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Early law careers & opportunities

With so many ways to enter the legal profession, choosing the right route is key.

Just as important is choosing the right firm — and we are proud to hold ten Legal 500 Future Lawyers awards for job satisfaction, quality of work, client contact, sustainability, legal technology, inclusiveness, approachability, social life, 'work from home' and work/life balance.

We are are also recognised as the best law firm to work for and the 11th best large company to work for in the UK by Best Companies.

Here, we outline the many ways in which we support applicants throughout the early careers process, from assessment days to training contracts.

Find out more about us and how to find the right route into law below. All the information you need about each route in and how to apply can be found in the relevant dropdown menu item.

Want to be the first to spot new career opportunities and initiatives at Brabners? Follow us on LinkedIn.

If you have any questions, talk to our learning and development team at learning@brabners.com.

Future Lawyers Awards 2023/2024
  • Best Companies UK's Top 25 Best Large Companies to Work For
  • Best Companies Number 1 Best Law Firm to Work For
  • Best Companies NW Top 25 Companies to Work For
Brabners Legal Cheek scorecard

The Legal Cheek View

Get the Legal Cheek view on our early careers opportunities.

Why work at Brabners?

  • A law firm that makes the difference

    Brabners is a purpose-led independent law firm and certified B Corp.

    We are immensely proud to hold ten Legal 500 Future Lawyer awards for job satisfaction, quality of work, client contact, sustainability, legal technology, inclusiveness, approachability, social life, 'work from home' and work/life balance.

    We strongly believe that business can bring about positive change. That’s why The Brabners Foundation — our independent grant-making charity — supports our mission to make the difference for our clients, people and communities.

    We provide aspiring solicitors with all the support they expect from a leading law firm, along with the benefit of close mentoring from Partners.

    Joining us also provides the opportunity to get involved with the programmes that set our award-winning culture apart, including diversity, sustainability and charitable giving.

  • Our trainees

    We look for something different in our trainees.

    While we want people who are driven and have the tenacity to succeed, we also want those who wish to be part of something much bigger. Those who are eager to learn, innovate and seek out responsibility.

    In return, we will devote our time and focus to ensure that each and every one of our trainees has the opportunity to realise their full potential.

    We strongly believe that trainees should experience a wide range of disciplines before making the decision to specialise. Our vast client base means that our trainees have the chance to experience different sectors and specialisms, deal directly with clients and assist our partners on complex cases.

    Join us to kickstart your career in law.

  • Committed to helping everyone get into law

    As the largest law firm (and the first outside London) to achieve B Corp status, we are committed to promoting diversity, neurodiversity and social mobility.

    That’s why we offer places for all qualification routes, including insight days (to find out more about who we are and what we do), vacation schemes, apprenticeships and bursary programmes to help those from disadvantaged backgrounds to access a career in law.

    We also look to help candidates before the application process by hosting insight days and meeting with future lawyers at careers events.

    We offer an inclusive and supportive working environment where everyone can be their authentic selves and achieve their full potential.

    It’s important to us that our early career routes are accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments during the application process, please let us know what we can do to support and facilitate the experience.

    Find out more about our equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

    If you have any questions, talk to our friendly learning and development team at learning@brabners.com.

Find your route into law

  • Applying for a training contract

    Our application processes are designed to help us get to know you, including your academic achievements and why you believe that a career at Brabners is right for you. 

    The recruitment process is overseen by our training principal, Rupert Gill, as well as our training partners, who are based throughout our offices in Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire and Leeds.

    We advise you to research Brabners thoroughly. As a firm, we work hard to ensure that our culture and values are at the heart of everything we do, so it’s important to consider how you would contribute to this if you joined us. We pride ourselves on innovation, diversity and sustainability, so your application should demonstrate what inspires you and how you can make the difference.

    While we receive a high volume of applications, our training partners read every single one.

  • The Brabners Bursary

    If you’re successful in gaining a training contract with us, you could be eligible to receive a bursary of up to £12,500 to help support your study programme of choice.

    We’re currently recruiting talented graduates for training contracts with a start date of September 2026. Whether you’ve completed a law or non-law degree, The Brabners Bursary can fully fund your journey through courses and exams all the way to qualification.

    Our candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds and often have unique personal circumstances — so we hope that this bursary will help many of you to kickstart your legal careers.

     

    Finding the right pathway to law

    The route to become a trainee solicitor has diversified with the introduction of the SQE. With so many training providers and routes to qualification available, it can be difficult to decide which is right for you.

    If you’re unsure where to go, our preferred programme of study is with BARBRI, which offers a range of flexible programmes to support part- or full-time study. We fund BARBRI programmes directly for our successful candidates.

    However, we appreciate that the choice is yours. The Brabners Bursary can be used to fund your future study programme of choice, up to the value of £12,500. Regardless of your choice, we request that you have either fully completed your LPC or passed your SQE 1 and SQE 2 preparation courses and both exams before starting your training contract with us. We appreciate that unexpected circumstances may prevent this from happening and can therefore discuss progress on a case-by-case basis.

    Please note that we don’t reimburse candidates for courses that you have already started or completed. However, we do fully pay SRA fees in addition to The Brabners Bursary.

