Trainee Solicitors

Our commitment to each of our trainee solicitors is an investment in the future growth of our firm

We are proud to be previous winners of the lawcareers.net award for the “Medium Regional Law Firm – Best Trainer” based on positive feedback provided by our trainees. 

We only accept a small number of trainees each year.  This allows us to ensure in-depth and personalised coaching and training.  Quite often, as a trainee, you will work in the same room as a Partner or experienced Associate solicitor which has proved to enhance a trainee’s learning and development experience.

We offer a structured training contract which is designed to give you the unique opportunity to gain skills and knowledge in different legal departments.  You have the benefit to see where your skills and interests lie, allowing you to make an informed choice on your area of practice on qualification.  Two years may seem like a long time but all of our trainees say that it goes in a flash – time goes quickly when you are having fun and learning a lot! 

We run a ‘buddy’ programme for all trainees. In the lead-up to joining the firm and during your training contract, there is direct contact with either one of our second-year trainees or a newly qualified solicitor. Your ‘buddy’ is a great source of information and support both before and during your training contract.

What to expect as a trainee

Once you join the firm, we are committed to providing stimulating work and rewarding experiences.  You will be given early responsibility, work on live matters, undertake meaningful tasks, and be a valued member of the Taylor Walton team from the off.  All work is fully supervised while giving you the space you need to grow. With our three office locations, you will not only have the chance to experience up to four different practice areas, you may also work in different offices. This is a great way to get to know everyone in the firm and to really experience all that Taylor Walton, as a busy and successful law firm, has to offer your career.

We are committed to helping our trainees develop skills beyond giving legal advice so that you develop as a rounded practitioner.  Trainees are encouraged and supported to acquire business development confidence through a young professionals networking scheme and skills development training. Our trainees and newly qualified solicitors, along with other firm volunteers, are driving members of our Charity Champions fundraising and volunteering events.

Your career beyond your training contract

Our retention rate of trainees into newly qualified positions with the firm is exceptionally high. We see the training contract as the potential start of your long-term career with us and as part of the future success of the firm.

In recruiting our trainees, we look beyond the training contract itself and see each individual as a valued part of the future success of the firm.

Financial Support

We appreciate that the route to qualification can be costly, so to help ease the financial pressure on you, we offer part-sponsorship towards the cost of the SQE or LPC.

Apply for a training contract

We set high standards for our lawyers and set equally high expectations when recruiting.  We invite applications from candidates who have a strong academic track record (minimum 2.1 degree; non-law degrees are welcome), those with a real enthusiasm for our practice areas and specifically joining Taylor Walton, those who demonstrate commercial awareness, a client-centric approach and have an aptitude for new business.

We expect that most candidates now will be qualifying through the SQE route, however we welcome applications from those who have already completed the LPC. You may only start a training contract with us once you have successfully passed the LPC, or passed both SQE 1 and 2, or have taken SQE 2 (awaiting results).  If you are a non-law graduate, to secure a training contract with us you must complete a law conversion course before taking the SQE. 

We have a proven track record of developing trainees into rounded, highly accomplished newly qualified solicitors.  Our two-year structured training contract is designed to give you a wide, challenging and skills-based training opportunity under the supervision of trained Partners and solicitors.  For these reasons, we do not accept any other qualifying work experience – all applicants are expected to complete a full two-year training contract to be considered for a newly qualified position on qualification after our training contract programme.

Occasionally, we have opportunities to join us straight from school as a Solicitor Apprentice, Paralegal or CILEx Apprentice.  When opportunities arise, they will be advertised under Current Opportunities.

Click here to view our career journeys – an introduction to the routes into Law

Training Contract 2028 Application Form (deadline 30 June 2026) : APPLY NOW