Graduate Trainee Solicitor Scheme

Start your legal career with a firm that puts people first

Join a small trainee intake and work closely with experienced lawyers, gaining early responsibility and building relationships across the firm from day one.

You’ll gain hands-on experience and direct client exposure throughout your training contract. Along the way, you’ll be supported by mentors, supervisors and colleagues who are invested in helping you succeed.

Some of our future trainees also join us as paralegals before starting their training contract, helping them hit the ground running.

Every application is reviewed and scored by our recruitment team, not AI. We take the time to read each one and, if you’re successful, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some of our solicitors and share more about yourself.

Our culture is built around our ethos of People First. Lawyers Second. We believe great lawyers are developed by supporting people to be themselves, learn from others and grow in confidence.

What will you gain from the experience?

Over two years, you’ll complete four six-month seats across a range of practice areas, including:

- Commercial Property

- Corporate / Commercial

- Commercial Disputes

- Employment

- Regulatory

- Property Disputes

Support every step of the way

You’ll be supported throughout your training contract by people who are invested in your development.

A dedicated partner mentor for the duration of your training contract

A trainee buddy to help you settle into life at Gordons

A supervisor in each seat providing guidance and regular feedback

Structured appraisals at the end of every seat to support your development

Internal and external training covering both technical and personal skills

Build your profile & network

Trainees are encouraged to get involved in business development from an early stage, including:

- Attending networking and client events

- Representing the firm at recruitment fairs and law fairs, sharing your experiences with future trainees

- Writing articles for our website and social media channels

- Assisting with client events and taking an active role in charity fundraising initiatives

Sports & social

We work hard, but we know there’s more to life than work. Throughout the year, there are plenty of social, sporting and wellbeing activities to get involved in, including:

- Summer and Christmas social events

- Charity activities

- Football and netball teams

- Lunchtime fitness sessions

- The Gordons band

- Workplace Choir

- Running Club

Community

We’re committed to supporting the communities around us. Each year, we support a chosen charity through fundraising and volunteering activities.

From charity walks and fundraising events to volunteering projects, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Our trainees often help organise fundraising and volunteering activities throughout the year.

Benefits & sponsorship

Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from:

- Sponsorship towards future SQE studies

- 25 days’ holiday plus statutory holidays

- Membership of the local Junior Lawyer Division

- Employee Assistance Programme, including 24-hour counselling support

- Colleague Hub, including wellbeing resources, reward and recognition and employee discounts

- A range of additional benefits, including pension, life assurance and interest-free season ticket loans

We’re looking for people who combine strong academic ability with character and a positive attitude. People who are approachable, hardworking, commercially minded and ready to get stuck in.