Begin well. Learn fast. Build something real
Qualifying is the beginning — not the destination. At gunnercooke, NQ lawyers work on high-quality matters alongside 600+ senior practitioners, gaining real experience, real mentorship and a real foundation for a remarkable legal career.
“I qualified into gunnercooke and had a partner mentor from day one. Within three months I was on client calls. The learning curve is steep — and that is exactly what I wanted.“
A gunnercooke Associate · Commercial Litigation Team
600+
Mentors Available
40+
Practice Areas
16
Global Offices
Day 1
Real Client Work
A firm design around the partners who lead it
Most newly qualified lawyers spend their first years doing low-complexity tasks at arm’s length from the real work. At gunnercooke, we do things differently. NQs are treated as contributors from their very first day.
Because our partners run their own practices, they genuinely need talented lawyers who are motivated, curious and growing fast. That means real responsibility, honest feedback and a mentor who has the expertise and experience to support your development.
The result? NQs build skills earlier than they would in many traditional environments. If you want a career that starts in earnest, this is where to start it.
Genuine responsibility from day one
You will not be filing and formatting. You will be drafting, advising and attending client meetings — with support, but without the layers of hierarchy that slow learning elsewhere.
See the work we do →
Mentoring from partners who lead
You will be matched with a senior partner in your practice area — not a line manager, but a practitioner who has built something. Their investment in your progress is genuine and direct.
Breadth across 40+ practice areas
Our firm spans just about every commercial discipline. As an NQ, you will be exposed to a breadth of legal expertise that allows you to find and define your own specialism with confidence.
A year that sets the tone everything that follows
Your first twelve months at gunnercooke are structured, supported and designed to accelerate your development. We map out clear milestones so that you always know where you are and what you are working towards.
This is not just onboarding. It is the beginning of a career built on the right foundations — and the right people around you to make it happen.
Join — Paralegal / Junior Associate
Inducted into your practice area. Matched with a partner mentor. Client work from week one.
Grow — Mid-level Associate
Building your practice portfolio. Leading on transactions and disputes. Expanding your peer network.
Lead — Senior Associate
Running client relationships independently. Contributing to business development. Mentoring junior colleagues.
Beyond — Partnership & beyond
A transparent route to partnership for those who want it — or a highly respected senior role within your chosen specialism.
NQs who started their career here
Qualifying into gunnercooke was the best decision I made. By month three I had done things that friends at other firms told me they didn’t do until their third or fourth year. The pace of learning here is extraordinary.
A newly qualified lawyer Dispute Resolution · Joined 2022
The breadth of work I have been exposed to in two years here would have taken a decade at a traditional firm. The partners genuinely want you to grow — they make time for it.
A newly qualified lawyer Corporate Team · Joined 2023
The Symposium showed me the scale of this firm and the quality of the people in it. Being part of that community at an early stage of my career has been genuinely invaluable.
A newly qualified lawyer Employment & Pensions · Joined 2023
Everything you need to start strong
We provide associates and paralegals with the tools, training and environment to thrive — so that your focus remains on the work and the clients, not on navigating firm politics.
Dedicated Partner Mentor
You are matched with a senior partner in your practice area from day one — someone with genuine experience and a personal investment in your success.
Structured NQ Programme
Clear milestones, formal review points and a development plan tailored to your ambitions — so your growth is never left to chance.
CPD & Continued Learning
Fully funded CPD, access to practice group knowledge sessions and a firm-wide learning culture where expertise is shared freely across the community.
Technology & Resources
Enterprise legal technology, research tools and dedicated IT support — so your focus is always on the work, not on logistics.
Wellbeing & Balance
Hybrid working, a culture that respects your time and a firm that treats you as a person — not just a body generating fees. We believe happy lawyers are exceptional lawyers.
Competitive NQ Package
A market-competitive salary, performance-linked progression and a clear picture of where your earnings can go as you grow into your career here.
A friendly, straightforward process
We keep things human. We want to understand you, your ambitions and whether gunnercooke is the right home for the start of your career — not put you through unnecessary assessment hoops.
Express your interest
Submit a brief enquiry via the form below or send us your CV directly. A member of our talent team will respond within one working day — not a recruiter, but someone who knows the firm.
An introductory conversation
We start with a relaxed call to understand your background, your interests and what you are looking for. This is as much about us listening as it is about you answering questions.
Meeting the practice group
You will meet the team you would be joining — including your potential partner mentor. We want you to have a real sense of the people and the work before you make any decision.
An offer with a plan
If we are a strong mutual fit, we will make you an offer that includes your salary, your development plan and your day-one mentor. We want you to join with full clarity on what lies ahead.
Start the conversation today.
Whether you are about to qualify, have just qualified, or are a few months into your NQ year and looking for a change, we would love to hear from you.
There is absolutely no obligation.
Just an honest conversation about whether this is the right place for you.
- Your enquiry is treated with complete discretion.
- You will hear from our talent team directly — not an external recruiter.
- We welcome enquiries at any stage of the NQ journey, including those approaching qualification.
- We will respond within one working day