Addleshaw Goddard

The problems our clients bring us vary. But we solve them with the same, single-minded focus. We always ask: ‘What’s the smartest route to the biggest impact’. With over 1,500 lawyers based across the globe, we have a deep understanding of our markets and sectors. We have 17 offices worldwide, which we link together with a network of like-minded global partners. Where we don't have offices, we work with firms well known to us, to deliver an international capability.

Each year, over 2,500 leading companies and finance players around the world trust us to deliver. We help them in multiple industries and in over 100 countries. Not just once, but again and again. Many of our 48 FTSE100 clients have been with us for more than 20 years: one for 150. Tomorrow’s problems won’t be solved with yesterday’s answers. And, we believe that good business demands good legal advice. Which, ultimately, comes down to just four words. Yes. No. Stop. Go. Join us if you want to be part of a team that delivers that clarity, imagination and impact.

Our areas of work

We act for clients whatever the scale of their requirements. We have been instructed by over 48 FTSE 100 companies in the last 2 years, including Associated British Foods, SSE, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC and British Land. Our business is about strong client relationships built on successful delivery across national and international markets. Equally important is strong loyalty which is proven through 75% of our clients who have been with us for more than 10 years.

The range and scale of our work is compelling, and encompasses high value strategic advice to the everyday. It means we are able to attract talented, like-minded individuals who love what they do, are committed to our clients success, and strive to build valued partnerships through our collective energy and expertise.

Who should apply

We require a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent). But what will really open doors to an outstanding career here is the real you. At Addleshaw Goddard, we’re looking for original minds and collaborative spirits alongside motivation, drive and commercial awareness. We’re constantly delighted by the diverse backgrounds of our best lawyers, and we’re open to law and non-law graduates alike, as well as those looking to change career.

Training Programme

We are more than just exceptional lawyers here. We attract sparkling people from all backgrounds, who bring their own unique qualities, along with a collaborative approach, professional drive and a commitment to every client’s success. This is just one of the reasons we’re sure you will enjoy working with us.

As a trainee, important cases will come your way from the get-go. You will work on everything from multi-million-pound deals to high-profile fraud cases, employment disputes to complex technology contracts. Our success is intrinsically linked to yours, so we’ll always have your back and help you realise your potential.

Training contracts are four seats long, with opportunities to spend time in another of our offices as well as on secondment with clients. During each six-month seat, you will have regular two-way performance reviews with your supervising partner or solicitor. They will help you develop the skills you need to deal with the demanding work you will come across every day.

As well as learning on the job, you will also have access to high-quality in-house and external training, a buddy scheme in your first seat, and a mentor throughout your training contract and beyond.

The best advocates of our graduate careers are the trainees themselves. See what some of them have to say about life at Addleshaw Goddard.

• Training contract applications open on 1 April 2024 and close on 31 July 2024.

Training contract route

The training contract will continue in its current structure. There will be 4 seats each for a duration of 6 months and our March and September intakes will remain. Our first SQE intake of trainees will commence in September 2024. Any future trainees who have the LPC will not be required to undertake the SQE. For those needing the SQE, we will require them to pass SQE 1 and 2 assessments prior to commencing their training contract. This will be undertaken at BPP in the year prior to starting their training contract (e.g. September 2024 for September 2025 training contract start). It will be funded by AG and future trainees will be given maintenance grants during their year of study.

Those who have qualifying work experience are able to use this to shorten the length of their training contract, though the maximum time we permit a training contract to be shortened by is 12 months.

Work placements

We offer week-long Easter work placements in Edinburgh and London, and two-week summer work placements in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester. And because everyone is an individual, we make sure each placement is a valuable experience for each individual student.

While you are here, you will get to know the everyday life of an Addleshaw Goddard trainee. You will be allocated a department to sit in and, if you are part of the summer scheme, will swap into a new department in your second week. You will be supervised by an experienced solicitor, who will welcome you to the department and allocate work. A trainee buddy will be on hand to help throughout your placement.

This is a scheme as unique as you are. As well as informative sessions, group exercises, assessed work and plenty of time at your desk, you will attend social events with a range of people across the office. It’s a real chance to get to know our people and our culture. We offer training contracts to successful placement scheme students, so we’d encourage you to apply.

• Vacation scheme applications open on 1 October 2023 and close on 4 January 2024

Open days 2024

We are hosting virtual and in-person open days to give you the chance to get to know us a little better. As well as meeting people from across the business, you’ll get practical advice on what firms look for and how to make your application stand out. We are running open days in our Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester offices.

Our Scotland virtual open day is open to any first or second year student and will be held on Tuesday 19 March 2024.

Our England virtual open day is open to first year law and first/second year non-law students and will be held on Wednesday 20 March 2024.

Our in-person London open day is open to first year law and first/second year non-law students and will be held on Wednesday 24 April 2024.

Legal Apprenticeship Scheme

There’s no blueprint for bright. In fact, the opposite is true. That’s why we offer an alternative path into law for those who do not wish to go down the traditional university route.

Our Legal Apprenticeship Scheme, developed in Manchester and Leeds, is at the forefront of apprenticeships in the legal profession.

We have been recognised by the AllAboutGroup as a Top 100 Employer for School Leavers.

For more information and application details please visit our website.

SQE and Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships

The changes brought in by the SQE have meant that there is more flexibility around the way trainees can quality as solicitors and we are now able to offer more than one route to qualification. From 2025, our trainees can opt to qualify via the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship or via the traditional training contract.

Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship route

The duration of the apprenticeship will be 36 months. In year 1 apprentices will study and in years 2 and 3 will undertake their training contract. Apprentices will be employed by the firm from day 1 of their apprenticeship. The firm will sponsor apprentices through the SQE and they will be paid a salary during their period of study. During the training contract apprentices will undertake four seats each for a duration of 6 months, the same as our trainees. Apprentices will qualify at the same time as their cohort who will be on the training contract route.

Diversity at Addleshaw Goddard

We have created a high-performance culture that is inclusive, supportive and which thrives on individuality, personality and team spirit. We expect the best of each other and we want everyone to succeed, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived difference.

Our diversity programme is represented at the most senior level of our business by our board sponsors. It is run by a dedicated Inclusion team, Inclusion partners, Inclusion network leads, divisional and department champions and volunteers from across the business. We have organised our approach around five key strands of diversity focusing on: disability, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ+ and social mobility, and we also provide comprehensive support for parents and carers and run an ongoing mental health and wellbeing awareness campaigns. In addition, we also have our people networks that not only support and help inform our inclusion strategy but also provide an opportunity for people to learn more about specific subject matter, network and share their lived experience.