Covington & Burling occupies a unique position among US firms in London: it is the go-to firm at the intersection of regulatory strategy and transactional work, with a dominant life sciences practice that advises the world's largest pharmaceutical and biotech companies on everything from product launches to M&A. The firm also has a formidable tech regulation practice, advising major platforms on AI, data privacy and digital markets legislation in both the UK and EU.
Culture & Values
Covington is known for a distinctly collegial and intellectually rigorous culture, with a genuine commitment to pro bono work that is embedded in day-to-day practice rather than treated as an add-on. The London office is smaller and more collaborative than many US firm peers, with trainees gaining broad exposure across practice groups. The regulatory-transactional mix means trainees develop both commercial and policy-facing skills that are highly valued by clients in regulated industries.
Generated by Folio — folioapp.co.uk · 15 March 2026
Salary and deadline information is approximate. Always verify with the firm's official graduate recruitment page.
Strategic Advice
Covington interviewers expect strong awareness of regulatory trends — particularly in life sciences, technology and competition law. Candidates should be prepared to discuss recent UK and EU regulatory developments (CMA investigations, AI Act, pharma M&A) and to explain why they are drawn to the regulatory-transactional blend the firm offers. Pro bono commitment and motivation for a smaller, more specialist US firm over the Magic Circle are common discussion points.
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Talking Points
Arguments for “Why Covington?” and ready-made observations from recent news. Adapt to your own voice.
01
Covington is the rare US firm in London that genuinely bridges regulatory strategy and transactional work—most competitors treat these as separate silos. For someone interested in how policy shapes deals (especially in life sciences and tech), this integrated model means you're not confined to pure M&A or pure regulatory work, but developing both skill sets simultaneously.
02
The life sciences practice is dominant globally and Covington advises the world's largest pharma and biotech companies on everything from product launches to major M&A. This means trainees gain exposure to the full lifecycle of regulated transactions—from regulatory approval strategy through deal execution—rather than generic corporate experience.
03
Unlike larger US firms where London offices can feel like extensions of New York, Covington's London team is deliberately smaller and more collaborative, giving trainees genuine responsibility and close mentoring. The regulatory-transactional mix also means clients actively value the specific skillset trainees develop here in ways they might not at a generalist firm.
04
The firm has embedded pro bono work into daily practice rather than treating it as an afterthought, and given Covington's regulatory expertise, this often means advising nonprofits and policy bodies on substantive legal and strategic issues—offering real impact alongside commercial experience.
Practice Questions
Active10 curated questions for Covington
Vacation Scheme / Training Contract
Method
“Watson Glaser critical thinking test used as part of the online application stage.”
Tests
Data Verification
Salary and deadline information is approximate and based on publicly available data from prior recruitment cycles. Last verified: 2026-03-05. Always check the firm's official graduate recruitment page for confirmed dates.