Full service independent law firm Thorntons has called on candidates considering its 2025 trainee solicitor programme to get in touch before applications close early next month.
The firm opened the current recruitment round for 2025 traineeships on 14 July, with a closing date of 3 September.
As one of the few genuinely full service firms operating in Scotland, Thorntons’ Traineeship Programme allows graduates to experience a range of practice areas before determining their specialism.
Trainees are based across Thorntons’ network of offices, the programme is structured around four six-month department rotations with much of the training delivered by Accredited Specialists.
Thorntons Trainees are given hands-on experience with practical work and direct client contact from early on. The group also benefit from the diverse learning and development programmes at the firm alongside its mentoring scheme and internal networking opportunities which are all designed to further advance skills and knowledge.
Among the firm’s many qualified solicitors who began their journey as a Thorntons trainee is Eve McBride. Eve completed a Summer Placement with Thorntons in 2018, later securing a Traineeship and is now a Personal Injury Solicitor in the firm’s Edinburgh office.
Eve, said: “Being from Dundee originally, Thorntons was always on my radar but it’s amazing to see the growth of footprint, specialisms and reputation in recent years. The Summer Placement was a great taster experience, while the traineeship was where I gained a better understanding of what I’d like to specialise in. My Traineeship was deferred due to the pandemic, but it was worth the wait and the Thorntons team were supportive throughout.”
While the Summer Placement programme provides insight into being a Trainee at Thorntons it is not necessary to complete it to apply for 2025 Traineeship admission.
Among Thorntons’ current group of 70 partners are several who began their careers as Trainee Solicitors at the firm, including recently promoted Amy Jones, in Thorntons’ employment team, Debbie Dewar, who specialises in Land and Rural business, and IP expert, Kirsty Stewart.
Eve, added: “There’s a great culture at Thorntons balancing hard work and business development with social and charity fundraising experiences. It’s inspiring to see many partners in the firm who started as Trainees like me – it demonstrates the great opportunities available over time and I’d encourage students to apply.”
Fiona Stewart, Talent Acquisition Manager, Thorntons, said: “Eve is just one of many examples within the firm of talented people who have progressed their legal career with us after securing a Trainee position, and several others who are now partners.
“As we’re a genuinely full service firm, our trainees can gain a range of experience before deciding what they want to specialise in. We have open conversations with our Trainees about their areas of interest and work hard to accommodate these as they progress through their training contracts.
“From international commercial deals to supporting individuals through difficult times, working at Thorntons is both challenging and rewarding, and offers the chance to build lasting relationships with clients and colleagues – who often become lifelong friends. I’d encourage anyone interested in our traineeship programme to get in touch."
Thorntons’ 2023 graduate recruitment and traineeship programme is now open. To find out more visit: https://www.thorntons-law.co.uk/careers/graduates.