Build your career. Be supported. Make a real difference. About EMG Solicitors EMG Solicitors is an award-winning Legal 500 law firm with a growing UK presence and a national client base. What really sets us apart, though, is how we practise law. We work with people at some of the most important and challenging moments in their lives – and we do it with expertise, empathy and integrity. Our specialist areas include: Court of Protection (Property & Affairs / Health & Welfare) Mental Health & Social Care Funding Family & Matrimonial and Family Mediation Dispute Resolution (Contentious Probate, Employment and Civil Disputes) Residential Conveyancing Wills, Trusts & Probate Education Law If you’re looking for a training contract where you’ll be trusted early, supported properly and encouraged to be yourself, you’ll feel at home at EMG. About the Trainee Solicitor Programme Our Trainee Solicitor Programme is designed to help you grow into a confident, capable and compassionate solicitor. You’ll complete seats across a range of departments (we’ll always try to accommodate preferences, although this can’t be guaranteed) and will be treated as a fee earner from the outset, working on real cases under the supervision of experienced solicitors. This is a hands-on role where you’ll: Work directly with clients Run matters under supervision Attend court with counsel Develop strong technical and client-care skills Take ownership of your learning and development We’ll support you, challenge you, and give you the space to learn – including learning from mistakes, which we see as part of becoming an excellent solicitor. Where will you be based? You’ll spend most of your training based within our Northern offices. As you move through the programme, there may be opportunities to complete seat rotations from other EMG offices, and you’ll need to be comfortable working flexibly across our locations where required, depending on availability and business needs. EMG Solicitors has offices in Durham, Gosforth, Penrith, Darlington, Manchester and Reading. If your training involves working from a different office, we’ll always give you plenty of notice and support to help you plan any travel. How many hours will you be working? This is a full-time role (35 hours per week). It’s not a strict 9–5 role, and where possible we offer flexibility to help you balance client work with your own wellbeing. You’ll be supported to manage your workload effectively while gaining the experience and skills you need throughout your training. What will we expect from you: You should be passionate about providing: Support to your colleagues. To undertake your duties professionally and with the utmost skill and care. We take the view we stand and fall as a team - you will need to work both on your own and as part of a team. To always put clients first and respect their confidentiality at all times. Getting paid for the work you do: As a Trainee Solicitor, you’ll be involved in a wide range of work, including: Being tasked with undertaking fee earning work including conducting cases under the supervision of a Team Leader/Solicitor. Organising interviews with clients, assess legal problems and advise clients on costs ensuring excellence in respect of technical advice, client service, and user- friendly language. Making sure that the client’s needs are met as soon as possible and deal with any issues that arise for them. Arranging meetings, making appointments and maintaining an up-to-date diary for your Team Leader is an important part of the role. Undertaking any specific training is a requirement and you have a responsibility towards managing your own self-development. Preparing documentation, standard and non-standard correspondence as well as drafting case papers will be part of your duties. You will also deal with billing, paying costs and closing files. Administering files including daily filing, and the opening, closing, storage and retrieval of client files in accordance with the detailed procedures contained in the Office manual. Accurate time recording for the work which you undertake for the purpose of billing the client. Attending Court with counsel and taking notes. To perform this job you will need: We want trainees who care about the work they do, the people they work with, and are excited to grow and learn with us. You’ll ideally have: The necessary academic and vocational qualifications required by the Law Society, including a good academic record having preferably obtained a 2:1 degree or higher at university. Key skills such as excellent teamwork, attention to detail and ability to use initiative. You display honesty, integrity and have a 'can do' attitude to situations. Experience of and willingness to work for people of all kinds, and ability to recognise that everyone is entitled to equal opportunities before the law. Previous experience of working under LEXCEL or similar management standard alongside computerised case management systems would be beneficial. The ability to communicate effectively with others face to face, on the telephone and in writing. Using appropriate language for different clients and situations as required. Some of the behaviours we want to see demonstrated in this role: At EMG, our values guide everything we do - how we work with clients, support each other, and grow as a team. As a Trainee Solicitor, we expect you to bring these values to life in your day-to-day work: Co-operation – You will need to work proactively with your team towards your common goals, letting them know when you are able to help. Courage – You have the courage to ask questions and expect a helpful answer. There is never a stupid question. Excellence – You communicate effectively to manage clients and colleague’s expectations. Integrity – You will work in a way which demonstrates fairness, openness and honesty, offering training and sharing knowledge. If you do happen to make a mistake, we would want you to raise these with your supervisor without fear of any reprisal. Kindness – We ask that you listen, encourage participation and allow people to be heard, noticing when colleagues and clients may need an extra hand and an offer of help. What We Offer We take pride in our employment offer and believe it has something to appeal to everyone, but we’re always reviewing our proposition to make sure it remains competitive and relevant. We provide a full complement of training to support you and develop you in being the best you can be in your role; this starts with a comprehensive induction to really help you settle into your new role. Firm wide annual bonus scheme, in addition to a competitive salary 4% Pension employer contributions offered through Standard Life 25 days holiday entitlement per year (FTE) with an additional three days off at Christmas 5 extra days paid leave on your 5-year anniversary – (and every 5 years thereafter) Life Assurance providing your loved ones with a 3x salary death in service benefit Employee Assistance Programme – a Freephone number you can call 24/7 for personal, legal and financial issues; to arrange counselling and a GP helpline. Free annual flu injection EMG Rewards – Vivup app & Tastecard apps offering discounts across a large number of retailers £50 Gift card on your birthday as well as a late start or early finish £50 Gift card at Christmas plus Christmas closure (subject to variation) Cycle to work scheme Salary Sacrifice Electric Car scheme For colleagues who are having babies we support them through Dear Bump, providing welfare packs and support through your pregnancy. If you want to take the family or friends out, we have two passes for Beamish open air museum which you can book out and take up to 10 people to the museum free of charge. Opportunity to join EMG working groups, such as our Green Team, Purpose Team, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Team & our Social Impact Team Regular surveys to understand issues our team care about. Includes regular guest speakers on a wide range of topics. Does this sound like the opportunity for you? When applying for this role, please upload: Your CV, outlining your academic achievements, work experience, and any relevant skills. A covering letter telling us about yourself as an individual - your motivations, interests, and the qualities that make you a great fit for EMG Solicitors. We want to hear how your experience, approach, and values align with the role, and what excites you about starting your legal career with us. We’re not just looking at qualifications and grades - we want to understand who you are, what drives you, and how you work with others. Use this opportunity to show your personality, share your achievements, and explain why you would thrive as a trainee within our supportive, values-driven firm. We’re excited to hear from candidates who are eager to grow, learn, and contribute to our team! EMG Solicitors are an equal opportunities employer. To apply for this role, you must have the right to work within the UK.