Last week, we welcomed future lawyers from across the country to our virtual Trainee Q&A event. Led by Learning and Development Partner Karen Seber, and joined by current trainees Skeet Northfield, Millie Hamiliton and Ava Koohgilani, the session gave a genuine insight into life at Lester Aldridge and what applicants can expect from our training contract.

Whether you joined the event or are exploring training opportunities with us for the first time, here are the key highlights.

An Introduction to Life at LA

Skeet opened the session by sharing an overview of the firm. With more than 400 people across our Bournemouth, Southampton and London offices, LA continues to grow and evolve. This includes our ongoing brand and strategy refresh, which reflects who we are and who we want to be in the years ahead.

Attendees learned about our wide range of specialist practice areas, including marine, real estate finance, litigation and recoveries, international private client, and our highly regarded health and social care team. Trainees often gain experience across multiple offices and benefit from exposure to niche areas rarely found elsewhere.

Skeet also highlighted the firm’s commitment to community engagement. From ESG days and volunteering with local organisations to netball teams, beach volleyball and our popular monthly trainee-led happy hour, trainees are encouraged to get involved from day one.

Understanding the LA Training Contract

Karen then guided attendees through the structure of our training programme.

SQE Support Through Barbri

LA funds SQE preparation and exams through Barbri, chosen for their impressive pass rates and flexible online study options. Whether starting with a law degree or coming through a conversion route, trainees benefit from tailored support and structured pathways to help them succeed.

Two Pathways to Qualification

Depending on when individuals complete their degree, trainees can begin their SQE journey either in January or July. Both pathways prepare candidates for SQE1 and SQE2 in time for joining the firm in September 2028.

Meet and Greet Event

A week after trainees sit their SQE2 exams, they are invited to an in-person celebration day. This is an opportunity to:

• meet their cohort
• get to know their future team
• discover their first seat allocation
• enjoy the monthly happy hour

This helps to ease first-day nerves and build early connections.

Trainee Development Programme

Unique to LA, the Trainee Development Programme supports your growth beyond technical legal skills. Workshops focus on emotional intelligence, communication, resilience and managing workload. The aim is to equip future lawyers with the soft skills needed to thrive in a demanding profession.

Assessment Centres

The firm’s assessment centres take place in early June and include group exercises, interviews, written tasks and a chance to meet current trainees over lunch. Previous attendees have praised the friendly atmosphere and the supportive approach taken by the LA team.

Hear From Our Trainees

One of the most valuable parts of the event was hearing first-hand experiences from three of our current trainees. Their journeys show that there is no single path into law or into a training contract at LA.

Skeet’s Journey

Skeet, now entering his fourth seat, studied law at university before joining LA as part of the first SQE cohort. His seats so far have included litigation and recoveries, residential property, and dispute resolution. He has experienced:

• assisting with High Court matters
• attending mediation
• working on contentious probate
• dealing with property litigation, including restrictive covenants and possession matters

Skeet highlighted the responsibility and client contact trainees receive from day one, alongside a supportive team environment.

Millie’s Journey

Millie joined LA as a placement student in 2021, then became a paralegal and later a trainee. She praised the firm’s welcoming culture and shared how her assessment day experience convinced her that LA was where she wanted to build her career.

Millie is currently in Real Estate Finance, working on high-value secured lending and commercial property transactions, including multi-million-pound healthcare and nursery matters. She has also participated in the Real Estate group’s knowledge sharing day and enjoys the wide range of social opportunities available across the firm.

Ava’s Journey

Ava joined LA after graduating from Bournemouth University. Although she had minimal legal work experience, she emphasised how transferable skills from retail and previous roles can be highly valuable. She is involved in the firm’s equality, diversity and inclusion committee and is currently undertaking a seat in personal injury and clinical negligence.

Her work has included:

• attending conferences and expert sessions
• working closely with medical experts and counsel
• visiting clients at key stages of their cases
• preparing for court hearings

Ava described the team’s warmth and their commitment to trainee development as key factors in her positive experience.

Your Questions Answered

The session concluded with an open Q&A, which covered topics such as:

• Seat availability in different offices: We offer trainee seats across our London, Southampton and Bournemouth offices. The distribution of placements reflects the size and practice mix of each location, meaning that most seats are typically based in Bournemouth. We therefore look for trainees who are open to working across our office network.
• Experience required: Legal experience is helpful but not essential. Transferable skills are equally valuable.
• Diversity and inclusion: LA welcomes applications from all backgrounds, including mature students and career changers.
• Seat allocation: Trainees provide their top five choices for each rotation. Business need plays a part, especially early on, but preferences are prioritised where possible.

Looking Ahead

The energy and engagement at this year’s Q&A reflect the excitement surrounding the future of the firm and our next generation of lawyers. Whether you are just beginning to explore legal careers or preparing to apply for a training contract, we hope this insight into the LA experience is helpful.

Applications for our 2028 training contracts are open until 12 April. We look forward to meeting the next cohort of talented and ambitious future solicitors.

Find out more or apply here.

Photo, left-to-right: Karen Seber, Skeet Northfield, Ava Koohgilani and Millie Hamiliton.