Start your journey into law with us

Your application

We are seeking talented, open-minded, friendly people who are passionate about law. Find out more about applying for a training contract with us.

Application tips

• Tell us why you want to train at Harbottle & Lewis

  We want to know what’s motivated you to apply to Harbottle & Lewis and why you’re passionate about the law, so do your research and tailor your application accordingly. When completing your application form tell us if you’ve spoken to existing trainees to learn about their experience; researched a lawyer/practice area that you’re interested in; or have read about an exciting case that Harbottle & Lewis have worked on. Also, why not take a look at our website or listen to one of our digital download podcasts? You can also research our firm on LinkedIn or on law-related websites such as The Legal 500, Chambers or Student Chambers.

• Be yourself

  We want to get to know the person behind the application form, so be your authentic self and don’t tell us what you think we want to hear. Always avoid the use of clichés, buzzwords and overused phrases. Tell us how you’ll add value to the business and what skills you’ll bring to the Firm, whether these stem from your work experience or hobbies and interests.

• Tell us about your work experience

  If you’ve managed to gain legal or non-legal work experience, we want to hear about it. If you’ve attended any open days, vacation schemes or worked as a paralegal, please tell us what you’ve learnt from each experience. However, we understand that not everyone will have been able to gain legal work experience and that working a part-time job or volunteering while completing your studies is just as valuable as you’ll have developed transferrable skills. Make sure you give examples when talking about your work experience as this will help us to understand what your responsibilities were and what skills you developed.

• Get the basics right

  • Take your time submitting your application form, don’t rush it.
  • Make sure you complete all relevant sections of the application form.
  • Use a consistent verb tense throughout the application form.
  • List your work experience in chronological order.

• Check and check again

  Attention to detail is a key skill in the legal profession, therefore it’s essential that you check your application for any spelling or grammatical errors before you submit it. It’s a good idea to ask a friend or family member to proofread your application too, as they are more likely to spot any small mistakes you may have missed.

Further information

If you have any further questions or queries check out our FAQ page or email Graduate.Recruitment@harbottle.com.