Trainee
Recruitment
Applications for our 2025 Training Contract are now closed.
Please keep an eye on this page for updates regarding applications for our 2026 Training Contract.
Please note we do not offer financial assistance for the GDL, LPC or SQE.
For any queries related to Devonshires Training Contract, please contact trainee.recruit@devonshires.co.uk
Our aim is to attract and retain high calibre Trainees who want to work with the best and be the best. As a Trainee, you will receive an excellent training platform as we are committed to providing our Trainees and all staff with the best environment in which to launch their legal career, fulfil their potential and exceed client expectations.
For information on our Vacation Scheme please click here.
We take great pride from seeing our trainees flourish and develop into highly skilled, successful Solicitors. It is testament to the meticulous training and support provided within Devonshires that many of the current Partners started their career with us as trainees.
Our trainees are valued, integral to the teams that they are embedded with and are given the opportunity to realise their full potential from day 1. They have real exposure to clients and are given a high level of responsibility on transactions, enabling them to forge business relationships that will stand them in good stead for their career at Devonshires.
Chris Drabble, Partner – Securitisation and Training Principal.
A Training Contract with us is rewarding and challenging in equal measures. With about 280 employees based in our offices in the City of London, Leeds, Birmingham and Colchester, we can offer a friendly and supportive environment in which to develop your career as a Trainee and future Solicitor. Our size means you will work closely with Partners and Clients from the moment you start with us. This will enable you as a Trainee to quickly develop your skills and knowledge.
Our Trainees are a close knit group and we encourage all our Trainees to take part in the firm’s extra-curricular activities which the firm supports, whether this is firm socials, charity events, trainee socials or sporting events.
We are investing in our future with our Trainees and we are looking to develop you as our future Partners to continue to drive us forward.
We firmly believe we are one of the best places to undertake your training as a Solicitor.
We are a Lex 100 ranked firm, and rank highly in ‘Client contact’ and ‘Social life’.
Before you start
From the moment you are offered a Training Contract with us you will be in regular contact with the HR Manager. We will also invite you to any firm socials that are organised in this time. This is a great way to meet our current Trainees and ask them about their experience as well as other future colleagues.
Induction
Your first week at Devonshires Solicitors LLP will be spent on our Trainee Induction Programme, this will give you an introduction to us and how we work. The purpose of this week is to make the start of your Training Contract and your start with Devonshires Solicitors as smooth as possible.
You will meet a number of key people who will give presentations, talks, together with training sessions on our IT systems and other processes you will need to know. You will also spend some time this week meeting your team and shadowing a current Trainee. We will also arrange more informal opportunities to meet with the current Trainees and also members of your team.
Seat Rotations
You will undertake four six-month seats as part of your Training Contract with us, across our range of practice areas. Your first seat is allocated for you by the HR Manager and Training Principal, for your three remaining seats you will have some input in areas you are interested in. When making decisions about seats we take into consideration your preferences along with the firm’s needs and SRA requirements. You will need to complete a Litigation seat and Property Seat as part of your Training Contract.
Training
By working closely with your Trainee Supervisor in each seat, you will receive on the job training, which will include, where possible, client contact and early responsibility in order to assist you in developing the necessary skills to become a well-rounded solicitor. As well as completing the necessary training on the Professional Skills course, which we will fund via an external provider, you will attend the training sessions organised by the teams and firm during each seat.
Qualification
During the qualification process we will make you aware of our current NQ Solicitor vacancies across the teams and discuss these with you and the process of applying.
We have a supportive and encouraging culture that focuses on training and developing our Trainees to be the best they can be.
Throughout your career with us you will be provided with a strong and well balanced support network.
Buddy – one of our current Trainee Solicitors will help you through your first few weeks. They will be there to answer those questions you dare not ask anyone else.
Trainee Supervisor – for each six month seat, you will be allocated a Trainee Supervisor who will delegate you work, monitor your progress and give you timely and constructive feedback. They will hold a formal appraisal meeting at the end of the seat with a mid review.
HR Manager – working closely with you, the Training Principal, your Trainee Supervisors and your buddy; the HRM will ensure you are well supported and encouraged throughout your time with us.
Training Principal – Chris Drabble, Partner, will act as your mentor throughout your Training Contract and will take a keen interest in your development. The Training Principal and HRM will liaise with your Trainee Supervisor in organising the seat rotations.
Life as a Trainee
On this page, you can view Q&As with our current and previous Trainees as well as sample a day in life from some of our Trainees.
Q&As with our current and previous Trainees
A Day in the Life of a Trainee
Applications for our 2025 Training Contract are now closed. Please keep an eye on this page for updates regarding applications for our 2026 Training Contract.
For any queries related to Devonshires Training Contract, please contact trainee.recruit@devonshires.co.uk
