Apprenticeships

2026 recruitment update

This year, we will not be opening applications for trainee solicitor or solicitor apprentice roles. This decision reflects the exceptional strength of our current talent pipeline, including a cohort of 20 pre qualified lawyers who are progressing through their development pathways with us.

Focusing on our growing talent

We are proud of the talented individuals already within the firm. To continue delivering the focused support, supervision, and high‑quality training that sets us apart, we are dedicating our resources to their ongoing development throughout 2026.

By investing in our existing trainees and apprentices, we can maintain the depth, quality, and personalised experience that are essential to building the next generation of Schofield Sweeney solicitors.

Looking ahead

We remain fully committed to trainee and apprentice recruitment in the years ahead and look forward to reopening opportunities in the future.

Stay connected

We are grateful for the interest shown by prospective candidates and encourage anyone considering a career with us to:

Follow our updates on LinkedIn
Keep an eye on future recruitment rounds on our career page
Explore other opportunities within the firm – vacancies

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).

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Our values

Empathy

We put our clients first and always consider what other people may be thinking or feeling, so we can support them in the best way possible.

Collaboration

We value the strengths of others and provide the freedom, support and framework to work closely as a team and with clients.

Innovation

Whether we’re working for clients or handling an internal matter, we always search hard for better ways to achieve a stronger end result.

Ambition

We are business advisers supporting clients to reach their goals. We are bold in our approach and driven to get the best results for our clients. We don’t sit on the fence and are confident in our abilities.

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Our culture

When it comes to the culture of a law firm, values play a crucial role in shaping our work environment, the way in which we interact with one another and with clients. We foster teamwork and growth, and our employees have a sense of purpose. Everyone is valued, supported and recognised at Schofield Sweeney.

We are more than law – find out more here.

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Our benefits

When you join us, you can expect a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits, including:

Hybrid working
Healthcare cash plan
Colleague bonus scheme
Group pension scheme
Death in service benefit
Free fruit in the office
Holiday trading scheme
Colleague introduction scheme
Conveyancing and Wills discount
Years of service annual leave entitlement growth
Travel – season ticket loans
Cycle to work scheme
Team building
Volunteer day
Social events
Wellbeing initiatives

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Our support

Induction

The first two days with us will be spent in induction training where you will get to know the firm, our processes and systems. Our Learning and Development Specialist will support you with all your in-house training needs.

Your dedicated supervisor will support you with your technical learning and how to prioritise work.

You’ll be assigned a buddy who is newly-qualified, they will help you with day to day routines, emotional and social support.

Wellbeing

We have qualified and approachable Mental Health First Aiders and Champions across all three offices who you can talk to as well as a number of wellbeing initiatives and events.

Career progression

We support our apprentices through their studies and beyond, your career is very much looked after when you join the firm. Through our Engagement Surveys, our colleagues tell us in overwhelming numbers that we are a good place to work and somewhere that they can pursue an interesting, enjoyable, and rewarding career.

The training and support we offer during the apprenticeship is designed to equip you to be successful in your career. It will cover the technical areas you need to do the job, the essential compliance training that everyone undertakes, as well as a whole range of core skills that you don’t learn at college or on your apprenticeship. After all, no one really teaches you how to work or behave in an office and it can be a daunting experience.

Our career progression framework can take you towards your next career goals, depending on what you want to achieve.

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Our awards

We’re a nationally recognised and award-winning law firm

We are listed in The Times Best 250 Law Firms 2024.

Law Firm of the Year (medium) 2023

Employer of the Year Award 2023

LawTech Initiative of the Year 2023

Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Award 2023

Diversity, Inclusion and Equality Award 2022

Banking and Finance Team of the Year 2022

“A legal career has always been an aspiration of mine. Choosing a Solicitor Apprenticeship route has allowed me to gain invaluable experiences while simultaneously learning the theory behind the law with the added bonus of no university debt!”

Caprice Coulson, solicitor apprentice

“My apprenticeship has given me some great opportunities . I have attended 3 events within my first month of employment, creating connections and networking, I really feel like part of the team. I have worked on various matters, being exposed to a wide range of clients early on.”

Rebecca Foster, solicitor apprentice

“The values and behaviours of the firm are more than words, they are implemented by everybody creating an amazing working environment.”

Eesa Ubaid Rizwan, solicitor apprentice

“Everyone at the firm is lovely, so it’s easy to ask for support when completing work and when studying for your degree. Having a group of apprentices that will start with you is also perfect, as you can help each other along the way.”

Katie Cage, solicitor apprentice

“There are always people to turn to if help is required. Having a buddy is great as an apprentice, as you always have someone there to have a catch up with, to ensure things are going smoothly.”

Manpriya Kaur Sunner, solicitor apprentice

“I couldn’t fault the support I have received from everybody at Schofield Sweeney. From the application up until present, I have been constantly reassured. Everybody is always on hand to help and support. They really care about staff wellbeing, and they make a great effort to ensure everybody has a positive experience.”

Paige Hunt, solicitor apprentice

Our learning provider

BPP University’s unique approach is education that is academically rigorous but also grounded in practical application.

BPP have been granted indefinite taught degree awarding powers (TDAP) under the Office for Students (OfS) new regulatory framework. The award of indefinite TDAP acknowledges the University’s academic integrity as a mature higher education institution with rigorous standards and academic governance.

It has around 21,000 students, studying across 13 centres, in 8 locations across England and online around the world. 78% are full-time, over 83% are on postgraduate programmes.

Find out more

Still have questions?

If you have any questions at all, don’t worry. We’re always available for a chat and are more than happy to help you through the application process.

Get in touch