Graduate Recruitment – Your Future 2019
Join the UK's largest full-service law firm.
About Us
Who we are, what we do
Welcome
We're unique, both in our culture and our approach to law.
We're the expert hand with the human touch – a promise that's helped us to win national acclaim.
We believe we have something different to offer. With a strong national presence, we deliver a broad range of legal services to small and medium-sized businesses, organisations and institutions and private individuals. The legal market has gone through one of the most radical periods of change in history – with more competition, new legislation and ever-increasing client demands.
As a firm, we thrive on the opportunity to respond to these challenges, and have clear growth and development plans to make sure we’re always ahead of our competition. Our plan is simple: grow our client base, increase our capability and simply keep on being even better.
It’s our people that really set us apart.
We take great pride in working as one interlocking community. We’re Irwin Mitchell – one team, with one set of goals, driven to success by our main passion – our clients.
We’re proud to support 14 nominated local charities each year, where we make a difference by giving back to the communities we operate in.
Our trainee solicitors are integral to our future. Trust and responsibility are instilled in them from day one, and they develop real life skills to work with clients on critical cases, deals and projects.
If you’re as passionate as we are about law, client care and developing your career, we'd love to hear from you.
Good luck and see you soon.
Andrew Tucker - Group Chief Executive
Founded in 1912 by Walter Irwin Mitchell, with a focus on criminal law, he aimed to provide the highest quality legal services to the general public from his small practice in Sheffield.
Fast-forward to today, we're the 11th largest law firm in the UK, offering legal services to individuals and businesses, as well as wealth and asset management.
We're diverse in terms of the people we employ and the work we do. We have over 3,000 employees, including over 1,000 legally-trained professionals.
In our 100-year history, we've helped over 1 million clients and emerged as a strong, trusted brand with values that have stood the test of time.
Our independently registered charity, the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF), has raised over £2m in charitable donations since its inception in 1997. We proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary by raising over £22,000 in one month.
Our Business Legal Services division is the fastest growing area of our firm, with an increasing number of global, national, and regional companies choosing to work with us.
The Personal Legal Services division encompasses our private client legal services for individuals, with solicitors that go the extra mile.
With turnover at £263m, and many consecutive years of growth, we’re all part of a successful business with a bright future, and you could make us even stronger.
Our Values
Our values are the glue that binds the firm together.
We place innovative client service and the delivery of client value at the centre of everything we do. Our unique approach of providing services using the expert hand with the human touch is embraced by our people, built into our processes and supported by our technology.
These five values guide us in our strategy and our behaviour, and play a key role in helping people to understand what we’re about as a firm:
- To be pioneering with an imaginative outlook
- To be approachable and caring
- To be tenacious in the pursuit of our objectives
- To be efficient in the provision of our services
- To work with a foundation of integrity.
If you share these values, you'll fit right in.
Our DNA
What does it mean to you to work here?
For all of our team here, the answer might be different. Though we work together as one Irwin Mitchell to a clear set of values, we recognise that all of our people are unique, motivated in different ways, and have different priorities.
At its heart, Our DNA brings to life the reasons why we’re all here, the incredible work we do for our clients and in support of each other, and where we’re heading together – our ambitious vision for the future.
Our DNA is made up of five core components, which are:
1. Community and togetherness
2. Purpose
3. Values
4. Brand personality
5. Ambition.
It aims to highlight who we are, our motivation, drive identity and generate pride in how we work together to support our clients.
Our DNA statement builds on that, to help us visualise how incredible we are and where we’re heading together:
Our DNA showcases the great things we have in place, from our focus on wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion, to how we support charities and communities, all demonstrated through our people.
Andrew Tucker
Group Chief Executive
Feedback on Our DNA
- I like it, and it's something I'd support
- I'm not sure what it means to me
- It's not something that resonates with me or draws me to Irwin Mitchell.
We recognise that our trainees are integral to the future of our business, and we’ll support them every step of the way. This is reflected in some of the awards our Early Careers programmes have won over the past year:
Working Here
Becoming a trainee solicitor
Joining Us
We're passionate about finding the right people to join us.
You'll find our culture supportive, and we'll help you to grow both personally and professionally, expanding your skills and knowledge. Last year, we retained 96% of our trainees on qualification, which shows our commitment to your future. As a result, we had the second best trainee retention rate in the UK legal market for autumn 2019.
