Early Careers | Graduate Recruitment | Fieldfisher
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Early Careers

Are you ambitious, bright and entrepreneurial – just like us? Join any one of our Early Careers Programmes and you will get a greater understanding of our breadth of services, our expertise and insights and why our clients choose us.

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At Fieldfisher, people are vital to our success. Our clients choose us for our expertise, our understanding, and our insight. Without the support and fresh perspectives of our Trainees and Apprentices, this would not be possible. 

But it’s not just about providing award winning, cutting edge advice, it’s about our relationships with our clients and with each other – we pride ourselves on our Fieldfisher community. We are a caring, sharing bunch with huge numbers involved in Corporate Responsibility. We promote inclusiveness and diversity, encourage innovation and endorse collegiality every step of the way.

Our offering is unique.  Yes, you will get to work with some amazing clients like the BBC or may be seconded to one of our international offices like Silicon Valley or Berlin, but you will also work with some incredible people who are industry experts in their field. These are the people who will guide and nurture you and inspire you to achieve great things.

We believe in giving you maximum exposure and a variety of experiences, which is essential if you are to become the lawyer of tomorrow and be a trusted advisor to your clients. We encourage all Fieldfisher employees to bring their real selves to work, so there’s a place for every background, journey, passion and interests at our firm.

We have a number of programmes and opportunities available for students who are interested in a career in Law. Whether you're in school or University, we have a programme for you.

With Trainees and Apprentices based in our Birmingham, London and Manchester offices, we can assure you that you will join a network of hard-working, friendly and professional employees.

Scroll down to find out more.

Upcoming Events

EventsDateTimeLocationRegistration Link
London Networking Evening 02/10/2023 17:30 - 19:30 London Office Please register your interest here
BIUCAC Trainee Q&A 16/10/2023 18:00 - 19:00 Virtual Please follow registration links on the BIUCAC website
Bright Network - Breaking Barriers 18/10/2023 12:00 – 17:00  Virtual Please follow registration links on the Bright Network website
Manchester Networking Evening 24/10/2023 17:30 - 19:30 Manchester Office Please register your interest here
Employability Series (Part 1) 30/10/2023 17:30 – 18:30 Virtual Please register your interest here
Applications and Online Strengths
Virtual Networking Evening 31/10/2023 18:00 – 19:30 Virtual Please register your interest here
Birmingham Networking Evening 06/11/2023 17:30 - 19:30 Location TBC Please register your interest here
Fieldfisher Academy – 3 week Commercial Awareness series  09/11/2023 15:00 – 16:00 London office Please register your interest here
16/11/2023
21/11/2023
Legal Cheek Law Fair 21/11/2023 TBC  Virtual Please follow registration links on the Legal Cheek website


Our Programmes

First Steps with Fieldfisher is a programme specifically for first year students or students in their second year of a four year course in any degree subject. The programme will give you an insight into a career at Fieldfisher and put you in a strong position to apply for any other Early Careers programme in the future.
 
On day one, you'll learn more about us, our culture, work and our strategy. You will also attend workshops that will help you develop your personal and professional skillset.

During day two you'll shadow a Trainee or an Associate, gaining real life experience of a Solicitor in a commercial City Law Firm.
 
You will also have a number of opportunities to socialise with our Fee Earners through networking events and an evening social.

Requirements:

  • Applicants must be a first year student or a student in their second year of a four year course.
  • On track to achieve a 2:1 in any degree discipline

Recruitment process:

  1. Complete an online application form
  2. Complete our online strengths assessment

For this programme, we don't recruit on a rolling basis, so all decisions and offers to join the programme will be made after the closing date.

Please contact our dedicated Early Careers Team if you would like to discuss any adjustments to application process. 

Applications are currently closed. Applications for the 2024 programme in Manchester and London will open on 1 October 2023.

We know that a diverse workforce is fundamental to our success as a firm. That means not just financial success, but success with our people feeling comfortable and valued in their roles.
 
It also means success for our clients, knowing that there is a team of people capable of looking at their issues with a broad range of ideas and experiences.
 
This two-week programme is aimed at applicants from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the legal profession, who wish to pursue a career in law.
 
During the scheme, applicants will have an opportunity to gain work experience at a top City Law firm, develop personal and professional skillsets and build networks along the way. You will also hear from the in-house legal team at Peloton, one of the firm's clients, who will share insights about what clients look for and expect from their lawyers and give you a snapshot into their day-to-day lives.
 
Students who are accepted into the Diversity Access Scheme will be invited to apply for an additional two weeks of work experience at Peloton, where they will work closely with Peloton's in-house legal team.
 
