Through welcoming individuals early in their career, we are committed to nurturing talent in law. We are proud to offer the thorough level of on-the-job training needed and support after completing degrees, or whilst completing courses or certifications to become the very best in legal services.
Training Contracts
What is a Law Training Contract?
A training contract in law is a contract signed which covers the two-year training period required to become a qualified solicitor. During these two years, you gain the practical experience needed.
Why train at Sternberg Reed?
By putting the correct structure in place, we have created an excellent environment to train in law. Our teams are structured with experienced solicitors at the top down. This means you will be led by some of the best talent in the law industry as you carve out your own career in this exciting industry.
We offer the following staff benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- Discretionary Bonus Scheme
- 24 days annual leave (increasing after 5 years)
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Interest free parking loans
- Free conveyancing (after 12 months service)
- Reduced fees for Wills drawn (after 12 months service)
- Long service award
- Professional memberships
Trainee Application Form
We are always happy to hear from aspiring students who are ready to start their career in law, please fill in the form below with a copy of your CV and we will endeavour to get back to you*.
(Take from this page: https://www.sternberg-reed.co.uk/careers/trainee-application-form/)
*Please note, while we are always pleased to see people show interest in working for us, we cannot always get back to your requests, but we hope you keep us in mind.
Securing a Career in Law
How do I Start a Career in Law?
Once you have completed formal education, you will be looking to start a long, prosperous career in the field of law, and it can feel quite daunting. It is important to plan ahead if you want to get ahead and secure training positions in good time.
It is well known that the recruitment lead time is longer for law jobs. Which means it is important to query firms you would like to work for to see if they offer training contracts. We love to hear from aspiring individuals looking to work in law which is why we collect CVs for future reference. Please note, we cannot guarantee positions.
How do you Show you are a Good Candidate for a Law Position with No Experience?
Without experience, it can be difficult to position yourself as the ideal candidate for legal roles. If this is the case, it is key to focus on extracurricular activities alongside your education and discuss how this supports your application. Are you part of your school or university’s law society? This can be a significant help in gaining initial experience. Other ways to gain experience is volunteering. This could be, for example, working for Citizen’s Advice. This way you can learn about the day-to-day issues people are facing which can include legal disputes.
What qualifications do I need?
It is great to start your career in law early by choosing Law as an a-level and working on securing some form of experience. This could be doing admin at a law firm or something similar.
After a-levels you should attend university to earn your degree. This can be in any subject or it can be an equivalent qualification in any subject. If you choose to study law, you will get to learn about the different areas of law which gives you time to consider which interests you the most. If you are not studying law, it is important to research area of law in your spare time as you will need some knowledge of law to complete examinations.
There are then many factors required to qualify as a solicitor. From earning the LLM Legal Practice recognition by passing the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) to gaining 2 years qualifying work experience in a firm.
It is important to plan ahead so that you have an idea of how you will complete the required education and exams to secure that ideal role. If you are struggling to secure a training contract, it is also important to take part in pro bono work or mentoring at university whilst continuing to seek out training opportunities.
Additonal Routes to a Successful Career in Law
Apprenticeship Route
Some individuals may prefer the apprenticeship route. This means completing a Solicitor Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship. This does include completing a law degree but is done alongside working in a solicitor firm. It will take 5-6 years and is the best option for those looking for a hands-on approach to their career.
To qualify as a solicitor, you will also need to complete both parts of the SQE and do 2 years of qualifying work experience after completing your degree. To follow this path, you will need 5 GCSEs (A* to C) and 3 A-levels or equivalent.
Undergraduate Work Placement Scheme
We are proud to offer our undergradute Work Placement Scheme, giving students the opportunity to gain some hands-on experience in our firm. We only have select spaces for this scheme so please bear this in mind when you fill in the form below.
Take form from https://www.sternberg-reed.co.uk/careers/undergraduate-work-placement-scheme-form/
FAQs
Do I Need Experience to Start a Career in Law?
Experience is necessary for many legal roles. Most especially if you want to be a solicitor or barrister. It is important to get a feel for what a role in law is like and understand some of the skills needed for a successful career in law.
How do I Gain Experience for a Career in Law?
You can gain experience by completing work experience with a local solicitor firm, completing pro bono work, or court marshalling. All of this will support a successful bid to secure a legal role.
What are Areas of Law can you Work in?
There are many areas of law, and the key ones include:
- Family Law
- Child Law
- Business Law
- Criminal Defence Law
- Dispute Resolution
- Employment Law
How do I know if I am Suited to Career in Law?
It is important to seek out a mentor who already works in law. This may be a relative or a close family friend. Otherwise, look into local career fares as you will most often find solicitor firms represented here. This is an opportunity to talk to those already in the legal sector and ask about their roles, how they got to that position and what their day-to-day is like.
