Vacation Scheme

Russell-Cooke's one-week vacation scheme provides candidates with an opportunity to experience life at the firm and gain an insight into the work undertaken by its lawyers. The scheme combines support with opportunities for candidates to take responsibility and engage directly with lawyers, clients and different departments.

Russell-Cooke has a broad practice covering areas including high-value real estate and corporate law, charity and not-for-profit work, professional regulation, private client, family law and specialist litigation.

What the Scheme Involves

Candidates spend the week based in one of Russell-Cooke's departments and are paired with a senior associate as a buddy. The programme provides exposure to different aspects of the firm's work rather than being limited to a single team.

During the week, candidates can expect opportunities to meet clients, potentially attend court, spend time in different departments and visit the firm's different offices. Candidates can also attend departmental events and social activities taking place during the scheme.

The programme also includes an opportunity to meet Russell-Cooke's current trainee cohort, providing candidates with the chance to ask trainees about their experiences of the firm and the training contract.

Practice Areas

Current vacation scheme seat options include:

• Charity Law and Not for Profit

• Corporate and Commercial Law

• Dispute Resolution

• Employment Law

• Enfranchisement

• Family Law

• Immigration Law

• Private Client

• Property Litigation

• Restructuring and Insolvency

• Real Estate Planning and Construction

• Regulation and Public Law

• Trust and Estate Disputes

The range of practice areas allows candidates to gain an understanding of the breadth of legal work undertaken at Russell-Cooke.

Assessment for a Training Contract

The vacation scheme also forms part of Russell-Cooke's recruitment process for training contracts. At the end of the week, candidates are interviewed by the graduate recruitment panel and complete a letter-writing test.

These assessments are used to consider candidates for a training contract.

Application Process

Applications for the 2027 vacation scheme open on 4 November 2026 and close on 3 February 2027.

Candidates should apply through Russell-Cooke's vacation scheme application portal.

The firm's graduate recruitment programme also includes its 2029 training contract recruitment, with applications opening and closing on the same dates as the 2027 vacation scheme.