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Trainee Opportunities
Motivated 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
- Farms & 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.
What's it like working for Trethowans?
It is as enjoyable as it is challenging. The people at Trethowans are the firm's best asset as everyone is friendly and willing to help when they can. The mix of commercial and individual clients means that I am exposed to a diverse caseload, which guarantees that life does not get boring!
What made you choose Trethowans?
I spent a lot of time researching what kind of firm I was looking to join. I did not warm to the idea of joining a city firm as it was clear that I would be one of a large number of trainees amongst an even larger pool of staff. It was important to me that I had direct contact with a supervisor during each seat and was given an opportunity to work with them and learn from them. Throughout my training I was supervised by a Partner or a senior fee earner and this helped my development as a lawyer.
What do you enjoy most at Trethowans?
The work. I qualified into the litigation team and work along side many of the other teams in the firm. I am exposed to property, probate and contract law and this means that my workload is diverse and interesting.
What are your colleagues like?
The firm has a friendly atmosphere and this is down to the staff. Everyone is happy to help when they can and the Partners are approachable and willing to spend time training you.
What's the training like?
I was given a large amount of responsibility as a trainee and this is the main advantage of joining a firm of this size. In a city firm you may work on a file with five to ten members of staff but during my training I was responsible for running a number of files in various departments. I was supervised throughout by a Partner or senior fee earner and provided with guidance when needed. I was able to meet with clients and was often the main point of contact and this level responsibility provided me with a good grounding when I qualified.
What opportunities have you had at Trethowans to develop your career?
The training contract is the primary means of developing as a young lawyer. You can learn a lot from the more senior fee earners in each team and the Professional Skills Course add to ongoing development.
Upon qualification you are provided with a clear structure on how to progress and ultimately how to become a Partner. There are regular reviews to monitor your development and discuss with you how best to move forward.
Matthew qualified as a Solicitor in November 2008 following the successful completion of his two year training contract with Trethowans.
Matthew, Solicitor - Commercial Litigation Team
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