Graduate Trainee Solicitor Scheme
People are the key to our success. With our graduate trainee solicitor recruitment scheme we are looking for our partners of the future.
Gordons takes on up to four graduate trainee solicitors each year. Successful candidates benefit from close supervision working alongside experienced lawyers.
We expect our trainees to get involved in client work straight away and to make valuable contributions to the firm and our success. We also often have opportunities for future trainees to join us as paralegals before their training so that they can really hit the ground running. Gordons trainees can expect training and support from across the firm throughout.
There is always fierce competition for our graduate trainee solicitor places. Although we do look for academic achievement, we also place strong emphasis on character and are looking for people with a great attitude who can forge their career with us.
Apply
The application process for this year’s summer vacation scheme and 2027 training contracts has now closed.
Key dates for the forthcoming years application process are:
- Summer vacation scheme application deadline: 31 December 2024
- Summer vacation scheme interviews: w/c 17 February 2025
- Summer vacation scheme: 16 – 20 June 2025
- Training contract only application deadline: 30 April 2025
- Training contract only, first stage interviews: w/c 30 June 2025
- Training contract only, second stage assessment day: w/c 7 July 2025
If you have any questions about the process, please email recruitment@gordonsllp.com.
Employment Applicant Privacy Notice
Top Tips for Securing a Training Contract
We take on up to four graduate trainee solicitors each year. Successful candidates benefit from close supervision working alongside experienced lawyers.
There is always fierce competition for our graduate trainee solicitor places. To give you the best chance of standing out we asked our recruitment panel for their top tips.
> Learn More
Training Principal Q&A: Amy Pierechod
We sat down Amy Pierechod, a partner in our corporate team, who acts as the firm’s training principal to find out what her job involves and what she looks for in a trainee.
> Read MoreWhat can you expect from us?
Two Year Contract
The training contract lasts two years, during which you will complete four six-month spells learning different specialisms including:
Training & Support
Each trainee is allocated a mentor for the length of the training contract and, for each specialism you experience, a supervisor to guide you and give regular feedback. Your supervisor will appraise your performance at the end of each six month spell and let your next supervisor know how to help you to reach your objectives and develop your skills.
As well as on-the-job training, you will attend internal seminars and external training, such as the Professional Skills Course.
Marketing & Business Development
Our trainees are actively encouraged to get involved in the marketing and development of the firm. This includes representing us at business events and getting to know our clients straight away.
You also have the opportunity to promote our training contract scheme to prospective trainees by helping out on our recruitment stand at law fairs, and sharing your own experiences with students through networking events and mentoring students at local law colleges.
Benefits & Sponsorship
As well as a competitive salary, our trainees are entitled to:
- 25 days holiday per year, plus statutory holidays
- A group personal pension
- Life assurance of 3 x salary death in service benefit
- Employee Assistance Programme providing information and advice on health and well being topics, as well as 24 hour access to a counselling service
- Interest free season ticket loan for travel
- Colleague hub hosting staff benefits, a wellbeing centre, reward and recognition as well as a SmartSpending discounts app with exclusive member offers.
- Membership to the local Junior Lawyer Division, a social and educational network connecting junior lawyers in the region
- Sponsorship towards future SQE studies
Sports & Social
We expect you to work hard, but we know that you have a life and commitments outside of work. Making sure that our people have a good work/life balance is a priority. We want everyone to enjoy their time at work and get to know their colleagues.
There are firm wide social events and activities throughout the year, including summer BBQs, Christmas parties, charity walks and after-work drinks.
For those wanting to participate in sports, there are football and netball teams as well as staff-run lunchtime fitness sessions.
For the more musically minded, you can join the Gordons’ band or attend the Workplace Choir.
Want to know more?
If you would like to find out more about our firm and whether you’re the applicant we’re looking for, make sure you’re following us on LinkedIn for upcoming law fairs and in-house events we’ll be hosting.
This autumn you can find us at the following law fairs:
- 9 October – University of York Law Fair
- 15 October – University of Leeds Law Fair
- 6 November – University of Law, Leeds Fair
Following the success of previous in-house events, we will again be hosting a Trainee Insight Evening at our Leeds office on Thursday 14 November 2024 from 5.30pm. Come join us to learn more about our firm, culture and application process from our Partners, Solicitors and Trainees, and network in a relaxed environment. To register your interest please email recruitment@gordonsllp.com
Or you can download our latest trainee guide here:
If you would like some advice on applying or have a general question, then please email recruitment@gordonsllp.com and one of our trainees will be happy to help.
Life as a Gordons trainee solicitor
To find out what it’s really like to be a trainee solicitor at Gordons take a look at our trainee blogs:
Trainee Q&A
To gain more insight into how the application process is for a graduate and what a typical day looks like, former Gordons trainee Ella Fitzpatrick answers your burning questions.
> Read more
Life in the First Seat
Ever wondered what life in the first seat is like at Gordons?
Arran Crump, newly qualified solicitor, who commenced his training contract in September 2022, reflects on joining the firm and his experience so far at Gordons.
> Read more
My Route into Law
There are some people who have always wanted to be lawyers, but not everyone’s journey is the same.
We talk to our Trainee Solicitor Tosif about his journey and experiences that eventually led him to Gordons.
> Read more
My Path to Gordons
Dymphna embarked on her legal journey two years ago. Now, fully immersed in her contract, she reflects on how she arrived at Gordons.
> Read more