Join us as a Graduate Solicitor Apprentice

Some of the benefits of working for Machins

• Excellent office facilities in the heart of Luton and Berkhamsted.
• Regular feedback and training sessions to help you develop
• Regular contact with Partners
• Mentor scheme
• Competitive salary
• Staff introduction bonus
• 25 days holiday
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme
• Death is service benefit of 2 x payrate
• Membership of HSF (health cash plan) and Perkbox (discount platform)
• Enhanced sick pay
• Free eye tests
• Paid Flu vaccinations
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted legal advice
• On qualifying, opportunities for flexible and home-based working will be considered
• Opportunities to participate in company sponsored charitable events
• Payment of professional subscriptions

What’s in it for you?

A graduate legal apprenticeship is a 30 month (2.5 year) course and works like a training contract in that if you are successful, you will qualify as a Solicitor on completion. The primary difference is that you will spend five seats of six months rotating between different departments rather then four seats, as you will be undertaking studies and working towards your SQE for 20% of the time (usually 1 day per week across the year).

A graduate legal apprenticeship is the first step in your legal career and we are very excited to be offering the Level 7 Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship for the first time. You will be training and working alongside our trainee solicitors, and we make every effort to provide our trainees with the opportunity to gain experience outside of just developing their technical expertise and to become well-rounded solicitors with a real investment in the firm. We involve trainees at the earliest stage in marketing and business development initiatives valuing your contribution to the firm’s future. Every voice counts and thanks to our flat hierarchy our working environment is collaborative and supportive from day one.

Our trainees and newly qualified solicitors are the driving force of our charity fundraising events. We aim to offer a steady balance between responsibility and support, and you’ll be surprised at the degree of client contact that you will have from an early stage in your apprenticeship

During your training with us, you can expect:-

• Healthy balance between responsibility and support throughout your training
• Exposure to broad range of clients and work
• Involvement with a range of marketing initiatives and events, networking events, charitable activities and projects as well as some fun social activities
• Support for new ideas, projects and initiatives that you want to initiate
• 1-2-1 mentoring with a partner, associate or senior solicitor throughout your training

We pride ourselves on employing people who are approachable, and if you have any questions, you won’t be short of people to ask.

We are looking for…

Strong all-round, commercially-minded individuals. We recruit on the basis of potential. We are interested in you and what you can bring to Machins to enrich our expanding team.

In particular, we look for:-

• Qualifying law degree or a non-law degree with a GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law conversion);
• Strong academic ability (degree of 2:1 or above, not necessarily in law, but the GDL is required if you have a non-law degree). If you do not have a 2:1 but still think we should consider you, please tell us why in your covering letter;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and clear written and oral communication;
• A demonstrable interest in law and a strong commercial acumen;
• Ability to assimilate, analyse and present information clearly and precisely;
• Self-motivated, ambitious individuals looking to develop a career beyond qualification.

How can I apply? – Current Applications

Please send your current C.V. together with a covering letter to [email protected]. The deadline for our August 2025 intake is 1st April 2025. We are recruiting for both our training contracts and apprenticeships so please ensure that you are clear in your covering letter and email which role(s) you wish to be considered for. Please also ensure you let us know how you heard about the role.

Initial interviews will take place in early May and final interviews for successful candidates towards the end of May.

If you take the time to submit an application, we will take the time to read it.

FAQs

Will I be working across both offices?

Yes, trainees could be based in either our Luton or Berkhamsted office, and applicants should have means of transport to either office.

I’m still doing my degree, when can I apply?

If you are in your final year and are due to complete your degree by August 2025, you can apply now for our Level 7 Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships commencing August 2025. We look forward to receiving your application!

Can I choose which seats I do?

For each of your seats, you can express a preference as to which team you would like experience in. We try to take these preferences into account where possible, but sometimes the seats offered depend on the business needs of each department at the time. We will usually try to accommodate your preference for your final seat which will be the team you hope to qualify into.