Trainee Solicitor

Join Us as a Trainee Solicitor at Shakespeare Martineau

Do you want to unlock your potential?

Are you a curious, authentic and trusted individual ready to kick-start your legal career?

At Shakespeare Martineau, we're not just looking for future solicitors — we're looking for people who bring their full selves to work, think creatively, and live our values of being authentic, brave, trusted, and collaborative. Drawing on years of experience helping people from all backgrounds achieve their ambition of becoming solicitors, Shakespeare Martineau is a welcoming and supportive place to start your legal journey.

Who choose us?

Innovative Culture:

Our offices and people reflect who we are — a vibrant, forward-thinking firm that values fresh ideas, creativity, and diversity of thought.

Varied Legal Experience:

As a full-service law firm with over 12 offices across the UK, we offer exposure to a wide range of practice areas. You'll gain a strong foundation and the freedom to explore different areas of law to find your passion.

Tailored Development:

Our dedicated Early Ambitions team delivers a structured, bespoke programme of training and development opportunities designed to help you grow with confidence and pace.

Mentorship & Support:

You'll learn directly from experienced solicitors and leaders who are committed to helping you realise your full potential and achieve your career goals.

A Clear Path to Qualification:

We'll support you every step of the way — providing the experience, guidance, and encouragement you need to qualify and thrive as a solicitor.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Comprehensive training contract leading to qualification
• The opportunity to work with high-profile clients and on exciting cases
• A diverse and inclusive workplace

Who We're Looking For: Anyone who wants to unlock their potential

We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. All we ask is a passion for law, a desire to make a positive impact on the communities in which we operate and enthusiasm to develop your career. Whether you're about to graduate or are looking for a change in direction, we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Location:

While we embrace agile working across the firm, London will be your primary office location.

Key Requirements:

• A qualifying law degree (or equivalent) or completion of the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
• Our Culture Code prioritises those who are Authentic, Brave, Trusted, Collaborative and we want to see evidence of that in your application
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• A collaborative mindset and ability to work in a team
• Commitment to personal and professional development

Benefits, Agile Working and Additional information

We embrace agile working and offer a blended approach to where and how we work.

We appreciate that people have different needs and preferences and we're keen to be flexible, after all, we value what you do, not where you do it.

We have hubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leicester, London, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Solihull, Southampton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lincoln and Sheffield.

Want to find out more about our amazing benefits?

Additional information:

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. Details of the checks can be found.

Equal opportunities

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

About Shakespeare Martineau

Welcome to Shakespeare Martineau, where we're more than just a full-service law firm. With over 1100 specialists, including lawyers and business support professionals, we're committed to unlocking potential in our people and clients, inspiring confidence, growth, and development.

Our purpose is clear: we provide creative solutions and advice that help individuals and businesses achieve their commercial and personal goals. But what truly sets us apart is our focus on building lasting relationships and championing our clients, ensuring they receive the best possible business and personal advice.

At Shakespeare Martineau, it's our people who make us special. We understand what our team members want and give them the support they need to succeed. Recognising everyone's contribution and harnessing the unique power of teams, we work together to achieve success.

Diversity is at the heart of our firm. We actively build and develop diverse teams, bringing together different backgrounds, personalities, and perspectives to deliver amazing solutions for our clients. We believe in playing to our strengths, constantly striving to improve, and empowering our teams with individual responsibility for their own learning and growth.

Join us at Shakespeare Martineau and become a valued member of a team where we unlock your potential, appreciate your contributions, and achieve success together.

As part of Ampa, we are part of a large multi-brand group, all of our brands are linked by a shared purpose and set of values that brings about a positive, inclusive and diverse work culture - helping everyone achieve their ambitions.

Our Hiring Process

Stage1:

Applied

Stage1:

Applied

Application Deadline

December 07, 2025

Employment Type

Programme

Location

London

Workplace type

Hybrid