Solicitor Training Contracts

Launch your law career with Herrington Carmichael’s two-year, full-time Training Contract in Farnborough. A Legal 500 recognised firm.

Become a Solicitor with Herrington Carmichael

Our two-year, full-time Solicitor Training Contract in Farnborough gives you hands-on experience, dedicated mentoring and the opportunity to rotate through multiple different practice areas. You’ll work directly with clients, develop your expertise across both contentious and non-contentious matters, and be part of a firm ranked in Legal 500.

At Herrington Carmichael, we invest in our future talent. From September 2026, successful Training Contract applicants will be eligible for financial support toward completing their LLM incorporating SQE1 and SQE2.

This approach reflects our long-term commitment to professional development. It is designed to reduce financial barriers, widen access to the profession, and provide a high-quality, structured route to qualification.

Key Facts at a Glance 

  • Location: Farnborough, Hampshire, UK
  • Start dates: March or September each year
  • Length: 2 years, full-time
  • Rotations: 3–4 seats across areas such as Corporate, Property, and Private Client
  • Eligibility: SQE1 & SQE2 before start date
  • Funding: A subsidy towards the cost of the LLM (SQE1&2) & SQE1 & 2 Exam Fees for all future Trainee Solicitors
  • Application deadlines: Rolling recruitment for upcoming intakes; Spring Assessment Centre deadline 1 March; Autumn Assessment Centre deadline 1 September

What our Trainees say...                                                 

One year into my TC, I’ve been brilliantly supported in developing my passion for Family Law. The programme was tailored to give me more time in my chosen area while encouraging inter-departmental collaboration. I am attending major conferences like At A Glance, producing content for Family Law Week, and am gaining hands-on experience exploring and drafting a wide range of assignments across children and finance matters, including separation agreements, nuptial agreements, consent orders and parenting plans. The team is incredibly friendly, and my boss has been fantastic in providing guidance and opportunities.

- Alexandra Hawkes, Trainee Solicitor, Family
As a Trainee Solicitor at Herrington Carmichael, I am challenged in various ways each day, ensuring I develop the core skills to qualify as a solicitor. I have particularly valued the opportunity to work closely with a range of clients, gaining practical insight into complex matters while learning from my mentors and developing my skills. The variety of work across different training seats, as well as within the training seats, has broadened my perspective and allowed me to take on real responsibility. I enjoy the supportive environment, as the mentorship and collaboration make each stage of training feel purposeful and engaging.

- William Chapman, Trainee Solicitor, Real Estate
As I come to the end of my training contract, I reflect on the breadth of experience I’ve been able to gain over the past two years. From the outset, I’ve had hands-on involvement in a wide range of matters, including complex and challenging work that has helped me develop both technical and practical skills. The high level of training and support from the team has been instrumental in giving me the confidence to take on more responsibility and develop my skillset. I’ve also had the opportunity to shape my training contract around a chosen area of law, which has allowed me to prepare for qualification.

- Maryam Nackvi, Trainee Solicitor, Employment
My training contract at Herrington Carmichael has been both enjoyable and rewarding. I have been granted the freedom to pursue the area of law which interests me most whilst feeling encouraged to develop a number of specialisms. I have found my colleagues and supervisors to be supportive and friendly, as well as deeply knowledgeable. Throughout the two years I have been given increased responsibility to the point that I now feel well-prepared for qualification.

- Tomos Diment, Trainee Solicitor, Real Estate

SQE Funding and Development Pathways

SQE Funding

From September 2026, successful Training Contract applicants will be eligible for a subsidy toward completing their LLM incorporating SQE1 and SQE2. Individuals will be required to self-fund the remaining balance. Where applicable, the Herrington Carmichael team can provide guidance on accessing a UK Government Postgraduate Loan.

Development Pathways

We recognise that candidates progress towards qualification through different routes, shaped by their experience, circumstances and learning needs. Our three development pathways, outlined below, are intentionally flexible to reflect this. During the recruitment process, your skills, experience and aptitude will help determine which pathway best supports your development. 

Pathway 1

Full-Time Study 

This route supports immediate progression into full-time study for the LLM incorporating SQE1 and SQE2 upon completion of the LLB or PGDL, ahead of commencing your Training Contract and obtaining your Qualifying Work Experience.

This pathway suits individuals who are ready to focus on academic preparation before transitioning into practice.

Pathway 2

Integrated Study & Work 

This route is designed for individuals who’d benefit from combining academic study with practical legal experience.

You will join Herrington Carmichael in a Support Function, for example as a Legal Assistant or Legal Secretary, working four days per week and studying one day per week on the 24-month part-time LLM programme.

Then you will commence your Training Contract and obtain your Qualifying Work Experience. Note: Time spent in a Support Function prior to this will not count towards QWE.

