At a Glance
- Tasks: Support senior legal colleagues with drafting, research, and administration tasks.
- Company: Join a leading low carbon fuels producer in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension contributions, private medical insurance, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Structured development pathway with opportunities to relocate and grow your professional network.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on legal experience while studying towards your SQE in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Entry-level legal qualification and a passion for a legal career.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Legal Trainee Counsel Location: Mayfair, London (Office Based). This role follows a structured development pathway across multiple locations. You will be based in London in Year 1 and Cheshire in Year 2. Candidates must be fully flexible and willing to relocate in line with this training plan.
Contract Duration: This role is offered on an initial fixed-term basis for up to 2.5 years, aligned to the training programme and SQE completion (if applicable).
About The Company: The EET (Essar Energy Transition) vision is to be the leading producer of low carbon fuels and establish a blueprint energy transition hub in the UK’s North West. EET plays a major role in supplying the North West and the wider UK with essential fuels. We produce over 16% of the UK’s road transport fuels, supply key feedstocks to the petrochemical industry, and are investing heavily in low‑carbon energy solutions. We work with major retail fuel brands, supermarkets, Manchester Airport, leading airlines, and regional transport operators. We are also a key partner in the HyNet project, helping to deliver the region’s low‑carbon future. With over 900 skilled colleagues, we offer a strong safety culture, technically challenging work, and some of the best training in the energy sector.
About Role: This is a fantastic opportunity to join our in‑house legal team, supporting senior colleagues across a broad range of legal and administrative activities while developing your career in a commercial and operational environment. You will gain hands‑on experience alongside, if applicable, day‑release study to complete the SQE (80/20 split between work and study), applying your learning in a real‑world setting. The role follows a structured development pathway: Year 1 in London, Year 2 in Cheshire. You will support tasks such as drafting and reviewing basic legal documents, legal research, project/matter tracking, and general legal administration, while developing your legal skills, commercial awareness, and professional network across the business.
About You: We are looking for a motivated and detail‑oriented individual who is keen to build a career in law within a commercial / corporate environment. This role provides an excellent opportunity to develop practical legal skills through working in a busy legal team. You will demonstrate strong analytical thinking, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to learning. The ideal candidate will be organised, able to manage competing priorities, and confident working both independently and as part of a team.
Essential Requirements:
- A minimum of an entry‑level legal qualification (e.g. Law degree (LLB) or equivalent)
- A genuine interest in pursuing a legal career
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- High attention to detail and organisational ability
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
Desirable:
- Completion of, or working towards, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)
- Previous internship or work experience in a legal, corporate or government environment
- Understanding of commercial law principles
Benefits:
- Competitive salary
- 10% company contribution pension
- 25 days holiday, increasing with service
- Private medical insurance
- Additional flex benefits, including holiday purchase
- Access to Employee Assistance Programme with exclusive access to a range of discounts
Trainee Legal Counsel employer: EET Fuels
Essar Energy Transition is an exceptional employer, offering a structured development pathway for Trainee Legal Counsel in the vibrant setting of Mayfair, London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, competitive benefits including a generous pension contribution and private medical insurance, and a commitment to a robust safety culture, we provide a dynamic environment where you can thrive while contributing to the UK's low-carbon future.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Legal Counsel
✨Join Local Law Societies
Get involved with local law societies in your area. These groups often host networking events, workshops, and panels that can provide insider insights and potential job leads. It’s a great way to meet professionals who can vouch for you!
✨Leverage University Resources
Swing by your uni’s career centre and see what they’ve got on offer for law students. They usually have connections with firms looking for trainees, and can help you polish your interview skills through mock interviews. Don’t forget to ask about any upcoming recruitment fairs!
✨Connect with Trainee Alumni
Reach out to past trainees from your network or alumni groups. They can offer invaluable advice on their experiences and might even point you to firms that are hiring. Plus, you never know when a friendly face could help your application stand out!
✨Submit Direct Applications through Our Website
Don't wait around for listings! If you’ve got your heart set on a certain firm like EET Fuels, drop them a direct application through their website. Tailor your cover letter to reflect your passion for law and what you can bring to their team!
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Legal Counsel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Acumen:Make sure your CV highlights your knowledge of legal principles and any relevant coursework. This is super important for a trainee role, so if you've got any practical experience like mooting competitions or internships, be sure to include those to show us what you've learned in practice!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Let us know why legal services excite you and detail your motivation for wanting to be a trainee with us at EET Fuels. Share any unique experiences or insights you've had that relate to our work — we love to see passion!
Demonstrate Your Research Skills:As part of a legal team, strong research skills are key. If you've conducted any legal research during your studies or previous roles, mention specific cases or legal documents you've worked with. Including these details can set you apart from other candidates applying for your trainee spot.
Tailor Your Documents to Us:When applying through our website, make sure you're tailoring your CV and cover letter specifically for the role at EET Fuels. Use our job posting as a guide to emphasize the skills and qualifications that align perfectly with the trainee position — it shows us you're keen and have done your homework!
How to prepare for a job interview at EET Fuels
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Get ready to showcase your understanding of key legal concepts and principles relevant to the field. Brush up on areas like contract law or torts, as you might encounter some scenario-based questions during your interview. It’s not just about memorising; be prepared to discuss how you'd apply these principles in real-world situations, which will highlight your analytical skills.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
In legal interviews, your ability to conduct thorough research is essential. Be prepared to discuss how you approach case studies or legal precedents. You might also be asked about tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis, so having some familiarity with these platforms can really set you apart.
✨Emphasise Your Enthusiasm for Learning
As a trainee, companies like EET Fuels want to see your passion for the law and eagerness to learn. Bring up any relevant coursework, internships, or voluntary work during your studies. This shows that you're proactive and ready to embrace the challenges of the legal world.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect a few behavioural questions that probe your problem-solving and teamwork skills. Examples might relate to how you've handled conflict in a group project or dealt with tight deadlines. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly, making it easy for the interviewers to see your thought process.
