Training contract 2027

Welcome to Addleshaw Goddard - an international law firm, almost 250 years in the making. We’re trusted by over 3000 major organisations, including 51 FTSE 100 companies, to solve problems, deliver deals, defend rights, comply with regulations and mitigate risk. Our work spans more than 50 areas of business law, paving the way to deliver the best possible outcomes for clients across multiple industries. 

Appointed time and again, we help them do business, operate and grow - effectively and safely - in over 100 countries worldwide. And while the challenges our clients bring us may vary, we approach and solve them with the same, single-minded focus: finding the smartest way to achieve the biggest impact.

Our Values

From the work we do to the culture we foster and the partnerships we form, every last part of Addleshaw Goddard is driven by three core values: quality, imagination, and impact. 

We welcome everyone, support people to achieve their full potential, and always seek smart ways to have a positive impact – for our clients, colleagues, and communities around the world.

More imagination. More impact.

We act for clients whatever the scale of their requirements. We have been instructed by 51 FTSE 100 companies in the last 2 years, including Associated British Foods, SSE, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC and British Land. Our business is about strong client relationships built on successful delivery across national and international markets. Equally important is strong loyalty which is proven through the fact that 75% of our clients who have been with us for more than 10 years.

The range and scale of our work is compelling, and encompasses high value strategic advice to the everyday. It means we are able to attract talented, like-minded individuals who love what they do, are committed to our clients success, and strive to build valued partnerships through our collective energy and expertise.

Training Programme

We are more than just exceptional lawyers here. We attract talented aspiring lawyers from all backgrounds, who bring their own unique qualities, along with a collaborative approach, professional drive and a commitment to every client’s success. This is just one of the reasons we’re sure you will enjoy working with us.

As a trainee, important cases will come your way from the get-go. You will work on everything from multi-million-pound deals to high-profile fraud cases, employment disputes to complex technology contracts. Our success is intrinsically linked to yours, so we’ll always have your back and help you realise your potential.

As well as learning on the job, you will also have access to high-quality in-house and external training, a buddy scheme in your first seat, and a mentor throughout your training contract and beyond.

We now offer training contracts and in England we also offer graduate solicitor apprenticeships. Training contracts are typically four seats long, with opportunities to spend time in another of our offices as well as on secondment with clients. During each six-month seat, you will have regular two-way performance reviews with your supervising partner or solicitor. They will help you develop the skills you need to deal with the demanding work you will come across every day.

Graduate solicitor apprenticeships differ in that you will receive a salary whilst you study your SQE full time and your SQE 2 assessment would be completed during the course of your training contract. For more information about how training contracts and the graduate solicitor apprenticeships, please visit our website.

The best advocates of our graduate careers are the trainees themselves. See what some of them have to say about life at Addleshaw Goddard. 

Who should apply

We require a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent). Please note that we consider applications from those who have received a 2.2 with mitigating circumstances.

At Addleshaw Goddard, we’re looking for original minds and collaborative spirits alongside motivation, drive and commercial awareness. We’re constantly delighted by the diverse backgrounds of our best lawyers, and we’re open to law and non-law graduates alike, as well as those looking to change career. 

When and how to apply

We recruit for our training contracts and graduate solicitor apprenticeships solely from our placement schemes. Placement scheme applications open on 1 October 2024 and close on 6 January 2025. For more information and to apply please visit our website.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at Addleshaw Goddard

At Addleshaw Goddard, we recognise the importance of nurturing an inclusive culture to help us attract, retain and enable our people to be the best they can be.

In 2020 we introduced a new, Board approved inclusion strategy, which included:

• Allocating senior leadership roles across 5 key strands of inclusion (Disability, Ethnicity, Gender, LGBTQ+ and Social Mobility), including senior partners and business services leads.

• The setting of targets for ethnicity and gender across our business.

• The setting of short-, medium- and long-term goals to keep us accountable.

 Since 2020 we have kept our strategy under review to ensure that it remains ambitious and reflects the needs of our people.  And hope that this strategic approach will create greater equality within our firm and foster a greater sense of belonging amongst our people. 

 Now in 2024, our commitment to DE&I remains firm.  We've invested heavily in our employee networks (which now have nearly 700 members) which include:

• Ability Forum (disability and carers)

• AG Embrace (race and ethnicity)

• OpenAG (LGBTQ+)

• The Vine (gender)

• Social Mobility Volunteers (social mobility)

We also have two faith networks (our Muslim and Jewish communities) which colleagues can join.

For more information please visit https://www.addleshawgoddard.com/en/about-us/diversity/.