We offer a range of programmes tailored for those who are looking to enter the firm and gain a legal qualification. Our dedicated early careers team are available to advise on the qualification pathways available and the application process. The team also go on to support those who join the firm as they complete their training.
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What do you see when you think of a law firm? Tradition? Power suits? Jargon? Or can you see more? An ethical employer. A hot bed of innovation. A place to grow in work and in life. A place to belong. Welcome to the World of Weightmans. Proudly one of the UK's most respected and award winning law firms. We believe thinking differently, let's us see the possibilities others don't. We grow and imagine every day. Over 1500 people in nine offices across the UK. From partners to marketers. And from paralegals to associates. Whether we're working from home or in one of our modern city centre offices. We know that life doesn't fit into neat boxes. Giving you the flexibility and balance to build a life that works for you. Nurturing the next generation of talent via our leadership programs, the development opportunities are endless. We love to give back. Our values flow through everything we say and do. Radical transparency. Team work and respect. Enterprise. We thrive in the regions. Newcastle is expanding and there's a lot happening. 2023 was a record breaking year for the award winning and fast growing corporate team in Newcastle Our respected leaders support a broad client base to help them scale up and invest in entrepreneurs to grow their brands on the global stage. And our brand new Birmingham office. With a strongly established team of over 160 brilliant people, including 25 partners. Covering sectors such as healthcare, real estate, corporate, commercial, and private wealth, and many more. Our brilliant healthcare team is recognised as a prestigious tier one in the Legal 500 directory for the West Midlands. And we impact both in our community and in the world. With a dedicated ESG lead, we aim to be net zero by 2030. And we believe in the power of CSR supporting Acorns Children's Hospice both financially and as volunteers. We bring that most powerful combination, national impact, and local knowledge. Our purpose isn't new. Seeing the possibility has always been in our DNA. It's what sets us apart, driving our vision to be a top thirty law firm. And we couldn't be more excited. Come and join us. The possibilities are endless.
Early careers at Weightmans
Our law apprenticeships
Our apprenticeship academy offers modern, cost-effective routes into the legal profession. You have the opportunity to earn while you learn and gain invaluable skills that will help you to quickly progress in your legal career. We currently offer:
Solicitor degree apprenticeship
A 6 year programme that includes a degree and the SQE 1 & 2.
Trainee Solicitor Jobs- SQE pathway
Study towards the SQE 1 and 2.
Training contracts in England and Scotland
We offer a traineeship in our Glasgow office. This 24-month training programme is structured as four six-month seats across the business and is designed to provide you with excellent training and experience to gain qualification as a solicitor in Scotland. We also offer funding for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (PEAT 1) for those who have not yet completed it.
Following the changes in legal education over recent years, we are still accepting applications for trainee solicitor roles in England and Wales from those of you who have already completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Successful candidates who have already embarked on, or completed, the LPC will be placed on a training contract pathway. Over two years you will complete four six-month placements within our vast range of legal teams.
Legal work experience
We understand how difficult it can be to secure work experience and we appreciate that not everyone is presented with the opportunity, therefore it is not a requirement when applying for any of our early careers programmes. However, we do recognise how important it is to gain an insight into a career before you commit to training with a firm, we therefore offer work experience programmes which have been designed to equip those interested in applying with key information and skills.
Our online legal insights programme — with content tailored for your current stage in education: introductory and undergraduate. Both include four hours of online work experience and these live and interactive sessions will provide you with an insight into the business, the career and the early careers opportunities available. On completion of our online programme, you will be invited to apply for an in-person placement at the firm, however, please note that this is optional and only limited spaces will be available at most of our offices across the UK.
Which pathway is for me?
Introductory — is for those in year 12 or 13 (or equivalent) and considering studying law at university or pursuing a legal apprenticeship.
Undergraduate — designed for current law undergraduate students who are interested in studying the SQE1&2 and becoming a solicitor.
Please note: When registering for your place, please ensure you select the correct programme for you based on your current stage in education. You must be available on the dates provided.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for individuals with potential and the drive and determination to succeed. The competencies listed below are used to help shape our early careers recruitment processes, we assess for potential in these areas but we do not expect experience.
- Reasons and problem solves effectively with complex data and information
- Ability to learn things effectively
- Plans, organises, prioritises and manages resources and time
- IT literate
- Has a strong commercial focus
- Emotionally resilient and mature
- Customer-centric — both internal and external
- Flexible and adaptable
- Demonstrates integrity
- Is achievement-driven and shows initiative
- Takes responsibility with a 'can do' attitude
- Committed to continuous improvement
- Attends to the detail and is quality minded
- Self‐aware — knows own strengths and weaknesses
- Demonstrates effective communication both verbally and in writing
- Assertive and socially confident
- Influential and persuasive
- Team player and team builder who networks effectively
- Diplomatic, tactful and empathetic
- Interpersonally skilled - reads people and situations and, then adapts accordingly
- Aware of and propagates a positive and professional image and persona
Why choose Weightmans?
