I have been assigned. This might include corporate authorisations such as board and shareholder resolutions, powers of attorney, or directors’ resignation letters. These documents ensure transactions are properly authorised in accordance with UK company law and are a great way to properly understand the mechanics of any deals I am working on. Once I have finished drafting, I print out and review my work to ensure there are no errors.

12:30 – I usually have lunch with the other trainees; we like to catch up on what everyone is working on, as well as having some time to socialise.

13:30 – I return to my desk and begin some further drafting tasks, which can include updating documents with comments from the client and opposing counsel. For example, the main documents in the corporate team are due diligence reports, share purchase agreements (SPAs) and disclosure letters. To ensure any changes are correctly reflected in the documents, I also run comparisons of the original and modified document – I have found this to be a great way to review my work and pick up anything I have missed before I send work off.

15:15 – I take some time to respond to emails from the team and clients, clarify any queries, file any new emails and update my to-do list. This helps me manage my workload and ensures I have time to complete all the work requested of me.

16:30 – I join a call with the client and my supervisor, taking detailed notes to be circulated to the deal team afterwards. Important information for progressing documents and various workstreams is often shared on these calls, so it is always a good idea to keep a record of what has been discussed, and action tasks accordingly.

17:30 – I send out any final emails for the day, respond to follow-ups and save down any documents that have been circulated. This helps me to stay organised and ensures I know the status of all the matters I am working on, so I can pick up accurately the next day. Before I log off for the day, I also have a quick debrief with my supervisor, file or address any new emails and complete any remaining admin tasks.

18:30 – I leave the office, but keep an eye out for any emails or tasks that may need actioning over the course of the evening.

About the firm

The firm: Akin is a global law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers and advisors who pride themselves on dedication to their clients and their communities. With 17 offices worldwide, they are renowned for numerous market-leading practices; their strengths are in complex private capital transactions, financings and restructurings, high-stakes litigation, and public policy and regulatory matters; and the unyielding pro bono commitment.

Driven by a forward-thinking leadership, Akin has built a strong culture of innovation and collaboration as well as a talented workforce committed to the success of clients and each other. Fostering a workplace focused on opportunity & inclusion, all employees are supported and given the tools to succeed. The organization is focused on recruiting and nurturing the next generation of exceptional legal talent and is proud that its recruitment and professional development efforts are recognized as among the best in the industry.

The clients: Apollo, Carlyle, Coller Capital, Elliott, Endava, Ericsson, Francisco Partners, Helios, HPS, LetterOne, Nexperia, Oaktree, Taconic, VEON and Vitol.

The deals: Advising Carlyle on its acquisition of Altera Infrastructure Group’s FPSO business; advising Coller Capital as sole lead investor on £500m Pharmacy2U continuation fund; advising Energy Equation Partners and Stonepeak on the acquisition of Anwim S.A., one of Poland’s fastest-growing fuel companies; advising Centrica on its long-term purchase of LNG from the first phase of the Delfin LNG project, the largest floating LNG project to date globally; advised Kennedy Lewis on its new €2 Billion+ strategic partnership with Bank of Ireland to support European mid‑market buyouts; advised Partisan Work Limited, operating as Fairgame, in connection with its sale to Tenpin Entertainment, a leading bowling and family entertainment center operator with 58 centers across the UK; advised Discover Exploration Limited, an upstream energy company backed by funds managed by Carlyle, on its $244m sale of a company with interests in the Gateway to the Ems1 project, located on the boundary of the Dutch and German sectors of the North Sea to Tenaz Energy.

Managing partner: Ezra Zahabi

Other offices: Abu Dhabi, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Dubai, Fort Worth, Geneva, Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Riyadh, San Antonio, San Francisco, Washington DC.

Who we are: Our London office is the hub for the firm’s international practice and its third largest office. The firm’s strategy in London has always been to grow practices that complement its core strengths globally. The fully integrated nature of the office within the broader firm means that the firm’s London lawyers work closely with their counterparts around the globe.

What we do: Market-leading practices include financial restructuring, corporate transactions (including mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures), private equity, finance (including debt finance and project finance), energy including renewables, debt and equity capital markets, financial services regulatory, disputes, employment, international arbitration, investment funds (including hedge and private equity funds and secondaries transactions), international trade – including in relation to the new National Security & Investment Act – as well as EU/UK competition, intellectual property, share incentives, technology and tax.

What we’re looking for: We seek team players who demonstrate enthusiasm and an interest in the commercial world, as well as intellectual curiosity and a focus on solutions. We recruit up to eight trainees every year, so you’ll be integral to the team from day one. To succeed, you’ll enjoy deep thinking in an immersive learning model and be keen to take on early responsibility within a fastpaced business law environment.

What you’ll do: You’ll experience on-the-job experiential learning which will allow you to develop a keen commercial awareness and to take on responsibility and ownership of tasks for each practice area you work in. Examples of tasks you may be involved in during your training include, but are not restricted to, legal research, preparing client communications, attending client meetings, organising deal closing checklists and preparing trial bundles. You’ll receive supportive supervision from England and Wales-qualified practitioners with valuable ongoing feedback and two substantive evaluations during each seat.

