Solicitor Apprenticeship (school leaver) - September 2025 - Trowers & Hamlins

Deadline: 3 March 2025

For too long, there have been barriers preventing smart, capable people from joining the legal profession just because of where they’re from. But at Trowers, we believe that the next generation of solicitors should be made up of brilliant thinkers, no matter their background. Our door has always been open to all outstanding talent, and now we’re implementing a new way to help us reaffirm this commitment.

We couldn’t be more excited to offer our first-ever Solicitor Apprenticeship programme. The programme offers hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and a path to a law degree and qualification as a solicitor, empowering a new generation to excel within the legal profession.

Our four UK offices — Birmingham, Exeter, London and Manchester — are each offering two spots for apprentices on the programme, which means you can start your career closer to home.

The key dates for the application period and the commencement of the Solicitor Apprenticeship are:

• Applications open: 1 October 2024

• Applications close: 3 March 2025 

• Apprenticeship starts: September 2025

The Programme

We created a different route into our firm because we believe in making the legal profession an even playing field. One where success is not based on someone’s background, but on their unique perspectives, drive and work ethic.

If you're considering a career in law but aren't sure where to start, or if you've just begun to explore the idea of becoming a solicitor, this opportunity is for you. 

During the first four years of the programme, you will complete your law degree. In the final two years, you will complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, all while being exposed to a wide variety of departments. You'll be involved in real work, collaborating closely with your colleagues at all levels and getting a feel for the welcoming and supportive Trowers & Hamlins culture.

Eligibility and selection criteria

No matter what background our colleagues have come from, or what role they play within the firm, they have some important things in common. 

• Adaptable. We are proud of our abilities to change approach depending on the situation or environment we’re in.

• Collaborative. We work with others to achieve targets and deliver results as a team.

• Communicative. We always communicate with others in a clear and concise way.

• A growth mindset. Our people are passionate about continuing to develop their knowledge and learning.

• Solid judgement. It’s important that we can come to a conclusion or make a decision based on any information provided.

• Responsible. We always take ownership over our tasks.

• Resilience. It’s important that we’re able to withstand pressure and recover quickly if faced with a difficult situation.

• Strong academics*

*We look for candidates who have achieved, or who are on track to achieve, a minimum of 128 UCAS points (ABB) from their top three A-Levels or equivalent, and a minimum of 6 GCSEs with a Grade 6/B or above in English and Mathematics. We take into account mitigating circumstances and do not automatically reject candidates who do not reach this minimum criteria.

You are eligible to apply for our programme if you have either already completed your A-levels (or equivalent), or are on track to complete your A-levels (or equivalent), by summer 2025. This programme is not aimed at university graduates or undergraduates — please see the other programmes on our website if you are in this category.

The application process

Step 1 – Online application form

The application process begins with our online application form. You will be asked to provide details about your education, work experience/employment history and will be asked to answer a series of additional long-answer questions. 

Step 2 – Online strengths-based assessment

Once you have submitted your application, you will be invited to complete an online strengths-based assessment which aims to consider your strengths alongside the role of a solicitor apprentice. You will have 7 calendar days from submitting your application to complete the online assessment – we would therefore encourage you to complete the assessment as soon as you are able to and we recommend that you do not leave completing the assessment to the final day, in case any technical issues arise. Please note, we are unable to reopen the assessment once the deadline has passed. 

Before completing the assessment, we would strongly recommend that you complete some practice assessments. You will also receive this link in the email containing your invitation to complete the assessment, after submitting your online application.

Although the assessment is not timed, we recommend that you allow up to 75 minutes to complete it. 

After you have completed the assessment, you will receive a feedback report. This is for your own personal development and does not represent a decision from us at this stage.

Following on from this, we will consider your online assessment in conjunction with your application form. You will hear whether you have been successful after this initial stage once the vacancy deadline has passed, as we do not recruit on a rolling basis.

Step 3 – Assessment Centre

If you are successful after the application and online assessment, the final stage will see you visiting an assessment centre in person. There, you'll undertake a maximum of three exercises, including an interview with our colleagues working at the office you applied to.

Hiring the right solicitor apprentices is very important to us, so we will ask you a series of motivational, competency and strengths-based questions – some of which may focus on what you've told us in your application form. You'll have the chance to ask us some questions too, of course! 

Salary / Benefits

Apprentices at Trowers & Hamlins receive a competitive salary (salaries are reviewed annually) and benefits package, which includes five weeks' annual leave each year, pension scheme, interest-free season ticket loan and private medical insurance.

Apprenticeship salaries currently: 

• Starting salary in our regional offices (Birmingham, Exeter and Manchester) = £23k 

• Starting salary in London = £26k 

To find out more, click Apply.