Underrepresented students and graduate groups accessing the legal profession include, but are not limited to: 

  • Students from a minority ethnic community
  • LGBTQ+ students
  • Students with a disability
  • State educated students
  • Neuro-diverse students
  • First generation to attend university
  • Requirement for financial assistance, not available to you through any private means, in order to be able to continue your education  
Requirements: 
  • Be on track to achieve, or have already received, a 2:1 in any degree discipline
  • Be dedicated to a career in law
  • Be from a background that is underrepresented in the legal profession as listed above 
Recruitment process: 
  1. Application form
  2. Online strengths assessment
  3. Virtual Assessment Centre 

We have designed our application process to be rigorous but fair. We review applications on a rolling basis so would encourage you to apply as early as possible. As with all application processes, there are several stages but Fieldfisher's dedicated Early Careers Team will be on hand throughout the entire process to give you all support you need.

Applications are currently closed. Applications for the 2024 programme in Birmingham, Manchester and London will open on 1 October 2023.
 

Our Summer Vacation Scheme is a paid opportunity open to final-year students of all degree disciplines, as well as penultimate year law students.

Across the two weeks you will get a good understanding of what it’s like to work here, experience our culture and a real-life insight into the type of work you may be asked to support with as a Trainee.
 
You will attend an induction with other Vacation Scheme participants from the other offices, attend workshops, team-building events and social events organised by our Social Committee.
 
Your supervisor will be a qualified lawyer and one of our current Trainee intake will be your buddy for the scheme.

Applications are currently closed. Applications for the 2024 programme in Birmingham will open on 1 October 2023.

Once you have received your offer

Once you've secured your Training Contract, right up until the point you start as a trainee, we will build our relationship with you.
 
We will support you through your Post Graduate studies, we will keep in touch and provide meaningful opportunities for you to engage with the Firm, through a range of events, newsletters and seminars.  These include insight talks, regular socials and involvement in firm wide charity and sports events.

You’ll also be assigned a “buddy” - a Newly Qualified Solicitor (NQ) who will have been in your position not long ago. They’re there to answer all your questions – so don’t feel shy – they’ll know exactly how you’re feeling.

If that isn’t enough, your dedicated Early Careers Team will be on hand to support you through your training contract journey.

Training at Fieldfisher

During your Training Contract, you will work on real work with real clients - you will not find yourself next to the photocopier all day.

Over the two years you you'll gain experience in different practice areas. You will complete four seats each six-months in length, from a diverse range of departments from Real Estate to Personal Injury to Finance or Technology. We do not have any compulsory seats but we do encourage trainees to experience the departments that make the firm who we are today.  You will also have the chance to be seconded to a number of our clients or to one of our international offices.

In every seat, you can look forward to working with a supervisor who will be a Senior Associate, Director or Partner with a huge amount of legal experience.  It’s their job to make sure you get the best experience in every seat, by providing you with a variety of client work and being on hand to offer all the support and guidance you need.

Regular feedback is vital to your growth and development. Regular meetings with your supervisor and the Early Careers Development Manager are built into each seat rotation, to ensure that you are staying on track and receiving the support that you need along the way.
 
The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE)

From September 2021, every graduate looking to pursue a career in Law will need to pass the Solicitor's Qualifying Examination (SQE). The current route of the Legal Practice Course (LPC), following an undergraduate law degree or law conversion course, has been replaced with the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). 
 
All future Trainees starting their Training Contract with us from September 2024 onwards will undertake the SQE path to qualification.
 
We are proud to be working with The University of Law and have designed our new SQE preparation programme, which will cover the preparation for both the SQE1 and SQE2 assessments. The Fieldfisher programme will also include an additional set of four modules, which will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to have a well-rounded training contract and a long lasting career with us.
 
SQE1 will assess your legal knowledge through multiple-choice examinations and an online assessment in Legal Research and Writing and SQE 2 will assess your legal skills through practical examinations and assessments. Both of these exams will be frontloaded prior to you starting your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Our Training Contract will provide you with the two years’ qualifying work experience required to qualify as a solicitor.
 
Although it’s no longer a regulatory requirement by the SRA, all non-law prospective trainees will still be required to study the PGDL (Postgraduate Diploma in Law) with the University of Law before commencing the SQE.
 
More information on the Postgraduate Conversion Course and the SQE can be found on the SRA website.
 
This programme is recruited for on a rolling basis. We support applicants through the application process from the start of a campaign, so we would encourage an early submission where possible.
 
Please contact our dedicated Early Careers Team if you would like to discuss any adjustments to the application process.

Applications are currently closed. Applications for Training Contracts commencing in 2026 in Birmingham, London and Manchester open on 1 October 2023.
 

We offer Solicitor Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships within our Business Support functions, such as HR and IT. For more information on our Business Support apprenticeships please go to the Business Services section of our Career pages.

We are looking for post A-level students dedicated to a career in Law to join the Firm in September 2023.

The Solicitor Apprenticeship is an alternative path to going to University that offers the same career destination, but avoids the expensive fees. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking for an alternative to University and offers an alternative route to becoming a qualified lawyer in England & Wales.

Our Solicitor Apprenticeship allows you to earn whilst you learn, with a structured programme, which is approximately six years in length. It combines paid work experience and training at a Law Firm with part-time study for a professional qualification.

