Trainee Opportunities

How about usMotivated and ambitious trainees form a key part of our future. This is evidenced through our high retention rate. We also have a number of Partners who have progressed their legal careers with Trethowans having initially joined us as a trainee.

Our objective is to provide trainees with stimulating and challenging work with an emphasis on direct client contact and hands-on experience from an early stage.

In each of your seats you will work closely under the supervision of a dedicated supervisor, who will be a Partner, Associate or senior fee earner. This practical approach enables you to be given real responsibility and obtain a breadth of experience, whether through participating in business meetings, attending Court hearings, meeting clients or working on your own files. At the same time you can always rest assured that the right level of supervision and support is on hand.

Trainees play an active and important role in each team. Your contribution will be recognised and appreciated.

HOW does the Training Programme Work?

Our comprehensive training programme provides structured learning across different practice areas of the firm. The two year programme is divided into four 6 month seats and you will be expected to work from both our offices in Southampton and Salisbury. In addition to the legal work, there are also opportunities to attend relevant formal training courses.

We offer training in the following areas:

-     Corporate / Commercial / Intellectual Property
-     Commercial Litigation
-     Commercial Property
-     Employment
-     Family
-     Personal Injury / Clinical Negligence
-     Private Client (Wills and Probate, Trusts and Tax Planning)
-     Residential Property
-     Landed Estates

The allocation of seats is based on the firm’s growth objectives and the fee-earning requirements of individual teams, but we also consider your own preferences wherever possible.

In order to ensure that you progress through each seat and to provide an opportunity for feedback, reviews are held with your supervisor during months 2 and 4. At the end of each seat a 6 month review is undertaken with the Training Partner.

Throughout the course of your training programme you will never be short of people to turn to for advice and help when you need it. We operate a genuinely open and friendly working environment across both our offices and everyone is on first name terms.

HOW much Fun!

Our Trainees are encouraged to participate in the firms’ many social events and activities outside of the office.

We have cricket, football and netball teams who regularly play matches against other professional services firms and clients. Newcomers are always welcome and you don’t have to be a gifted sports player to participate!

We also have an entertainments committee, made up of various members of staff, who organise events throughout the year such as theatre trips, Summer BBQ’s and Christmas parties.

Trainees often meet as a group to socialise and once a quarter are allocated a budget for a night out!

HOW many Opportunities?

Through the combination of a structured training programme and an open and supportive working environment all trainees are encouraged to reach their full potential. We expect hard work, enthusiasm and commitment, but in return offer high rewards.

Are you one of our future Partners?

To find out more about applying to be a Trainee with Trethowans, please click here.

Hear what one of our current Trainees has to say ...

Michael Westbrook

What's it like working for Trethowans?
Trethowans has a good working environment.  There is a definite drive to produce excellent work, but it is clear that the interests of the members of staff are equally important.  To trot out an overused phrase, the work – life balance is very good.  There are always extra-curricular activities going on as well for those who wish to get involved; such as inter-organisation sport matches, charity events, socialising etc.

What made you choose Trethowans?
I decided on the parameters of the law firms to which I wanted to apply for a training contract which were location, size of firm, breadth of work types and the general approach and outlook of the firm.  It can be difficult to determine a firm’s outlook from the outside, but I got the impression that Trethowans was professional, forward-looking but relaxed, and this proved to be the case when I started working here.  Taking these factors into account, Trethowans fitted the bill.

What do you enjoy most at Trethowans?
I enjoy the work.  There is an emphasis on encouraging hands-on experience which means the types of work that I am involved in is diverse and I get a good level of client contact.  I am also valued as a member of the team rather than just a trainee, which I believe will stand me in good stead when I qualify and ensure that I ‘hit the ground running’.

What are your colleagues like?
Very nice!  Fortunately I have worked in all of the existing offices so know most of the faces wherever I go and there is a genuinely friendly atmosphere in all of them. 

What's the training like?
As I mentioned, there is an emphasis on a hands-on approach which means that you get a real feel for what it is like to practice in each seat that you do.  I have found that my supervisors have always been willing to spend time explaining things to me but also listened to my opinions as well.  I feel I will be a well-rounded solicitor by the time I qualify.

What opportunities have you had at Trethowans to develop your career?
I suppose as a trainee, the career development at this stage is the training itself.  As part of that, I have to complete an external Professional Skills Course, but I have also been encouraged to attend other courses and seminars in order to expand my knowledge.  In my experience, if you decide on a career path, the firm will do all they can to support you in pursuing it.

Michael Westbrook, Trainee Solicitor

 

Contact Trethowans on 0800 280 0421

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