Training Contract Opportunities Lawyers
Simkins LLP is currently inviting applications for training contracts to commence in September 2026. Training contracts will be made available for up to three candidates. The deadline for all completed applications is Tuesday 30 April 2024. We do not recruit on a rolling basis – all applications will be reviewed once the deadline has passed. Interviews will take place in a one-week period during the week beginning Monday 1 July 2024. Interviews will take place at our offices at Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9LT. Following interview, successful candidates will be invited to attend a work placement for one week at our offices at Lynton House. The firm will offer up to eight work placements. There will be one work placement week in 2024 – it will take place in the week beginning Monday 5 August 2024. During the work placement week, candidates will be given the opportunity to work-shadow lawyers within the firm and will participate in a number of practical, legal and analytical exercises. Following the work placement, if you are successful, an offer of a training contract to start in September 2026 will be made at some time shortly after your attendance on the work placement.
A 2:1 degree or above is desirable. We expect all candidates to have a commitment to the law (although we welcome applications from non-law graduates) and a proven interest in business and commerce. We look to recruit trainees who are ambitious, motivated, considerate and collegiate; trainees who understand our core values and who seek to build upon our excellent reputation. We recognise and believe that today’s trainees can be our future partners – we encourage that focus and determination to drive our firm forward.
With the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) as an alternative route to qualification, the way in which solicitors qualify is changing. Our recruitment programme to date has been based on the traditional route to qualification but we are now transitioning to the SQE. Non-law graduates will be required to take a law conversion before embarking on SQE prep courses. We will meet the cost of the SQE1 prep & exam, the SQE2 prep & exam and the Essentials for Practice at our preferred supplier, BPP, provided that if you subsequently choose not to join us, you will be obliged to refund those costs to us. Once passed, candidates will join the firm for two years of Qualifying Work Experience.
Our practice is split into the following areas of law: civil litigation, commercial and company, employment, family, private client, and property. We want our trainees to receive a broad depth of training and we have restructured our programme so that our trainees can gain experience in each of our practice areas. During your training contract/qualifying work experience, you will be given the opportunity to work in employment and disputes/reputation management, property and family/private client and corporate/commercial. You may also be asked to complete an ad hoc client secondment for up to three months.
Alongside a competitive salary, our trainees are eligible for a range of benefits including a cash plan scheme, 24/7 GP access, an employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, private health insurance, group income protection, mindfulness and well-being sessions, death in service, pension, cycle-to-work scheme, payroll giving and season ticket loans.
You should ensure you can be available to attend an interview and work placement on the dates specified above before submitting your application. The successful candidate must, by the commencement of employment, have the right to work in the UK. Applicants are asked to complete an application form via the link on our website - https://wwww.simkins.com/training.