This year we've already opened our doors to 57 trainee solicitors, and we're now in the recruitment process for our 2022 training contacts.
Applications for our 2022 training contracts are open until 30 June 2020. Apply today.
Every year, we welcome applications from all backgrounds, education and subjects. Our current trainees come from over 40 different universities, and many of them are from a non-law background.
If you're thinking about applying, read on to learn more about our training contracts and the option to undertake a two week Legal Work Placement, which is a great way to gain an insight into us as a potential employer. You can also apply to attend one of our open evenings at one of our offices.
Training Contracts
We offer training contacts in 11 offices throughout the UK, across both our business and personal legal services divisions. Through our seat rotations, you'll experience three six-month seats and one qualification seat – allowing you to experience three or four distinct areas of law.
Your training will demonstrate that being a lawyer with us is more than just law – it's offering exceptional care to individuals and businesses. We're looking for people who put clients first, who are committed to their role and their team, and who show initiative to go one step further to succeed. In return, you'll learn on the job and be given real responsibility and practical experience in a supportive environment.
As a trainee solicitor, no two days are ever the same. One day you can be drafting witness statements, while the next you can be attending court hearings and instructing barristers and experts on case-critical information. In addition to your day-to-day duties, there’s also opportunities to get involved in business development projects and networking events – where you can build your professional network.
Your training contract journey begins from the moment you accept your offer. You'll receive a welcome pack inviting you to future trainee events where you'll also meet your buddy. Whether you're still studying, travelling the world, or undertaking a paralegal job with us, you'll immediately feel a part of our team.
All trainees attend a two-week induction before starting their first seat. It’s a great way to get to know the firm and your fellow trainees. With around 50 training contracts available over 11 locations, you’ll have the support network of other trainees across the country.
After your first year, we organise a reunion alongside further training. Once your training contact is complete, we come together again to celebrate you becoming a fully-qualified solicitor, and to toast our exceptional trainee retention rate.
To ensure your training contact is a positive experience from start to finish, we have a dedicated Early Careers team to support you – it's one of the reasons we've been named in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers of choice for three years running.
Trainees are the future, so the firm encourages personal development and provides support to help individuals reach their potential. From day one of my training contract, I've gained hands-on experience. My colleagues help me to prepare for being a qualified solicitor.
Rebecca Wood
Trainee Solicitor - Sheffield
Legal Work Placement
As part of our recruitment process, we offer a Legal Work Placement (LWP), where prospective trainees join us for a two week period. It's a great way for you get to know us as a potential employer, and get yourself noticed for a training contract.
You'll spend time working across our various teams, and gain first-hand experience of our culture, the work we do, and the opportunities we have to offer. Over the course of two weeks, you'll be welcomed with an induction and attend various social activities and breakfast meetings. There's also an opportunity to get involved in our community work, networking groups and sports activities.
The LWP felt very much like a mini training contract. Now that I’m a trainee, I can really appreciate how much responsibility I was given and how involved I was able to become in live cases.
Jack Davies
Trainee Solicitor
Most of our training contacts are awarded to those who apply via the LWP route as this allows you to demonstrate your skills, ability and passions, and show that you share our brand values. Although you can apply directly for a training contact, our LWP has become an important part of our recruitment process.
A large proportion of our current and future trainee solicitors have undertaken a work placement with the firm. We encourage all those interested in joining us to apply via this route. Typically, candidates who complete a LWP are often keen to tell us that their placement exceeded expectations.
LWP opportunities are available each summer across 11 offices. For our 2022 training contracts, our LWPs will run from 15 - 26 June and 29 June - 10 July 2020. You'll receive our living wage rate for the time you're with us.
Would you opt to undertake a LWP?
- Yes, I think I'd benefit from the experience
- No, if I was going to apply I wouldn't choose to attend a LWP.
Business Legal Services
We offer a wide range of commercial services and, in recent years, we've significantly expanded our corporate, commercial litigation and real estate services. With plans to grow further, it’s an exciting time to join us.
With offices in the City of London as well as Birmingham, Gatwick, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Southampton, we provide a full range of corporate and commercial legal services to an impressive national and international client base.
We offer a wide variety of seats working with experts in their field. We're able to give our trainees the chance to find the area of law they're best suited to, meaning they're well-equipped to handle life as a lawyer once they qualify.
