At Reeds, we recognise the value in recruiting and training our own solicitors. This is not only a vital part of our succession planning, but it ensures we offer the best level of service to our clients.
Training to become a solicitor at Reeds will give you access to the most senior, and well established, supervisors in the industry, as well an established training programme. This means that when you qualify and are entered on the Register at the SRA, you will have gained the skills, knowledge and experience needed. This includes not only just standard legal expertise, but also how to apply it in The Reeds Way (About Us – Reeds Solicitors).
We want our future Associates, Partners and even Equity Partners to be aligned to our values, committed to our core areas of law, and want more than just a training contract, who are motivated and loyal.
Training at Reeds is unique because we don’t use a ‘one size fits all’ approach. We encourage diversity, drive and ambition from all our Trainees, which means you can help shape what your training contract looks like! Are you interested in a particular area of criminal or family law? This could be dangerous dogs, driving offences or child access arrangements. We can make sure you get plenty of exposure to this area. Do you have an idea which you think might make Reeds better for our clients – then show us, we’re all ears!
Whatever your training looks like, rest assured you will experience both on-the-job training and behind the scenes learning. By the end of your training period, you will feel well-equipped to start day one as a solicitor and hit the ground running.
We welcome all candidates, regardless of qualification background – whether that’s the LPC, SQE or even CILEX.
We advertise once a year, usually in the first quarter of the year, for candidates to start the following September. We only accept completed application forms, so please make sure they reflect you as a person.
We want to see your personality shine through on your form – this is your first opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make your impression. The recruitment process is rigorous and thorough, including the standard application form, video interviews and an assessment day with a variety of assessments with the Supervisors, Partners and current Trainees.
So, if your values are in line with ours, keep an eye out and apply to join the team to take your first step to becoming a solicitor.
SQE
As the newest route to qualification, we are seeing the rising popularity in qualifying through this route which will ultimately become the primary route to qualification by 2030. There are many benefits. It is more accessible, flexible and can be a quicker route to qualification.
However, we recognise that the exam process is tough and will do our best to support all of our Trainees through the process.
The benefit of undertaking your SQE with us is the support and knowledge of others who have progressed through each stage and qualified. You’ll also get an independent SQE tutor for one-on-one training and group sessions to help you prepare for your exams. We will also give you time off to sit your exams.
CILEX
CILEX is an additional route to qualification. A major benefit is that it allows candidates to take their own pace and gradually ease into the profession. This makes it more accessible for those without a degree or prior experience to enter the profession.
As quoted by CILEX “As the legal sector evolves there’s a growing demand for a new kind of lawyer – a specialist lawyer. Trained differently and qualifying as specialists from the start, specialist lawyers are the future of law.”
Candidates can opt into the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ), which is split into three stages – foundation, advanced, and professional. Starting at the foundation level is very much starting from the beginning, this provides a good basic understanding and introduction to learning and the law. You can also study CILEX at different stages/you may be exempt from certain modules depending on the level of qualification you already have, such as a law degree.
There are bespoke routes for those who have a law degree or parts of the SQE. As you progress through CILEX, you can pick your area of focus and gradually qualify as a CILEX Advocate. Historically, and, unfortunately in some circumstances still today, CILEX Advocates have struggled to gain the same level of respect and confidence in their status. Unfortunately, this has been brought to the spotlight again following the recent Mazur ruling. That is why we are a CILEX Advocate employer, ether you are a CILEX Advocate / CILEX Fellow or have qualified through the traditional route. We view all advocates in the same way.
Join our team of CILEX members and benefit from the wealth of knowledge and support they can offer.
Our very own Zoe Heron has written an article describing her journey to becoming a CILEX Advocate – Life of a CILEx advocate | Opinion | Law Gazette
Meet The Training Team
Trainee Principle
Tom Brymer – I am a Criminal Solicitor, Area Manager for the Central Criminal teams and Partner here at Reeds. I have also been the Trainee Principle for the last 6 years. This is a role that I thoroughly enjoy. It gives me great pride and enjoyment to watch the development of our trainees from people who start off with very little knowledge to Solicitors that Reeds and I trust to look after our clients and maintain the very highest standards. Trainees are, in our view, the future of the business.
Lillie Debbage – I am the HR Manager at Reeds. I oversee all aspects of the HR Function here and support Tom in his role as Trainee Principle. This involves management of the recruitment procedure, dealing with the logistics of training and development and pastoral care of our Trainee Solicitors. Like Tom, this is a thoroughly enjoyable aspect of my role, there is something very rewarding about watching and supporting our trainees develop and flourish into the incredible solicitors they prove themselves to be.
Each area Reeds specialises in has their own Training Partner. They provide close support to the Trainees within their department, alongside the Supervising Solicitor.
CRIME
Jo Benn is based in our Complex Crime Department having dealt with a range of criminal cases from the Magistrates to Crown Court. She has been qualified for 8 years now and can use her years of knowledge to help prepare those with a passion for crime ready for all eventualities once they are out on their feet.
FAMILY
Sukhdeep Dhillon specialises in public and private family law, she is based in our High Wycombe office and can provide a wealth of support in both areas. Sukhi has been qualified for 5 years.
COURT OF PROTECTION
Natasha Perry’s area of expertise is Court of Protection, she qualified in 2022 and has already achieved supervisor status and is now running her own team out of the Bristol office. Tash has always been a mentor for trainee solicitors and is passionate about supporting others to achieve their goals.
MENTAL HEALTH
Rhiannon Phillips qualified in 2021 and has specialised in Mental Health Law for longer. Rhiannon has a dual practice between Mental Health and Court of Protection and can provide valuable insight into how the two areas overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your advice when it comes to training at Reeds?
You get out what you put in. We live by this motto. Put yourself out there, ask to shadow that meeting, hearing or client appointment. Ask to come along to court. The more you put yourself out there, the more you will get out of your training.
Do I have to undertake training in various areas of law?
No, with the traditional training contract rules no longer in place we have taken a business decision to place trainees in roles that support the business needs but also align with their individual passion and area of interest.
Therefore, you will stay with the department you join into and really get to know that area of law. If you wish to explore other areas, then we will try and accommodate that as far as possible. There are occasions where different areas overlap and therefore exposure may be given to compliment the core area of practice.
What funding is available?
We will fund the cost of the professional skills course if you are completing your training through the LPC training contract route or we will fund the cost of the exams for those going down the SQE/CILEx route.
What are the retention rates upon qualification?
We pride ourselves on the retention rate of our newly qualified solicitors. In fact, we enter into a training partnership on the basis that you are the future generation of solicitors at Reeds. If you are offered a training contract with us it is because we believe you align with the Reeds way and will be an asset to the firm. Your supervisor will spend their valuable time training you to the highest standards and therefore why wouldn’t we want to utilise that skill and experience and offer you an opportunity to permanently join the team?
To provide an example, over the 5-year period of 2017-2021 our retention rate has been 91% at point of qualifying. Many of our trainees stay with Reeds long after qualifying, we have seen this at around 63%.
Two of our Partners, and head of their own department, undertook their training with Reeds, with many more in managerial positions. Therefore we bust this myth that in order to rise through the ranks you’ve got to move on. Not at Reeds, every employee is afforded the same opportunities to develop.