Slade Legal offers training contracts that provide a broad and varied experience, helping you build the skills and confidence to develop a successful legal career. Trainees will gain valuable experience, developing their legal knowledge and working with a range of clients. Throughout your training, you will benefit from the support and guidance of experienced colleagues, take on real responsibility and have the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and success of our firm.
About our programme
At Slade Legal, we recruit two trainee solicitors each year, offering an excellent opportunity to develop your legal career within an established, approachable and forward-thinking law firm.
Our training programme is designed to give you a broad understanding of the legal profession, practical experience across different areas of law and the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence needed to become a successful solicitor.
As a trainee at Slade Legal, you will work alongside experienced legal professionals, become involved in real client matters and gain valuable insight into the day-to-day work of a busy high-street law firm. We believe in giving our trainees the opportunity to learn, contribute and take on responsibility, with guidance and support throughout their training.
Responsibility and client contact
- You will gain hands-on experience working on real legal matters and developing your understanding of the needs of our clients.
- You will have opportunities to communicate with clients, build professional relationships and develop your client care skills.
- Working closely with experienced solicitors and legal professionals, you will gradually take on greater responsibility as your knowledge and confidence grow.
Variety of work
- Our training programme offers exposure to different areas of legal practice, helping you develop a broad foundation of legal knowledge.
- Depending on your training arrangements, you may gain experience across our key practice areas, including residential property, family law, private client, employment law, dispute resolution and commercial law.
- You will develop an understanding of how different legal departments operate and how we work together to provide a comprehensive service to individuals and businesses.
Support throughout your training contract
- You will work alongside experienced colleagues who will provide guidance, supervision and support throughout your training.
- We encourage an open and collaborative approach, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and learn from those around you.
- Regular feedback and ongoing discussions about your progress will help you identify your strengths, develop your skills and work towards your qualification as a solicitor.
Training and career development
- You will develop practical legal skills alongside the academic knowledge you gained through your legal studies and professional training.
- You will have opportunities to develop your communication, drafting, research, organisation and client relationship skills.
- We want our trainees to become confident, capable solicitors who understand our clients, our business and the importance of providing excellent legal advice.
- We are committed to supporting your professional development and helping you build a long-term career in law.
Life at Slade Legal
As a local, family-run law firm, we believe that our people are central to our success. We value teamwork, professionalism and building strong relationships, both with our clients and with each other.
- You will become part of a friendly and supportive team, working alongside colleagues across our Oxfordshire offices in Abingdon, Didcot and Wallingford.
- Our approachable working environment means you will have opportunities to get to know colleagues across different departments and develop relationships throughout the firm.
- You will be encouraged to get involved in firm activities, community initiatives and events, giving you the opportunity to contribute beyond your day-to-day legal work.
- We want our trainees to feel valued, supported and able to make a positive contribution to the future of Slade Legal.
Our 2027 trainee recruitment
We appoint two trainee solicitors each year and will be welcoming applications for our September 2027 intake in accordance with the following timetable:
- 31 January 2027: Deadline for applications.
- Early March 2027: Invitations for assessment day and interviews to go out to candidates.
- 28 April 2027: Assessment day and interviews take place.
- May 2027: Final recruitment decisions are made and communicated.
- 6 September 2027: Training contracts commence.
If you are enthusiastic about developing a career in law, enjoy working with people and want to be part of a supportive and ambitious local firm, we would love to hear from you.
SQE support and sponsorship
At Slade Legal, we are committed to supporting our trainee solicitors throughout their professional development and helping them take the next step towards qualification.
Applicants should have already completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or passed SQE1 before applying for a training contract with us.
For successful applicants who have passed SQE1 but have not yet completed SQE2, Slade Legal will sponsor the cost of their SQE2 training, helping them develop the practical legal knowledge and skills required for the next stage of their qualification.
We recognise the commitment involved in qualifying as a solicitor and want to make sure our trainees receive the support and guidance they need as they progress towards becoming qualified members of the legal profession.