Training Contracts

Build your legal career with real experience from day one

Starting your legal career can feel uncertain. You’ve worked hard to get here, but finding a clear route to qualification while gaining meaningful experience and earning at the same time - isn’t always straightforward.

Our Paralegal to Training Contract Programme is designed to change that.

This pathway is for ambitious graduates who want more than just a temporary role. It’s for people who are ready to become part of a firm, develop their skills in a real working environment, and build towards qualifying as a solicitor with the support of experienced colleagues around them.

From your first day as a paralegal, you’ll be given genuine responsibility, direct client exposure, and the opportunity to learn what life in practice is really like. For those who demonstrate the right attitude, commitment, and capability, the programme offers a structured route through to a training contract and qualification.
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Who the programme is for

We’re looking for people who are motivated, commercially aware, and genuinely interested in building a long-term career with us.

You may be:
• A law graduate
• Studying or preparing for the SQE
• Looking for a clearer route into qualification
• Wanting practical experience alongside your studies
• Eager to develop your confidence with real clients and real legal work

Academic ability matters, but so does attitude. We value people who are approachable, resilient, curious, and willing to get stuck in.

If you’re someone who enjoys learning, takes pride in your work, and wants to be part of a supportive team environment, you’ll fit in well here.
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How the pathway works

Stage One: Join us as a Paralegal

You’ll begin your journey in a paralegal role within one of our legal teams.

This isn’t about photocopying files or sitting on the sidelines. You’ll become a valued part of the department, supporting fee earners while developing your own technical knowledge, client communication skills, and understanding of legal practice.

Depending on the team, your responsibilities may include:
• Drafting legal documents and correspondence
• Communicating with clients and third parties
• Assisting with transactions, cases, and file management
• Conducting legal research
• Attending meetings and supporting live matters
• Developing practical knowledge of systems and procedures

You’ll gain exposure to the realities of working in a busy law firm while building the foundations needed for qualification.

Stage Two: Progress towards a Training Contract

Our paralegal programme is designed to identify and develop future solicitors from within the firm.

Paralegals who consistently demonstrate strong performance, professionalism, and commitment may be considered for progression onto a training contract.

We believe this creates better solicitors - people who already understand our clients, our culture, and how legal work operates in practice.

Rather than expecting you to “wait your turn”, we want to create a genuine pathway where talented people can progress based on merit, development, and readiness.
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Support and development

Qualifying as a solicitor is challenging, but you won’t be expected to figure it out alone.

Throughout the programme, you’ll receive ongoing support from experienced colleagues who are invested in your development. We want people to grow here - professionally and personally.

Support may include:
• Structured supervision and regular feedback
• Mentoring from solicitors and senior team members
• Practical, hands-on learning
• Exposure to a broad range of legal work
• Opportunities to build confidence with clients
• Guidance around SQE preparation and qualification routes
• Internal training and development opportunities

We recognise that everyone develops at different speeds. The aim is not simply to “tick boxes”, but to help you become a confident, capable solicitor with strong practical foundations.
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Financial support

We understand that qualifying as a solicitor can involve significant financial commitment alongside the demands of starting your career.

At the firm’s discretion, we may offer successful candidates an interest-free loan to assist with qualification or study-related costs. Any loan would normally be repaid through agreed salary deductions over time.

This forms part of our wider commitment to supporting talented people who are serious about building their future with the firm.
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Why start your career with us?

We believe the best legal careers are built through experience, trust, and opportunity.

That means:
• Being given responsibility early
• Working alongside approachable and experienced lawyers
• Feeling supported rather than overlooked
• Having a clear sense of progression
• Developing practical skills that genuinely matter
• Becoming part of a team where people know and value each other

If you’re looking for a route into qualification where you can grow, contribute, and build a long-term future, we’d love to hear from you.

If you would like to be considered you should send your CV and covering letter to Grant Sanders grant.sanders@stephenrimmer.com and Benjamin Bradshaw ben.bradshaw@stephenrimmer.com