During your first four years you will work with one team, developing your legal knowledge, building your academic knowledge of the Law as well as developing your internal and external network. In the final two years you will join the trainee solicitor intake and commence four additional seat rotations, each of six months.

Throughout the six years you will be working for four days per week and spend one day studying with The University of Law.

Application Process
Stage one - Complete an online application form
Stage two - Complete our online strengths assessment
Stage three – Phone interview with the Early Careers Team
Stage four – Assessment centre
Stage five – Final Stage Interview
 
Applications will open Friday 13th January 2023 and will close at 23:59 on Friday 17 February 2023.
 
This programme is recruited for on a rolling basis. We start screening application forms and interviewing candidates from the start of a campaign. We would encourage an early submission if possible.
Please contact our dedicated Early Careers Team if you would like to discuss any adjustments to the process. 

Salary and Benefits


 

London

 Birmingham

 Manchester

Apprentice starting salary

 £21,000

£20,000

£20,000

Trainee starting salary

£46,000

£30,000

£30,000

Newly Qualified Salary

£92,000

£60,000

£60,000

Maintenance grants for Post Graduate Studies. 

All our future trainees attend The University of Law for their GDL and LPC/SQE studies. Future Trainees who study a degree other than Law will also study for the Graduate Diploma in Law (pGDL).

These qualifications can be taken at any branch of The University of Law, but most of our trainees join a cohort of fellow Fieldfisher trainees at the Moorgate campus.

We cover the fees for both qualifications and we offer the following maintenance grants: 

GDL:  £8,000
LPC: £8,000

Additional benefits


  • Flexible benefits - Life assurance, Travel insurance, Income protection, Critical illness cover, Dental cover
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Interest free season ticket loan
  • Pension scheme - new employees receive 4% matched contribution by default. You can increase contributions, and the firm will match to 5%.
  • Medical insurance

Graduate brochure

Download our graduate brochure which outlines our training contract programme.

Download

School leaver brochure

Download our school leaver brochure which outlines our solicitor apprenticeship programme and selection process.

Download

Testimonials

Throughout my training in Manchester, I felt supported to take on new challenges which were entirely outside my comfort zone. A career in law requires you to be resilient, and learning in this environment teaches you to constantly develop and grow. It was a steep learning curve – which was great fun, and the feeling when you get great feedback or a good result makes it all worthwhile. Training at Fieldfisher not only strengthens your knowledge and experience, but helps you to develop your wider skill set to equip you to handle a whole range of new situations as they arise.

Associate, EPIC (Employment)

Rachel Rigg

Fieldfisher appealed to me because as well as having a good reputation in solid traditional areas such as property, company/commercial and technology, they also dealt with claimant side Personal Injury/ Medical Negligence and had a strong Regulatory Practice which are less common in City Law Firms. I thought they were also an indication of the Firm's general approach and social conscience – there is room for all.

I really enjoyed my time as a trainee – I was given a broad range of experience and made some great friends who I still see regularly - many are still at the Firm. I qualified into the Real Estate Team in 1994. The learning curve was steep, but my colleagues and the clients were really nice…so nice in fact, that when I left the Firm in 1996 to travel, I kept in touch with colleagues and clients alike, and was delighted to be able to re-join when I came back to the UK in 1998. What I do is tangible - I see and visit properties I have bought, sold and let every day – wine bars, restaurants, shops, hotels, offices, new developments... I tend to act for occupiers of properties, whilst other colleagues in the team act more for landlords or deal with property related disputes, planning, construction, property finance and energy. We deal with single properties and transactions involving hundreds of properties. We also work closely with other teams in the Firm (such as tax, corporate, franchising and employment) as most businesses have property interests. Since becoming a partner in 2002 I have also had the pleasure of looking after new trainees who join our team.

Partner, Real Estate

Ramatu Banga

I was drawn to a career at Fieldfisher because of the quality of the training, the culture of the firm and the strong emphasis on diversity. I secured a vacation scheme through the Diversity Access Scheme, and after that I accepted a training contract at the firm. As a trainee, the work can often be challenging. However, Fieldfisher has a great culture which means everyone is happy to help you when needed, your contributions are genuinely appreciated and you are valued not just as a professional, but as an individual too.

Trainee Solicitor

Minhaal Datoo

I joined Fieldfisher as a solicitor apprentice to study and work on a six year apprenticeship with no previous legal experience. Throughout my apprenticeship at Fieldfisher my knowledge and confidence has grown through the support of fee earners who take the time to understand the apprenticeship and assist on any queries I have. With work-based learning I am able to gain real life experience as well as being able to match the studying with everyday work tasks. As an apprentice you must be able to find the right balance of work and study. At Fieldfisher you are well supported in everything you do and the firm is one that truly invests in your future as a qualified solicitor.

Solicitor Apprentice

Ellen Austin

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