Hannah Clipston
Business Legal Services Partner
Our expert lawyers are available across the UK, offering advice in employment law, real estate, commercial litigation, banking, intellectual property and many more. We’re recognised in independent legal guides, with many of our lawyers credited as experts in their fields.
As a trainee in the division, you'd be working in, and influencing, one of the most active Corporate teams in the UK. Turn over to the next page to see some of the seats on offer as part of this division.
*Seats available are dependent on business needs
Personal Legal Services
As well as supporting businesses, we offer a wide range of legal services to individuals across personal injury, public law and wealth management.
Our specialist lawyers are the number one team in the UK helping thousands of people to get the specialist support and funds they need to get their lives back on track. In recent years we’ve helped our clients recover more than £1 billion in compensation.
We support people through life’s ups and downs. As one of the UK’s top full-service law firms, we provide support with family law, buying or selling property, inheritance and tax planning, wealth structuring and more; allowing our clients the peace of mind to focus on what matters to them.
You'll train on high-profile, high-value cases with leading experts in their field. Our seat rotations are designed to give you a real experience of distinct areas of law.
Lisa Jordan
Training Principal, Personal Legal Services Partner
*Seats available are dependent on business needs
All About You
Our trainee solicitors are fundamental to our business. They're our solicitors, associates and partners of the future, and they're the people who'll continue to drive us forward.
With a strong foundation, excellent training and a supporting environment, we'll give you the opportunity to progress your legal career. Our commitment to our trainees has resulted in us ranking third for the best graduate employer in the legal sector – as voted for by students and graduates in 2018.
Rewards and Benefits
As an trainee, you'll be given an excellent rewards and benefits package to compliment your competitive salary.
Salaries
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Benefits
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Sponsorship
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| First Year Salary |
25 days holiday |
We provide Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) funding if you've not started or completed your studies when offered a training contract, plus a maintenance grant of £4,500.
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| Regional: £26,500 |
Recognition scheme |
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London: £38,000
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Two CSR days per year |
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Sports team sponsorship |
| Second Year Salary |
Season ticket loan |
| Regional: £28,500 |
Health plan |
| London: £40,000 |
Professional subscription |
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Contributory pension scheme |
| NQ Salary (Dependent on specialism) |
Death in service or critical illness cover |
| Regional: £36,500 - £41,500 |
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| London: £50,000 - £60,000 |
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More Than A Workplace
Supporting our communities
More Than A Workplace
Our social responsibility programme is fundamental to who we are and what we do. We want to reflect the communities we serve, and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish. To better support them, we have a number of networking groups that people can join.
In recent years, we've been recognised for our efforts in the media through award wins and our employee engagement. Being socially responsible means thinking ahead, and these are exciting times as we're undergoing a change programme to be even better.
We're a member of The Legal Sustainability Alliance, Stonewall, and a signatory of both the Law Society’s Pro Bono and the Mindful Employers Charters. These commitments show our dedication to social responsibility and charity work.
I applied to Irwin Mitchell due to its solid reputation as a national, multi-disciplinary firm, which prioritised clients, but also had a real drive for social responsibility.
Sharonpreet Binning
Trainee Solicitor
Social Responsibility
We are committed to Corporate Social Responsibility, and helping communities, people, the environment and providing pro bono services.
Through four stands, we continue to support charities, individuals and businesses:
We're proud to make a difference, not just through fundraising, but giving our time and expertise to those who need it most.
Adrian Budgen
Partner, founding IMCF Trustee and member of our Social Responsibility Board
Our People
We're proud to be different and celebrate the diversity of our people, our clients and our local communities. We're delighted to be recognised as one of the most diverse law firms through multiple award wins and a top third ranking in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index for the LGBT+ community.
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Our Environment
We recognise that our activities can have an impact on the environment and that it's our responsibility to have a proactive approach to green issues and sustainability. As one of the founding members of the Legal Sector Alliance, we're committed to reducing our impact on the environment.
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Our Pro Bono
Our pro bono philosophy is based on providing advice and support to those who need it most, yet who are often least able to afford it. We believe that we can use our legal expertise to give something back to our local communities.
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Our Community
Being involved with the local community is a big part of our day-to-day working life. We encourage all our staff to engage in community volunteering activities. As an employee, you'll be able to spend 14 hours volunteering each year during normal working hours.
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Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF)
IMCF was set up in 1997 to help relieve poverty and provide aid in cases of need, hardship or distress for people in the communities we operate in. In 2017, we celebrated IMCF's 20th anniversary by raising over £22,000 in a single month. More recently, 100 colleagues participated in a 15 mile walk around Sheffield to raise valuable funds for Weston Park Cancer Charity. We raised over £19,000 in total.