What You’ll Gain 

We are committed to developing well-rounded solicitors by focusing on:

  • Responsibility: From day one you will take on client work
  • Technical skills: drafting, legal research, case management
  • Interpersonal skills: client communication, teamwork, negotiation
  • Commercial awareness: understanding client priorities, industry trends, and market context
  • Legal expertise: building strong specialisms in your chosen practice area by qualification
An Environment for Your Success

We believe our success is driven by our people. You’ll have:

  • Continuous development reviews and annual appraisals
  • A tailored learning and development plan
  • Opportunities to create and pursue your own Business Development (BD) goals
  • Support to grow your professional network and industry profile

Many of our partners began their careers here as trainees, demonstrating our commitment to retaining and promoting talent.

A Culture You’ll Enjoy

Our culture blends professional excellence with a strong sense of community. As a trainee, you can expect:

  • Charitable initiatives with partner charities and a strong CSR agenda, with ambassadors representing trainee interests
  • A dedicated trainee ambassador to support and advocate for the group
  • Regular team and trainee socials, firmwide events, bi-annual parties, and end-of-month drinks
  • Sporting events and other opportunities to connect with colleagues beyond the office

Apply for a Training Contract

Launch your legal career with our dynamic solicitor training program! Gain hands-on experience from day one, working alongside expert mentors and tackling real client matters. Our comprehensive training and supportive environment empower you to develop the skills and confidence to excel. Join us and become a successful, well-rounded solicitor.

Apply now for our 2026, 2027 and 2028 intakes!

Application Form

Solicitor Training Contract FAQs

Candidates require a first or 2:1 degree qualification. Other candidates with a 2:2 result, proven skills, and extenuating circumstances as to their degree result will also be considered. Candidates must have successfully completed the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) inclusive of both the SQE1 and SQE2, prior to commencing their Training Contract. 

All of our Training Contracts are based in our Head Office in Farnborough. We only consider candidates within the counties we operate, which are Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, and Sussex. 

We look for individuals who fit in with our values of Growth, Relationships, Ambition, Collboration and Excellence. 

Our trainee recruitment process involves multiple stages. Following application individuals are shortlisted based on the academic and location criteria outlined above. Individuals are issued an aptitude test and upon successful completion are invited to a first stage online interview. Should individuals successfully pass this interview, they are invited to an assessment centre. If they pass the assessment centre, they are invited to a final stage, in-person interview. 

Our trainees will be based in our Farnborough office and will experience two to three different practice areas during their Training Contract.

Our scheme provides the opportunity to gain experience in multiple disciplines. We tailor your training contract and decide your training seats based on business needs, trainee preference and potential availability of roles within the Firm on qualification.

At interview stage, we discuss with applicants their preference for a focused Training Contract experience:

  • Property – comprising the possibility of experience in areas such as Residential Property, Commercial Property and Dispute Resolution.
  • Private Client – comprising the possibility of experience in areas such as Residential Property, Private Wealth & Inheritance and Family.
  • Business – comprising the possibility of experience in areas such as Commercial Property, Commercial, Corporate, Dispute Resolution and Employment.

Our focused approach facilitates a clear training narrative, equipping you with the complimentary knowledge to thrive in the career path you settle on upon qualification. We can consider any permutation of three seat preferences from the below:

  • Commercial Property
  • Commercial
  • Contentious Probate
  • Corporate
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Employment
  • Family
  • Residential Property
  • Private Wealth & Inheritance

Fundamental to our training programme is that trainees enjoy their experience and are given genuine responsibility from day one. Each trainee will have a dedicated supervisor to guide and feedback on their daily work, with scheduled review meetings every 3 months. There is also large network of support from fellow Trainees, the Training & Development team, and the Training Principal. 

The contract is 2 years and is full-time in our Farnborough offices.

We offer a competitive salary as well as a variety of employee benefits. 

Training Contracts start in either March or September. 

We align our LLM (SQE1&2) study cohorts with candidate completion of previous academic stages and our training contract intakes. 

  • Full Time (12 months) LLM(SQE1&2) commence in February and September respectively with completion prior to training contracts starting in March and September 12 months later.
  • Part Time (24 months) LLM(SQE1&2) commence in February and September respectively with completion prior to training contracts starting in March and September 24 months later.

For individuals who have already enrolled on, and are self-funding, an LLM incorporating SQE1 and SQE2 prior to joining Herrington Carmichael, you may be eligible for reimbursement in line with the subsidy outlined above, upon successfully securing a Training Contract with the firm. This will be discussed during our recruitment process. 

All future trainees will be required to complete the SQE. However, we will consider applications from candidates who have already completed the LPC and have suitable workplace experience.

Meet our Trainee Solicitors