Graduates
Are you a standout individual? At Freeths, we are committed to guiding our talented graduates to be the best they can be. As well as developing your career, you will find a dynamic environment where your skills are truly valued!
Becoming a qualified solicitor at Freeths
Formal training to become a qualified solicitor at Freeths is delivered by way of our traineeship (graduate apprenticeship). The traineeship is a 25-month programme delivered by the University of Law whereby our trainees will prepare for and sit the solicitor qualifying examinations, SQE 1 and SQE 2.
Trainees are required to complete two years' qualifying work experience (QWE) which runs alongside their studies. Our trainees rotate seats during the two years providing them with experience in different areas of law.
During the traineeship, trainees will spend four days a week in the office, learning on the job, and one day a week studying with the University of Law. Trainees are supported by a skills coach at the University of Law and will have further guidance from a supervisor and an assigned trainee mentor at Freeths.
There is an option to further study up to a master’s qualification. All course fees are funded by Freeths.
Once the trainee has completed our traineeship and passed the SQE they will be ready to qualify as a solicitor.
There are two routes for graduates to qualify as solicitors with Freeths: the direct route and our Legal Assistant Programme. Find out more about both below.
Applications to our Legal Assistant Programme reopen 1 October 2024.
“I started the Freeths legal assistant programme and have never looked back! The programme was an excellent way of starting my legal career as it enabled me to adapt to the legal working environment and learn ‘on the job’ whilst fully being supported by Freeths throughout.”
Hurmus Oltan
Managing Associate at Freeths Leicester
“Within five minutes of being introduced to the team, I was knee deep in the preparation of a 50 lever arch file trial bundle for a multimillion pound claim in the High Court.”
Andrew Rathi
Managing Associate at Freeths Nottingham
Find out more
We are committed to guiding our talented graduates to be the best they can be. As well as developing your career, at Freeths, you will find a dynamic environment where your skills are truly valued.
We offer graduates two pathways that lead to qualification as a solicitor: direct entry and our Legal Assistant Programme. If you are at school or college and want to learn more about starting your legal career after your A Levels, please read about our solicitor apprenticeship.
Get a head start in your legal career and engage with us in your first year of university. We welcome first-year students to join us for an insight day at one of our national offices. On the day, students will learn about Freeths, meet our fantastic people and build skills which will strengthen their graduate application. We want to meet students that are driven, collaborative and eager to learn.
Following our insight day, a selection of students will be offered a work experience placement with us. This will take place in their penultimate year of university. Students who excel on the work experience placement will be offered a training position with us on our traineeship. A start date will be agreed at the time of offer. We expect that, in most cases, successful candidates on our direct entry will join us in the September after their graduation and will be enrolled to start the course in February.
Non-law degree students can apply to our direct entry programme. They will undertake the long form traineeship, which includes the graduate law essentials course.
Legal assistants join our Legal Assistant Programme on a nine month fixed term contract. Legal assistants provide legal support to trainees, lawyers and partners within their department. The programme is structured so that performance is reviewed at three monthly intervals (three, six and nine months).
At nine months, we will decide whether to offer the legal assistant formal training to qualify as a solicitor. If successful, this will be delivered through our traineeship and a start date would be confirmed at the point of offer. There will be a period between the offer of a place on our traineeship and it starting, and, during this time, legal assistants will continue in their role.
We aim for two start dates for legal assistants every year: one in January and one in July.
Applications for the Legal Assistant Programme are open year-round and prospective applicants should apply during their final year of university to start with us in either July or January following their graduation.
Non-law degree students can apply to our legal assistant programme. If successful on the legal assistant programme, they will undertake the long form traineeship, which includes the graduate law essentials course.
A challenging environment
Get exposure to a variety of departments, with a stimulating mix of mentoring and courses. Our graduates make a real difference to our firm – we will support you to develop a successful long-term career with us.
A diverse team of people
At Freeths, we pride ourselves on being a diverse and inclusive firm, offering opportunities for everyone.
Whether you're looking to gain work experience while completing your degree or seeking a new direction, our graduate programmes provide flexible learning routes to suit your needs.
There’s no typical Freeths candidate — we welcome a vibrant mix of trainees from both law and non-law backgrounds. You can join us straight after graduation or after completing your Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
Our accreditations & partnerships
We are proud to be celebrating another year of accreditations, rankings and partnerships.
Contact our Early Careers team today
To find out more about starting your legal career with us, fill in the form on the right.
