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With so many ways to enter the legal profession, choosing the right route is key.
Just as important is choosing the right firm — and we're proud to hold ten 'future lawyers' awards from The Legal 500 for job satisfaction, quality of work, client contact, sustainability, legal technology, inclusiveness, approachability, social life, 'work from home' and work/life balance.
We are are also recognised as the best law firm to work for and the sixth best large company to work for in the UK by Best Companies.
Here, we outline the many ways in which we support applicants throughout the early careers process, from assessment days to training contracts.
Find out more about us and how to find the right route into law below. All the information you need about each route in and how to apply can be found in the relevant dropdown menu item.
Want to be the first to spot new career opportunities and initiatives at Brabners? Follow our early careers team on Instagram.
Ready to get involved? Explore our upcoming events.
Have questions? Talk to our friendly early careers team at learning@brabners.com.
The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Awards
Find your route into law
Best Companies Awards
“Learning about [Brabners’] culture and values made me fall in love with the firm.”
Insights programme candidate
“My experience at Brabners was spectacular, it was the most valuable week of experience. Being involved and so welcomed by the team, completing and researching interesting work and case studies. Learning about real estate, regulatory, commercial, family and employment law made it clear for me to decide which area of law I would like to be in. I highly recommend it. The best experience a student could ask for in a law firm.”
Insights programme candidate
“With such a wide variety of work going on, it’s a good job the training is more than up to scratch. Rookies rave about the supportive environment Brabners has created… Across the board, the firm has earned a well-deserved reputation for being ‘nice’.”
Legal Cheek
“The Brabners vacation scheme has been a fantastic experience. The area of the programme I enjoyed most was working in the litigation department and learning about regulatory issues… I was able to participate in a drafting exercise which really gave me a chance to see the practical application of what would be required in the litigation process.”
Vacation scheme candidate
“The advice regarding applications and the SQE were very helpful — this gave a real insight into the next steps I need to make in my legal career. I also found the coverage of both traditional university-based pathways and the new pathways into law very useful.”
Insights programme candidate
“Given the high-quality training and support from top to bottom, we’re hardly surprised that many respondents to the Legal Cheek Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey 2023-2024 gave [Brabners] high scores for training, peer support, and approachability.”
Legal Cheek
“I learned so much [on the vacation scheme] through speaking to trainees and partners. The fact that partners were extremely welcoming and took the time to speak to the vacation scheme students shows how [Brabners] doesn’t have a strict hierarchical structure.”
Vacation scheme candidate
“I enjoyed the tour and listening to all of the talks. Everybody made me feel welcome and comfortable and I thoroughly had a great time.”
Insights programme candidate
“Everyone in the employment and family law teams was very welcoming and the tasks were extremely interesting. The networking lunches were also great opportunities to speak to fee earners.”
Vacation scheme candidate
“I enjoyed the trainee solicitor panel… it was very insightful talking to people who are a few years ahead of me in the process of becoming a qualified solicitor. Their tips were very, very helpful and specific.”
Insights programme candidate
“I’ve gained invaluable experience progressing to qualification alongside working at Brabners. I find this route more suitable for myself as I’m able to put my new knowledge into practice, gain workplace experience and surround myself with professionals who support me in my apprenticeship — all while avoiding student debt.”
Charley Thompson, Paralegal Apprentice, Brabners
“I enjoyed working on the tasks handed to me during my placement… to be able to work on actual cases and draft appeals was really interesting.”
Vacation scheme candidate
“My apprenticeship provides a wonderful balance between on-the-job experience and additional learning. I firmly believe that this route to qualification gives me the best possible grounding for becoming a becoming a solicitor in the future. The apprenticeship has given me the ability to study further key legal topics ahead of my SQE exams and has helped broaden my overall skillset. It allows me to simultaneously learn new information while applying it in my day-to-day role.”
Kieran King, Solicitor Apprentice, Brabners
“The power of ‘good’ apprenticeships reaches far wider than the apprentice themselves — employers, colleagues, families and wider society all benefit too. Such benefits are magnified further when an employer commits — as Brabners has done with its Careers Pathways programme — to integrating apprenticeships as part of a firm-wide approach to talent attraction, retention and development.”
Jonathan Bourne, Managing Director, Damar Training
“[My apprenticeship] helped me to develop my confidence and attitude when building relationships with clients. If you’re considering an apprenticeship, it comes with a lot of benefits — such as learning while you’re earning — but not only that, it gives you an understanding of the work you’re doing and which roles you might want to do in the future.”
Isaac Davison, Business Development Executive, Brabners
Why work at Brabners?
We’re different. And our clients feel it.
Brabners is a purpose-led independent law firm.
Our independence allows us to be objective, principled and provide a service with heart and character.
We’re on a mission to make the difference for our clients, people and communities. Proudly anchored in the North since 1815, we serve all of England and Wales.
Northern Ambition
The collaborative network for purpose-led businesses. We’re building a more sustainable and innovative tomorrow.
Sustainable Business
In 2022, we proudly became the UK’s largest law firm (and the first outside London) to become B Corp certified.
Community Impact
We channel the energy of our public-spirited people and clients towards improving our local communities.
Watch — colleague conference highlights 2024
Our upcoming events
Ready to get involved? Join our Brabners Brunch, Application Masterclasses and Virtual Insight Day to meet our early careers team and lawyers, gain valuable insights on life at Brabners and find out how to craft a successful application.
The Legal Cheek View
Get the Legal Cheek view on our early career opportunities.
What's life like at Brabners?
Find out what a typical day at Brabners is like through the eyes of trainee Jessica Graham.
Brabners partners with BARBRI to support future talent
SQE has opened the door for many. Find out how we support all candidates, regardless of where they are on their journey.
Vacation scheme insider
What's our vacation scheme really like? Find out from one of our candidates, courtesy of LawCareers.Net.
Maurice Watkins Rising Stars bursary
We have partnered with charity We Love MCR to offer a bursary to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Manchester who would like to pursue a career in the law.