Trainee Solicitor

Dentons' Trainee Solicitor Programme provides trainees with the opportunity to develop their legal skills through meaningful client work, genuine responsibility and structured training.

The two-year programme consists of four six-month seats across Dentons' key practice areas. Trainees work on complex matters for regional, national and global clients while developing their legal expertise, commercial judgement and confidence.

Training Structure

Trainees rotate through different practice areas, gaining experience across Dentons' five main divisions:

Commercial covers areas including technology, media and telecommunications, employment and projects. Trainees may work on commercial contracts, digital transformation, workforce issues, infrastructure and major strategic projects.

Corporate covers matters including mergers and acquisitions, investments, restructurings, governance, competition, regulatory issues and tax.

Real Estate involves acquisitions, developments, leasing, planning, construction and investment matters across a wide range of property assets.

Banking includes Capital Markets, Restructuring and Banking work, advising lenders, borrowers, investors and financial institutions on complex financial arrangements.

Dispute Resolution covers commercial disputes, litigation, regulatory matters, investigations and risk management.

Responsibility from Day One

Trainees are given meaningful responsibility from the beginning of the programme and contribute to high-quality client work.

The programme is designed to develop technical legal knowledge alongside commercial awareness, judgement and professional confidence. Trainees receive structured learning, regular feedback and personalised career development throughout the programme.

Client and International Secondments

Trainees have the opportunity to apply for client and international secondments.

Dentons' international network provides opportunities to work with colleagues across different offices and jurisdictions and to gain experience of cross-border matters.

Innovation, AI and Legal Technology

Innovation is an important part of the trainee experience at Dentons. Trainees are exposed to developments in AI, legal technology and alternative approaches to legal service delivery.

Dentons has developed solutions including Dentons Helix and fleetAI, its own version of ChatGPT. Trainees therefore have the opportunity to understand how technology is changing the delivery of legal services and how lawyers can use technology to provide effective solutions for clients.

London

The London office provides trainees with the opportunity to work on high-quality matters for clients ranging from ambitious start-ups to global organisations.

Trainees can develop their legal skills, build professional networks and participate in learning, social and pro bono initiatives alongside colleagues across the office.

Milton Keynes

The Milton Keynes office combines strong regional connections with the reach of Dentons' international network.

Trainees work on UK and international matters and can take on meaningful responsibility from the beginning of their careers while working within a collaborative local team.

Scotland

Dentons' Scottish offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow offer trainees exposure to local, national and international work.

Trainees can take seats across both offices and work on matters involving Scotland's finance, technology, government, commerce and industry sectors.

Dublin

Dentons' Dublin team works on complex domestic and cross-border matters and provides trainees with meaningful responsibility and opportunities for direct client engagement.

The Dublin office places particular emphasis on creativity, innovation and continuous training and development.

Middle East

Dentons' Middle East practice covers the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Jordan and Lebanon.

The main practice areas include Corporate & Commercial, Banking & Finance, Energy, Transport & Infrastructure, Construction & Dispute Resolution, and Technology, Media & Telecommunications.

UK and Dublin Applications

Dentons no longer accepts direct applications to its Trainee Solicitor Programme for its UK and Dublin offices.

The Vacation Scheme is the sole route to the UK and Dublin Trainee Solicitor Programme. Candidates who apply for the Vacation Scheme are assessed for a place on the Trainee Solicitor Programme during the scheme.

Candidates completing the Vacation Scheme are assessed throughout the programme, with performance during the placement and a final reflective interview forming part of the assessment process.

Middle East Applications

Direct applications remain open for Dentons' Middle East Trainee Solicitor Programme.

Applicants must have the right to work in the GCC and must either be in the penultimate year or later of an England and Wales qualifying law degree, be a graduate of an England and Wales qualifying law degree, or be a graduate currently undertaking the SQE.

Application deadline: 26 February 2027.

The application window opened on 1 September 2026.

Starting Salary

The current starting salaries are:

London: £54,000, rising to £112,500 at qualification.

Milton Keynes: £37,500, rising to £72,000 at qualification.

Scotland: £33,000, rising to £70,000 at qualification.

Dublin: €45,000.

Middle East: Competitive, depending on location.

Financial Support

Dentons provides financial support for the legal education required before joining the Trainee Solicitor Programme.

For London, Milton Keynes and Middle East trainees who require them, Dentons pays the full fees for the PGDL and SQE, subject to its eligibility conditions. London, Milton Keynes and Middle East trainees are required to complete and pass the SQE before joining the programme.

Dentons also provides financial support for the relevant professional legal training in Scotland and Dublin.

Benefits

Dentons provides a range of benefits, including:

Gym membership allowance.
Life assurance.
Health and dental insurance.
24 days' annual leave.
Pension scheme.
Cycle-to-work scheme.
Access to wellbeing resources.
Restaurant discounts.
Career Development

The programme combines practical legal experience with structured learning, regular feedback and ongoing development.

Trainees are supported by experienced lawyers, partners and peers and can become involved in areas beyond their legal work, including pro bono, community initiatives, sustainability and inclusion.

Application: For the UK and Dublin offices, candidates should apply through the Dentons Vacation Scheme. For the Middle East Trainee Solicitor Programme, direct applications are open until 26 February 2027.