Since IMCF was founded, we’ve raised over £2m for good causes – something we're very proud of.
Every year, our colleagues donate thousands of hours to support local and national communities and pro bono initiatives. As a trainee, you'll be given two charity days each year, where you can use your working hours to support a worth cause in the community.
Each of our offices has its own Charity of the Year, and our respective teams often host their own fundraising activities. Whichever office you choose, you'll regularly hear about bake sales, raffles and other fun charitable activities.
Our Networks and Groups
We’re committed to constantly improving our diversity and have a number of networking groups to celebrate our people. These groups aim to support those who need a stronger voice and raise awareness of the challenges they face in society as a whole. Our groups are:
IM Equal
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IM Equal is a group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) and straight ally employees. Every quarter, the group meets to discuss what we’ve done around LGBT events and awareness. We get involved in events including Pride, Alternative Family Week, Stonewall Season and LGBT History Month, as well as working with charities. We're listed in the Stonewall Equality Index for our diversity and are committed to improving our ranking.
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IM Powered
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As part of the firm’s strategy to build an inclusive and supportive organisation, a number of listening groups have been established. The gender group has looked at issues faced by women within the firm, including their career progression, patterns of working and work-life balance.
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IM Age
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IM Age focusses on issues related to age, including the differing needs of people at various stages of their careers.
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IM Modern Life
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IM Modern Life was launched through our networking and support group for gender-related issues, IM Powered. Modern family life conjures up different images for each person. The inspiration for Modern Life comes from a recognition that the conventional nuclear family and a traditional workplace isn't what everyone relates to.
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IM Respect
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Cultural diversity is fundamental to an integrated workforce and social inclusiveness, so that’s why it’s at the heart of our key themes. IM Respect aims to raise awareness of the cultural and ethnic diversity which we’re proud to say exists within our firm.
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IM Able
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IM Able aims to provide support and assistance to individuals with a disability and those caring for a family member with a disability, as well as raising awareness of issues internally and externally through networking and training events.
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IM Aspiring
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This group supports our PRIME commitment, supporting school leavers who come from areas of restricted social mobility.
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Our Offices
Choose from 11 locations
Our Offices
As a national firm, we operate out of 15 offices across the UK. You can choose to undertake your training contact from 11 of these locations. See the list below and visit the location's designated page, where you'll find a relevant case study, the training seats available, and a fact about each of our offices:
Sample your preferred office
Before you make a decision, we offer you the chance to sample your preferred location with our open evenings. These take place in November and December each year and offer you the chance to gain an insight into the personality of your chosen office, and meet with current trainees.
Learn more about the dates of open evenings and how you can apply to attend – places are limited, so apply early to secure your place.
Birmingham
Did you know?
We won the Excellence in Diversity Award at The Signature Awards two years in a row.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
Business Legal Services |
| Court of Protection |
Banking and Finance |
| Family Law |
Corporate |
| International Serious Injury |
Commercial |
| Medical Negligence |
Employment |
| Public Law |
Real Estate |
| Serious Injury |
Real Estate Disputes |
| Will, Trust & Estate Disputes |
Restructuring and Insolvency |
| Workplace Injury/Illness |
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Case study:
Many Personal Legal Services trainee solicitors will spend time in our international personal injury team in Birmingham. Trainee solicitors get involved in a number of cases, and one of particular interest involved a Welsh international rugby star whose family holiday at a hotel in Cyprus turned into a "nightmare" when he and his baby daughter developed hand, foot and mouth disease.
Read more about the case: irwinmitchell.com/handfootmouth
Bristol
Did you know?
Our Bristol team are passionate about the environment and regularly organise events such as clothes swaps to help reduce our impact.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
| Court of Protection |
| Family Law |
| Medical Negligence |
| Public Law |
| Serious Injury |
| Workplace Injury/Illness |
Case study:
Working with a number of leading medical negligence solicitors in Bristol, trainee solicitors will get involved with cases which are local to the area. The medical negligence team has been instructed by a group of patients affected by colorectal procedures in the city and all treated under the North Bristol NHS trust.
Read more about the case: irwinmitchell.com/starr
Cambridge
Did you know?
