Trainee solicitor programme
About the programme
 At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer we recognise that talented people grow best by experiencing work which excites, challenges and stretches them whilst receiving the appropriate blend of support and structured learning to ensure they thrive. We believe that your growth will define our success as a firm. That's why we've kept it front of mind when designing the Trainee Solicitor Programme. Join us now at the intersection of law, tech and business.
Seat rotation Developing you is key to our growth. You'll rotate through five seats, becoming a well-rounded solicitor. We offer seats in Disputes, Corporate, Funds, Finance & Banking, Real Estate & Construction, and Employment, Pensions & Incentives. Complete all seats in Belfast or choose to go to London for your final seat.
Education During the first year of the Trainee Solicitor Programme, we'll support your development through our Accelerate programme. Designed in house, this programme will support the development of your personal and technical skills in line with our Digital Legal Delivery priorities. 

You'll complete the SQE learning programme, delivered in partnership with BPP, during the remaining 18 months of the training contract.
Eligibility We only recruit trainee solicitors from our Vacation Scheme, and to be eligible for the scheme, you must be a graduate, or in your penultimate or final year at university and have completed a qualifying Law degree.
What we look for
 You'll need to be comfortable reviewing, analysing and organising documentary and factual evidence alongside having excellent organisational skills and an eye for detail.

We're looking for consistent 2:1s throughout your degree but we'll always take mitigating circumstances into account – please include as much detail as you're comfortable with in the additional information box on the online application form.

Application process and key dates

We only recruit trainee solicitors from our Vacation Scheme so please apply that route.  To be eligible for the scheme you must be in your penultimate or final year at university completing a qualifying law degree.  We also welcome applications from graduates with a qualifying law degree.

Applications for the 2026 Digital Legal Delivery Vacation Scheme open 4 December 2025 and close at 12pm (GMT) on Friday 16 January 2026.
Our application process includes the following: 
  1. Online application form by midday Friday 16 January 2026 deadline
  2. Technical test (remote) in March 2026
  3. Assessment centre (in-person) in April 2026

Benefits

As an Trainee Solicitor you'll earn a starting salary of £30,000 and have access to our range of benefits.
Health and Wellbeing Private medical insurance, private GP service, confidential employee assistance programme, dental insurance, life assurance and critical illness cover, eye tests
Financial Pension contributions, access to a mortgage broker, gadget insurance
Travel Travel insurance and the cycle to work scheme
Leisure 25 days’ annual leave, study leave for SQE exams and revision, corporate discounts