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Gordons

Gordons

Next deadline

Graduate Trainee Solicitor Scheme · 12 Nov 2026

(16 days)

Apply now
In their own words

We are a down-to-earth, values-led law firm guided by our “People First. Lawyers Second.” ethos. We build trusted relationships by providing practical, commercially focused advice in a way that is clear, straightforward and easy to understand.

Snapshot

Firm type

Regional

UK offices

Leeds, Bradford

International offices

None

Training contract places

Not disclosed

Vacation scheme places

10

First-year salary

£31,000

Second-year salary

£33,000

Newly qualified salary

£55,000

Trainee retention

75%

SQE support

Full SQE1 and SQE2 funding

Visa sponsorship

No

International secondment

No

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

No

Recruitment route

Both vacation scheme and direct training contract

Rolling recruitment?

No

Seat structure

4 six-month seats

Non-law applicants welcomed?

Yes

Career changers welcomed?

Yes

Minimum academic requirements

AAB at A-levels, 2.1 at university

Solicitor apprenticeship places

3

Wellbeing support

Mental health first aiders, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Health Cash Plan (including gym membership discounts), mentoring and buddy schemes for trainees and apprentices, financial wellbeing support, parenting networks, prayer rooms in both offices, and opportunities to get involved in sports teams, fitness sessions and social activities throughout the year.

Typical start time

9:00am

Typical finish time

17:30pm

Average hours worked

37.5 hours

Parental leave

Enhanced packages available

Holiday allowance

25 days + additional leave entitlements are available

% Female trainees

66%

% Female partners

29%

Can trainees repeat a seat?

Sometimes, depending on the circumstances

Can trainees express preferences?

Yes, but preferences are not guaranteed

Trainee salary basis

Reviewed annually

SQE maintenance grant

No

PGDL funding

Partial funding

Retrospective funding

None
Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Are you looking for a firm where relationships, teamwork and a people-first culture are genuinely important?

Do you want early responsibility and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work from the start of your career?

Are you interested in working with well-known national brands while enjoying the benefits of a regional firm's culture?

Next deadline

Graduate Trainee Solicitor Scheme

12 Nov 2026

(16 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

“Real responsibility, meaningful client work from day one.”

What this could mean for you
Trainees are encouraged to get involved in client work from an early stage. While experiences differ between teams, many trainees attend meetings, build relationships with clients and take ownership of tasks from the outset of their training contract.

“Working collaboratively to remove barriers.”

What this could mean for you
Gordons places a strong emphasis on collaboration and relationship-building. Working closely with colleagues and senior lawyers enables trainees to learn through day-to-day interactions, receive support and feedback, and develop their skills and confidence.

All practice areas

CommercialPropertyCorporateLitigationBanking and financeIntellectual propertyData, privacy and cybersecurityDispute resolutionRegulatory and governanceEmploymentConstructionPrivate client
Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself:

  • Are you looking for a firm where relationships, teamwork and a people-first culture are genuinely important?
  • Do you want early responsibility and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work from the start of your career?
  • Are you interested in working with well-known national brands while enjoying the benefits of a regional firm's culture?

This firm may suit candidates who...

  • Enjoy building relationships and collaborating with colleagues across the firm.
  • Thrive when given ownership of tasks and trusted with responsibility from an early stage.
  • Want exposure to well-known national brands while being part of a smaller trainee intake.

Things to consider

  • A smaller trainee intake means trainees are highly visible within the business and expected to contribute from an early stage.
  • Experiences can vary between seats and teams, giving trainees exposure to different working styles and areas of law.
  • Gordons places a strong emphasis on building relationships and getting involved in the wider life of the firm.
What trainees do

Commercial

What it involves:

Supporting clients on a range of commercial matters, including contracts, data protection, intellectual property and wider business issues. Trainees work closely with colleagues across the team to help clients navigate legal and commercial challenges.

Example trainee tasks:

Reviewing commercial contracts and identifying key risks; drafting data protection and commercial documents; undertaking legal research; preparing advice notes; supporting client training; contributing to client trackers and legal updates; and assisting with business development activities such as articles and thought leadership content.

Early responsibility:

Trainees are given responsibility that increases as their confidence and experience develop. This can include communicating with clients, supporting client training, contributing to business development initiatives and taking ownership of aspects of client matters under supervision.

Commercial property

What it involves:

Working with landlords, tenants, developers and occupiers on a range of commercial property matters, with a particular focus on retail landlord and tenant matters. This regularly involves liaising with clients, agents and other solicitors, while gaining exposure to transactions from instruction through to completion.

Example trainee tasks:

Drafting and reviewing leases, licences and other property documents; carrying out title and property due diligence; preparing lease reports; assisting with negotiations; managing transaction updates; attending meetings; and supporting a variety of commercial property matters.

Early responsibility:

There is a high level of early responsibility, with trainees encouraged to lead communications and take on more technical aspects of property matters as they build experience.

Work-life reality

Work-life balance varies by team, seat and transaction cycle. This section is designed to help you understand the pattern, not reduce the experience to a score.

Predictability

Work is generally predictable, with trainees encouraged to work their contracted hours.

Busy periods

Busy periods vary across teams, depending on workload, matters and client demands.

Late finishes

Late finishes are uncommon, although they may be required during particularly busy periods or when working towards transaction deadlines.

Weekend work

Weekend work is rare.

Support

Trainees are supported by a seat supervisor, dedicated partner mentor and trainee buddy, alongside regular feedback, structured appraisals and ongoing training.

Flexibility

Trainees are primarily office-based, with second-year trainees able to work from home one day a week. This reflects the firm's emphasis on relationship-building and understanding the Gordons culture.

Holiday allowance

25 days

Office attendance

Five days a week in the first year, reducing to four days a week in the second year.
Culture & support

Supervision style

Open-door supervision, with regular feedback and opportunities to take on chargeable work from an early stage.

Relationship with partners

Regular interaction with partners, although experiences vary between teams.

Upward feedback

Regular opportunities to share feedback through appraisals and discussions with supervisors.

Open plan or traditional offices?

Open plan

What surprised trainees?

The level of responsibility and independence available early in the training contract.
Application process

Online application form

First-stage interview

Assessment day

What happens

For training contract applicants, the assessment process includes an initial interview followed by an assessment day comprising a written exercise, presentation and partner interviews.
Reviews
"What surprised me most after joining was the level of independence trainees are given from an early stage, coupled with how approachable everyone is." - Anonymous
"Recruiting a smaller intake of four to five trainees means the investment in our development is genuine." - Anonymous
"The firm values the organic growth of its client relationships. Most fee earners and partners are approachable and will genuinely make time during their busy day to give feedback on your work." - Anonymous
Opportunities
Graduate Trainee Solicitor Scheme

Gordons

Gordons

16 days leftCloses 11:59pm, 12 Nov 2026

View job