Colleagues modelled for a life drawing class run by our Charity of the Year, Rowan, which helps people living with disability using the arts.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
| Court of Protection |
| Medical Negligence |
| Ministry of Defence |
| Public Law |
| Serious Injury |
| Workplace Injury/Illness |
Case study:
Rosemary Giles, partner and trainee solicitor supervisor in Cambridge, worked with the heartbroken family of a Suffolk man who died of mesothelioma, a fatal asbestos-related cancer. The family has spoken out over their desire to raise awareness of the disease after our Cambridge team secured a five-figure settlement with the insurers of one of his former employers.
Read more about the case: irwinmitchell.com/mesothelioma2
Chichester
Did you know?
We recently yarn bombed the town with ‘random acts of knitting’ in support of our Charity of the Year, Dementia Support.
Seats available:
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Personal Legal Services
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| Family Law |
| Residential Property |
| Tax, Trust & Estates |
| Will, Trust & Estate Disputes |
Case study:
The case of Watts v Watts [2014] EWHC 668 (Ch) was heard in the High Court and subsequently, the Court of Appeal. It concerned evidence that a son, who claimed that his mother had made a new Will leaving the entire estate to him while dying in hospital, had simulated his mother’s signature on the purported Will. Judgment was found in favour of our client, the deceased’s daughter, and the Will was set aside for fraud.
Gatwick
Did you know?
Most lunchtimes we run Pilates and fitness classes in the office to keep fit and raise funds for our Charity of the Year, St Catherine’s Hospice.
Seats available:
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| Business Legal Services |
| Commercial |
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Construction
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| Corporate |
| Litigation |
| Planning |
| Real Estate |
| Restructuring & Insolvency |
Case study:
Trainee solicitors within our Gatwick office have the opportunity to work with local businesses. Our commercial team worked with Toddler Fun Learning, a film production company that makes educational videos for toddlers. The team was very happy to successfully negotiate the best deal for the company and draft an agreement which protected their intellectual property. Read more about the opportunities available: irwinmitchell.com/mediasector
Leeds
Did you know?
Every Christmas, the Leeds team pack food and gift hampers for disadvantaged people in the community.
Case study:
Glenn Hayes, employment partner and trainee solicitor supervisor in Leeds, discusses a Court of Appeal landmark whistleblowing case. The case has provided some clarity for businesses to determine whether complaints about an individual’s own contract can be ‘protected disclosures.’
Read more about the case: irwinmitchell.com/whistleblowing
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
Business Legal Services |
| Court of Protection |
Banking & Finance |
| Family Law |
Commercial |
| Medical Negligence |
Corporate
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| Serious Injury |
Employment
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| Tax, Trust & Estates |
Litigation
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| Will, Trust & Estate Disputes |
Real Estate
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| Workplace Injury/Illness |
Restructuring & Insolvency
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London
Did you know?
The London office was the first to embrace agile working, graffiti and working areas that double as table tennis tables.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
Business Legal Services |
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Court of Protection
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Banking & Finance |
| Family Law |
Corporate |
| International Serious Injury |
Corporate Tax |
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Medical Negligence
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Employment |
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Public Law
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Litigation |
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Serious Injury
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Litigation/Intellectual Property |
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Tax, Trust & Estates
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Pensions |
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Will, Trust & Estate Disputes
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Real Estate |
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Workplace Injury/Illness
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Real Estate Disputes |
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Restructuring & Insolvency |
Case study:
By spending one of the training contract seats with the medical negligence team, trainee solicitors have the opportunity to work with specialist lawyers. Our medical negligence team worked with a client who was left paraplegic after failures by a GP to properly investigate his back pain. The client instructed our team to investigate his care under Dr Wadman after he suffered a vertebral collapse as a result of tuberculosis, which caused permanent damage to his spinal cord. Read more about the case here: irwinmitchell.com/TB
Manchester
Did you know?
This year, we've swabbed 248 cheeks in support of a blood cancer charity to see if colleagues were eligible to become stem cell donors. If so, they could potentially save the lives of those in need.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
Business Legal Services |
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Court of Protection
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Banking & Finance |
| Family Law |
Corporate |
| Medical Negligence |
Corporate Tax |
| Ministry of Defence |
Litigation |
| Public Law |
Real Estate |
| Serious Injury |
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| Workplace Injury/Illness |
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Case study:
Business Legal Services trainee solicitors in Manchester can get involved in local cases. A recent case for the real estate and corporate team involved advising former Manchester United stars Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs on a major deal which will see the creation of a landmark mixed-use development in Manchester city centre.
