Attwells Solicitors

Overview

Attwells Solicitors is a regional, full-service law firm focused on property and business law with a strong presence across East Anglia and North London. The firm markets itself as an accessible, modern practice that combines local knowledge (conveyancing, auctions and property development) with corporate and employment work for SMEs. Attwells emphasises client service (multiple Feefo/Google ratings and client-care awards) and a people-first approach — investing heavily in apprenticeships, early careers and wellbeing to grow home‑grown talent.

• Headquarters: Ipswich, St. Vincent House, 1 Cutler Street
• Lawyers: 50+
• Offices: 4

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Real Estate
• Corporate & M&A
• Employment
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Private Client & Wealth
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Construction & Engineering
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Banking & Finance
• Commercial Contracts
• Housing & Social Housing
• Regulatory & Compliance

Geographic Focus: Strong regional focus in East Anglia with a substantive presence in Ipswich, Colchester, Woodbridge and a London office (Baker Street). The firm targets local private clients, property professionals, landlords and SMEs in the region while maintaining capacity to serve businesses and employment clients in the South East and North London.

Training Contract

Attwells offers multiple structured routes: Property Lawyer Apprenticeship (property-focused paralegal-to-qualified route), Solicitor Apprenticeship (graduate-level solicitor apprenticeship leading to LLB and SQE1/SQE2), and traditional training contracts. Apprenticeships are full-time office-based roles combining on-the-job learning with one day a week of funded study; early years are spent centrally (administration/compliance/marketing/new business) with progression into client-facing departments from year three onwards for specialisation.

• Trainee Intake: 6 apprentices (selected across the offices and departments)
• Academic Requirements: A-Levels or equivalent; 5 GCSEs at Level 4 (C) or above including English and Maths. The Property Lawyer Apprenticeship and Solicitor Apprenticeship both list these as entry requirements.
• Application Deadline: TBC

Seat Options

• Property Litigation
• Employment
• Conveyancing
• Private Client
• Commercial

Sponsorship

Apprenticeships are described as fully funded via a combination of government support and firm investment so there are no tuition fees for participants. (Text on site: 'fully funded through a combination of government support and firm investment, meaning there are no tuition fees for you to pay.')

SQE Support

Solicitor apprenticeship route is delivered in partnership with BPP University Law School; apprentices undertake SQE1 and SQE2 as part of the programme. Property apprenticeship academic training is provided by Total People. Apprenticeship academic days are described as 'fully funded' (one day per week study).

Mentorship

Apprentices and trainees have a designated lawyer mentor and a named Academy Tutor who oversees academic progress. The firm emphasises one-to-one mentoring, supportive managers and a buddy/mentoring culture.

Apply on the Attwells Solicitors website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Attwells Solicitors Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness (particularly in property and SME contexts)
• Strong communication skills
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Organisation and attention to detail
• Resilience and a client-service mindset
• Commitment to learning and professional development
• A customer-focused, plain-English approach to client work

Evidence Signals

• Apprenticeship or work‑based legal experience
• Week‑long work experience placements or attendance at the firm’s problem‑solving workshops
• Demonstrable client service experience or examples (e.g., handling client correspondence or supporting conveyancing files)
• Local/regional connections and interest in East Anglian property markets
• Practical examples of teamwork, mentoring and community involvement

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Flexible/hybrid working and adaptable hours
• Generous holiday allowances plus bank holidays
• Workplace pension scheme
• Structured training and funded academic study for apprentices
• Firm-wide socials, team lunches and social activities
• Dedicated mentoring and academy tutor support
• On-site training facilities and development programmes
• Wellbeing initiatives and mental health support (Mind Workplace Wellbeing Silver recognition)
• Apprenticeship and earn-while-you-learn career routes

Wellbeing

Formal wellbeing resources, mental health awareness leads and initiatives, regular check-ins, and policies designed to support staff mental health (the firm achieved a Silver award in Mind's Workplace Wellbeing Index).

Awards & Recognition

• Feefo Platinum Service Award 2024
• Feefo Platinum Service Award 2025
• Feefo Platinum Service Award 2026
• Modern Law Conveyancing Client Care Award 2022
• Mind Workplace Wellbeing Silver Award (participation year referenced 2022)
• National Apprenticeship & Skills Awards – Highly Commended (East of England) 2024
• SME Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (regional) 2025
• Legal 500 South East ranking (Employment team) 2025
• LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards finalist/shortlist 2025 (Outstanding Commitment to Training; Client Care Award)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We aim to make the legal profession accessible to people from all backgrounds and enable all of our team to develop to their full potential.

• Apprenticeship programmes across departments (paralegal, property and solicitor apprenticeships)
• Work experience and outreach placements prioritising local schools
• Ipswich Town Foundation 'Friends of the Foundation' partnership
• Corporate Social Responsibility programmes

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Lead with the firm’s apprenticeship-first approach: explain why an earn‑while‑you‑learn route and practical training appeal to you and reference the firm’s partnerships with BPP and Total People.
• Demonstrate property‑sector commercial awareness (auctions, buy‑to‑let, landlord & tenant issues) — the firm is property‑focused and routinely acts for landlords, managing agents and property investors.
• Mention Attwells’ community and wellbeing credentials (Mind Silver award; Ipswich Town Foundation partnership) to show cultural fit with their people‑focused, community‑minded ethos.
• If applying to the Employment team, reference the Legal 500 South East ranking and practical tribunal/settlement experience that is relevant to the role.
• For early‑career roles, cite attendance at work experience, problem‑solving workshops or relevant apprenticeships; the firm values practical, work‑based evidence over solely academic examples.