Trainee Solicitor CV Example
For law graduates and LPC/SQE students seeking training contracts at law firms. Showcases your legal knowledge, commercial awareness, and practical experience gained through vacation schemes, pro bono work, or paralegal roles.
Recommended template: FreshPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Include your law degree classification, LPC/SQE results, and any prizes or distinctions achieved.
- Highlight vacation scheme experience, naming the firm, department, and key work undertaken.
- Demonstrate commercial awareness by referencing relevant market developments or high-profile cases.
- Include pro bono work, law clinic experience, or mooting competitions that show practical legal skills.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Trainee Solicitor CV
A trainee solicitor CV must demonstrate your legal knowledge, practical experience, and the personal qualities that law firms look for in future trainees. Training contract applications are highly competitive, so your CV needs to stand out through a combination of strong academic credentials, relevant legal experience, and evidence of commercial awareness. Present a clear narrative of why you want to be a solicitor and what makes you a compelling candidate for the specific firm you are applying to.
CV Structure
Lead with your profile, followed by legal experience (vacation schemes, paralegal roles, pro bono work), education, and skills. Place your most impressive legal experience first, even if it is not the most recent. Include a dedicated section for extracurricular achievements such as mooting, law society involvement, and publications. Keep the CV to two pages — training partners will read it carefully if you make the long list.
CV Format
Use a clean, elegant template that reflects the professionalism of the legal sector. Avoid creative designs or informal styles — law firms expect a conservative, well-structured document. Ensure your academic results, LPC/SQE status, and key experiences are easy to find at a glance. Use a serif font for a traditional feel and submit as a PDF unless the application system requires a different format.
CV Profile Examples
LPC Graduate — Seeking Training Contract
LPC graduate with distinction from BPP University and a first-class LLB from the University of Bristol, actively seeking a training contract at a commercial law firm. Completed vacation schemes at two top-50 firms, gaining exposure to corporate transactions, commercial litigation, and real estate. Experienced in legal research, client interaction, and document drafting through a twelve-month paralegal role at a City practice. Commercially aware with a particular interest in technology and M&A.
SQE Candidate — Commercial Focus
Aspiring solicitor preparing for SQE2 with a 2:1 in Law from King's College London and six months of qualifying work experience in a corporate department. Strong foundation in contract law, company law, and commercial practice developed through academic study, a vacation scheme, and ongoing paralegal work. Demonstrates commercial awareness through regular engagement with legal publications and attendance at industry networking events.
Career Changer — Into Law
Former management consultant pursuing a legal career, having completed the GDL with commendation and the LPC with distinction from the University of Law. Three years of commercial experience in the professional services sector, providing a strong foundation in client management, commercial analysis, and project delivery. Brings maturity, business acumen, and a genuine commitment to developing as a solicitor in a firm that values commercial thinking.
State your law degree classification, LPC/SQE status, and the type of firm and practice area you are targeting. Mention your most impressive legal experience and one commercial interest that demonstrates awareness of the firm's clients or market. Keep it to three or four sentences that convey both competence and genuine motivation.
Key Skills for Your Trainee Solicitor CV
Legal Research
Conducting thorough research using Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Practical Law to identify relevant case law, legislation, and commentary.
Case Analysis
Analysing factual scenarios against legal principles to identify issues, assess risk, and advise on potential outcomes.
Client Interviewing
Conducting structured interviews with clients to gather information, identify legal issues, and establish the facts of a case.
Legal Drafting
Producing accurate, well-structured legal documents including contracts, memoranda, witness statements, and corporate resolutions.
Commercial Awareness
Understanding the business context in which legal advice is given and its impact on clients' commercial decisions and strategies.
Mooting & Advocacy
Presenting legal arguments persuasively in competitive mooting and mock trial settings, developing oral and written advocacy skills.
Pro Bono Work
Providing free legal assistance to individuals and organisations through law clinics, advice centres, and charitable legal projects.
Attention to Detail
Reviewing legal documents, research outputs, and correspondence with meticulous accuracy to avoid errors and omissions.
Time Management
Managing multiple tasks, deadlines, and competing priorities effectively in fast-paced legal environments.
Work Experience Examples
For each legal experience, describe the firm, department, and your scope before listing responsibilities and achievements. Vacation schemes should be presented in detail — name the firm, department, and specific work undertaken. Paralegal experience should highlight increasing responsibility and autonomy. Include at least one quantified achievement that demonstrates your impact. Non-legal work can be included briefly to show transferable skills.
Paralegal — Corporate Department
Ashford Ellis LLP
Worked for twelve months as a paralegal in the corporate team of a mid-sized City firm, supporting associates and partners on M&A transactions, company formations, and corporate restructuring matters.
Responsibilities
- Conducted legal research on Companies Act provisions, FCA regulatory requirements, and industry-specific compliance obligations using Practical Law and LexisNexis.
- Drafted board minutes, shareholder resolutions, and stock transfer forms for completion of corporate transactions.
- Managed due diligence exercises on acquisition targets, reviewing datarooms and preparing summary reports for supervising associates.
- Assisted with Companies House filings, maintaining corporate registers, and ensuring post-completion conditions were satisfied.
- Attended client meetings and took notes on transaction updates, action items, and outstanding conditions precedent.
Achievements
- Managed the due diligence workstream on a £12M acquisition independently, receiving commendation from the partner for the thoroughness of the summary report.
- Identified a material compliance risk during a dataroom review that led to a renegotiation of the purchase price, saving the client an estimated £350,000.
- Was offered an extension of the paralegal contract based on performance, with the partner providing a supporting reference for training contract applications.
Vacation Scheme — Commercial Litigation
Burges Salmon LLP
Completed a two-week assessed vacation scheme in the commercial disputes team of a leading national law firm, undertaking supervised legal work and firm-wide assessment activities.
Responsibilities
- Drafted a research memorandum on the application of without prejudice privilege in multi-party commercial disputes.
- Attended a mediation observation and prepared a summary note for the supervising partner on the mediation process and outcome.
- Participated in a mock client interview exercise, demonstrating questioning technique and the ability to identify key legal issues.
- Attended departmental presentations across corporate, real estate, and private client teams to understand the firm's full service offering.
Achievements
- Research memorandum was described by the partner as 'first-rate work suitable for use in the live case' and was added to the team's precedent bank.
- Received positive feedback in the end-of-scheme assessment, with particular praise for commercial awareness and written communication skills.
Education & Qualifications
List your LPC or SQE results first, followed by your law degree classification and university. If you completed a GDL, include this with your grade. Mention academic prizes, mooting awards, and any relevant modules or dissertation topics. If you have a strong non-law degree, include it as evidence of your intellectual range.
LPC (Legal Practice Course)
Vocational qualification for aspiring solicitors covering practical legal skills, professional conduct, and core practice areas.
SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination)
The current qualification pathway requiring two stages of assessment and qualifying work experience under SRA regulations.
LLB (Hons) Law Degree
Qualifying law degree providing the academic foundation in legal principles, case law, and statutory interpretation.
GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law)
Conversion course for non-law graduates covering the seven foundations of legal knowledge required for professional training.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important are vacation schemes for a training contract application?
Should I include non-legal work experience on a trainee solicitor CV?
How do I demonstrate commercial awareness on my CV?
What grades do law firms expect on a training contract CV?
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