Careers

Wedlake Bell is a great place to work. Our reputation attracts blue chip clients, household names and international brands. Our size ensures a friendly working environment with room to be noticed.

People thrive here because they work with great clients alongside bright people who genuinely take pleasure in what they do.

We:

  • believe in the importance of enjoying what you do
  • cultivate a friendly, supportive and nurturing environment
  • are committed to a healthy work-life balance

If you are interested in applying to Wedlake Bell LLP, please email recruitment@wedlakebell.com

Wedlake Bell is a “data controller” in respect of the personal data it collects and holds about you as part of the recruitment process. As a data controller, we are responsible for deciding (i) what data we collect; (ii) how we use it; (iii) how we store it; and (iv) when we delete it. Under GDPR, we are required to notify you of (i) to (iv). We have strict policies in place to prevent the loss, accidental destruction, misuse or disclosure of your personal data. For further information on the firm’s privacy notice, please click here.

Summer Vacation Scheme

Every July we offer an exclusive three-week summer vacation scheme to a limited number of students who are interested in pursuing a career in law. The scheme is very structured and enables successful applicants to gain first-hand experience of life as a trainee solicitor at Wedlake Bell.

The 2023 Summer vacation scheme will run from Monday 26 June 2023 – Friday 14 July 2023.

We view our summer vacation scheme as a prolonged interview for training contracts and a significant number of our trainees are recruited directly from our summer vacation scheme.

In each of the three weeks, you will be assigned to a fee earner in one of our core teams and will become actively involved with their caseload. In addition, we will ask you to prepare a presentation as part of a summer student group, you’ll have ownership over the topic and final output.  These presentations will be made in your last week to a selection of our lawyers and our current trainees.

Summer vacation scheme students will also be able to meet a variety of people from across the firm and experience the firm’s culture for yourself.

Amelia Bloomfield, Summer Vacation Scheme 2022 attendee and September 2024 Future Trainee:

“As both a career changer and a non-law graduate, I really enjoyed Wedlake Bell’s three-week vacation scheme. Being seated with a new team each week provided a valuable insight into the varied, high-quality work that trainees at the firm get involved with.

The level of responsibility given to trainees stood out to me and it was extremely exciting to assist with tasks relating to live matters. For example, I attended a client meeting, summarised new construction legislation to be used on the firm’s website and attempted the first draft of a contract. 

Everyone at Wedlake Bell was so welcoming and willing to provide guidance that I knew very quickly I wanted to complete my training contract at the firm.”

How do I apply for a place on the summer vacation scheme?

Applications will open for the 2023 Summer Vacation Scheme on 1 November 2022. The deadline to submit your application is 23.59 on 31 January 2023.

To apply, you will need to:

  1. Complete the online application form – access the online application form and apply here.
  2. You will be asked to include a covering letter as part of the application.

For any questions and queries, please email graduaterecruitment@wedlakebell.com.

Please contact Annabel Hale, Graduate Recruitment & Development Manager, ahale@wedlakebell.com, if you have anything you would like to discuss.

What is the selection process?

All applications are reviewed, and selected candidates are invited to interview in February. Offers will be made to successful candidates shortly after completion of interviews. We plan to conduct vacation scheme interviews in person, at our offices in London. As well as an interview with two members of our recruitment committee, candidates will also complete a written assessment and attend a networking coffee.

What practical experience will the scheme provide?

We make every effort to ensure that the students who attend our summer vacation scheme obtain a genuine insight into life as a trainee solicitor at Wedlake Bell. You will be assigned to three of our practice areas and will be involved in the day-to-day conduct of the transactions being handled by the lawyers in those practice areas. Where possible, we will invite you to meetings and court hearings. You will be encouraged to spend time with our trainees giving you an opportunity to informally discuss our training programme and get a true picture of the firm.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for a place on our scheme you must either:

  • Be a law undergraduate (final year or penultimate year student) or graduate;
  • Be a non-law final year student;
  • Have completed or begun the (P)GDL/PGDIP; or
  • Have begun an SQE preparation course.

Will I get paid?

We currently pay our summer students £350 per week.

If I am selected to attend an interview, will my travel costs be reimbursed?

Yes, Wedlake Bell will reimburse travelling expenses from within the UK and Ireland. A copy of your receipt is required and reimbursement will be paid by payment transfer. Unfortunately, we are unable to reimburse any expenses incurred if you travel back from a holiday to attend an interview.

Solicitor’s Qualifying Exam (SQE)

The SQE was introduced by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) in September 2021 and will mean that all aspiring solicitors must pass two standardised exams as part of the new route to qualification. This has been introduced to ensure consistency and high standards across the legal industry.

Wedlake Bell will continue to support and offer high-quality training to our trainees throughout this transition.

The SQE is split in to two assessments; SQE 1 and SQE 2. SQE 1 focuses on functioning legal knowledge and SQE on practical legal skills and knowledge.

In addition to the assessments, you will also need to have an undergraduate degree, complete two years’ qualifying work experience and meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements.

Further details on the SQE route can be found on the SRA’s website and we would recommend all candidates review this: https://sqe.sra.org.uk/

Will I need to sit the SQE?

If you started, accepted an offer or completed the LPC or (P)GDL before 1 September 2021 you are eligible to follow the transitional arrangements and qualify under the LPC route. This is also the case if you accepted an offer for a qualifying law degree by 21 September 2021.

Please note, the firm you choose to complete your training with may require you to follow the new SQE route to qualification from a set date.

The SRA have full details of the transitional arrangements on their website.

I’m a non-law student, what will the SQE route mean for me?

If you have already completed the (P)GDL you will be eligible to continue the LPC route to qualification or you can choose to complete the SQE.

If you are a non-law student and did not start the (P)GDL before 1 September 2021 you will need to complete the SQE route to qualification.

Non-law students should review the SRA’s transitional guidance.

What will Wedlake Bell’s approach for the SQE be?

Applicants for the 2025 training contract should bear in mind that they may be asked to complete the SQE qualification route. Wedlake Bell will offer financial support for the new qualification route, we will cover the costs of the preparation courses, exams and provide a maintenance grant of £7000.  

Wedlake Bell will be partnering with the University of Law for our SQE preparation courses. Future trainees will be able to select which campus they complete their studies at.

Wedlake Bell will be asking non-law students to complete the (P)GDL/PGDIP before beginning an SQE preparation course – funding and maintenance grants will be provided.

If you have already completed the LPC you will not need to take the SQE.

Equal Opportunities
Wedlake Bell is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all applicants will receive equal treatment regardless of the race, ethnic origins, religious beliefs, age, sex, marital status or sexual orientation of the applicant.