Job description
About The Role
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We are looking for talented graduates to join us for a 2 year training contract commencing in September 2025.
We are passionate about developing talent at HCR and recognise that when selecting our Trainees we are really selecting HCR’s future Partners. So we make sure our training programme covers everything our clients expect from our lawyers… the best.
Our trainees work closely with senior solicitors and partners, gaining direct experience of and insight into complex work. We expect all our trainees to take ownership and responsibility of their work and professional development, balancing this with support and guidance from more experienced staff. We actively encourage curiosity and questioning, and expect Trainees to seek out feedback and learning opportunities.
Applications close 30th April 2023
About You
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To be successful in the role as Trainee Solicitor you will be able demonstrate the following competency areas:
Service and Standards
- Adopt a ‘can do’ approach and be proactive
- Understand the Firms’ and Regulators’ standards
- Produce accurate, carefully prepared work in a timely manner
- Take responsibility for problems, understanding when to escalate and ask for support and guidance
- Prioritise tasks, manage time and communicate if there are any problems
- Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing using language appropriate to the task and the reader.
Relationship Management
- Work effectively as part of a team, offering support when required
- Perform consistently, to a high standard even when under pressure
- Maintain composure and know when to seek support and guidance
- Understand your internal and external clients
- Be discreet and trustworthy
- Obtain relevant information through effective listening and questioning
- Be professional and respectful to colleagues and clients.
Financial Contribution
- Maintain good financial disciplines, including accurately recording all time you are engaged on client matters
- Share ideas for how the Firm can continuously improve, including profit and process.
Marketing the Firm
- Be involved in a variety of marketing events e.g. attending job fairs, networking events and having a social media presence that is appropriate and professional
- Display an interest and passion for the profession and the market in which HCR operates
- Understand and demonstrate HCR values
- Promote and communicate positively about the firm.
To be eligible for one of our training contracts, you’ll need to have the following qualifications:
- Undergraduate Degree: A 2:1 or above, although this doesn’t need to be in law. If you read a non-law degree, you’ll need to take the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or equivalent. Please let us know if there are extenuating circumstances which we can take into account if you haven't achieved a 2:1
- LPC or SQE: The Legal Practice Course must be undertaken by everyone who’s secured a training contract or is seeking to secure one. This course is usually a one-year, full-time course and aims to prepare students for work-based learning while providing a general foundation of practice. HCR will also support candidates who are undertaking SQE and funding options can be discussed with you. Whichever post graduate qualification you intend to taken, this must be completed prior to starting the Training Contract.
About Us
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Benefits of working with us:
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
- Discretionary quarterly bonus scheme
- 27 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
- Happy People / Perks at Work benefits portal
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Life Assurance
- 1/3 gym membership contribution
- Flu vaccinations
Is HCR the smart move for you?
HCR suits people who love a challenge and want to work in an environment where careers thrive on the back of hard work and personal merit. Our people enjoy feeling part of something bigger than themselves, and whilst our clients drive our development, it is our people who bring their energy, enthusiasm, and entrepreneurial mindsets together to solve problems and help our clients succeed.
Why HCR people love their jobs
Our people tell us they enjoy working on good quality, interesting matters from a wide variety of our clients, because they get the experience they want to develop their careers. We will give you responsibility early, the mandate to make things happen and we’ll back your good ideas. Our “Passion for People” lives and breathes every day throughout the firm as our peoples’ energy and sense of fun create a warm environment in which to thrive.
What career progression will HCR offer you?
HCR’s growth constantly creates opportunities for people who want to go places and make a difference, your career plan can become part of our growth plan. At HCR you can expect to work with friendly, energetic, ambitious people, who love getting stuck into a client problem, and enjoy celebrating a good outcome. Our people value the sense of community provided by the individual personality of each office and the collegiate approach across all our service and sector teams.
What does HCR believe, achieve and stand for?
As a Times Best Law firm, among the UK Top 60, we provide the full range of services that you would expect to organisations, business leaders and individuals. However, in our mission to give everyone the opportunity to experience a different kind of legal service we take an entrepreneurial approach. We’re flexible and responsive to the needs of our clients, delivering the best outcomes for them. We have more than 800 Lawyers and support staff, including more than 150 Partners, and have been awarded the Law Society’s Lexcel quality mark in recognition of our compliance and client care standards.
With ten offices in England and Wales our well-established presence stretches from west to east, ensuring clients can access a full-service legal offering no matter where they’re located. We’ve expanded significantly in Birmingham, Cardiff and the Thames Valley, and our merger with Hewitsons resulted in a full service regional hub being established in the heart of the Waterside innovation area centre of Northampton. Our London and Cambridge continue to grow apace.
With solid connections in the communities we work in, and a track record of delivering legal advice to businesses and individuals throughout the areas we base ourselves in, our clients continue to value our approach to providing legal advice, in the way they need, when they need it.
As HCR is an equal opportunities employer, we don’t just accept differences, we celebrate them. We want to attract a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and skills to create a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and which works together to achieve the best outcome for our clients.
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We also want you to achieve your absolute best during the recruitment process. Please let us know of any changes we can make at any point that will help support your application. If this opportunity sounds of interest to you, please make an application and submit your CV.
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A note for recruitment agencies – The HCR Resourcing Team is responsible for recruitment across the firm, and where possible will use direct hiring methods. We do work with a Preferred Supplier List, and where appropriate, we will release vacancies to those agencies who we deem most appropriate to support us. Only those agencies will be invited to submit candidates via our recruitment portal. Any speculative or unsolicited CVs sent to any employee or Partner of HCR will not be considered an introduction, and no fees will be applicable. Furthermore, we retain the right to pursue these candidates without query of ownership
Job Type: Full-time