Read more about the case: irwinmitchell.com/stmichaels
Newcastle
Did you know?
Our Newcastle office have created a ‘Green Team’, who regularly host events to encourage colleagues to consider their environmental impact.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
| Court of Protection |
| Medical Negligence |
| Public Law |
| Serious Injury |
| Workplace Injury/Illness |
Case study:
Our asbestos-related disease (ARD) team, within our Workplace Injury/Illness seat in Newcastle, is working on a case where a wife is battling to find out how her husband was exposed to asbestos, and led to him developing mesothelioma.
Read more about the case: irwinmitchell.com/mesothelioma
Sheffield
Did you know?
Sheffield's charity of the year for 2019 is Weston Park Cancer Charity, which supports the work done by Weston Park Hospital, one of the few dedicated cancer units in the UK.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
Business Legal Services |
| Court of Protection |
Commercial |
| Family Law |
Construction
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Medical Negligence
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Employment
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Public Law
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Litigation
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Serious Injury
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Real Estate
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Will, Trust & Estate Disputes
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Real Estate Disputes
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Workplace Injury/Illness
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Regulatory & Criminal Investigations Group
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Restructuring & Insolvency
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Case study:
Trainee solicitors will have the opportunity to get involved with cases local to the Sheffield office. Within the abuse team under the Medical Negligence seat, specialist abuse lawyers are asking whether more could have been done by Sheffield Council to stop or prevent the horrific abuse carried out by former boss Roger Dodds. The move comes after a judge ordered Sheffield Council to pay more than £90,000 in compensation to Richard Rowe, who was sexually abused by Dodds.
Read more about the case: irwinmitchell.com/abuse
Southampton
Did you know?
The Charity of the Year for our Southampton office is Rowans Hospice. To raise well-needed funds, there's often office bake sales and other fun activities.
Seats available:
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| Personal Legal Services |
Business Legal Services |
| Court of Protection |
Litigation |
| Family Law |
Employment
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| Medical Negligence |
Real Estate
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| Ministry of Defence |
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| Serious Injury |
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| Workplace Injury/Illness |
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Case study:
Our team advised High Wycombe-based Montrose Holdings Ltd, through its Swedish parent company Bufab, on its acquisition of Thunderbolts Group Limited. As a recognised stable and respected provider of fasteners and other small parts in the region around Southampton, the client felt Thunderbolts would be an excellent complement to Montrose and their other operations in the UK. Read more about the case here: irwinmitchell.com/thunderbolts
How to Apply
It all starts with an application
How to Apply
Joining us on a LWP and training contract all starts with an online application form at irwinmitchell.com/graduates. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and our blind screening approach means we can’t see your name, address, academic results or university attended when we review your application, giving everyone a fair chance.
Applications are open from 1 November 2019. For those applying for a training contract with an LWP, the deadline for applications is 12 January 2020. If you choose to apply for a training contract only, you can apply up to 30 June 2020.
If your application is successful, you'll be invited to undertake an online video interview. This gives you the opportunity to describe your skills through answering a series of questions. If you continue to impress us, you'll be invited to an assessment centre at your chosen office for the following:
Last year 65% of training contract offers were made to candidates who'd undertaken a LWP, so we encourage all those interested in joining us to apply via this route. Early submissions are also encouraged as applications are shortlisted on an ongoing basis.
If you're thinking about applying, here's a complete list of important dates:
October - December 2019 – University law fairs and office open evenings
1 November 2019 – Applications open
12 January 2020 – Deadline for applications for contracts with a LWP
March 2020 – Assessment centres for 2020 LWPs
June - July 2020 – LWPs take place
30 June 2020 – Deadline for applications for training contract only
July 2020 – Training contract offers made to LWP candidates
September 2020 – Assessment centres for any remaining 2022 training contracts. Final offers made.
Open Evenings
A great way to sample what life is like here is to come to one of our open evenings, which take place in November and December each year.
Whether you want to work in one of our larger offices such as London or Sheffield, or prefer the smaller workplaces of Cambridge or Chichester, attending one of our open evenings can give you a great insight into the personality of your chosen office. The dates of our open evenings are:
You'll meet with current trainees, supervisors and the Early Careers team, who'll be able to answer any of your questions about working here. Attendees also tend to pick up some tips to help them with their application, and they familiarise themselves with their surroundings – which could help you feel more comfortable if you’re invited to an assessment centre.
