Trainee Solicitor

Laytons ETL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Laytons ETL, a commercial law firm serving UK and international clients, is recruiting trainees who will be part of our long-term future. The training programme provides comprehensive support to enable trainees to build a strong legal career in a collaborative environment, with hands-on client‑facing work from day one.

Over the two-year contract you will complete four six-month seats in different departments, supported by a dedicated supervisor and regular reviews.

Qualifications

• Hard-working mindset and commitment to a legal career.
• Strong academic record and ability to work in a collaborative environment.
• Good team player with professional conduct.

Responsibilities

• Complete a two-year training contract with four six-month seats.
• Work alongside partners and lawyers across departments.
• Potential secondments within the ETL network and involvement in business development.

Skills

Hard-working

Team player

Strong academics

Education

2:1 undergraduate law degree

2:1 non-law degree + GDL/PGDL/CPE

LPC completion

Job description

Type: Full-time | Level: Trainee Solicitor

About the Role

We recruit trainees who we believe will be part of our long-term future. We are looking for potential partners, not merely trainees. Our training programme provides comprehensive support and development to enable trainees to build a strong legal career within a collaborative environment. There are also opportunities to become involved in business development activities and attend networking events to broaden your experience.

Why Laytons?

Laytons is a commercial law firm providing advice to UK and international clients. We are big enough to attract quality clients but small enough to offer a personalised training programme where you will be ‘hands‑on’ from day one.

Our clients are a diverse mix, from high-net-worth individuals to corporate household names. Many of our matters are multi-jurisdictional in nature and provide the opportunity to work with lawyers and other professional advisors from around the world. You will not be kept hidden away – our trainees are an integral part of our team, and you will be involved in client‑facing work from the start.

As Laytons are part of the ETL Global network, opportunities may arise for trainee secondments within the legal ETL network.

Training Programme

Your training at Laytons will be focussed to ensure you acquire the skills required to become a well‑rounded solicitor at the end of your training. Over the two-year training contract, you will undertake four six‑month seats in different departments, working alongside lawyers who are experts in their field. You may also have the opportunity to undertake a secondment with a client or another law firm within the ETL network.

At the start, you will have a trainee induction so you know what to expect and can make a solid first step into your legal career with us. You will have a dedicated supervisor for every seat and will receive regular informal and formal reviews. There is also a partner with overall responsibility for trainees, whose metaphorical door is always open. We strive to create an environment where our trainees feel supported and driven to succeed.

Who we are looking for

It goes without saying that you should be hard‑working, dedicated to a career in law, and a good team player. Good academics are important, but if there is a reason why you feel your results do not reflect your ability, please tell us.

Eligibility requirements

LPC Route

• A minimum of a 2:1 in an undergraduate qualifying law degree, or
• A minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a non-law subject (or overseas equivalent in any subject) and a minimum of a pass in a GDL/PGDL/CPE (law conversion course) that cover the foundations of legal knowledge
• Successful completion of LPC prior to commencing training contract.

SQE Route

• A minimum of a 2:1 in an undergraduate qualifying law degree, or
• A minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a non-law subject (or overseas equivalent in any subject) and a minimum of a pass in a GDL/PGDL/CPE (law conversion course) that cover the foundations of legal knowledge.

We welcome applications from those for whom law is a second career and, due to the international nature of a lot of our work, applications from those with additional languages are encouraged.

For more details on our recruitment process, please visit our careers page: https://careers.laytons.com/training-contracts/

Pre-Employment Screening

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory pre-employment screening checks which are conducted by a third-party screening provider. Checks include (but not limited to) DBS check, employment references, qualifications and credit check.

Laytons ETL is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse workforce contributes to the success of our firm and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments will be made upon request for candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.