Trainee Legal PA Programme

FQPS Academy Ltd.; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Fieldfisher in Belfast is launching a Trainee Legal PA Programme designed to give practical experience, structured training and exposure to high-quality work across a leading European law firm.

You will rotate through varied teams, gain on-the-job experience and receive personalised coaching from mentors and the Early Careers Team as you build confidence and professionalism for a long-term career in a legal support role.

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills and professional demeanour.
• Excellent organisation, attention to detail and reliability.
• Curious and proactive mindset with a willingness to learn.
• Teamwork with ability to work independently where needed.
• Strong IT skills with Microsoft Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Diary management across Partners, Lawyers and clients.
• Arrange meetings and ensure attendees have materials needed.
• Coordinate business travel and webinar logistics.
• Open/close files in electronic filing systems and manage mailboxes.
• Prepare letters, emails and presentations; liaise with billing and support teams.

Skills

Strong communication

Organisation & details

Curious & proactive mindset

Teamwork and independence

Reliability & professionalism

Microsoft Office proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Outlook

Job description

Commencing 31 August 2027, join Fieldfisher’s Business Services Centre in Belfast on our Trainee Legal PA Programme, designed to give you practical experience, structured training and exposure to high-quality work across a leading European law firm.

Why Fieldfisher?

Start with a strong network: Your journey begins with a full Early Careers induction, giving you the chance to meet your cohort, get to know the firm and build confidence from day one. You’ll also spend time in our London office, connect with Graduates, Trainee Solicitors and Apprentices, take part in networking opportunities, and enjoy social events designed to help you settle in and feel part of the firm from the beginning.

Work that supports the firm: You’ll work closely with our Legal PAs, Lawyers and Partners across a range of practice areas, gaining exposure to the way a leading law firm operates and developing the skills needed to support high-quality client delivery.

Support every step of the way: You won’t be expected to figure everything out alone. You’ll benefit from a structured training programme, personalised coaching, dedicated support from experienced mentors and guidance from our Early Careers Team.

Build a career, not just experience: Through departmental rotations, hands‑on learning and regular feedback, you’ll develop the confidence, professionalism and resilience to build the foundations for a long‑term career as a Legal PA.

What you’ll do

Across the programme you’ll rotate through varied teams and gain practical experience in work that may include:

• Diary management
• Ensuring client meetings and diary clashes do not occur
• Arranging meetings on behalf of Partners, Lawyers and clients, including ensuring they have the appropriate materials
• Arranging business travel and webinar arrangements
• File management, including opening and closing files using electronic filing systems
• Mailbox management
• Communicating with Lawyers on a regular basis
• Undertaking typing to support document preparation
• Taking messages from clients and passing them on to the relevant Lawyer
• Working with Legal Support Services across the firm, including the document production team and practice administration team
• Liaising with the billing team
• Preparing draft letters and emails
• Preparing presentations and meeting papers
• Opening new clients, supporting anti‑money laundering processes and working with the firm’s Risk Team
• Working with the Marketing Team to upload and update content on the firm’s website and internal intranet
• Supporting our Lawyers with business development, bids and related processes

You’ll rotate through our award‑winning practice areas, including Employment, Pensions, Immigration, Personal Injury and Medical Negligence, Corporate Tax and Private Client, Regulatory, Financial Markets and Products, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Intellectual Property, and Technology and Data.

You’ll follow a structured programme combining vocational training, practical on‑the‑job experience, personalised coaching and regular feedback. You’ll learn from experienced colleagues across the firm and receive support from your mentors and the Early Careers Team as you build confidence, professionalism and technical skills.

About you

We’re looking for motivated individuals who are ready to bring energy, curiosity and a willingness to learn. You’ll be someone who enjoys working with others, takes pride in delivering work to a high standard and is excited by the opportunity to build a career in a professional services environment.

You don’t need to have everything figured out from day one – what matters is that you are proactive, reliable and keen to grow.

We’re looking for people who can demonstrate:

• Strong communication skills – you can share information clearly, listen carefully and build positive working relationships.
• Great organisation and attention to detail – you can manage your time, prioritise tasks and take care in the work you produce.
• A curious and proactive mindset – you ask questions, look for solutions and are excited to keep learning.
• Teamwork and independence – you can contribute as part of a team but also take ownership of your own responsibilities.
• Reliability and professionalism – you are dependable, adaptable and willing to learn from feedback and new experiences.
• Strong IT skills – you are confident using Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Excellent customer service – you understand the importance of supporting colleagues, clients and teams in a professional and helpful way.
• Right to work in the UK before commencing the programme

Recruitment Process

• Online Application
• Online Assessment
• Video Interview with a member of the Early Careers or Recruitment Team
• Assessment Centre
• Offer and Pre‑Employment Checks

Inclusion is not exclusive:

If all our differences are highlighted, no one stands out for being different. At Fieldfisher, all our rich diversity is celebrated.

We will provide the equipment to allow you to shine at the interview and beyond. Just let us know what you need by contacting us at: [e-mail].

For accessibility information on our Belfast office, visit: Accessing Fieldfisher Belfast Hub Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher is proud to be an Opening Doors Employer with Business in the Community Northern Ireland. Through our Inclusion and Early Careers strategies, we are committed to broadening access to careers, attracting talent from diverse backgrounds, and creating a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We are not a UK firm with offices in Europe. We are a European law firm at our core. While our HQ is London, we are spreading across Europe at pace. In addition to UK, China and Silicon Valley we have offices in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Spain.

With 28 offices across 14 countries, we work collaboratively with each of our offices to ensure our clients receive the best advice and support. You might expect an impersonal office culture, but you will find a homely, family feel even in the largest offices.

Quality on both sides
Across all our offices and jurisdictions are market‑leading practices in corporate/M&A, finance, real estate, energy and natural resources, technology and life sciences.

We count as clients large corporations including major technology firms, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, energy suppliers, infrastructure companies, global banks and financial institutions.

We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. Applications will be considered on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

QWE

Will this role count as your QWE, and who will confirm it?

Check it against the SRA’s questions in two minutes. If there is no COLP or solicitor where you work, the SRA lets a solicitor outside confirm it: an FQPS solicitor can, from £149.