Vacation scheme / Training Contract - 2025-2027 - LBMW

Deadline: LBMW is a long-established law firm with modern values and skills.

We represent clients across the world in a wide range of sectors including education, real estate, leisure, corporate, not for profit and faith. We advise institutions, state bodies, multinationals, SMEs, charities, family estates and private individuals.

Deadline 28 February 2025.

Our application process for the 2025 vacation scheme is now open and we are looking to recruit

• up to two trainees to commence their training contract in September 2025;
• up to two trainees to commence their training contract in September 2026; and
• up to three candidates to commence their training contract in September 2027.

The deadline for applications is 28 February 2025.

Our teams combine a wealth of experience from leading lawyers in their chosen field, with energy, enthusiasm and a personal commitment to help our clients achieve their goals. Our trainees have immediate exposure to a diverse range of work under supervision of an experienced lawyer in each department.

What we offer

The recruitment of trainee solicitors and their retention post qualification play an important role in the growth of our firm.  We will therefore continue to offer a two year long ‘training contract’ providing the opportunity for trainees to experience up to four seats from the following departments.

• Commercial real estate
• Private client
• Corporate
• Commercial & dispute resolution (including employment & IP & family)
• Charities
• Education & ecclesiastical
• Residential property

Due to the nature of our programme we do anticipate that all candidates will complete a full two years with us. We therefore regret that we do not normally consider requests for time to count or QWE earned elsewhere for the purposes of our training contract.

From the outset our trainees are given responsibility for their own files and immediate client contact. Working alongside a senior lawyer or Partner, trainees receive mentoring and support throughout their training contract.

Our trainees play a pivotal role in small teams where expectations are high; because the teams are small, trainees are able to make a meaningful contribution both in each department seat and also within the firm as a whole.

Our trainees participate in the marketing and business development of the firm and are encouraged to consider marketing initiatives for the department they work in and the firm as a whole.

There are also plenty of opportunities to socialise with your colleagues in and outside of the office and we have an active social, sports and charity events calendar throughout the year.

In addition to a competitive salary and benefits package we offer £10,000 towards course fees with further assistance discussed on a case by case basis. 

What we are looking for

• Degree standard: minimum 2:1.
• Articulate individuals with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A real understanding and enthusiasm for what we do, how we do it and why we are different from our competitors.

We welcome applications from law and non-law students. Where your undergraduate degree is a non-law degree we will generally expect you to have undertaken a year-long law conversion course or equivalent.

To be eligible to apply for a place on our Vacation Scheme you must be a final year non-law student, or a penultimate or final year law student or have completed your studies.

Successful completion of the LPC or the SQE 1 & 2, will be a condition of beginning your training contract with us.

Recruitment process

Should you be interested in undertaking a training contract with us you have the opportunity to first apply for one of our Vacation Schemes giving you first-hand experience of what it is like to work at LBMW. Our Vacation Schemes form an integral part of our trainee recruitment process and in almost all cases our trainee solicitors will have undertaken a Vacation Scheme with us.

We intend to run the 2025 Vacation Scheme from 23 to 25 June 2025 (inclusive).

The Vacation Scheme programme gives candidates a real insight into the firm and the role of a trainee.  You will spend three days with us undertaking a variety of work experience assignments within our departments. The programme also includes group presentations, a mock trial exercise and after work social events. You will be paid £200 for the three days that you are with us. 

Our application process for the 2025 vacation scheme is now open and we are looking to recruit

• up to two trainees to commence their training contract in September 2025;
• up to two trainees to commence their training contract in September 2026; and
• up to three candidates to commence their training contract in September 2027.

The deadline for applications is 28 February 2025.

Then what?

We keep in touch with our future trainees who have been offered a training contract – prior to joining, future trainees are invited to various social events allowing us to get to know them better, and vice versa, in a relaxed and informal setting.

We invest heavily in our trainees and aim to retain them on qualification where possible. A good number of our partners were once trainees with the firm.

Final tip

A training contract lasting 2 years will be demanding, professionally rewarding but we also hope it will be fun. It is important that we find the right fit for the firm, and  just as importantly, you find the right firm for you: so tell us about you, we want to know who you are, what interests you and why you are interested in us – think beyond "what do they want me to say/how can I impress them?".  We have a great many applications; you need to consider why yours should be the one we choose.

Good luck