Gap Year (Pre-University)

Running from August to April, our Gap Year programme is available in our Birmingham and Leeds offices, and offers solid, first-hand experience of commercial law before you start university. So if you’re serious about a career in law, it’s a chance to build a CV that will help you stand out from your peers.  It will also give you the opportunity to earn some money (£14,000 per anum pro rata) to put towards travel or university costs.

You’ll be an important member of the team, working on real projects alongside partners, experienced lawyers and trainees with regular mentoring and feedback. So you can learn vital skills such as attention to detail, team working and research techniques. You’ll also attend many of the same training courses in London as our graduate trainees, learning from their experiences and picking up job hunting and application tips. And, if you’re planning to study law, the practical experience will help you make sense of the theory you’ll come across at university. 

Your exact day-to-day experiences will depend on the practice area you join, but you can rest assured that no two days will be the same and you’ll be learning continuously as you work towards identifiable achievements. Typically this will include drafting and proof-reading documents and letters; carrying out research; liaising with clients by phone, email and face-to-face meetings; and getting involved in community work. You’ll also learn how to approach different groups of people as you attend seminars and conferences.  You can find out what some of our previous Gap Year students thought about there time with the firm here.

We’re looking for commitment, curiosity and enthusiasm, as well as good organisational skills, a smart appearance and the ability to think on your feet.  We also look for consistently strong academic results. This means you will have achieved A*, A and B grades in your GCSEs, and be expecting high grades in your A Levels (or equivalent).

To apply for our Gap Year programme, please complete our online application form.  The closing date for applications is 26 November 2010, interviews will take place before the Christmas break wherever possible we look to ensure that they will not clash with any university interviews you may be undertaking.