Tees training contract

A training contract with us means you will be part of a great team and benefit from the vast experience, knowledge and expertise of your colleagues from day one. We are a fast-growing regional firm that offers a wide range of legal and financial services - there's plenty of high-quality work and lots of opportunities for you to shine.

How to apply to a training contract at Tees

Are you a law student? Our popular graduate scheme offers a road into a major regional law firm.

We are a major regional law firm, and we’re growing fast. We offer a wide variety of opportunities in a range of departments. So whether it’s wills or leases, farmland development or divorces – we'll have something that piques your interest.

You will absolutely be allowed and encouraged to contribute effectively day-to-day – and of course you will be surrounded by experienced lawyers, helping you at every step. We carefully assess the level of responsibility we give you and when you’re ready, you can deliver client-facing work too.

Applying for a training contract at Tees

Vacation schemes are a great way of deciding to which firms you would like to apply for a training contract, and Tees’ vacation scheme is no exception. During your placement, you’ll have the chance to chat with our current trainees about life as a trainee solicitor here.

Our training contract consists of four seats of six months in different departments at one of our six offices. Trainees work in supportive teams and are supervised by either a Partner or Senior Associate. We actively encourage our trainees to get involved in marketing, networking, training and social events hosted by the firm.  The environment is an enthusiastic and friendly one and trainees have regular meetings with their supervisors.

At Tees, we support our trainees and their progression through the firm.  Some of our previous trainees include:

Chris Claxton-Shirley – Wills Tax Trusts and Probate Solicitor at Tees 

Sally Powell – Family Partner at Tees

We’re award-winning

We won the 2019 Law Careers.net ‘Best Trainer – Regional Law Firm’ award. We have a good track record - we've won The LawCareers.Net Recruitment and Training award for ‘Best trainer - Medium regional firm’ in 2016 (and in 2010) and in 2012 we won Best Work Placement scheme – Regional firm.

We only recruit academically strong, personable and ambitious people to train with Tees. Our trainees are a big part of the firm’s future, as they progress through their training, into qualification and beyond. In fact, 8 of our current partners, started their careers as trainees at Tees! 

When to apply

The application process for Tees 2025 training contracts opens on 1 January 2023 and closes at midday on 26 June 2023. The 2025 trainee assessment centre will take place on 13 July 2023. Please check here for any updates before applying.

Applications by cover letter with attached CV addressed to Jane Winfield, Training Principal, emailed to gradrec@teeslaw.com

Please note the application process for training contracts starting in 2023 and 2024 is now closed.

We receive a very high volume of applications, so please apply well in advance of the closing date, we will respond to all applications after the closing date.

What we’re looking for

  • At least 320 UCAS points (ABB) or equivalent
  • At least a 2:1 in your degree
  • A keen and genuine interest in Tees
  • A personable and ambitious nature
  • A well-rounded individual with interests both related and unrelated to the law
  • Commercial awareness
  • A sense of humour!

If that sounds like you then we would like to hear from you.

Tees vacation scheme

Tees’ award-winning vacation scheme provides a first-hand look into what it’s like to work at a top UK 200 law firm. 

What is the vacation scheme?

Every year, we welcome talented students and graduates for a week’s placement on our vacation scheme. It’s your chance to get to know us and about working in a modern law firm.

It’s also our chance to get to know you and we regularly invite vacation scheme candidates to join our training contract assessment process.

How the vacation scheme works

The vacation scheme runs for one week during June/July, and is open to:

  • Second and third year undergraduates
  • Graduates
  • Students/graduates of the LPC, GDL or SQE 

During your placement, you’ll get to work on real cases and will work in two or three different departments. You’ll get to see the range of the firm’s work and talk to experienced solicitors about what it’s like to work in their field. 

We are looking for candidates with: 

  • At least 320 UCAS points (ABB at A Level or equivalent)
  • A keen and genuine interest in applying to Tees for a training contract
  • A personable and ambitious nature
  • Interests both related and unrelated to the law
  • Commercial awareness
  • A sense of humour!

During the week, you will be invited for lunch with some of our current trainees. We will reimburse any travel expenses up to £50.

Tees 2023 vacation scheme application deadlines

The deadline for each summer is the preceding 31 March and interviews are normally conducted in April. 

The deadline for our 2023 summer vacation scheme is 31 March 2023. We will let you know after the closing date whether you will be invited to interview.

Applications are open from 1 January 2023 by cover letter with attached CV addressed to Helen Midgley and emailed to: gradrec@teeslaw.com

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