How many trainees do you recruit each year?

We recruit around 10 trainees a year .

What is the seat structure?

We offer four six-month seats as part of your training contract, in both contentious and non-contentious areas of law. We try to ensure that all trainees undertake a corporate seat and in many cases a seat in real estate and commercial litigation as well, as these are our core departments. Other seats include employment, immigration and pensions; banking and insolvency; and private wealth and family.

What level of work can I expect at Stevens & Bolton?

At Stevens & Bolton, you will be given a lot more responsibility than many of the City firms. We encourage everyone to get involved and become part of each department they work in. We are committed to providing excellent quality work and training.

How do future trainees stay in touch with the firm before they start?

We offer a buddy scheme where future trainees are matched with a current trainee who they can contact with any queries. Through-out the year there are occasional opportunities for future trainees to meet up with their buddies.

What are the salaries for 1st and 2nd year trainees and NQs?

1st year trainees = £38,000, 2nd year trainees = £40,000 and NQs = £58,000

Do you pay for the GDL and LPC?

Yes, we pay the fees for both courses and offer a £6,000 maintenance grant for each year of study. We expect our future trainees to study at the University of Law in Guildford.

When do your vacation schemes take place?

We run two week-long vacation schemes each year, the next ones will take place in spring 2023. We offer five places on each scheme.

What can I expect from a vacation scheme?

You will sit in a department and have the opportunity to undertake work for your career progression. We run lunchtime sessions with lawyers from each department so you can learn about all parts of the firm and we also provide you with project work to carry out during the week.  We interview all participants for a training contract during the week and for the last two years we have recruited all our trainee intakes from the vacation schemes.

What are you looking for?

Essential qualities include: very good communication skills, drive and ambition, intelligence, attention to detail, business interest and genuine enthusiasm to be a lawyer and to work at Stevens & Bolton.

When do applications open?

Applications for vacation schemes and training contracts open on 1 December each year and the deadline for vacation schemes is 31 January and for training contracts is 1 June.

When do you interview for vacation schemes?

Interviews will take place in February 2023 and will be run on zoom by our L&D Manager and Training Principal or a partner.

If I don’t get a vacation placement can I still apply for a training contract?

You can apply for the vacation scheme and training contract on the same form by ticking the boxes to say you wish to apply for both. Otherwise, you can also use the application that you made for a vacation placement and update it to reflect changes then re-submit it. Details can be found on how to do this when you go into your application on Apply4Law.

What law fairs are Stevens & Bolton attending in 2022?

University of Law – 6 September

Reading – 26 October

University of Surrey – 9 November

George Abbot Careers Fair – 10 November

Exeter – 17 November

Who should I contact with any queries?

Please contact Tamsin Kennie our L&D manager on Tamsin.kennie@stevens-bolton.com or call 01483 734225.