Trainee Solicitor 2023

We are looking for talented graduates to join us for a 2 year training contract commencing in September 2025. We are passionate about developing talent at HCR and recognise that when selecting our Trainees we are really selecting HCR’s future Partners. So we make sure our training programme covers everything our clients expect from our lawyers… the best.

Our trainees work closely with senior solicitors and partners, gaining direct experience of and insight into complex work. We expect all our trainees to take ownership and responsibility of their work and professional development, balancing this with support and guidance from more experienced staff. We actively encourage curiosity and questioning, and expect Trainees to seek out feedback and learningopportunities.

This route is available for those who have taken or are planning to take either LPC or SQE. The firm does not have a preference. Successful applicants will be invited to a virtual first stage interview on either 20th or 21st June 2023. Successful candidates will then be invited to attend an assessment centre week commencing 11th July 2023.

About You

Service and Standards

• Adopt a ‘can do’ approach and be proactive
• Understand the Firms’ and Regulators’ standards
• Produce accurate, carefully prepared work in a timely manner
• Take responsibility for problems, understanding when to escalate and ask for support and guidance
• Prioritise tasks, manage time and communicate if there are any problems
• Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing using language appropriate to the task and the reader.

Relationship Management

• Work effectively as part of a team, offering support when required
• Perform consistently, to a high standard even when under pressure
• Maintain composure and know when to seek support and guidance
• Understand your internal and external clients
• Be discreet and trustworthy
• Obtain relevant information through effective listening and questioning
• Be professional and respectful to colleagues and clients.

Financial Contribution

• Maintain good financial disciplines, including accurately recording all time you are engaged on client matters
• Share ideas for how the Firm can continuously improve, including profit and process.

Marketing the Firm

• Be involved in a variety of marketing events e.g. attending job fairs, networking events and having a social media presence that is appropriate and professional
• Display an interest and passion for the profession and the market in which HCR operates
• Understand and demonstrate HCR values
• Promote and communicate positively about the firm.

What you'll need

To be eligible for one of our training contracts, you’ll need to have the following qualifications:

• Undergraduate Degree: A 2:1 or above, although this doesn’t need to be in law. If you read a non-law degree, you’ll need to take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or equivalent. Please let us know if there are extenuating circumstances which we can take into account if you haven't achieved a 2:1
• LPC or SQE: The Legal Practice Course must be undertaken by everyone who’s secured a training contract or is seeking to secure one. This course is usually a one-year, full-time course and aims to prepare students for work-based learning while providing a general foundation of practice. HCR will also support candidates who are undertaking SQE and funding options can be discussed with you. Whichever post graduate qualification you intend to taken, this must be completed prior to starting the Training Contract.

Benefits of working with us

• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
• Discretionary quarterly bonus scheme
• 27 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
• Happy People / Perks at Work benefits portal
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Life Assurance
• 1/3 gym membership contribution
• Flu vaccinations

What does HCR believe, achieve and stand for?

As a Times Best Law firm, among the UK Top 70, we provide the full range of services that you would expect to organisations, business leaders and individuals. However, in our mission to give everyone the opportunity to experience a different kind of legal service, we take an entrepreneurial approach.

We’re flexible and responsive to the needs of our clients, delivering the best outcomes for them. We have more than 800 lawyers and support staff, including more than 150 partners, and have been awarded the Law Society’s Lexcel quality mark in recognition of our compliance and client care standards.

With eleven offices in England and Wales our well-established presence stretches from west to east, ensuring clients can access a full-service legal offering no matter where they’re located. We’ve expanded significantly in Birmingham, Cardiff and the Thames Valley, and our merger with Hewitsons has led to the addition of two new office locations (Northampton and Milton Keynes), and even further growth in London and Cambridge.

With solid connections in the communities we work in, and a track record of delivering legal advice to businesses and individuals throughout the areas we base ourselves in, our clients continue to value our approach to providing legal advice, in the way they need, when they need it.

At HCR, we don’t just accept differences, we celebrate them. We want to attract a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and skills to create a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and which works together to achieve the best outcome for our clients.

We also want you to achieve your absolute best during the recruitment process. Please let us know of any changes we can make at any point that will help support your application. If this opportunity sounds of interest to you, please make an application and submit your CV.