When can I
start?
Hodge Jones & Allen LLP is currently
recruiting for trainee solicitors to commence September 2013. We
recruit one year in advance. Please download, complete and return
the application form. The closing deadline is 5pm on 10th August
2012 with interviews scheduled for Tuesday 28th August to Thursday
30th August 2012. You must be available to attend an interview
within those dates.
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How many seats do I need to do?
The training contract is for a two-year period and it is usual
for trainee solicitors to complete four seats of six months each.
Occasionally, trainee solicitors will complete a double seat but it
will depend on the trainee and the departmental needs.
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Which
departments have seats available?
Trainee solicitor seats are available in the following
departments: Crime, Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Dispute
Resolution, Family, Private Client, Housing and Civil
Liberties.
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Do I
get a choice of seat or can I express a preference?
Before starting your training contract you will be asked to list
your seat preferences, you will then be given the opportunity to
review this every six months. The firm cannot guarantee that you
will have opportunity to spend a seat in all of your preferences
but it will do its best. You will have to spend at least one seat
in a non-contentious department to comply with Law Society training
requirements.
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Is it a
good place to work?
As the firm has more than 180 employees, based in our office at
180 North Gower Street, there are lots of opportunities for
socialising outside work time. The firm has regular activities and
entertainment events including a Christmas Party, and quarterly
drinks in our bar. There are lots of friendly and interesting
people who work at the firm for you to get to know.
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What is
the salary for a trainee solicitor?
The starting salary for trainee solicitors at Hodge Jones &
Allen LLP starting in September 2013 will be £22,000 per annum.
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Will I
be doing administrative work such as photocopying?
Not normally. Trainees work as fee earners and generally don't
do administrative or non-chargeable work. The firm employs
administrative clerks who undertake these tasks, though you
may be expected to help out when necessary.
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What
sort of training/supervision will I receive?
You will normally share a room with a partner or senior
solicitor and work closely with them. They will give you work to do
and closely supervise what you do. You will have an opportunity to
do particular tasks on larger cases and may occasionally have
conduct of your own matters, where appropriate. The firm also has a
mentoring scheme for its trainee solicitors, in which past trainees
who are still with the firm mentor current trainees, to provide
support and informal advice and guidance about any relevant issues
of concern. The firm also has a partner,
Peter Todd, who has particular responsibility for the firm's
Trainees, and with whom any problems can be raised.
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Can I qualify early if I have some exemption from
a training contract?
Although you may be entitled to apply to the
Law Society for exemption from part of your training contract you
will still be obliged to complete your two year contract with the
firm unless it is mutually beneficial for you to complete your
contract early.
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Do trainees generally get kept on at the end of
their training contract?
Hodge Jones & Allen's retention rate of
trainee solicitors is approximately 85%. We regard our trainees as
very important members of staff and hope that trainees will want to
stay on and eventually become partners. Many of our current
partners started off as trainees of the firm.
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