Training contract

The programme

Our training contracts are designed to offer trainees a breadth of experience and consist of four seats that are rotated every six months, with the aim of providing trainees with as much exposure as possible to our business and clients. During your training contract, we will work with you to ensure that your career aspirations and interests are met, all while learning from recognised experts, taking on real responsibility and interacting with great colleagues.

We offer training contracts in London, Basingstoke/Reading, Cambridge, Guildford and Oxford. You can find out more about the seats available in each location here. Please note that available seats will vary each rotation. Hear from some of our current trainees about their experiences of working at Penningtons Manches Cooper here.

The recruitment process

All of our applications are received online and assessments are conducted on a rolling basis. To avoid disappointment, please apply as early as possible as places may already have been filled by the deadline date.

First stage
The first stage consists of a competency based telephone interview with a member of the early careers team.

Second stage
You will be required to complete a written assessment which incorporates typical tasks a trainee may be asked to complete. No prior legal knowledge is required for this.

Third stage
The final stage consists of an interview with a partner and member of the HR team, which will also incorporate a presentation based on a legal case study.

If you require any special assistance or adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact the early careers recruitment team at traineepost@penningtonslaw.com

For the best start to your career, we recommend applying for one of our vacation schemes, as they offer real insight into what it is like to work at Penningtons Manches Cooper. A large proportion of our training contract positions are recruited through our vacation scheme, and if this is your end goal, applying for and completing the vacation scheme is a good route to take. You can find out more about our vacation scheme placements here.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for dedicated, diverse candidates with a strong academic record and commercial awareness. You should be passionate about law, a great team player and have exceptional communication skills.

We welcome applications from all degree disciplines and from applicants at all stages of their careers – we see the value people can bring when they have gained relevant experience in other roles. You’ll have, or be on track to have, a 2:1 degree or higher and a minimum of AAB at A-Level (or the equivalent if educated outside the UK). If you do not meet these criteria and feel that your grades do not reflect your abilities, please include the context of this within your application. Please note that undergraduate applicants must be in their penultimate or final year of a law degree or their final year of a non-law degree.