WINNERS OF THE BEST TRAINING - MEDIUM SIZED REGIONAL LAW FIRM AT THE LAWCAREERS.NET TRAINING & RECRUITMENT AWARDS 2008

Blandy & Blandy is a UK Top 200 law firm and one of the leading firms in the Thames Valley. Eleven of our practice areas are highly rated in the legal directories and a third of our partners are recognised as national leaders in their field of law.

Established in 1733 we are the 25th oldest law firm in the country. However, we realise that being older does not necessarily make us better and we balance our heritage and experience with a modern and progressive approach, ensuring that we stay as relevant to our clients today as we have always been.

We attach a great deal of importance to training our own solicitors as they will help to foster the firm’s approach and are an investment for the future. In return, we offer a stimulating and progressive atmosphere with outstanding career opportunities.

Our trainees are expected to take a hands on role, working closely with an appointed partner who will supervise and encourage them in their training. All trainees are also assigned an associate who will help them to settle in, monitor their progress throughout their training contract and help resolve any issues that might occur.

In 2008 we were the winners of the Best Training - Medium Regional Firm award at the Lawcareers.net Recruitment and Training Awards in London. Click here for more information.

Strength in both breadth and depth

Unlike many other leading regional law firms we firmly believe in the importance of providing both business and private client legal services and we are highly renowned for both.

The firm is divided into separate departments and our solicitors specialise within these. All of them are specialists in their own particular areas of expertise and not generalists working across a range of disciplines.

The breadth of service that we provide enables our trainees to experience working with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds ranging from large commercial organisations to private individuals. This helps them to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge on which to base their future legal careers.

Professional Training

Each September the firm takes on three trainees who will each spend six months in four of the eight departments. Wherever possible individual preferences are catered for.

Most trainees share an office space with their assigned partner or solicitor as this normally gives the best opportunity for continuous professional supervision and for the trainee to experience the day-today challenges of a qualified solicitor.

Blandy & Blandy also participates in a PSC (professional skills course) which is compulsory training. There are three core areas covered, business skills, advocacy and client care, and trainees can then choose electives in areas of law they are interested in.

Most of the training days take place in Oxford and it's a good chance for trainees to meet people from other law firms in the area.

There are regular informal reviews and an official performance appraisal is held every six months to discuss progress and identify areas for development. Trainees are encouraged to attend lectures and seminars to widen the scope of their training.

After qualifying

Over half our present partners and solicitors have trained with the firm. We cannot guarantee suitable posts for everyone who qualifies but, wherever possible, we like to offer permanent positions to those we have trained.

Our selection process

Each year candidates are selected to attend a Trainee Assessment Day at our offices where they will undertake written and group exercises and will have the opportunity to meet partners and other staff including our existing trainees.

Candidates are selected to attend on the following criteria:

• 2:1 degree or above
• Computer literacy
• Enthusiasm and resourcefulness
• Communication skills

The closing date for all applications is 31st July each year.

Contact us

If you are interested in applying for a training contract please write attaching your CV to our HR Manager, Fiona Baxter, or email her at HR@blandy.co.uk