Trainee recruitment

Training at Fladgate combines a first class education programme with real hands-on experience and client contact. The nature of our business and small intake of Trainees each year means you will be given exposure to high quality work with lots of responsibility from an early stage. We don’t expect you to learn by sitting on the side lines or standing at the photocopier; you will gain first-hand experience on a variety of deals both large and small. Where possible you will be given every opportunity to develop your drafting and negotiating skills in real life situations. During your two year training contract, you will sit in four seats across the various departments at the firm, giving you a diverse and well-rounded training experience. We are proud to have won awards for work-life balance and approachability.

The programme includes:

• A comprehensive induction programme.
• Seminars and practical workshops on basic and advanced legal skills during each of your four seats. This includes, in the first few weeks of each seat, three or four sessions on the topics you will come across most often, with a step by step guide to drafting relevant documents.
• Invitations to attend all other departmental meetings and training sessions as well as training sessions within the department where you are sitting.
• On-the-job training. You will work on a variety of deals both large and small. Where possible you will deal direct with the client and be given every opportunity to develop your drafting and negotiating skills in real life situations.
• A Professional Skills Course that will be undertaken externally and paid for by the firm
• A dedicated supervisor (a Partner or Senior Associate), mentor, and Trainee buddy, as well as a dedicated HR point-of-contact there to support you and with whom you will have regular check-ins

We offer a comprehensive sponsorship package to our Trainees who have yet to undertake the PGDL and/or SQE. We will pay the course fees of all our future students who study with our exclusive training Partner the University of Law (ULaw) for the PGDL and/or the SQE. We will also provide a maintenance grant of £7,000 per annum for studying the course(s) in London and £6,000 per annum for studying the course(s) outside of London.

We also offer a competitive salary plus benefits as follows:

• Holiday: 26 days
• Life assurance
• Staff introduction bonus
• New business bonus
• Group income protection scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Interest-free sports club loan
• Free in-house weekly personal training sessions
• Private medical scheme
• Group personal pension scheme

“The culture aids learning as I always feel comfortable asking questions. Fladgate is truly invested in the development of Trainees and I always feel supported” – Legal 500 survey of our Trainees.

“The quality of work, and the early level of responsibility given to Trainees, mean that you get constant exposure to real legal practice. I am in my first seat and am already drafting live documents for use in transactions, reporting directly to Partners to review and discuss matters, and having direct contact with clients via phone and email. Whilst this may seem daunting, the friendly team and regular supervisor check-ins mean you always have a good level of support around you. I feel comfortable asking senior colleagues questions to fill the gaps in my understanding, which are numerous at this stage of my career!” – Ollie Clark, first seat Trainee.

“There have been so many highs during my training contract at Fladgate, but the most enjoyable part so far has been getting to know such a wide range of people across the firm. From experienced Partners to newly qualified Associates, everyone has been so welcoming and taken a genuine interest in my development. It may sound cliché, but the people at Fladgate are genuinely nice, which has made it enjoyable to come into work each day.” – Harry Ross, fourth seat Trainee.

Recruitment Process:

The first stage is an online application form including competency-based, brief essay-style questions. If selected, you will complete an online test(s) and may be invited to undertake a short pre-recorded video interview. The next stage is an in-person assessment day held in our Covent Garden office, with both individual and group exercises, and a chance to network with our Trainees, Partners and Associates. The assessment day is just as much a chance for you to get to know us, as it is for us to get to know you!

The final stages of the application process will be a face-to-face interview with a Partner and a member of the Early Careers team, and a one-week vacation scheme at our offices.

Quotes from Assessment Day candidates:

"All the Partners that I spoke to were lovely and I had some very engaging conversations!”

“I had a wonderful time at the assessment day, and found the structure incredibly organised and well-balanced! The atmosphere was also really welcoming, and I enjoyed the presentations as I found these really informative. The time given for us to interact with Partners and Trainees was especially enjoyable!”

“The instructions were given really clearly, and while we were being assessed, I didn’t feel the presence of the assessors was overbearing, which created a calm environment for the exercise… I am certainly left feeling as though Fladgate wanted to help us perform the best we could by trying to create the least stressful environment possible."

Vacation Scheme:

We carefully select our Trainee intake from an annual Vacation Scheme which takes place during one working week over summer. The scheme provides our future Trainees an opportunity to gain hands on experience at the firm and a good understanding of what life as a Fladgate Trainee will be like. Over the course of the week, candidates will participate in a number of group and individual activities and assessments, undertake work assignments from current Trainees, Associates and Partners. It’s not all hard work and assessments though! We make the most of our fantastic location in Covent Garden and arrange numerous social events throughout the week with your fellow vacation-schemers and current Trainees and Associates. We also ensure our students have the opportunity to network with as many Fladgate staff and Partners as possible to give a truly rounded view on what the firm has to offer. The Vacation Scheme is a paid placement - all candidates receive £400 for the week.

Quotes from our most recent Vacation Scheme attendees:

“There’s been a great mix of sessions – the scheme was very well planned out and it was very enjoyable… I got to listen in on two client calls which was an invaluable experience.”

“I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of time allowed to us to experience what the departments are like – it’s nice that the week is useful for us to gain an insight and not just for Fladgate to determine who to offer a Training Contract to.”

“I was given a really interesting research task that was actually going to be used on a matter, which made it a meaningful experience.”

“Fladgate is a place where everyone can be themselves and I could not recommend it more highly.”

“I had a fantastic time on the vacation scheme – the firm is the perfect place to start your career and also to stay long-term.”