Trainee solicitors

If you are starting out, start with the best. At Beale & Co we are looking for future leaders. In fact 9 out of our current 25 Partners trained at the Firm.

Trainee solicitors

Our training contracts are designed to provide you with first class legal experience and business skills to succeed as a lawyer. We are looking for bright, enthusiastic individuals who can think ‘outside the box’ and who are looking to build long and successful careers with us.

Trainees work alongside our leading professionals in the fields of construction (UK and international), insurance and corporate/commercial. From the start of the training programme you will be a real part of the team providing the quality service upon which we have built our reputation. We value our trainees and their contribution. You are our future. We will give you opportunities to build relationships with clients and take responsibility for your own matters.

We offer training contracts in three vibrant cities (London, Dublin and Bristol) all providing competitive salaries. There are also regular opportunities to spend time working in our Dubai office. We recognise the demands of performing in today’s business environment and encourage a healthy work/life balance as well as involvement in the active social scene within the Firm.

Trainee Recruitment Partner Ian Masser comments: “My role is to select the best and then to oversee your 2 year training to becoming a qualified solicitor. I adopt an ‘open door’ / ‘hands on’ approach. I want you to be successful. All I ask is you give it everything.”

If you are interested in joining a forward thinking firm which provides quality work and training in return for your hard work, visit the application pages to find out how.

The contract

Our trainee programme provides the necessary environment, education and support to give you the very best start in your legal career.

Training contracts start in September and last for a period of two years, which is broken down into four six month seats. Irish training contracts are structured slightly differently to meet the Irish Law Society requirements.

Our training contract includes the following:

  • Hands on and extensive practical experience in our key fields of expertise including:
    • Professional Liability
    • Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure
    • Insurance
    • International
    • Corporate and Commercial
  • Working for and sitting with a partner being involved in a wide range of matters and working as a team with fee earners at all levels.
  • A comprehensive in-house training programme: regular internal practice-specific seminars and external speakers.
  • Involvement in marketing and business development initiatives and know-how.
  • Active participation in CSR initiatives, which is a key aspect of the firm.
  • Secondment opportunities to Dubai and our clients across the world.
  • Rhia Gould2nd Year Trainee, LondonRead Their Story˅

    I am just over half way through my Training Contract at Beale and Company, currently sat with the Contracts and Project Advisory Team.

    I have thoroughly enjoyed my training at Beales and I have gained a wide variety of experience. So far during my third seat, I have undertaken complex and detailed reviews of contracts and subcontracts, advised clients on their standard terms and conditions, and written detailed advice notes for clients on topical subjects, such as the secondary legislation introduced under the Building Safety Act. More recently, I have been assisting a client with onboarding over one hundred subcontractors for a project it is working on later this year.

    I spent my second seat on secondment with one of our clients in the oil and gas industry. This was an invaluable opportunity as a trainee, as I was able to develop my understanding of how contractual relationships work in practice, and take this understanding forward into my third seat with the Contracts team. I was able to help out with all different aspects of the business, such as property matters, commercial contracts, and potential/ ongoing disputes. This really enhanced my commercial awareness, and also allowed me to network in a way that I perhaps would not have been able to otherwise.

    Something that I was perhaps not expecting but has been a key factor in my enjoyment of my Training Contract with Beales has been the fact that I feel comfortable talking to and learning from all members of my team, whatever their role/ experience. The size of the firm and the interconnectedness of its departments leads to an incredibly welcoming and collaborative workplace. While Beales is a fairly niche and specialised firm, I still feel that I have had a wide array of experience and when I have undertaken any one of my seats, I have not felt restricted to that seat. This is what makes Beales really stand out from other firms, in my opinion.

    I have also enjoyed the opportunity to attend business development events, such as an all-day AIA International Conference and various social activities with smaller groups of clients. Something I have also found to be really useful in my training is being able to write articles for the website and spend time understanding legal updates in the construction industry, and their implications for our clients.

    For me, the jump straight from university to private practice was a challenging one, however one I feel was massively eased by the size and company culture of Beale and Company. I am excited to see what further experiences the last 10 months of my Training Contract will bring.

  • Jack Amselem2nd Year Trainee, LondonRead Their Story˅

    I spent my second seat on secondment at a multinational engineering company where I assisted the Nuclear & Power team with non-contentious project advisory work. I had the opportunity to work on a variety of interesting projects, including Nuclear & Power projects both in the UK and overseas, as well as several large infrastructure projects in the water sector. This experience gave me an insight into how our clients operate and an understanding of their needs from an in-house perspective. The opportunity to work on projects across different sectors of the business has given me a broader knowledge of the industry in which our clients work, and an understanding of how legal advice should be provided in a way that helps the client achieve its business goals. Further, completing a secondment as a trainee has been a great chance to network with a large client at an early stage of my career. The opportunity as a trainee to complete a secondment is invaluable and is one of the reasons I would highly recommend applying for a training contract at Beale & Co. I will take this experience into my third seat where I will be spending 6 months on secondment at another leading global design & consultancy organisation.

  • Deen Taj2nd Year Trainee, Read Their Story˅

    I am approaching completion of my third seat during which I have been on secondment with AtkinsRéalis’ Nuclear and Power team.

