Trainee Solicitor Programme 2028 - Oxford

We offer training contracts in London, Basingstoke/Reading, Birmingham, Cambridge, Guildford and Oxford. You can find out more about the seats available in each location on our website. Please note that available seats will vary at each rotation.

Our training contracts are designed to offer trainees a breadth of experience and consist of four seats that are rotated every six months, with the aim of providing trainees with as much exposure as possible to our business and clients. During your training contract, we will work with you to ensure that your career aspirations and interests are met, all while learning from recognised experts, taking on real responsibility and interacting with great colleagues.

Essential & Desirable Criteria

• We are looking for dedicated, diverse candidates with a strong academic record and commercial awareness.
• Eligibility Criteria:

• Penultimate year or final year law undergraduate, final year non-law undergraduate or post-graduates/career changers
• No minimum A-Level grade requirements
• Have, or be on track for a 2:1 degree in any discipline
• Dedicated to a career in law
• Be a great team player
• Have exceptional communication skills
• Have an entrepreneurial mindset and will help drive PMC forward in our vision for the future

We understand that extenuating circumstances can happen during studies and therefore if you do not meet these criteria and feel that your grades do not reflect your abilities, please include the context of this within your application and this will be considered.

The recruitment process

• Application screening and interviews commence in April and run through to August. Please note if you have applied for our 2026 Vacation Scheme, you DO NOT need to make a separate application to our 2028 Trainee Solicitor Programme.
• First stage: The first stage consists of a competency based telephone interview with a member of the early careers team.
• Second stage: You will be required to complete a written assessment which incorporates typical tasks a trainee may be asked to complete. No prior legal knowledge is required for this.
• Third stage: The final stage consists of an interview with a partner and member of the early careers team, which will also incorporate a presentation based on a legal case study.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard.

You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here. We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background.

We are committed to ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to apply and be considered for any role, and our recruitment process is accessible to all candidates. If you would like to request an adjustment (including requests for alternative formats) to our process, please contact the early careers team at TraineePost@penningtonslaw.com.