Table of Contents
A lawyer or solicitor has to be well-informed in their field of expertise to offer clients optimum service and secure a strong and positive track record. To achieve this, like most professional occupations, aspiring solicitors have to undergo a training period to start operating in their legal careers. You can consider it a stepping stone in the real-world environment after or during your graduate studies.
What is a trainee solicitor?
In basic terms, a trainee solicitor is someone who’s training to become a solicitor, simple. A training period is usually a two-year-long contract at a law firm or an in-house legal department. It is basically, the last step in qualifying as a proper solicitor.
The role and work of a trainee will depend on the firm they train at, the seats that they do, alongside other trainees and support staff that are already working at the firm. Some of the general tasks of a trainee solicitor are as follows:-
- Attending client meetings and events
- Legal research
- Drafting legal documents
- Proofreading documents
- Administrative tasks
- Preparing internal training presentations, etc.
Apart from these, there are also other factors to be considered such as competitive salary, a structured career path, and expanded opportunities. With all these in mind, here is a list of the top 10 trainee solicitors in London.
Trainee Solicitor – Top 10 in London
1. Arnold & Porter
As a client-driven and industry-focused law firm, Arnold & Porter looks for talented and enthusiastic graduates that come from all cultures and backgrounds, and lawyers are encouraged to be themselves and work across various specialities.
On joining, the firm will introduce you to its practices and procedures along with training on how to operate the IT systems, libraries, and other online data sources. The training period also offers an opportunity to work in four practice groups within six months. The training programme at the London office offers both external as well as in-house training sessions.
2. Addleshaw Goddard
With over two decades of valued service and operations across 96 countries, Addleshaw Goddard offers its trainees high-calibre work and drive alongside high-character colleagues with great emphasis on individual development.
Personal growth and successful candidates are offered a two-year training contract that includes:-
- Litigation
- Corporate and commercial buildings
- Real estate
- Finance and projects
3. Covington
Covington provides trainees with early exposure and responsibility. Participating in ideas to build teamwork and complex substantive work, trainees have the opportunity to work closely with senior lawyers and partners.
With the prestige of a leading international law firm, Covington provides trainees with the opportunity of working in a close-knit office with shared responsibilities and necessary resources. Along with a chance to make some real impact on work and build upon experience.
4. Akin Gump
With several accretions and achievements under their name, Akin Gump offers a diverse and inclusive work environment for trainees to develop across three sectors-
Excellence – a collaboration with leading practitioners and the chance to solve complex problems nurtures excellence in budding solicitors.
Growth – with a customized training and professional development programme, Akin Gump places the trainees’ interests and success on the front row.
Thrive – motivated individuals with deep-thinking skills are always preferred for the role.
5. Clearly Gottlieb
Cleary Gotlieb boasts a top-tier reputation in offering clients innovative solutions and also leaving a global footprint in the industry. As such, they provide lawyers with engaging and rewarding opportunities at all stages of their legal careers.
Grounded on an informal arrangement, lawyers at all levels can interact freely and frequently so working as well as training goes hand-in-hand. Participation and pursuits of interests in various fields to broaden horizons and experience levels are highly encouraged and provided for. All voluntary legal efforts are supported and welcomed.
6. Clifford Chance
Having been recognized as ‘The Best Onboarding Experience’ at the 2020 Target jobs awards, Clifford Chance offers its training contracts to penultimate year law students, final year non-law students, graduates, and more.
With well-rounded and award-winning training contracts to choose from such as:-
- IGNITE
- SPARK
- ACCESS, etc
Along with global virtual internship opportunities, Clifford Chance offers aspiring lawyers the best possible opportunities to start-up, grow, and ultimately, develop as a world-class lawyers.
7. Davis Polk
The two-year London training programme at Davis Polk provides an enriching experience with excellent training to ensure a structured career path as an English law qualified lawyer for the trainee solicitors.
Within the two-year training programme, trainees will learn about corporate and finance practices, spend time in specialist areas such as tax, financial regulation, antitrust, etc., share an office with senior colleagues, receive tailored training and practice, along with extensive contact with partners and clients.
8. Cooley
To be eligible for a training contract with Cooley, individuals are required to participate in the two-week summer programme where they will be introduced to the work ethics as well as be provided with opportunities.
Trainee applications are reviewed on a name-blind basis to foster diversity and inclusiveness at the workplace and select the best possible candidates without any background bias. Cooley’s two-year training contract is divided into four separate seats of six months each to experience the work culture of the firm.
9. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
Sullivan & Cromwell has been recruiting trainee solicitors since 2011. By recruiting the best law and non-law students and graduates to train as solicitors, S&c aims to nurture these solicitors as future associates and partners of the firm.
At S&C, trainees are given the chance to do high-end work, meet up with exceptional people, and grow and develop in a supportive work environment. Genuine training and mentoring by partners and senior lawyers are also offered for tailored guidance and training experience.
10. Debevoise & Plimpton
With over 30 years of service in London, Debevoise & Plimpton is dedicated to providing high-quality training and development to its lawyers at all levels of their legal careers.
They offer a comprehensive training programme along with in-house training and skills sessions, this is also supported by a mentor programme. Each trainee is paired with a suitable mentor who will guide and advise the individual in their work.
Conclusion
No one becomes a successful lawyer overnight. It takes years of education and an additional two years of training to even qualify as a legal and respected lawyer. But considering all the work and efforts that are put into becoming a legal lawyer, the returns are well worth it.