summer vacation scheme and trainee ProgrammE

Our Summer Vacation Scheme and Trainee Programme give you space to start your legal career with meaningful work from day one.

Our Summer Vacation Scheme is the route to a training contract at Marriott Harrison. We offer up to 18 places on our Summer Vacation Scheme.

As part of our Summer Vacation Scheme week, you can choose which practice areas to explore and work on real cases. You will be immersed in Marriott Harrison’s culture and may also participate in activities such as an ‘Ask Me Anything’ with our Managing Partner, Daniel Jacob.

We invite high performing Summer Vacation Scheme participants to interview for our Trainee Programme and offer up to four training contracts to successful candidates.

What we look for

At Marriott Harrison we seek ambitious, entrepreneurial people who want to grow with the firm and who embody our values and team culture.

Skills and behaviours we care about:

  • Academic record - Evidence of a strong academic background, with a 2:1 degree or above

  • Legal knowledge and commercial awareness - A genuine interest in our practice areas, relevant legal knowledge, and an understanding of what clients and their businesses need

  • Problem solving - Curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to see the bigger picture. Using research, analysis, and sound judgment to evaluate information, pinpoint key issues, and deliver practical solutions

  • Drafting and communication - Clear, accurate, and well-supported written work, and the ability to communicate effectively with people at every level 

  • Project management - Strong organisation, proactive management of expectations, and an eye for what comes next - while balancing competing demands and maintaining attention to detail

  • Client relationships - A focus on delivering an exceptional client experience, building trusted relationships, and thinking about long-term growth and success

  • Leadership - A growth mindset and a genuine team player. Listens actively, inspires trust, collaborates well, welcomes feedback, and shows resilience and adaptability

  • Ownership - A proactive approach and plenty of initiative. Takes responsibility, goes the extra mile for the best outcome, and contributes beyond your immediate role

The application process

  • Stage 1: Apply online

    Submit your application online by 1 February 2027. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete online assessments and/or attend a short telephone interview as part of the selection process for progression to Stage 2.

    Depending on the volume of applications, we may ask applicants to complete an aptitude test prior to deciding which candidates are invited to the assessment centre.

  • Stage 2: (final stage of application): Assessment centre

    If shortlisted, the second and final stage is to attend an in-person assessment centre at our London office in April 2027.

    If you are unsuccessful in your application and are not invited to the Assessment Centre, we unfortunately are unable to provide feedback or references due to the volume of applications we receive.

  • Stage 3: Invitation to join our Summer Vacation Scheme

    We will contact you to let you know if your application is successful. If you have been selected to participate in our Summer Vacation Scheme, you will receive a formal invitation from our team.

  • Stage 4: Transitioning from our Summer Vacation Scheme to our Trainee Programme

    The Summer Vacation Scheme serves as both an introduction to Marriott Harrison and an assessment process, with high performers and people who align with our values invited to interview for trainee roles.

  • Apply

Key dates

16 November 2026 Applications open

1 February 2027 Application deadline

April 2027 Assessment centre

June 2027 Summer Vacation Scheme starts

June/July 2027 Trainee Programme interviews

September 2028 Training contracts start

SUmmer vacation scheme

The welcoming nature of Marriott Harrison makes you feel at home from day one.

Legal 500 Future Lawyers

Our weeklong Summer Vacation Scheme offers an immersive introduction to life at Marriott Harrison.

You’ll take part in structured activities across our core practice areas, gaining hands-on experience and insight into the breadth of work we do. Expect meaningful conversations with people at all levels, interactive workshops, and real exposure to the kind of work you could be doing as a trainee.

The experience is designed to give you a true flavour of our culture, supported by training and activities that give you the chance to connect with our people beyond the desk.

trainee programme

Within just a few days, we attended two seminars - one exploring a specialist area of tax and the other focused on client development.

Rhea Patel, Trainee

Supported by a structured 24-month programme of focused technical training, you will have the opportunity to rotate through our core practices, including venture capital and M&A, commercial, dispute resolution, employment, and real estate.

Small teams mean early client contact and responsibility on live matters. Each month, you’ll build knowledge in a new practice area while gaining hands-on exposure to matters that may cut across multiple specialisms.

From the outset, you’ll be supported and trusted with real responsibility. Early tasks may involve drafting ancillary documents, but as you progress, you’ll take on core documentation and could be engaging directly with senior lawyers on the other side, developing the skills and confidence to advise clients at the highest level, and reach your full potential as a lawyer.

Your development doesn’t stop at qualification. Through MH360 Academy, our dedicated training and development programme, we equip you with the technical expertise, commercial awareness, and leadership skills to become a well-rounded, successful lawyer - and a key part of Marriott Harrison’s future.

Your training contract will start the year after you complete your Summer Vacation Scheme with us. Incoming trainees are invited to our social events so that by the time you join as a trainee, you’ll already have a feel for the firm, know the people you may be working with, and feel confident to transition into your first seat.

  • Trainee Salary
    Year 1

    £44,000

  • Trainee Salary
    Year 2

    £46,000

  • NQ Salary
     

    £80,000