Graduate Recruitment

Trainee Solicitors at Trethowans get the best of both worlds: a firm with big clients and major ambitions, but also a tight-knit, supportive team who value each new staff member from day one.

Every year, we look for bright, talented individuals to join our award-winning firm as Trainee Solicitors. On average, we recruit 3 to 5 Trainees per year, and we warmly invite applications from those who have studied law, as well as those who have a non-law background. Our process means we generally recruit Trainees two years before they start with us, which means candidates have the comfort of knowing they have secured a training contract before they commit to further post-graduate studies.

What are we looking for?

We are not just looking for academic achievement when we recruit Trainees. Identifying candidates who have potential, who have the characteristics and drive we are looking for, and who are able to demonstrate the qualities we seek is of equal importance to us. Our culture is something we are very proud of as a Firm, and so we are looking for people who share similar values and aspirations as us. Our aim is to recruit Trainees who, upon qualification, wish to continue their career with Trethowans.

Training contracts at Trethowans

Our two-year training programme is usually divided into four six-month ‘seats’ with different teams. These will ideally take place in at least two of our five offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton and Winchester. The seats available will depend on our growth objectives and business requirements, but we will always talk to you and try to accommodate your preferences wherever possible. Throughout the programme, you will work closely with your allocated supervisor to make sure you are getting the most from your training.

We aim to give every Trainee a stimulating and challenging experience with plenty of direct client contact. From day one, you will play an active and important role in your team. We will expect hard work, enthusiasm and commitment – and, in return, we will offer lots of support and encouragement.

When you join us, we strive to develop and advance your career from the outset. In fact, many of our Partners, Team Leaders and Solicitors were once Trainees at the firm. Our aim is to ensure that Trainees learn to apply the knowledge they have already gained academically on a practical basis.

You will be challenged and given responsibility, but also have plenty of opportunities to have fun too. We hold various social events and activities throughout the year and our trainees often meet up as a group – with their own budget allocated to be able to socialise together.

As a trainee, you will also receive a comprehensive benefits package, including 25 days of holiday, a bonus scheme, pension, income protection, and many other benefits.

Ranked in The Legal 500 Future Lawyers student guide to the legal profession

Trethowans is top ranked in four categories in The Legal 500 Future Lawyers student guide, out of 110 top UK law firms:

Top 5 UK law firm for ‘Confidence of being kept on’
Top 10 UK law firm for ‘Overall job satisfaction’
Top 10 UK las firm for ‘Job Satisfaction’
Top 20 UK law firm for ‘Sustainability’

Application Process

This year we are recruiting two intakes of Trainees, to start in September 2026 and September 2027.

Applications for our 2026 and 2027 Trainee intakes are now open.

To apply, please complete an application form which can be downloaded here and submit it to [email protected] by the closing date of February 28th 2025.

Applications will then be shortlisted and successful applicants will be invited to attend a short online interview in March/April. If you are successful following your online interview, you will be invited to attend our Assessment Day which will be held at the end of June/early July 2025.

For further information about Trethowans, including some helpful FAQ’s. Please download the brochure.

If you have any further questions, please contact a member of the HR Team ([email protected])