About us

Clyde & Co has grown to become a leading global law firm in our core sectors. With a headcount of over 5,000 staff operating from over 60 offices and associated offices across six continents, we offer a comprehensive range of legal services and advice to businesses operating at the heart of global trade and commerce.

From developed to emerging markets, we aim to support our clients by putting the power of our globally integrated firm at their disposal with a range of seamless and efficient services and the very best, commercially minded, legal advice.

This, together with our sector expertise and regional understanding, allows us to help clients identify and manage risk and liability, navigate challenges, harness commercial potential, and achieve sustained growth in today's complex and volatile business environment.

We are committed to being a responsible business which means taking responsibility for the impact we have on the environment and seeking to reduce it as much and as quickly as possible. It means taking responsibility for giving back and being a positive contributor to the communities in which we operate. And it means taking responsibility for fostering a truly diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace so that all our people can flourish and fulfil their highest potential, for the benefit of them, the firm, and our clients.

Our Values

Our values are the principles that guide the decisions we make, unite us in our endeavors and strengthen our delivery, for our clients and our firm. We:

• Work as one We are a globally connected team of talented people who act with a firm-first mentality to achieve success
• Excel with clients We aim high and challenge ourselves to deliver unique excellence for our clients, keeping them at the centre of everything we do
• Celebrate difference We help each other to be at our best and believe our differences result in greater achievement
• Act boldly We seek new opportunities, take action and learn as we go, recognising that curiosity drives our development and contributes to growth

As a global business, we recognize that developing innovative inclusion programmes really matters.

We recruit and retain our staff with the aim of being representative of the communities and cultures in which we work.

We are committed to diversity and equality and strive to create an environment where our people feel happy, respected, and able to be themselves at work.

To hear more about our communities, please follow: Inclusion matters : Clyde & Co (clydeco.com)

What is the role?

We are looking for trainee solicitors for our Belfast/Derry office, to work alongside our lawyers and to gain a wide range experience covering various types of litigation cases including Motor, Occupational Disease, Employers Liability, Public Liability and Property damage claims. Trainee solicitors will often also gain experience in other specialist areas such as Employment Law and Professional Indemnity claims

As well as the relevant qualifications, candidates must have an ability to analyse, evaluate and communicate information logically and effectively together with proficient IT skills.

This is a two-year placement that is undertaken by trainee solicitors after they finish their law degree. We also welcome candidates with paralegal experience. Candidates with non-law degrees must have completed a law conversion course before starting their training contract.

Trainees will spend two years getting a combination of practical legal education overseen by senior solicitors at the firm, as well as training at the institute.

What does the job involve?

As a trainee lawyer, you can expect tasks to be very varied. To keep things simple, here are a list of tasks that you can expect to encounter during your time at Clyde & Co:

• Legal research
• Drafting documents as part of transactions and litigation, including facility agreements, witness statements and pleadings
• Communicating and meeting with clients
• Attending hearings and trials, taking notes where necessary
• Filing and serving documentation at Court and on the other side
• Document review
• Bundling documents in preparation for trial

Examples of trainee duties and responsibilities

• Assisting case-handlers with active files
• Upholding the firm's reputation at external events
• Developing legal knowledge by attending both internal and external training sessions
• Managing workload as well as getting involved in pro bono

About You

This is a brilliant opportunity for anyone who's interested in a law career - it is important that you have a Bachelors degree at 2:2 or above in any subject, or an equivalent qualification.

Non-law degree graduates must have completed or due to complete a law conversion course by the time of the induction in August 2023.

We're looking for people with excellent communication and organisational skills, and an ability to work well under pressure.

Key Requirements

• 2:2 degree in any discipline
• CCC A-Level or equivalent (Mitigating circumstances will be taken into consideration)
• An offer from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS), subject to securing a training contract

We use RARE a contextualised recruitment system to ensure fairness and equality and review applications holistically.

The Application Process

We are looking for applicants with the motivation to join our firm and potential to be successful in the role throughout our process. The application process varies slightly from programme to programme, but this is what you'll need to do for this opportunity:

• Explore the programme specific information to understand which opportunity is the right one for you.
• You'll need to make your application online via our online application system.
• You will then be invited to complete our digital immersive assessment which simulates a realistic preview of the role of a trainee solicitor. It looks to assess specific strengths and skills required in the role and asks you to complete a series of motivational and strengths-based questions though video interviews.
• Following this, if successful we will be in contact to invite you to our virtual assessment day which will consist of a Written Exercise and Interview. This will take place week commencing 1st May, 2023.

Applications close on April 13th, 2023.

What we offer

We offer an competitive salary and benefits package as a trainee solicitor. You will also be entitled to a range of rewards and benefits:

• Private medical
• Pension scheme
• Group income protection
• Maternity and paternity pay
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gym subsidy

We'll make sure you have plenty of support throughout your programme - alongside having support from your dedicated supervisor, you will also have regular one to one session with the early careers team and will be allocated a mentor from one of our newly qualified lawyers, enabling you to get peer-to-peer support and guidance. You can also look forward to a tailored induction programme and on-going internal training designed to ensure you have the skills, knowledge, and commercial acumen you need to become a well-rounded solicitor.