Pathways to Practice Insight Scheme

At Fieldfisher, we believe talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not always come equally.

That is why we created Pathways to Practice – our award-winning paid insight and work experience programme designed to support talented students from underrepresented backgrounds who are considering a career in commercial law.

New for 2027, we are delighted to launch our dedicated first-year university programme, providing an earlier opportunity to explore the legal profession, develop key professional skills, and build meaningful connections within the industry.

Pathways to Practice is more than just work experience. It is an opportunity to gain real insight into life at a leading European law firm, develop your confidence and commercial awareness, and begin building a long-term relationship with Fieldfisher.

ABL and trade finance Advertising and consumer protection Alternative legal services Compliance Construction Consumer enforcement Consumer protection Corporate Data, privacy and cybersecurity Dispute resolution Employment ESG Financial markets and products Franchise Fraud, financial crime and investigations Immigration Inquiries, Inquests and Investigations Intellectual property International trade Litigation funding Pensions Private client Public and regulatory Real estate Restructuring and insolvency Risk and compliance Sanctions and export control Sports law Tax Technology

What You Will Gain

During the programme, you will have the opportunity to:

Attend a virtual induction covering key workplace tools, including Teams, Outlook and Microsoft Word.

Take part in sessions on using AI in the workplace, law firms as a business, personal brand, commercial awareness and presentation skills.

Join an in-person induction to meet the Early Careers team, learn more about Fieldfisher and take part in an office tour.

Gain insight into Fieldfisher’s practice areas through a department roadshow and three days of allocated work shadowing.

Work collaboratively on a team exercise, including a mock negotiation, and deliver a final team presentation.

Network with trainees, apprentices and colleagues through lunches, social activities and informal conversations.

Reflect on whether a career in commercial law is right for you.

Why Pathways to Practice?

We know that entering the legal profession can feel challenging if you do not have existing networks or access to opportunities.

Pathways to Practice has been designed to help remove barriers, increase access and provide meaningful experience that enables students to make informed decisions about their future careers. The programme forms an important part of our commitment to inclusion, social mobility, and developing the next generation of legal talent.

We want every participant to leave the programme with:

Greater confidence in their own ability.

A stronger understanding of the legal sector.

New professional connections.

Enhanced workplace and career readiness skills.

A clearer understanding of the pathways available within the legal profession.

Work shadowing and practical tasks.

Skills and employability workshops.

Networking opportunities with colleagues across the firm.

Insight sessions from lawyers and business services professionals.

Presentations and group projects.

Exposure to our inclusion networks and community initiatives.

Opportunities to learn about emerging topics such as AI, technology, and innovation in the legal sector.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At Fieldfisher, inclusion is at the heart of who we are. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can succeed and feel a sense of belonging.

We welcome applications from talented students from…