Trainee Solicitor Programme

During your training contract, you will undertake four six-month seats, where you will get the chance to be exposed to our four global practice groups within Legal Advisory; Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution, Insurance and Real Estate. You may also get the opportunity to experience a seat within our Legal Technology team, which falls within our Mindcrest offering. Within your seat you will work closely with Partners, Directors and Senior Associates on a range of live legal matters. You may also have the opportunity to undertake a secondment with a client, or rotate between different offices. 

The route to qualifying as a solicitor in England is changing. If you are applying for a training contract to commence in 2022 or beyond and you have not yet completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC), we will offer you a training contract which would incorporate the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). 

If you have already completed the LPC, you may not be required to complete the SQE but you are still eligible to apply for a training contract at DWF. 

For trainees who complete the SQE, you will begin a 32 month graduate programme which incorporates a period of study time at BPP, the first sitting of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, a period of 24 month qualifying work experience and the second sitting of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.

For trainees who have already completed the LPC, you will join DWF for the 24 months qualifying work experience and any additional appropriate training.

Once you are in the business, you will meet with our Training Principal and a member of the Emerging Talent team mid-way through each seat to discuss your progress and help you to decide which seat you want to join next. The time will soon pass and before you know it, you will be discussing your qualification with our Training Principal! 

Locations

We are currently recruiting trainees into the following locations, for a 2024 start date:

Birmingham 
Leeds 
Liverpool 
London
Manchester

Please note that we may also have a small number of vacancies for an earlier start date. If you would like to be considered for an earlier start date, please indicate this on your application form. 

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email our trainee enquiries inbox at trainees@dwf.law

During your training contract in our Belfast office, you will split your time between having valuable time in the office and studying at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS). When you are in the office, you will have the support of your Master to ensure that you get the most out of your training contract.

Please note that due to the competitive nature of the Belfast market, when we are recruiting for roles in this office, we will be recruiting on a rolling basis so it's encouraged that you apply at the earliest opportunity. 

Required qualifications 

The minimum entry requirements for the role are as follows:  

• 2.1 degree (or predicted) 
• A conditional offer to study at the IPLS (must have applied/be in the process of sitting the entrance exam in order to apply) 

The application deadline has now passed for a 2022 training contract.

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email our trainee enquiries inbox at trainees@dwf.law

Trainees in our Dublin office will split their time between having valuable time in the office and studying and studying the Professional Practice Course 1 & 2 (PPC 1 & 2) at Blackhall Place. When you are in the office, you will work closely with your supervisor to make sure that you are gaining the required experience to succeed with your training.

Required qualifications 

The minimum entry requirements for the role are as follows:  

• 2.1 degree (either expected or obtained).
• You must have completed or be in the process of completing all FE-1 examinations which will need to be obtained at the point of offer (FE-1 is The Final Examination – First Part and this is the entrance exam to the Law Society of Ireland). 
• You must be in the position to attend the PPC I in September 2022 and commence working in the office from April/May 2022 or attend PPC I in 2023 and could commence working in the office in the near future.  

The application deadline has now passed for a 2022 training contract.

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email our trainee enquiries inbox at trainees@dwf.law

During your training contract, you will undertake four six-month seats, where you will get the chance to be exposed to our four global practice groups within Legal Advisory; Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution, Insurance and Real Estate. Within your seat you will work closely with Partners, Directors and Senior Associates on a range of live legal matters. You may also have the opportunity to undertake a secondment with a client, or rotate between different offices.

Provided you have not completed the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the point of offer, we will pay your course fees at a university of your choice. In the year before your training contract starts, we will host a range of events with your fellow future trainees, so that you feel settled before you even join us. 

Once you are in the business, you will meet with our Training Principal and a member of the Emerging Talent team mid-way through each seat to discuss your progress and help you to decide which seat you want to join next. The two years will soon pass and before you know it, you will be discussing your qualification with our Training Principal! 

Locations 

The deadline has now passed for a 2024 Training contract in the following locations:

• Edinburgh
• Glasgow