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Responsibility
We know our trainee solicitors are happiest and most successful when busy with good quality work. We believe in introducing trainees to challenging cases and recognise the value of real responsibility and direct client contact. However, our experienced solicitors are always ready to give support when needed.
Variety
You'll be given a thorough grounding in the law, spending time in the various practice groups within the firm's main business divisions; business services, private individuals and commercial property. We ensure trainees gain a broad experience during their training contract to avoid too specialised an approach before qualification.
Training programme
You'll complete four six month seats and have the opportunity to undertake work with specialists in company and commercial, dispute resolution, private client and property law. Penningtons’ training programme includes in-house seminars covering specific areas of law as well as practical skills and the fostering of commercial awareness.
Your time with us begins with an induction course to introduce you to the firm's main departments, to our office and accounting procedures, and letter and report drafting. Thereafter, throughout the year, there are regular lectures and work sessions specifically designed for your development and progression. Additionally, the Professional Skills Course is provided. Penningtons was shortlisted in the 'Best trainer in a medium City firm' category at the LawCareers.Net Training and Recruitment Awards 2011.
Support when needed
As well as having a seat supervisor in each of the divisions, you will be allocated a mentor and principal. Your principal will be a partner who will be someone you can go to for impartial advice and help during your training contract. Your mentor will be a trainee who is a year ahead of you and will be able to answer the questions that you may not want to ask someone more senior. The trainee appraisal system also ensures that you are given regular feedback and support.
Be your own person
We recruit seven to ten trainees a year and value each and every one of them. You will get to know everyone else in your year and the year above you and meet up with them each month at our Trainees' Thursdays. As a trainee at Penningtons, you will certainly have a life outside work. We don't deny that at times you will be asked to work longer hours - nevertheless, our relaxed work-life culture enables trainees to continue with their hobbies, interests and social commitments.
Sports and social
Each office has a sports and social committee made up of solicitors, trainees and support staff. The committees organise regular outings such as theatre trips, summer barbecues, drinks evenings and ten pin bowling. In addition, at least two firmwide social events are organised every year giving partners and staff across the offices an opportunity to get together in an informal atmosphere.
After qualification
We hope that the trainee solicitors we recruit will prove to be the firm's future partners. A training contract with Penningtons will offer you the opportunity to develop into a capable and confident lawyer who is able to help us maintain our standards of excellence.
How to apply
To apply for a September 2014 training contract, please complete our on-line application form by accessing www.cvmail.com/penningtons. Applications are accepted from 1 December 2011 and the closing date is 31 July 2012.
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