If you choose to train with Switalskis Solicitors, you'll be joining one of the UK's top ten legal aid providers with a growing number of private clients. Switalskis has expanded considerably in recent years and we expect this to continue. The recruitment and retention of trainee solicitors has been an essential part of our growth and we have a large number of qualified solicitors working with us who undertook their training with us. Switalskis has been successful in acquiring Legal Services Sponsorship for trainees – a sign that we are able to offer training in Publicly Funded legal services which is of a high standard.
At Switalskis, we provide close supervision but expect trainees to take early responsibility and to have significant client contact, subject to overall supervision by qualified and experienced colleagues. We believe that the best way to develop our trainees into competent, technically able lawyers is to allow them to take real responsibility for a caseload as soon as possible. We aim for balance - as a trainee with Switalskis you will be challenged, but not out of your depth.
Trainee solicitors gain extensive experience in at least 3 departments within the firm, usually spending a minimum of 6 months in each department and longer in any department which they are interested in joining post-qualification.
We're a forward-looking firm, so we're looking for more than just grey suits when we recruit trainees. We look for enthusiastic, driven people with personality and professionalism; real team players with excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to a career in publicly funded law. Our trainee solicitors will usually be required to be flexible about their working location, and may spend periods of time based at any of our six offices across West Yorkshire in order to gain the most diverse practice experience and meet the needs of our rapidly growing firm. A full, clean driving licence is definitely an advantage. A strong academic record is important too - ideally you should have a 2:1 or higher (this need not necessarily be a Law degree) and excellent grades at A-level or equivalent.
We are currently reviewing our staffing requirements and at present do not have any vacancies for trainee solicitors. Trainee positions which arise will be posted on this page, and we recommend that you check this page from time to time if you are interested in applying. All other fee earning positions, including those for non-qualified fee earners, will be posted on our legal professionals vacancies page.