There is no limit to your learning as an Akin trainee. You’ll attend regular practice group and office-wide training sessions on relevant areas of law and practical skills. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to hone your public speaking skills through our Trainee Education and Development (TED) Talk Series.

During TED Talks, you’ll present to your trainee cohort on a topic in which you’ve become a subject matter expert – offering a great opportunity to share knowledge.

Our Optimal Performance for Junior Lawyers programme is designed to help you build resilience and equip you with the tools needed to thrive at Akin. Delivered in person over six 1-hour sessions during the first year of your training programme, the course complements the existing legal and technical skills training schedule. Each session has been crafted to support you in developing sustainable performance habits and a confident mindset from day one!

Throughout your two-year training programme and beyond, you’ll also collaborate with our internal talent team and external consultants to support your professional growth. By working together, we’ll make sure that your skills and knowledge are constantly growing.

Akin prides itself on a friendly, approachable culture and a strong support network. When you arrive, you will have the continued support of our dedicated trainee development team, development partners, supervisors and peer mentors – to name just a few! As part of our commitment to support the positive mental health and wellbeing of our employees, we also have an in-house Be Well counselling service which offers unlimited one on one support, as well as regular group training sessions.

Perks: Season ticket loan, health insurance, critical illness insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, dental insurance, pension, annual eye exam, employee assistance programme, onsite mental health services, Lexxic support, cycle scheme, discounted ClassPass, Peloton and gym rates, fitness & wellbeing reimbursement programme, discounts platform, financial training sessions, corporate mortgage scheme, support for parents & caregivers, virtual clinic service, fertility and family-building benefits and wellbeing rewards programme.

2027 Spring Vacation Scheme 

Our preferred method of trainee hiring is via our yearly vacation scheme because it is the best opportunity for you to experience life at Akin, and for us to get to know you better.

Our two-week spring vacation scheme provides an excellent opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of the day-to-day work of trainees in an international law firm. Through training sessions, interactive workshops, mentoring and social activities, you will get to know our firm. Through working side by side with partners, associates and trainees on live deals, you will get to know our practices and clients.

We welcome applications from penultimate-year law students, final-year students and graduates of any subject, looking to start a training path in two years’ time. At the end of the scheme, participants will be offered the chance to interview for our two-year training programme commencing in Autumn 2029.

Scheme participants are paid a £1,200 salary with 50% paid on Day 1 of the scheme and an additional £300 Work-Ready Payment paid two weeks before the scheme begins to help cover any upfront costs. Whether it’s buying a new work wardrobe or subscribing to resources to develop your commercial awareness, we want you to feel confident, prepared, and excited for your experience with us.

Our 2027 spring vacation scheme will run from Monday 5 April – Friday 16 April 2027.

Applications will open on Thursday 17 September 2026 and close at midnight on Sunday 13 December 2026.

In-person and virtual events

At our virtual and in-person events, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our people, expand your network, learn more about our culture, and ask any questions you may have about life at Akin. Interested in meeting us? Visit the ‘Meet Us’ page on the graduate recruitment website https://www.akingump.com/en/careers/uk–students to view our upcoming events.

Middle East Training Programme

Our two‑year Dubai-based training programme offers an immersive, hands‑on learning experience, providing comprehensive training leading to qualification as an England & Wales solicitor.

As part of a small trainee cohort, you will embark on a rigorous and rewarding two-year training programme that sets you on a strong career path at Akin. You will be an integral member of the Dubai office from the outset, working on fast-paced transactions for sophisticated clients. Our programme allows you to rotate through different practice areas, and between Middle East offices, offering you broad exposure to a range of legal disciplines.

For more information about the programme, including eligibility requirements, the recruitment process and details on how to apply, please visit https://www.akingump.com/en/careers/middleeast–early–careers/uae–early–careers  

Sponsorship

Successful applicants will be required to complete the PGDL (if applicable) and LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) to equip them with essential skills prior to starting their qualifying work experience. Our legal education provider is The University of Law and studies will be funded by the firm. We provide a maintenance grant of £20,000 per year of study to our future trainees.

Seat options

Corporate/M&A; finance; financial restructuring; litigation; competition; international trade; investment funds; tax/incentives; some international and client secondment opportunities.

Overseas seats 

• Dubai
• Hong Kong

Tips from the recruiter

1. Do your research: candidates should attend our events, read our recruitment brochure, watch our videos, listen to our podcasts and read our client alerts and press. We want to see genuine interest in the firm and evidence that a candidate has been proactive in finding that information beyond the graduate recruitment website.
2. Attend an application and interview workshop: before drafting and submitting your application, we strongly encourage all applicants to join a one-hour virtual ‘Application Tips & Tricks’ workshop to hear directly from the Graduate Recruitment team about the application and interview process. Visit the ‘Meet Us’ page on the graduate recruitment website https://www.akingump.com/en/careers/uk–studentsto secure your spot!
3. Attention to detail: your application form is your first opportunity to make a strong impression, so it’s essential that you proofread it multiple times to avoid errors – attention to detail is a core skill for all lawyers, and your application should reflect that from the outset.

Diversity/inclusion