Solicitor Apprenticeship

About us:

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambitions. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.

A leading global law firm, with over 6,000 people, we are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. We’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions.

We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re invested and resourceful. We understand the part technology and digitalisation play in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact wherever in the world we operate. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with an open mind and curiosity.

We are known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture. Being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover they are our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your growth. Our ambition.

Your opportunity

As a Solicitor Apprentice, you'll join our leading team and start your journey in the legal field. During the six-year programme, you'll spend time working on real work for real clients.

In your first four years, you will rotate through four, 12-month seats, each offering a breadth of knowledge and unique perspective on our diverse practice areas.

As you progress into your fifth and sixth years, you'll join our Trainee Associate Programme rotations. You will experience four different 6-month seats, providing you with a more in-depth understanding of our various practice areas.

The type of tasks and work you'll be completing, includes:

- Assisting with legal research

- Reviewing and drafting legal documents

- Attending client meetings

- Assisting with case management

- Preparing for and attending court

- Summarising court judgements

You'll also dedicate one day each week working towards a law degree and the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) with BPP University.

What you'll get in return

We support and care for you to help you grow, with a complete package that includes:

- Fully funded tuition fees as you study for an LLB Hons (Law and Legal Practice) and later qualification as a Solicitor in England & Wales (SQE route)

- A competitive salary across the six years of the programme

- Numerous avenues of support, including: a partner mentor, a dedicated supervisor for each of your seat rotations, a trainee buddy, access to our Early Careers HR team and expert teaching from BPP.

During your time with us, you'll grow and help the firm to grow with you. It's a two-way deal. Once you've completed the apprenticeship, you'll be able to apply for Newly Qualified Associate positions at the firm.

What we're looking for
We're looking for candidates who are on track to achieve a minimum of AAB at A-Level or equivalent UCAS points, along with 7 GCSEs at grade 6 or above, including Maths and English.

You must be 16 or over, and a UK citizen/someone who has right of residency in the UK.

When to apply

Applications close on 20 February 2026 (23:59 GMT), so make sure you've completed and submitted your online application form by then. Please note that all applications will be reviewed after the deadline.

Inclusivity

We value diverse perspectives and embrace difference. We’re proud of our achievements, committed to building on our good work, as well as our awareness of and focus on well-being. You’ll be supported to bring your whole and best self to work in an environment that is not only professional, but also connected and caring. We’re renowned for our culture. We balance being human, bold and outstanding and you’ll find these are more than our values: a lived experience. At the heart of this, you’ll be supported to grow, achieve your ambitions and play a part in helping us achieve the firm’s. So as a graduate, by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Application deadline:
Friday, 20 February 2026 at 23:59 (UTC)
(i) Times are displayed in your local time zone