Training contract

About the programme

We recruit trainees in  London, Basingstoke/Reading (these offices operate as a split office), Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford and Oxford. Practice areas vary by office, so it’s important to consider which areas interest you most when selecting your preferred location.

Our training programme is widely respected in the legal sector. Independent surveys have recognised us for excellence in training, high-quality work, meaningful responsibility, and a supportive, inclusive culture.

We aim to match your career aspirations with real opportunities to learn from experts, take on active roles, and work with great colleagues. Here’s what you can expect:

Responsibility and client contact

• Our trainee intake is deliberately small, allowing you to take on real responsibility and work on matters from start to finish.
• You’ll regularly interact with clients, developing your client care skills with guidance from experienced supervisors.

Variety of work

• You’ll gain a solid grounding in the law, spending time in various practice groups across our main business divisions: dispute resolution, business services, private individuals, and real estate.
• Within your seats, work may involve multinational corporations, public companies, professional partnerships, banks, financial institutions, and private individuals.
• International and cross-jurisdictional matters are common, offering a rich and diverse experience.

Support throughout your contract

• Each seat includes a designated supervisor and team buddy.
• You’ll also be matched with a trainee buddy (a year ahead of you) and a mentor (a partner or senior associate) for impartial advice and support.
• The trainee appraisal process, which involves a mid-seat and end-of-seat review, will also ensure that you are given regular formal feedback and support with your development.

Training and career development

• You’ll begin with a week-long induction, followed by quarterly training sessions, tailored for trainees, that will focus on skills such as drafting, negotiation, personal branding, and relationship building.
• Know-how and team training sessions run throughout the year.
• Trainees are highly valued, and many have progressed to partner level. In September 2025, 100% of trainees were offered NQ positions.

Life at the firm

We recruit 12–15 trainees annually and value each one as an individual. You’ll build strong connections with fellow trainees and enjoy a supportive, inclusive culture.

• While there may be times when longer hours are required, our balanced work-life culture encourages you to maintain hobbies, interests, and social commitments.
• Our wellbeing strategy, Pennwell, supports mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing through informative webinars, walking challenges, and more.
• Each office has a sports and social committee made up of solicitors, trainees and support staff. The committees organise events such as theatre trips, quiz nights, bowling, and dining out. Firmwide events like the autumn party bring everyone together in a friendly, informal setting.
• Trainees can contribute to our DEI networks, gaining insight, building confidence, and connecting with colleagues across the firm.
• Responsible business initiatives offer meaningful ways to give back, develop new skills, and enrich life beyond legal work.

The recruitment process

All applications for our trainee solicitor programme are submitted online and reviewed after the application deadline.

• First stage – a competency-based telephone interview with a member of the early careers team.
• Second stage – a written assessment designed to reflect typical tasks a trainee may be asked to complete. No prior legal knowledge is required.
• Third stage – an interview with a partner and a member of the early careers team, which includes a presentation based on a legal case study.

If you require individual arrangements or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact the early careers team at traineepost@penningtonslaw.com.

SQE support and sponsorship

If you secure a training contract and have not completed the LPC, we will sponsor you to undertake the LLM SQE 1 & 2 course with BPP. We’ve worked with BPP to develop a bespoke programme that includes electives beyond the SQE syllabus. These modules offer commercial insight into law firms as businesses and explore the impact of emerging technologies.

You must pass this course before starting your training contract. We cover the full cost of the course and SQE exam fees, and provide a maintenance grant to support you while you study.

If you have not completed a law degree, you’ll need to complete the PGDL before starting the LLM SQE 1 & 2 course. We also cover the cost of the PGDL and offer a maintenance grant during this time.