2026 Placement Scheme / 2028 Training Contract - Office of the General Counsel

Addleshaw Goddard; Leeds; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a trainee solicitor for 2028, targeted at candidates in their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree. Successful applicants will attend placement schemes in Leeds, London, or Manchester, gaining experience in a variety of legal areas. The application window opens from 1st October 2025 to 6th January 2026.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be in their penultimate year of law or final year of non-law with at least a 2:1.
• Applications accepted from those with a 2:2 under mitigating circumstances.

Responsibilities

• Assist in various legal matters within the OGC.
• Engage in placement schemes across Leeds, London, or Manchester.

Skills

Aspiring personality

Confident

Committed

Education

Penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree with 2:1 or above

Job description

Who are we looking for?

There is no Addleshaw Goddard type. We are looking for authentic personalities who are aspiring, confident and committed to becoming great lawyers.

We want people who want to learn alongside the best in the profession, bringing their energy and passion to our team and our clients.

Candidates who are within their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non‑law degree, or beyond, and are on track for or have graduated with a 2 : 1 or above are eligible to apply. Please note that we consider applications from those who have received a 2 : 2 with mitigating circumstances.

Office of the General Counsel Training Contract

Our Office of the General Counsel (OGC), the Firm's internal legal team, is seeking a traineesolicitor for 2028. Successful applicants will take part in our placement schemes in Leeds, London or Manchester and will be assessed for a training contract during the scheme.

The OGC is our in‑house legal team which advises the Firm on its professional and regulatory obligations and risk management and provides support and guidance across a range of areas. A training contract within the OGC is designed for candidates who are interested in a career in‑house. This training contract will give you a broad range of experience and will cover four seats in any of the following areas:

• Commercial and Regulation
• Conflicts and Escalations
• Financial Crime and Sanctions
• Data Protection
• Claims and Complaints

At the end of your two‑year training contract, you will be eligible to qualify into the OGC team. The OGC Placement Scheme & Training Contract is a separate process from our private practice Placement Scheme and Training Contract opportunity, therefore, although there may be an opportunity to gain experience in the practice, there is no expectation that you will be placed in any of our 4 core practice areas outside of the OGC throughout your training contract.

Placement Scheme

We offer a week‑long Easter work placement in London, and two‑week summer work placements in Leeds and Manchester.

This is a scheme as unique as you are. As well as informative sessions, group exercises, assessed work and plenty of time at your desk, you will attend social events with a range of people across the office. It's a real chance to get to know our people and our culture. Successful candidates will then go on to be offered a training contract with the firm to commence in 2028.

Eligibility

Candidates who are within their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non‑law degree, or beyond, and are on track for or have graduated with a 2 : 1 or above are eligible to apply. Please note that we consider applications from those who have received a 2 : 2 with mitigating circumstances.

Virtual Information Session

Please note that we are holding a virtual information session on Thursday 20th November so if you are interested in learning more about a training contract in the OGC, please sign up via our website.

International Applicants and Sponsorship

Other Information

Application window: 1st October 2025 – 12pm, midday 6th January 2026. Please note that both the online registration form and the critical thinking test must be completed by the deadline.

Please note that we accept one application per intake year. Therefore you can only apply for one location so please ensure you have decided where you would like to be based before applying.