Careers for military leavers (UK)
We are a forces-friendly employer
Osborne Clarke is committed to supporting your transition from a military career to a new start in the legal sector. As a former service personnel, you have skills, experiences and perspectives that we see as valuable and relevant in the corporate world. Our dedication to the Armed Forces Covenant underscores our promise to provide meaningful opportunities and support for those who have served.
Recruitment processes tailored to veterans
We understand that finding your place professionally after a career in the military can be challenging. Your roles and qualifications may not translate directly into civilian roles and you may be unsure how to approach interviews.
Our recruitment process is designed to be tailored. We want to work with you in a way that allows your rich and diverse background to be recognised. This might mean an informal chat about your transferable skills and the role you are applying for, or that we help you prepare for interview. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we will accommodate your request where possible or work with you to find the best alternative.
Why join us?
- You'll have access to specific resources and guidance for military leavers to help you settle in and succeed in your civilian career.
- Our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures you'll work in a welcoming environment where all colleagues can thrive.
- We'll invest in your potential with comprehensive training and development programmes, mentoring, and career progression opportunities.
- We value the leadership, decision-making, and loyalty that your military experience brings. We are dedicated to helping you leverage these skills in your new role.
- If you are a member of the Reserves, you will be able to take paid leave for your duties.
Explore our vacancies and find your perfect role
Mark Lloyd, Associate Director
RAF Veteran
I left the RAF in 2011, having seen active service as a Tornado GR4 pilot. Whilst arguably the best job in the world for a 20-30 year old, it was clear that my career needed a new chapter if I was to make the most of my family. I had always had an interest in the law, and saw training as a solicitor as a great opportunity to work with great people, solve difficult problems and have a clearly defined career path.
My daughter was born just as I left the RAF, and I had two fabulous years at law school to enjoy looking after her before starting my Training Contract at Osborne Clarke. Some law firms I interviewed with didn't seem interested in my transferable skills built during my time in the RAF, but Osborne Clarke clearly saw them as an asset and made me feel like I could use them to contribute to the business from day one.
It sounds cliché, but being calm in a crisis is a key skill in my role here. The RAF taught me to control what you can, plan ahead, and when you can't do anything about something, just let it go.
Gemma Rowland, Learning and Development Manager
British Army Veteran and Reservist
I joined the British Army straight from University, having been awarded an Army Scholarship whilst I was at school. I commissioned into the Royal Artillery after completing my officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2010.
My roles were varied, including ops, training and recruitment. My experience along with my role as an officer, where I worked closely with my soldiers with their career progression and fulfilment, cemented my belief that the two most important things are People and Culture.
Therefore, on leaving I looked for a learning and development role that would afford me similar experiences in an organisation that valued its people and recognised the value in a diverse and inclusive culture, which led me to Osborne Clarke.
The skills I learnt in the military allow me to approach problems with a different perspective, stay calm when problems arise and be willing to push the boundaries to find innovative solutions. So I can contribute to the Osborne Clarke's dynamic environment, where agility, innovation, and strategic thinking are paramount to delivering exceptional service to our clients.
Charlotte Stafford, Senior Associate
British Army Reservist
I joined the Army Reserves as a musician in 2018 after gaining an insight into the role a few years earlier and to experience being a musician within a military environment and the challenge this undoubtedly brings.
A part-time career in the Army Reserves offers me the opportunity to develop leadership skills and complete training outside of my role as a musician and therefore develop skills which benefit me in my role here.
The provision of additional leave for Reservists by Osborne Clarke and the support I've received from colleagues has been invaluable in enabling me to complete the necessary annual training requirements, whilst meeting the demands of family life and a career as a solicitor.
Patrick Wooddisse, Partner
British Army Veteran
I went to Law school immediately after leaving the Army – I was serving abroad so had to apply for training contracts by post based only on the information in graduate recruitment brochures. I then trained in London before moving to Bristol in 2002.
