Training Contracts

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

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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

On reflection of the first year of my training contract, I’ve really enjoyed the variety and responsibility I’ve been given across my seats so far. Each team has been incredibly supportive, offering guidance while also encouraging me to take ownership of my work and develop my confidence. I’ve had the chance to work on a wide range of matters, gaining practical experience that has helped me grow both technically and professionally. I’m looking forward to the next year and continuing to build on the skills I’ve developed so far.

- Ellie-Mae Rich, Trainee Solicitor

I am at the start of my training contract, but it has been an incredibly rewarding experience so far. I’ve been given real opportunity, responsibility, and exposure to a wide range of challenging and meaningful work. I have been supported and encouraged to learn throughout my training contract and the support from my colleagues and supervisors has helped me build confidence to develop my legal and commercial awareness skills quickly, helping me along the path towards qualification. I have worked on complex real estate matters throughout all disciplines of commercial & residential development real estate, and I am thoroughly looking forward to divulging into the other training seats that Herrington Carmichael provides throughout the remainder of my training contract.

- James Rhodes, Trainee Solicitor

From the moment I started my training contract in the Commercial team, I’ve really enjoyed working on a variety of matters and developing practical skills along the way. A real highlight has been the support from my colleagues and supervisors, who consistently give me opportunities to learn and grow. I’ve also had the chance to get involved in internal projects and business development, which has helped me understand how the business operates as a whole and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to both client work and the wider team. I’ve genuinely appreciated the balance between responsibility and support as my confidence and skills have developed.

- Estelle Dekker , Trainee Solicitor

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 2027, 2028 and 2029 intakes!

Solicitor Training Contract FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about our services and processes.

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.