Simpson Thacher launches London training contract after 'significant growth'

Simpson Thacher is launching a formal training contract programme in London following a “period of significant growth” in the UK market.

The move brings the New York heavyweight in step with peers including Paul Weiss, Kirkland & Ellis and Latham & Watkins, all of which operate formal UK training contracts in London, underlining the long-term City ambitions of US firms.

Early careers push

The move follows the hire of Paul Gascoyne as associate director of early careers as the firm prepares to welcome its first cohort of UK trainees.

Gascoyne joins from Paul Weiss, where he was senior recruitment manager and oversaw the launch of the firm’s own London training contract programme. That programme is set to welcome its first intake of trainees this autumn. Before that, he spent nine years in graduate recruitment at what is now A&O Shearman.

What they said

A spokesperson for Simpson Thacher said: “Following a period of significant growth, the firm has decided to further invest in the development of talented lawyers by launching an early careers programme in London.

We’re excited about this important milestone for Simpson Thacher in the UK, and we are looking forward to welcoming our first cohort of trainees in due course.”