Only six years after qualifying I took on a management based partnership role (not at OC) which had quite a few challenges. I am sure that my Army background gave me the confidence and experience to be effective and robust in this environment.
The most important thing I learnt from the Army was mission analysis - when you are asked to do something, think really hard about why you are being asked to do it and what the underlying purpose is. I do this with client instructions or anything management based at work. Thinking laterally often helps me come up with an effective, if unconventional, solution to a problem.
Similarly, when I delegate, I aim to make sure that my overall intention is understood and giving the team member as much flexibility as possible to use their initiative in solving the problem as they think best. My experience in the Army also taught me how to make decisions under pressure.
- How does the recruitment process work at Osborne Clarke?
Our recruitment process typically begins with you applying for one of our vacancies through our online system. You'll be asked to complete a short application form and to submit your CV along with a covering letter. You're also welcome to send us your CV if you the role you are interested in is not currently being advertised and we will add you to our talent bank.
If you’re selected for an interview, our recruitment team will be in touch to arrange a time for you to meet with our hiring managers, this can be either in-person or virtual. An interview will usually last up to an hour and we'll always ensure there is time left for you to ask questions. The majority of our roles have a two-stage interview process and there will normally be two people interviewing you.
Our recruitment timeline can vary depending on the role, but generally the hiring process takes a few weeks from application to offer. We strive to keep candidates informed at each stage.
- What can I do to prepare for interview?
Our interviews are structured around competency and experience-based questions, focusing on the key aspects of the role you have applied for. Sometimes we ask candidates to complete an exercise or give a short presentation and if either is required, we will let you know before your interview. The task will always be relevant to the position you’ve applied for and designed to help us understand your suitability for the role.
To excel in your interview, we suggest thinking of some examples from your military experiences that demonstrate the skills and traits we mention in the description. We also value qualities often honed in the armed forces, such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and adaptability, and we will be looking for evidence of these during your interview.
- What kind of roles are available at Osborne Clarke for someone with my background?
Around half of the people who work at OC are lawyers and the other half are business services professionals. Our professionals have a broad range of specialisms, all of which are available to military leavers. Your suitability for our roles depends on your skills, interests and aspirations, not your background.
The majority of our lawyers are fee-earning. This means that they work with our clients, providing tailored expertise. Some of our qualified lawyers are part of our Knowledge team. They help our fee earning lawyers gather information to help them with their cases and also provide training.
Our business services functions cover everything else that we need to keep OC running! There are opportunities in a range of areas, including HR, operations, project management, IT and marketing.
We encourage you to explore our current vacancies to find a suitable match.
- As a lawyer, what kind of clients could I work with at Osborne Clarke?
Industry leaders and market disrupters, household names and start-ups: our clients represent a broad cross-section of business and organisations with differing interests, locations and cultures.
We work with clients in a range of sectors, including defence, infrastructure, telecoms and energy. If you have specialist knowledge of a particular industry, it can support a successful career in law.
We encourage you to explore our core sectors to get a sense of the type of clients we work with.
- How will Osborne Clarke support me during my transition from military to civilian life?
When you join us, we want you to feel like part of the team and we'll support your transition through various initiatives.
Our Armed Forces Network provides a community for shared experiences and support. We offer mentoring and coaching programmes, tailored training, and flexible working arrangements to support individuals stepping into a corporate career for the first time.
Additionally, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers confidential support services to help ease the transition.
Most importantly, we will make you feel welcome. We foster an inclusive and open culture that values the unique skills and experiences of every person in the firm, ensuring you'll feel respected and valued for the diverse thoughts and ideas you bring.
Contact our team
We'd love to hear from you if you want to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values your experience and is committed to your success. Our recruitment team is happy to answer any questions you have about working at Osborne Clarke.
Angharad Jenkins
Recruitment Manager (Lawyers & Paralegals)
angharad.jenkins@osborneclarke.com
+44 117 917 3127
Patrick Fermin Ryan
Recruitment Advisor (Business Services & Paralegals)
patrick.ferminryan@osborneclarke.com
+44 7796 648 889
