Hill Dickinson

Hill Dickinson LLP is a leading international commercial law firm employing over 1000 people, including more than 200 partners and legal directors. The firm operates across the UK, Europe and South East Asia, in Birmingham, Hong Kong, Leeds, Limassol, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Monaco, Newcastle, Piraeus and Singapore. 

We deliver advice and strategic guidance spanning the full legal spectrum, broadly organised into three main client groups: business services, health and marine. We advise businesses, organisations and individuals across the globe and from a wide range of market sectors, including specialisms in health and marine, on non-contentious advisory and transactional work, through to all forms of commercial litigation and arbitration. 

We are a longstanding provider of legal services to the health sector and home to one of the legal world’s largest and most respected maritime and shipping practices. 

We advise clients on bringing a product to market, raising capital, leasing premises, drawing up employment contracts, protecting assets, incorporating and merging businesses. We also support clients during commercial disputes and contentious matters. 

Our clients include multinational companies, major corporations, the NHS, UK plcs, UK and foreign banks, financial institutions, public sector bodies, investors, educational establishments, institutions, private individuals and professional bodies. 

Opportunities 

There are a variety of ways that you can begin your career in law. Choosing the right route for you is an essential first step and you need a firm that supports your ambitions. 

Training contracts  

We believe that aligning your legal career to a sector you’re truly passionate about is the key to becoming a great lawyer. Our unique solicitor training contracts give you the flexibility to shape your own experience and gain invaluable, first-hand experience in one of our three business groups: Business Services, Health or Marine.  

Our training contracts offer you the opportunity to do four, six-month seats over the course of the two years, with opportunities based in Liverpool, Manchester, London, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham.  

During each six-month seat, you’ll have two reviews with our dedicated trainee committee. This team of partners, legal directors and senior associates from across our business groups is on hand to support you. They’ll monitor your progress, offer advice and help you grow, 

Beyond your legal training in each seat, we’ve designed a special trainee development programme to boost your business skills and personal and professional growth. These bi-monthly sessions give you the foundation you need to build your career, connect you with your fellow trainees and take a holistic, person-centred approach to your training. 

Insight days  

Want to see what it’s really like to work as a trainee solicitor at Hill Dickinson? Join us for an insight day at one of our UK offices – our version of a vacation scheme.  

During the day, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the business group you’re interested in. You’ll meet the teams, complete practical tasks and hear from our current trainees about their experiences working across different sectors. 

You’ll also get the opportunity to get a feel for our friendly and welcoming culture.  

Open days  

An open day is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know what life at Hill Dickinson is like and will help you decide what the right route into a career in law is for you. 

We’re hosting open days in our Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and London offices in winter 2024. 

The day includes sessions with our trainees and apprentices, as well as those completing the CILEx pathway. You’ll gain insight into what a career in law really involves by learning about some of our key practice areas.  

And if you decide we’re the right firm for you? You’ll have the opportunity to find out more about our application process too.  

Our open days are exactly that – open to anyone, at any stage of their education or career. To get involved, simply register your interest to attend during the application window between 16 September and 31 October. 

Spots on our open days are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis, so if you’d like to join us for the day make sure you register as soon as possible. 

SQE  

Our graduate solicitor apprenticeship offers our trainee solicitors the opportunity to learn from our senior associates and partners, benefit from their experience, while still earning a competitive salary. 

We’ll cover the cost of your Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) programme and exam fees, so you can focus on your studies.  

We’ve worked with the University of Law to design a tailored SQE programme that ensures you get the best start to your legal career and are prepared for the significant responsibilities you’ll have as a qualified solicitor. 

If you’re offered a training contract and haven’t started the LPC, you’ll follow our graduate solicitor apprenticeship route. 

If you’re already studying for the SQE, we can discuss how to integrate your studies with our programme. 

If you’ve completed or are currently studying for the LPC, you can still apply and follow the traditional LPC and PSC route. 

A note on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

We value a diverse workforce and are committed to recruiting the best talent from across all backgrounds. Our Early Careers team carefully reviews every application before making the decision to offer a placement.  

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) are at the heart of our values and firmwide culture. That’s why we ensure every step of the recruitment process is unbiased, with decisions based purely on merit.  

We also know that achievements don’t always look the same on paper, so instead of setting minimum academic requirements, we proudly use a contextual recruitment system to consider your accomplishments within the bigger picture in which they were achieved. That way, your talents and potential remain at the centre of the selection process. 

We’re proud to be partner with Aspiring Solicitors, the 10,000 Interns Foundation and Bright Network. These organisations share our commitment to advancing EDI and nurturing exceptional talent from all backgrounds.