Training contracts

A strong platform on which to build your knowledge, skills, experience and network.

Make a valuable career choice

Securing the right training contract, that combines high-quality learning and support with comprehensive practical experience, is a vital step towards becoming a successful, qualified lawyer. Our trainees really enjoy working with us and appreciate the depth of expertise they gain. We’re proud that when they finish their training, we’re usually their first choice for employment.

There’s more than one way to become a lawyer – visit our Apprenticeship page for more information on this route into law.

A breadth of excellent training

We want our talented group of trainees to stay with us and so invest heavily in your training and development. During the  two-year training, we focus on your learning and personal growth. This involves you gaining experience during your four six-month seats, in a range of 15 different practice areas, including corporate, commercial, commercial litigation, commercial property, insolvency, private client and employment. When you qualify, we’ll continue providing the very best training and encourage you to develop your own practice.

Hands-on experience from the start

As soon as you start, you can expect to be involved in client work, have direct contact with clients and your mentors will coach you in our approach of being responsive, straightforward, and offering commercially astute advice.

A reputation for diverse, high-profile work

As one of Yorkshire’s leading and award-winning law firms, we’re recognised for providing sound advice that’s both high quality and innovative.  We’ll work hard to make sure you develop at the right pace throughout the two years, moving on to more complex work when you’re ready.

Exceptional expertise and support

With us, you get the advantages of working alongside a range of highly experienced lawyers, combined with the benefits of a friendly, close-knit culture. Alongside our training principal, you’ll be supported by your training partner, seat supervisors and personal mentor, who will take time to answer your questions, pass on their knowledge and provide feedback.

Enjoy a well-rounded working life

While our focus is very much on working hard to achieve results for clients, there are plenty of chances to build your own network and profile. You’ll be encouraged to work and develop contacts across our three offices, attend networking events, seminars and meetings. We have groups such as ESG, wellbeing and the social committee which you can get involved in for fundraising events, social gatherings and more.

More than law – charitable, social and environmental
More than law – inclusivity and wellbeing

Read our brochure

© Sam Toolsie 2023

When should I apply for a training contract?

We have decided to review our trainee recruitment process, so for the moment, the application process for 2025 is on hold.

Now that the SQE pathway has become better established, we want to take the opportunity to pause and reflect on which route to qualification is the right one for us.

This is likely to mean that we will implement a graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme.

Once we have finalised that process, we will be implementing it for the recruitment of places beginning in August/September 2025.

We will post the details of the new recruitment process on these pages.

What if I have any questions?

We would be happy to try and answer any questions you have, so please e-mail our HR Director, Neil Towse (neiltowse@schofieldsweeney.co.uk).

Do you offer work experience?

We offer work experience opportunities to under-graduates and to graduates each summer.  For further details of future work experience programmes click here.

Interested?

To apply, please email us at:

trainingcontracts@schofieldsweeney.co.uk