How to Apply
Alongside your CV, you must submit a Personal Summary/Cover Letter as a separate document, answering the below set questions. There is a word limit of 300 words per question.
- Why do you want to qualify as a solicitor and specifically at Porter Dodson.
- Tell us about something interesting you have read in the legal news recently and why this has interested you?
- Which areas of law interest you most, and what recent or upcoming changes do you think will affect that area? How should Porter Dodson respond?
- Tell us about your proudest achievement and what it demonstrates about you as a future solicitor.
Training Contract Overview
To provide legal and administrative support to solicitors and legal teams while undertaking the training contract. This structured training programme combines multiple learning and teaching methods consisting of practical work-based tasks, shadowing, self-study and reflection, as difficulty level and workload increase throughout each seat, to ensure successful qualification as a Solicitor. The training contract structure consists of 4 departmental seats with a seat rotation every 6 months where trainee solicitors will rotate to a different department to gain experience in different legal disciplines and expand their legal knowledge.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Assist solicitors with legal research, document drafting, and case preparation.
- Support fee earners with the management of client files, including filing, document review, and correspondence.
- Attend and take notes in client meetings and court hearings where appropriate.
- Prepare legal documents, contracts, and bundles under supervision.
- Manage administrative tasks such as diary management, scheduling, and file maintenance.
- Comply with internal policies, data protection obligations, and regulatory requirements.
- Participate in internal training sessions, knowledge sharing, and practice group activities.
- Participation in quarterly reviews and performance assessments coinciding with the middle and end of each seat.
- Training Records completed on a weekly basis, reviewed monthly with supervisor.
- Fulfil all requirements of the apprenticeship programme, including study time and exam preparation.
- Rotate through different practice areas to gain experience in a broad range of legal disciplines.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) in law or any other relevant subject. If a law degree has not been completed then it is desirable for a law conversion course to have been completed.
- Minimum grade BBB achieved at A-Level in any subject.
Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrates an interest in pursuing a legal career.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage time effectively and work to deadlines.
- Good attention to detail and high standards of accuracy.
- Capable of handling confidential information with integrity and discretion.
- Strong IT literacy, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
Experience
- Legal work experience (e.g., internships, placements) is desirable but not essential.
- Customer service, administrative, or office-based experience is beneficial.
Attributes
- Professional, proactive, and adaptable.
- Collaborative team player with a willingness to learn.
- Commitment to personal and professional development.
- Flexible Working
- 25 days holiday, in addition to plus bank holidays
- Extra day of holiday for your birthday
- Private Healthcare
- Pension Scheme(s)
- Life Assurance
- Eye Tests
- Flu Jabs
- Corporate Gym Membership Discounts
- Discounted legal Support
- Opportunities to get involved with charity fundraising, sports teams and office socials