At Weightmans, our purpose to See the Possibility flows through every aspect of how we do business and treat our people. Watch the video below to learn how we See the Possibility in our business, our clients and our people.
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What do you see in a law firm? A place for tradition? Confusing jargon? Risk aversion? A last resort? Or do you see more? A strategic counsel and client ally. A hotbed of innovation. An ethical employer, trusted advisors, and thought leaders. A top thirty law firm. Here at Weightmans, we See the Possibility in everything. Proudly, one of the UK's most respected and award winning law firms. We believe thinking differently allows us to see the possibilities others don't. We see opportunities, not obstacles. We believe that purpose and profit are reciprocal. In 2023, our income increased by 22% to £126 million with profit increasing to £12.7 million. Merging with RadcliffesLeBrasseur gives us close to 1,500 people across nine offices and we continue to win. We See the Possibility in challenging the status quo. So what does innovation mean to Weightmans? Well, for a start, it's always client-led. It should never be done in a vacuum. Our lawyers are always pushing the boundaries of case law and legislation for the benefits of their clients. So seeing the possibility to innovate in other ways should come naturally to them. As the conflict in Ukraine unfolded, naturally, we were keen to do what we could to support. I was really proud that we were able to support Law School 2.0's 48 hour sprint in aid of Ukraine, aimed at getting teams together to be able to work on some of the legal challenges that had arisen. The successful firm of the future won't be successful just because they can bring a room full of lawyers together with different expertise. They'll be successful because they can bring together cross-functional teams from all parts of the business, able to work together collaboratively and solve clients' problems, not all of which are legal. We See the Possibility in our clients, striving for commercial success through ethical business. We connect and join the dots to make our partnerships more than the sum of their parts. Leveraging our experience and expertise to make connections that others can't. Over the last year, we heard from over 500 clients. And we saw fantastic growth across our segments. And we See the Possibility in our people. We advocate for fairness, trust, and inclusivity. Working collaboratively, knowing we are better as a team. Investing in our people to help them grow in life and at work. Nurturing the next generation of talent. And we love to give back, showing kindness for our communities. We became signatories to the United Nations Global Compact initiative. Our values flow through everything we say and do: radical transparency, teamwork and respect, enterprise. We See the Possibility in everything. From lemons, to lawyers and from eggs, to the environment. Seeing the Possibility has always been in our DNA. It's what sets us apart. In driving our growth and vision to become a top 30 law firm. So we couldn't be more excited because we've got the best people in the industry helping us achieve it. So, thank you to our incredible clients and people for helping us See the Possibility every day.
Meet the early careers team
The early careers team strive to invest quality time and resources to explore employees’ potential, and to ‘See The Possibility’ through the lens of equity, diversity and inclusion. We work hand-in-hand with the business to ensure those who wish to turn their passion into their career, get equal and fair access to opportunities.
We design and implement all early careers recruitment processes and then support our successful applicants through their programmes.
Denise Wright — Early Careers Manager
Denise leads the team and is the expert in all things SQE and legal apprenticeships. She designs and implements new processes and programmes whilst also supporting apprentices and trainees as they progress through our programmes. Denise has invaluable experience in training and coaching which underlines all that she does in the team.
Vicki Aspinall — Early Careers Development Adviser
Vicki's responsibility within the organisation is to support and develop those in their early careers through design and implementation of tailor made training and coaching sessions. These bespoke programmes embed both the soft and technical skills required to best equip the apprentice and trainee for a successful career in law.
Katy Moore
Katy’s responsibilities include outreach work with universities, colleges and schools across the country in the form of careers fairs, apprenticeship events, mock interviews and internship programmes. She is also responsible for arranging all work experience programmes, inductions and professional skills courses, as well as coaching our apprentices and trainees. Katy also runs the Early Careers social media page.
Megan Melia
Megan works on the design and implementation of the firm’s early careers programmes, overseeing attraction, recruitment and onboarding activities for apprentices and trainees. She coordinates assessment centres, interviews and development initiatives, while also providing ongoing support and coaching to early careers cohorts.
Siobhan Jesson
Siobhan works on the design and implementation of the programmes and recruitment processes, and then coordinates the NQ process when people are ready for qualification. She helps support the cohorts by conducting regular coaching sessions and group catch ups. Siobhan also helps to lead the firm’s social mobility offering.
Please contact the early careers team, via earlycareers@weightmans.com, if you have any questions or queries.