    Whilst on secondment, I have advised upon numerous international and domestic projects across Nuclear and Power, Water, Aviation, and Corporate Services. The exposure to such a variety of projects and internal stakeholders has propelled my understanding of Atkinsréalis’ business and how it operates from a macroeconomic level. One of many secondment highlights has been assisting with the formation of a corporate entity and the subsequent tender bid for a major infrastructure project worth c.£2 billion. Overall, the secondment has been invaluable in understanding how commercial law operates on the client-side whilst also helping to expand my professional network.

    Due to the agile nature of Beales, I have had the pleasure of working across the firm’s various practice areas: Contentious Construction, Corporate and Commercial, and Financial and Specialty Risks. The matters I have assisted with include: acting for construction clients in multi-party TCC proceedings, pursuing insurers for double insurance contributions in a multi-jurisdictional context, managing a UAE-based acquisition, advising upon export control laws and overseeing transactional real estate matters.

    As a trainee at Beales, I have been made to feel as a valued member of the team with tangible levels of responsibility on complex and high value matters whilst also being given the opportunity to progress my own caseload.

    Aside from the trailblazing work itself, professional and personal development has been of high importance with regular internal and external training opportunities for trainees to increase their legal knowledge and to be brought up to speed with the latest industry developments. With Beales being recognised as leaders in advising within the construction and insurance industries, the training offered enables trainees to uphold the firm’s reputation in their work output.

    The Firm’s culture has also been a standout feature of my training contract experience; the culture here at Beales is akin to a family dynamic. The “open-door policy” extends to all employees at the firm and facilitates a collaborative atmosphere in which to grow within. As a trainee, I have found it reassuring to be able to query case progression with senior members of the team; aiding efficiency, confidence and working relationships.

    I have thoroughly enjoyed my training experience at Beale & Co thus far and look forward to developing my experience and skills further as I approach qualification.

  • Daniela MiklovaSolicitor, LondonRead Their Story˅

    I am approaching completion of my third seat during which I have been with the Health and Safety Contentious Construction team.

    The firm’s established Health and Safety practice continues to grow following an increase in the HSE’s roles and responsibilities within the built environment sector. The team’s service offering on all aspects of investigation and enforcement action and prosecution has enabled me to experience a diverse workload over the last 5 months. During this seat I have attended coroners’ inquests, supported clients with HSE investigations and assisted with advice on a range of health and safety issues pertaining to construction. There is always the opportunity to be involved with extra-curricular business development activities within the team, which provide greater exposure to the issues that the industry faces. I have enjoyed the opportunity to expand my knowledge base in this multi-faceted practice area during a pivotal time within the construction industry.

    An invaluable opportunity available during a training contract at Beales is to complete a seat on an in-house secondment with a variety of clients in the construction and insurance industries. I completed my second seat with the Nuclear & Power team at Atkins Limited during which I completed a non-contentious project advisory seat. During this six-month period, I experienced working on the client-side, which highlighted the contrasting legal style and commercial considerations compared with private practice. The chance to be collaborate with the different business teams to reach viable commercial solutions on a variety of interesting projects is less accessible in private practice and this involvement with the business truly improved the quality of my advice. I would highly recommend capitalising on a secondment opportunity as you will learn vital, transferable skills that will enhance your professional development, whilst expanding your own network within the legal industry.

    As a trainee at Beales, I have benefited from the opportunity to tailor my training contract to pursue my interests. Having completed and enjoyed my first seat in Contentious Construction, I was able to request another Contentious Construction seat for my third seat. The flexibility of the training contract structure at Beales is unique, as it facilitates the development of specialist knowledge throughout the two-year training period. Equally, the range of practice areas at the firm encourages trainees to explore various sectors and delivers a diverse training contract. The ability for trainees to take ownership of their training with a firm that accommodates these choices heightens the value of pursuing a legal career with Beales.

    Since the start of my training contract, trainees have been encouraged to take an active a role in the firm’s business development. I regularly draft articles for the website and client notes, which are equally beneficial tasks for maintaining commercial and industry awareness. Outside of the office, there are frequent opportunities to get involved with the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. So far, I have volunteered my time at numerous fundraiser events for construction industry charity CRASH, in addition to having delivered a presentation skills session to primary school classes with my colleagues.

    I greatly value the variety of work and opportunities that have arisen during my training contract so far and look forward to developing my experience and skills further as I approach qualification.

  • Felicity HirdSolicitor, LondonRead Their Story˅

    I began my legal journey studying undergraduate Law at Newcastle University. Thereafter I completed my Masters in Law and LPC followed by a year out, prior to starting my Training Contract.

    So far as a Trainee I have worked on a wide variety of matters. Highlights have included adjudications, court work including a multiparty litigation in excess of £30m and pre-action work defending architects, engineers, and surveyors. At Beale & Co you are aware of the wealth of expertise at your fingertips, and are encouraged to use it in order to develop your technical legal know-how and wider professional skills. During the training contract you benefit from sharing an office with a Partner, which provides for a very well-rounded training experience.

    I have spent my third seat on Secondment at an external international construction and consultancy firm. This has been a brilliant experience and I have gained hands on experience of live projects, and an understanding of how the make-up of a contract has tangible ramifications on site. I have also enjoyed advising on contractual terms for high value bids, and negotiating final terms when those bids are successful.

    Lastly, at Beale & Co I have found that a culture of respect is pervasive and hard work is rewarded. You are encouraged to develop your own professional style and are given ample opportunities to do so.

    For anyone who enjoys diverse and interesting work, with a specific interest in the construction and insurance industries, I would recommend applying for a training contract at Beale & Co.

Apply to be a Trainee at Beale & Co