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. Academic training is delivered either part time or full time by the University of Law where 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).
Our trainees rotate seats over a two-year training contract providing them with experience in different areas of law.
Trainees are supported by tutors at the University of Law and will have guidance from a supervisor and an assigned trainee mentor at Freeths.
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 to qualification at Freeths, the Direct Entry route (First and Penultimate year students) and our Legal Graduate Programme (Final year Students and Graduates). Find out more about both below.
The programme is open to both law and non-law graduates. Non-law graduates will need to have completed the PGDL or MA Law conversion before applying. The firm will make a significant contribution to PGDL fees for candidates who successfully secure a Training Contract on the Graduate programme.
All new trainees will follow the SQE route to qualification, we are no longer accepting candidates with the LPC.
“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 two pathways that lead to qualification as a solicitor: Direct entry (First year and Penultimate Year Students) and our Legal Graduate Programme (Final Year Students and Graduates). 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.
Kickstart your legal career and engage with us in your first year of university. We welcome first-year law 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 Legal 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 the Full-time study route in the September after their graduation and will Join Freeths the following year.
Legal Graduates join our Legal Graduate Programme on a nine-month fixed term contract. Legal Graduates 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 Graduate 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 Graduates will continue in their role.
Applications for the Legal Graduate 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. Those who have already graduated are also eligible to apply. As part of our ongoing commitment to social mobility and inclusion, we have no grade level entry requirements for this programme.
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 Future Talents team today
To find out more about starting your legal career with us, fill in the form on the right.
