Opportunities:
What we offer

South African Practical Vocational Training


Our Candidate Attorney programme comprises a two-year training period. Through our rotation system, our graduates have the opportunity to experience up to four practice areas during their practical vocational training. This allows our graduates to make an informed decision regarding the practice area they ultimately seek to specialise in.

We recruit our Candidate Attorneys at least two years in advance of them completing their university studies. It is therefore in your best interest to submit your application before the closing date.

Please note that we require all Candidate Attorneys to complete a two-year period in respect of the practical vocational training, irrespective of whether they have attended Law School or any other related training programme prior to joining Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.

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What attracted you to Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and what is your experience of the firm to date?
I always wanted to work at a law firm where the people in the firm are interesting, friendly and diverse and this was what I experienced at the firm. I also wanted to be a part of a team who are committed to excellence and I think this is the best part about working at a firm like CDH. I especially love their commitment and passion for teaching and transmitting the knowledge that they’ve gained over the years.

Words of advice for future Candidate Attorneys? 
Always take the opportunities that present themselves to you, you'll only become better from it. - Zahrah Ebrahim

Briefly share your experience of participating in a Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr vac programme and if it helped you prepare for articles of clerkship.
Participating in the CDH Vac work programme was an eye-opening experience for me in that it provided me with an opportunity to pick the brains of some of the best lawyers in the country. Over the course of the programme I became friends with law students from other universities, some of whom started their articles with me.

Words of advice?
I would encourage every law student to do pro bono work, either at their university law clinic or within their communities.  This will help to think practically about the application of law. - Cyprian Mthembu

What attracted you to Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and what is your experience of the firm to date?
You'll come for the free lunches and stay for the culture. CDH is redefining the image of commercial law firms and manages to feel very homey while maintaining its hard-earned reputation. - Shameegh Allen

Student Vacation Programme

We offer a formal Student Vacation Programme to law students. This programme takes place biannually during the Summer and Winter university holiday periods. The programme enables law students to obtain a practical sense of the day-to-day activities of a corporate lawyer. This is an opportunity to experience the law in action and develop your skills.

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vacation programme
vacation programme
vacation programme

Kenya Pupillage


In the Kenyan legal system, once you have completed your law from a recognized Kenyan university, you then proceed to Kenya School of Law (KSL). Towards the end of your studies at KSL, you can submit applications to law firms to complete your practical vocational training, which is referred to as pupillage and it is divided into 2 six-month stages, each called the non-practising six.

Our Kenyan Pupillage programme comprises a one-year training period. Our graduates have the opportunity to experience up to two practice areas during their pupillage training. This allows our graduates to make an informed decision regarding the practice area they ultimately seek to specialise in. We recruit our Candidate Pupils at least a year in advance of them completing their studies at KSL.

It is therefore in your best interest to submit your application
for our opportunities before the closing date.

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Bursaries

Annually, we award bursaries to numerous law students around South Africa.
In awarding our bursaries, we look for law students who have excelled academically and are in financial need.

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