Our trainee solicitor programme

Are you looking for top-quality training in a leading law firm working on the most high-profile and ground-breaking work? Apply for a trainee solicitor contract and get your career off to a flying start.

The first step in your career is a vital one. It’s important to get broad experience, acquire a good understanding of the law and appreciate the commercial side of the business. Only then can you decide which area to specialise in.

 

With us, you’ll do challenging and interesting work for a wide range of clients from household names, blue-chip businesses to high net worth private clients. You’ll experience a range of different practice areas from commercial property and corporate work to employment and family law, to give you the diverse experience you need.

 

You’ll be supported through your training contract by a culture which encourages you to:

  • care about your work, clients and those around you
  • use your imagination
  • enjoy the experience
  • be ambitious in your desire to achieve successful outcomes.

 

We don’t believe in hierarchies and you’ll be encouraged to express your opinions and be yourself. If you’re enthusiastic and tenacious, you’ll have endless opportunities to develop your career and make a difference from day one.

A word from our Managing Partner, Gavin Tyler

 

“We are a modern firm where the atmosphere is professional, dynamic and forward-thinking while friendly and informal. We intend to continue to build on our considerable success and remain committed to investing in high calibre trainees, providing them with excellent training.

 

I am very much involved in the development of our trainee solicitors. I have seen the benefits from our investment in our trainees and place great importance on maintaining this investment in the future. When we interview applicants we are looking for a lively but well-organised mind and genuine enthusiasm for our firm and getting clients to where they need to be.”

Apply for our programme

  • Well-rounded individuals with good personal and communication skills
  • Commercial and business awareness
  • A professional approach
  • Practical problem-solving skills
  • Decisive people keen to make their mark
  • First-time pass in the LPC and, if appropriate, the GDL (or equivalent)
  • 2:1 degree in any subject
  • At least three B grades at A-level (or equivalent) and grades 6-9 (A-B) at GCSE (or equivalent)

Our training contracts are for two years and based on a four-seat training programme. Three seats are based in our Tunbridge Wells office and one in our London office, with a maximum of ten places available each year. Cripps Pemberton Greenish will fund the study of BPP’s Legal Practice Course (LPC) for contracts starting from September 2021.

To be considered for our trainee solicitor programme, please:

 

Please send your completed application form, CV and equal opportunities form to: graduates@crippspg.co.uk.

The deadline for applications is midnight on the 31st of July 2020.  Applications after this time will not be considered. 

Our first stage interviews will give you the opportunity to meet one of our current Trainees, a member of our People Team, two Associate/Senior Associate fee-earners and our Recruitment Advisor. The format of the interviews will be competency based along with discussions around your knowledge of the legal sector.

Although we prefer to see you face to face, we also recognise that this may not always be practical, therefore if you live 50 miles+ (by postcode) from our Tunbridge Wells office, the first stage interview can be conducted via Skype.

 

Our second and final stage interviews do need to be attended in person at our Tunbridge Wells office. When you arrive, you will be given a written exercise (approx. 45mins) followed by a tour of the office with one of our current Trainees. You will then have an opportunity to discuss your written exercise with two Partners. Finally, you will also meet with our Head of People & Talent Development.

Further information

We prefer our trainees to study BPP’s Legal Practice Course (LPC). Unless you have already completed this elsewhere, we ask that you study the LPC at one of the BPP’s campuses.

 

If there is no BPP campus near you, or you have already committed elsewhere, please get in touch. We may be able to arrange an exemption.

 

Please be aware that the “City” LPC, which focuses on large public companies, is unsuitable for graduates joining Cripps Pemberton Greenish. We prefer courses with a “commercial” focus that concentrate on small and medium sized enterprises.

 

Although we ask to be consulted before you select your LPC options, we never specify which ones you should take. Instead we’d like you to choose subjects that interest you and help with your training.

 

Professional skills course (PSC)

We’ll ask you to attend the PSC’s ‘fast-track’ programme at the BPP. You’ll take the core modules ‘advocacy and communication skills’, ‘client care and professional standards’, plus ‘financial and business skills’. You’ll take the electives, which you’ll choose with our help, once these core modules have been completed.

 

Cripps Pemberton Greenish will pay 100% of your course costs if you study the BPP’s Legal Practice Course (LPC). Unfortunately, we cannot offer funding for the GDL.

You will be given a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including an uplift in salary while undertaking your London based seat as well as the associated travel costs between our Kent and London offices.

We’ll stay in touch in the two years between you accepting your training contract and your start date. This will help you to feel comfortable when you join.

 

We’ll introduce you to a buddy, usually a trainee who started the year before you, so they can offer advice and answer any questions you might have. We’ll also put you in touch with the other trainees starting at the same time as you. This means you’ll have a network of contacts from the beginning.

 

In the summer before your contract begins, a Hello Day will be organised, you’ll visit our offices and meet the other trainees in person. You’ll learn about things like what Tunbridge Wells and London are like, and find out more about the Cripps Pemberton Greenish culture.

 

The weekend before your contract starts, the current trainees will organise a get-together meal for the new group. You’ll also be invited to our lively ‘end of quarter’ drinks. These are either held in-house or at a nearby venue. Everyone in the firm is invited so it’s a great opportunity to meet new people in a casual environment.

You will spend the first two weeks of your training contract taking part in an induction process with the other new trainees, this provides a great opportunity for you to get to know everyone.

Trainees usually start in September. You’ll experience four different seats over the course of your contract. These will be based in our Tunbridge Wells, Kings Hill and our London office and there are a number of seats to choose from across real estate, corporate and private client.  We’ll be in touch before your contract starts to give you a choice in which seats you take and will do our best to arrange seats in your preferred areas.   

 

From the off, you’ll be working on ‘live files’ and have direct contact with clients and other professionals. We’ll give you all the support you need, review your progress on a regular basis while also empowering you to use your initiative.

You’ll be invited to attend a wide range of training activities. There will be seminars and workshops led by internal or external speakers, IT training sessions, plus skill-boosting training to improve things like time management, negotiation, client care, communication and presentation skills.  

 

The majority of your training, however, will be ‘on the job’ with your supervisor’s help. You’ll be given a checklist for each seat to make sure you cover the necessary ground. You’ll also have monthly meetings with your supervisor to assess progress.

At the end of each seat your supervisor, our Managing Partner, and a member of the HR team will appraise your performance and give you constructive, honest feedback.  

Aside from the formal training, you will be encouraged to take the lead in organising firmwide and charitable activities, and to get involved in our numerous sports and social groups.