     

    Talk to us

    If you have any questions, please get in touch with our friendly early careers team by completing the contact form at the bottom of this page.

  • Training contracts (LPC route)

    We offer training contracts to graduates who are completing (or have completed) their law degree or conversion course (Graduate Diploma in Law).

    Successful candidates will need to complete the Legal Practising Certificate (LPC) before they begin their training contract. We typically recruit up to two years in advance — though on occasion, earlier posts are available.

    Your training contract lasts for two years. You will complete four seat rotations in six monthly blocks, enabling you to gain experience in a variety of practice areas. You will have caseloads, attend client meetings, work closely with experienced solicitors and much more. We accept seat requests from trainees and will do our best to accommodate them.

    You will have a training supervisor throughout the duration of your training contract. Your supervisor will undertake performance reviews and provide their support on your journey. One of our second-year trainees will be assigned as your mentor during your first year to share their experiences and help you to get settled in.

    Before applying for a training contract, you may want to take part in our vacation scheme to undergo work experience with us.

    Find out more about our training contract assessment days below.

  • Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route

    We welcome applicants who are already studying or about to embark on an SQE programme.

    Our training contract will provide you with two years’ Qualifying Work Experience (QWE), required to support the successful completion of your SQE programme. Please note that, regardless of any time to count (TCC) taken elsewhere, your training contract with Brabners will be for two years.

    Before applying for a training contract, you may want to take part in our vacation scheme to undergo work experience with us.

    Applying for a training contract isn’t the only route in to Brabners. You can also apply for an assessment day opportunity on its own.

    We welcome all applications and look forward to hearing from you, whatever your circumstances.

  • Training contract assessment days

    If your application is successful, we will invite you to attend an assessment day. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet the training partners who will be supporting your journey and explore our award-winning offices.

    This is your chance to expand on your application and for us to meet the person behind the responses. You will be asked to prepare a short presentation on a topic of your choice, designed to showcase you, your interests and what you can bring to Brabners. We will also ask you to work with your colleagues in a group negotiation exercise.

    After you have completed these tasks, the training partners will invite successful applicants back later in the day for a formal interview.

    Training Contract Assessment Days

    Our assessment dates for 2024 are:

    • 17-18 June (Liverpool)
    • 20-21 June (Manchester)
    • 24 June (Lancashire)
    • 25 June (Leeds)

    Applications are now closed and will reopen in October 2024.

  • Apprenticeships

    Our apprenticeship programmes aim to help people enter the legal profession and attain the appropriate qualifications. We are an accredited Living Wage Employer, so our apprentices receive Living Wage salaries and great development opportunities.

    Our apprenticeship options are:

    • Level 3 Legal Administration — learn key business skills and introductory legal knowledge to kickstart your future career.
    • Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship — in partnership with Damar Training, this apprenticeship provides a great starting point to a career in law, enabling you to become a Paralegal. You can then move on to complete the Solicitor Apprenticeship to qualify as a Solicitor.
    • Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship — this apprenticeship provides an opportunity to qualify as a solicitor without having the burden of student debts. You’ll complete your law degree and the SQE on your route to qualification.
    • Level 7 Graduate Solicitor apprenticeship — this apprenticeship is ideal for people who have a degree and want to qualify as a solicitor. You will complete the SQE pathway on your route to qualification.
  • Insights programme

    Our insights programme is a work experience scheme, designed for those studying law at either degree- or A-level to learn from and network with professionals. Through our insight days, you can discover what life is like both in the legal profession and at Brabners.

    Our guest speakers — who come from a range of different sectors — will discuss their work and provide guidance on how to make a successful application and pathways into law (including advice for the SQE and apprenticeships). We will also host a Q&A panel discussion with our trainee solicitors in addition to a networking lunch.

    Our next legal insight days for first-year students will be held:

    • 26 March (Liverpool)
    • 27 March (Manchester)

    Apply via the link below by 19 March 2024.

    Our insight days are unmissable opportunities to get ahead in your career.

    Apply here for our insights programme.

  • Vacation scheme

    Our vacation scheme is a fantastic opportunity for you to experience work and the culture of Brabners. You will have the opportunity to experience a variety of sectors and meet experienced colleagues from across our teams.

    The scheme has been designed to support your skill and knowledge development as you prepare for your career ahead. We are passionate about adding value to your journey. With talks from our experienced leaders, advice and guidance from our current trainees and a series of challenging tasks, we are confident that you will have a rewarding experience. You will undertake work in a real context, be involved in live client work and embrace workshops designed to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for you to be outstanding in your field.

    Successful applicants to our vacation scheme will be able to choose an assessment centre to attend. The assessment day is a great opportunity to showcase you, as our training partners will be interviewing and assessing candidates for a training contract opportunity.

    We support successful applicants to the vacation scheme by providing a Real Living Wage for the duration of the scheme and ensuring that the process is accessible to all.

    Find out what our vacation scheme is really like from one of our candidates.

    Our vacation scheme dates for 2024 are:

    • 3-7 June 2024 (Liverpool)
    • 10-14 June 2024 (Manchester)

    Applications are now closed and will reopen in October 2024.

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