Training Contracts
An excellent environment for learning legal practice” – this is the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s description of the Training Programme at Tollers. The audit went on to say -
“(it) is well supported throughout and maintains a balance between
stretching the capabilities of individuals at the right pace for them
and supporting trainees in their development.
There is a good structured performance review process which is
actively carried out and the involvement of the Training Principal
ensures consistency in monitoring of trainees”.
Every year Tollers Solicitors recruits a number of trainees externally or provides training contracts to suitably qualified internal candidates.
We have a reputation as a friendly, progressive and dynamic firm. Our training programme is second to none. We are committed to providing first class IT services, including on-line communications, extensive reference libraries and a range of electronic legal data sources.
We have a minimum of two and a maximum of six trainee solicitor vacancies per year and there are opportunities to experience different working environments in all of our offices.
A typical training programme is divided into four “seats” of six months each. These are spent in different units/offices within the firm. We place great emphasis on the structure and progression of your training. We make sure that you make an important contribution from the start of your training contract, taking responsibility from your first day with us, within a well-organised and supportive team-based environment.
What are we looking for
Team Skills.
You will be an essential part of the team and need to be able to interact comfortably with your peers and Partners, both on a work and a social level.
Commercial Acumen
Being technically astute is not enough. Value is added to clients by understanding the commercial world in which they operate in.
Intellectual Ability
You will need to have the ability to gain at least a 2:1 in your principal degree.
Success
As well as academic success, achievement in other areas of your life is important.
Resilience
You need to be comfortable working under pressure in tough situations. Legal work is generally hard and demanding and will test you to the limit.
Humour
We believe that you work better in a supportive and fun environment.
In return, we offer outstanding all-round legal training, excellent rates of pay and a generous holiday and benefits package.
From the start of your training contract you will work on real cases and matters for clients in both our Business and Personal Legal Services areas.
If you have a lot to offer and want to train outside of the City in a progressive firm “well able to meet and exceed the requirements of the Training Regulations” [SRA August 2007], then contact us.
To apply please download the Application form and email it together with a covering letter to Sarah Finlayson, HR Administrator, whose details you will find in the Meet the Team section.
Our Company position at this time is if you have previously applied for a Training Contract with Tollers & have not been successful, we can not accept further applications from you due to the high volume of candidates applying.
Deadline for 2014 Training Contracts - 31.07.12
Testimonials
Gemma Eason
I started my training contract in September 2009 and I am currently completing my first seat within the Trusts and Estates department.
I was really looking forward to starting my training contract but this also came with some apprehension as to what to expect. However, so far I have not been disappointed. I cannot believe how much I have learnt in my first four months! The variety of work I have been given has been excellent and I can honestly say that I have been faced with a new challenge on a daily basis.
Having worked previously for two years within the personal Injury department I felt slightly worried about entering a new department. In PI, I had felt confident in my knowledge and therefore comfortable in carrying out the work on a daily basis. A new area of law would be a challenge, albeit one that I was looking forward to facing. Nevertheless, I feel that my experience working in PI has helped me throughout my first seat as I already had the basic skills need to work in a legal environment.
As well as the training contract itself I have also attended the Citizens Advice Bureau to provide information and guidance, where possible, to members of the public. We have also been encouraged to volunteer at local schools under the Young Enterprise Group.
As a trainee you are fully supported by the training principal and the other trainees, both the first and second years. We have regular meetings which allow us to discuss any issues, develop further skills as well as compare training seats!
You can expect to work hard within your training contract but you will also receive a great deal from it.
Kathryn Williams
I can still clearly remember the day that I was offered a Training Contract with Tollers. I was thrilled. I will shortly be entering my second seat and I have yet to be disappointed.
I have found that training with Tollers is providing me with an excellent foundation for my legal career. My training has been structured and closely monitored to ensure that I get as much out of it as possible. There are monthly Trainee Meetings which provide a great opportunity to get together and discuss any general issues, share personal experiences and learn from those of my fellow Trainees. In addition, I have "Meet Monthlies" with my Head of Department to discuss specific work matters.
During my seat in the Dispute Resolution Department I have been given the opportunity to meet with clients and attend Court Hearings on a regular basis, together with managing my own fileload under the supervision of other team members. The work has been varied, from defamation matters to enforcement proceedings, but always highly interesting.
I would recommend training with and working for Tollers to anyone who relishes a challenge and enjoys a healthy work/life balance. As Trainees, we are actively encouraged to work within the local community, by, for example, volunteering at the Citizens' Advice Bureau or participating in "Young Enterprise" activities. I will shortly be attending a nearby primary school and teaching five fifty-minute lessons to a group of thirty-eight five to six year olds and am confident that, after this, appearing before a District Judge will seem much less daunting!
Good luck with the application process, I look forward to meeting you soon.
Karen Mann
Prior to joining Tollers Solicitors, I completed my LL.B Law Degree and Legal Practice Course at the highly regarded Nottingham Law School. I started my time at Tollers working as a Paralegal in the Personal Injury Department. It was during this time that I was given the opportunity to manage my own case load and conduct interviews with clients from day one. I developed key skills in communication, negotiation and working as a valuable member of a team, which I knew would put me in great stead when starting my training contract.Having gained experience in a busy litigation department, I went on to commence my training contract at Tollers in September 2009 in the Commercial Property Department in Northampton. Despite the current market conditions and the affect that this has had on the property market, I have had exposure to a number of landlord and tenant matters. I have had the opportunity to carry out practical legal research, drafting leases and various documents and making applications to the Land Registry. More recently I have assisted the Residential Conveyancing Team for two mornings a week at the Corby Office. This has enabled me to learn the process of residential sale and purchase transactions and to build relations with colleagues at a different office.
The key factor that attracted me to Tollers was the high quality and broad range of services that Tollers has to offer. The opportunity to gain experience in both commercial departments and private client practice will broaden my knowledge and enable me to gain and develop a variety of different skills.
Trainees are also actively encouraged to attend networking events which will enable you to make key contacts and broaden your commercial awareness by gaining an understanding of how different local businesses operate and the chance to see how Tollers can offer services to these businesses. From a social point of view many of the trainees attend events organised by the Northants and Bucks Junior Young Lawyers Division. This is a great way to meet trainees from other firms and to make contacts.
I would highly recommend Tollers as a firm to carry out your training contract. The level of support is second to none and this is reinforced by the partners open door policy which makes them approachable and gives you the confidence to seek guidance when you need it. My time spent working as a Paralegal will lead to a reduction of 6 months in my training contract. I hope to complete my following two seats in the Family and Employment Law Departments with the possibility of qualifying into Family Law.
