Nottingham Training Contract & Graduate - Level Solicitor Apprenticeship 2028

Gateley Legal; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal firm in the UK is seeking aspiring solicitors for their innovative training contract starting in 2028. Candidates will experience a balanced mix of practical training and formal sessions, mentored by qualified solicitors. Responsibilities include client interaction and skill development through a structured 25-month program, alongside opportunities to work in various legal areas. Ideal candidates should exhibit growth mindsets, collaborative spirit, and resilience in a demanding environment. Apply by January 9, 2026, for this unique opportunity.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Individual performance bonus

Learning and development opportunities

Flexible working patterns

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills and effective teamwork ability.
• Desire for continuous personal and professional development.
• Ability to manage time efficiently and work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Participate in a 25-month comprehensive training program.
• Engage directly with clients and participate in four six-month seats.
• Receive mentorship and technical training from experienced solicitors.

Skills

Growth Mindset

Collaboration

Time Optimisation

Personal Responsibility

Commercial Awareness

Relationship Management

Resilience

Pride in Work

Education

Complete a law degree by summer 2026 or earlier

Job description

About The Role

Your Path to a Rewarding Legal Career Starts Here

Are you a driven and ambitious individual with a passion for law? Gateley is offering an exciting opportunity for aspiring solicitors to join our training contract starting or graduate‑level solicitor apprenticeship in 2028.

Our available routes are :

• Non‑law graduates : Complete your degree by summer 2026, then study the PGDL and LLM (SQE1 & 2) before joining us in September 2028
• Law graduates : Study the LLM (SQE1 & 2) before starting in 2028
• LPC graduates : Join via the Professional Skills Course route
• Graduate‑Level Solicitor Apprenticeship : A 25‑month programme with one day a week at University of Law

What We Offer

Comprehensive Training : Our training contract provides a balanced mix of on‑the‑job learning and formal training sessions. You will receive supervision and mentoring from highly‑experienced solicitors, complemented by soft skills development training and quarterly coaching sessions from our talent development team. Our team of professional support lawyers will also provide regular technical training.

Four six‑month seats, giving you well‑rounded exposure to a number of areas of law.

Client Interaction

Engage directly with clients, building your confidence and professional network. You will have opportunities to work directly with clients allowing you to build your client‑care and communication skills. Your progress and performance will be discussed regularly with you as well as more formally at your mid‑ and end‑of‑seat reviews.

From day one in your first seat, you will be given as much responsibility as possible and will play a crucial role in your team.

What We’re Looking For

At Gateley, we seek candidates who bring a blend of key soft skills and a passion for personal and professional growth. Here’s what we value :

• Growth Mindset : We want people who are eager to develop, learn, and improve continuously, embracing challenges and actively seeking opportunities for self‑improvement.
• Collaboration : Teamwork is at the heart of what we do. We are looking for individuals who enjoy working with others, communicate effectively, and are committed to achieving collective success.
• Time Optimisation : The ability to manage time efficiently and prioritise effectively is essential. We value candidates who can organise their work to deliver the best results under pressure.
• Personal Responsibility : Accountability matters. We want individuals who take ownership of their work, make considered decisions, and are committed to delivering excellence.
• Commercial Awareness : Our trainees need to understand the business world, spot opportunities, and think commercially to support our clients effectively. We’re looking for people who are curious about how their work contributes to broader business objectives.
• Relationship Management : Building and nurturing strong professional relationships is key to success. We value those who can connect with others, network confidently, and build trust.
• Resilience : A legal career can be demanding. We seek individuals who are adaptable, recover quickly from setbacks, and remain positive and focused under pressure.
• Pride in Work : We’re after candidates who take pride in delivering high‑quality work and always strive to meet and exceed expectations.

How To Apply

Our assessment process consists of the following elements :

• Online application form – this will ask for key details such as your academic background and personal information along with a few screening questions.
• Interactive assessment (Jan 2026) – this assessment will present you with a range of questions that measure how suited you are to a career at Gateley.
• Video assessment (Feb 2026) – if you perform well in our initial online assessment, you will then be invited to complete a pre‑recorded video interview.
• Assessment centre (Mar 2026) – you will be invited to an in‑person assessment centre in the location you have applied to.
• Summer vacation placement (Jun / Jul 2026) – the SVP allows you to experience a week in the life of a Trainee Solicitor / Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprentice.

If your application has been successfully shortlisted following our initial review, you’ll be invited to complete our interactive assessment during the week commencing 12 January. You will then have 7 days to complete this. If you require any adjustments or if you are unable to complete the assessment within this timeframe, please let our team know at [email protected] .

Application Deadline : 9th of January 2026 . All applications will be reviewed once the closing date has passed.

Please only apply for ONE location.

About Us

The benefits

With support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around our great development and progression opportunities will reward your commitment and loyalty. We offer a competitive remuneration package where you'll be rewarded for your individual performance with an opportunity to receive an annual bonus.

In addition, we have a wide range of learning and development opportunities via our Learn platform to develop new skills and progress your career. Our My Flex comprehensive rewards package includes options covering annual leave (and the benefit of purchasing extra days), cycle to work, critical illness benefit, employee assistance programme, group personal pension, health care, season ticket loan and many more benefits (grade dependent). Finally, with Perks At Work / Home you can select a host of retail benefits that suit your needs alongside a Community Online Academy, free courses for all from fitness to coding to languages to hip hop dance.

We are Gateley

We are forward thinking and straight talking, our approach is to find solutions to the problems that our clients face. Gateley is a legal and professional services group, we are a group of formidable experts in all areas of law and business. Passionate problem solvers, we get our kicks from finding the right answers and getting our legal and business clients where they need to be. We support more than 5,700 active clients, ranging from FTSE 100 companies to private individuals, in the UK and beyond. Being part of Gateley is not just about the expertise that you bring; it’s about attitude too.

The' Gateley Story' is the story of our people and our culture. It is what has got us to where we are today as a successful business and it’s the driving force behind the Gateley Team Spirit and the values that have shaped it. We have a set of shared internal values that capture what the Gateley Team Spirit is and this includes five elements that bind us all together as one Gateley : Ambitious for Success, Forward Thinking, Room to Breathe, Trusted to Do and Working Together. Every year across the group, we recognise members of our team that have gone and above and beyond and have lived these shared values. They are recognised at our annual Gateley Team Spirit awards.

Diversity, inclusion and well being

Diversity, inclusion and well being is an important part of Gateley's culture and values. We recruit talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, providing equal opportunities for all to join our team regardless of age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, or culture.

We create an exciting and rewarding place to work that aims to fulfil everyone's potential and together to achieve personal and business goals. We offer flexible working patterns to help our staff achieve a good work / life balance and we encourage candidates seeking flexibility in their next role to apply for any of our vacancies.

We are proud to have been recognised by The Law Society as gold standard for our Diversity and Inclusion Charter and to be Stonewall Diversity Champions.

Additional Information

If you are successful in receiving an offer of a role with our company a variety of pre‑employment screening checks will be completed. Our screening checks can include but are not limited to your eligibility to work, professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records, your financial stability and references from previous employers. The screening that takes place will be relevant to your role and will vary from role to role.