Pinsent Masons is a full service international commercial law firm and ranks amongst the top 100 global law firms. 

We provide legal services to a wide variety of clients, in particular across our five global sectors of Advanced Manufacturing & Technology Services, Energy, Financial Services, Infrastructure and Real Estate. The firm work with clients including FTSE 100 and AIM listed companies, government departments and public sector institutions.

The firm employs nearly 3000 people worldwide, including around 1500 lawyers and 400 partners. The firm's international footprint encompasses seven offices across Asia Pacific, two offices in the Middle East, five offices in continental Europe and one in Africa. The firm also has comprehensive coverage across each of the UK's three legal jurisdictions.

Our two-year Training Contract comprises four six-month seats, spent in different practice groups, and combines regulatory and skills training.  Seat allocations take account of trainees’ preferences and aim to strike a balance between your choice and the firm’s requirements.

As you move through your seats, you will be supervised by a variety of senior colleagues who will guide you through the learning and development process in each seat.  This is supplemented by support from our Graduate Development team who will meet with you regularly to discuss your achievements and on-going performance.

Our bespoke formal training programme includes the Professional Skills Course, core skills training and specific practice group training which you will undertake at the beginning of your seat, to get you fully integrated into the work of the team early on.

Things get started with a two-week induction, which includes a welcome at our Crown Place headquarters followed by an off-site Trainee Conference, bringing together all of our new Trainees.  Delivering a mix of skills, regulatory and ethical training courses, this five-day residential course introduces you to the kind of intensive legal training that will feature throughout your career. The combination of daytime seminars and evening events provides a perfect environment for Trainees to prepare for life in commercial law, while getting to know each other socially.

 

Pinsent Masons believe that a vacation placement can really help you decide whether a career in commercial law at the firm is right for you. We typically recruit a high percentage of our Trainee Solicitors through the Vacation Placement programme and recommend this application route to candidates.  Of course, we acknowledge that not everyone is able to undertake a Vacation Placement and annually have a number of Training Contract positions that we fill directly.

Our Vacation Placement programme takes place across our UK office network and placements are available in London, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester. The programme is designed to provide you with insight into the work and culture at Pinsent Masons.  You'll have the opportunity to get some real legal work experience as well as developing other business critical skills.

The placement is also an opportunity for us to assess your suitability for a Training Contract with us.

We offer around 100 vacation placements each year. Applications should be made through our website and the deadline for applications is 7 December 2020.  The dates of our vacation placements can be found on the Pinsent Masons website.

Our apprenticeship programmes offer an attractive route into a commercial, professional services environment for driven and ambitious candidates. Our ‘earn as you learn’ qualification pathway offers the opportunity to combine academic study with work-based learning; simultaneous exposure to university and commercial environments; and potential future qualification and career opportunities on successful completion of a level 3 apprenticeship.

 

Please visit our website for more details

Trainee Salaries:

• London - £41,000 (year 1) rising to £44,000 (year 2)
• English Regions – £27,000 (year 1) rising to £30,000 (year 2)
• Scotland - £23,000 (year 1) rising to £26,000 (year 2)
• Belfast – Competitive

NQ Salaries:

• London - £70,000
• Regions - £43,000
• Scotland - £40,000
• Belfast - Competitive

Fees and maintenance

If you are offered, and accept a Training Contract with Pinsent Masons before commencing your GDL and/or LPC course, fees are paid in full.  A one off-payment is provided to help with the cost of living during your course(s).

In Scotland, Diploma fees are paid and a one off-payment is provided to help with the cost of living during your course.

Belfast students will have their IPLS or GSPLE course fees paid.

Benefits

Annual benefits available include private medical insurance, life insurance, season ticket loan, gymnasium loan, pension scheme and discounted retail programmes and services.

Students and graduates from both law and non-law subjects are eligible to apply for Trainee Solicitor and Vacation Placement positions in Pinsent Masons.

Candidates should have secured a minimum of 300 UCAS points across three A-levels (excluding General Studies & Critical Thinking), or 120 UCAS points under the new tariff, and a strong 2:1 degree. Our graduate website also has a capability framework that clearly sets out the eight capabilities we are looking for in our Trainee Solicitors.

 

A Training Contract at Pinsent Masons represents the first stage of a focused development programme that will enable you to reach your full potential.  Our training programme has been developed in-house, which ensures you receive a balanced and comprehensive introduction to the profession

AllAboutLaw Awards 2018

Winner - Best Vacation Scheme – National Firm

Runner up - Best Level of Support - Vacation Scheme

Runner up- Best Vacation Scheme

Application forms for Training Contracts and Vacation Placements should be completed and submitted on-line here:

Closing date for applications for Training Contracts commencing in England and Scotland in 2023 is 21 May 2021.  

Applications for the 2021 UK Vacation Placement Programme must be submitted by 7 December 2020.  

Please visit our website for Northern Ireland application dates.

For further information please visit the Pinsent Masons graduate site or contact the team at graduate@pinsentmasons.com.