Places for attending our open evenings are limited, so to secure your space, please email earlycareers@irwinmitchell.com detailing which event you'd like to attend and why.
Application Tips
We realise that applying for a training contract and LWP can be stressful, so here are some of our top tips for a successful application from our current trainees and Early Careers team:
- Apply for one of our open evenings to get a greater insight into our firm
- Always double-check your spelling, punctuation and grammar
- Beware of last-minute amendments and ask: "does this make sense?"
- Before your video interview, practise in front of a camera, or even record a sample answer on your phone and watch it back
- Research the practice areas on offer, and any external factors affecting us and the industry
- We want to hear about your experiences either during your career or at university, so make sure you tell us about as many as you can.
I knew that I'd be supported as everyone I encountered, be it at law fairs, open evenings or on my LWP, was extremely friendly and interesting.
Amelia Darbro
Trainee Solicitor - Southampton
FAQs
Can I amend my application once it's been submitted?
You can update your personal details through logging into your application homepage, and clicking on 'My Details' before 'Edit Details'. However, you can't amend your application once it's been submitted – so please make sure you check your application carefully.
What skills do I need to apply?
We look for creative thinkers, innovators and people with ambition, focus and determination. You'll also need to be meticulous, with a good eye for detail and have the ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.
Which office will I be based in if i'm successful?
As part of your application, you'll choose which office you'd like to be based in. Please note, we don't accept multiple applications specifying different offices – you must choose your office and apply for that one.
How many places do you offer on the LWP?
There are approximately 60 placements available across 11 offices.
Will I be paid during my work placement?
You'll receive our living wage rate for the two weeks you're with us.
How do I contact the Early Careers team?
Please email earlycareers@irwinmitchell.com
Can I submit a CV and covering letter?
There's no need. To apply for our LWP and/or training contract, you must complete our online application form.
I have a disability and require the application form in an alternative format, can you provide that?
Yes, we will provide the application form in alternative formats. Please contact us at earlycareers@irwinmitchell.com with details of the alternative format required, and a member of our team will get back to you.
What are the firm's minimum academic requirements?
We believe in the diversity of our business. It's because of this that we consider applications from candidates who may not have strong A-Levels or a 2:1 degree or above, but are still able to show exceptional skills and capabilities.
Our Current Trainees
An insight into life here
Throughout my training contract, my team have been extremely supportive to ensure that I'm exposed to as many cases as possible.
Sharonpreet Binning
Trainee Solicitor – Birmingham
I've been given a high level of responsibility. During the first weeks into my seat in the medical negligence department, I assisted a partner with an inquest.
Huseyin Kahyalar
Trainee Solicitor – London
The role provides endless opportunities to develop the skills and experience you'll need for the rest of your career.
Hayley Crombleholme
Trainee Solicitor – Manchester
Irwin Mitchell is great at providing additional support and training to ensure that we're the best we can be. I've always felt supported as a trainee solicitor.
Jodie Buck
Trainee Solicitor – Leeds
Describe Irwin Mitchell in three words? Engaging, innovative, personable.
James Mapley
Trainee Solicitor – Gatwick
The firm has a lot to offer socially too. From sports teams to discounted gym membership, a choir and many volunteering opportunities.
Rebecca Wood
Trainee Solicitor – Sheffield
I enjoy the variety of the work, which can range from drafting letters of claim and witness statements to discussing cases at team meetings.
Sidrha Mahmood
Trainee Solicitor –Newcastle
You're given every opportunity to both prove yourself and to develop your skills as a lawyer. You're actively involved in the team’s caseload.
Conor O’Carroll-Lolait
Trainee Solicitor – Bristol
As a trainee you have monthly one-to-ones with your line manager, and the rest of the team are always happy to help.
Katie Gilhooly
Trainee Solicitor – Cambridge
The people are great – it’s a genuinely friendly office, and the people tend to be like-minded as we’ve all chosen to work at a firm with an emphasis on client care.
Ethan Axelrod
Trainee Solicitor – London
I'm surrounded by the experts in the estate and tax planning field, and I try to soak up as much of their knowledge as possible.
Chloe Harbutt
Trainee Solicitor – Chichester
Once I'd joined, I received continued support and encouragement to develop in this career from my line manager and the rest of my team.
Jennifer Davies
Trainee Solicitor – London
