Blacks Solicitors LLP

Overview

Blacks Solicitors LLP is a Leeds-headquartered, full-service law firm with a strong regional presence in Yorkshire and by-appointment locations in London. The firm advises a wide range of clients — from charities and care operators to high-net-worth individuals and regional businesses — across corporate, real estate, employment, dispute resolution and private client work. Blacks emphasises growing talent internally (via apprenticeships and training contracts), close client care, and community engagement, and has an active programme of sector-focused teams (eg. care homes, GP practices, holiday & home parks).

• Headquarters: Leeds, 29 King Street
• Trainees: 2
• Offices: 3

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Real Estate
• Employment
• Corporate & M&A
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Private Client & Wealth
• Family Law
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Banking & Finance
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Construction & Engineering
• Media & Entertainment
• Hospitality & Leisure
• Retail & Consumer
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Intellectual Property
• Environment & Planning
• Charities & Not-for-Profit

Geographic Focus: Strong regional focus in Yorkshire with head office in Leeds and additional by-appointment presence in London (Kings Cross and Canary Wharf). The firm advises clients across England and Wales and positions itself to serve regional businesses, charities and high-net-worth individuals nationally.

Training Contract

Two-year Training Contract consisting of four six-month seats. Seats are allocated through a rotation process that considers trainee preferences and business needs; trainees are assigned a dedicated supervisor in each seat and receive regular reviews and informal on-the-job learning.

• Trainee Intake: Typically 2 trainee solicitors per intake
• Academic Requirements: Training contract candidates: at least 128 UCAS points from best three A-Levels (or equivalent) and a strong 2:1 degree. For GDL/LPC applicants a Commendation or above is preferred. Apprenticeship entry requirements: Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship requires 96 UCAS points; Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship requires 128 UCAS points; Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship is aimed at degree holders (ide/
• Application Deadline: 2027-01-31

Mentorship

Trainees and apprentices are paired with experienced supervisors in each seat, receive regular check-ins and reviews, and are encouraged to learn informally from colleagues. Apprentices are supported by named supervisors and regular check-ins as part of the apprenticeship scheme.

Apply on the Blacks Solicitors LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Blacks Solicitors LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Teamwork and collaborative approach
• Ability to juggle competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Resilience and calm under pressure
• Proactive mindset and common sense
• High standards and pride in producing quality work
• A sense of humour

Evidence Signals

• Work experience placements or paralegal experience (applications emphasise practical experience and client contact)
• Strong academic record (128 UCAS points for trainees; 96 UCAS points for Level 3 apprentices; 128 for Level 7 apprentices)
• GDL/LPC Commendation or above (where applicable)
• Demonstrable interest in sector specialisms (care homes, GP practices, holiday parks, charities etc.)
• Examples of teamwork, community involvement or charity work

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Annual leave starting at 24 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing with length of service
• Birthday off
• An extra day at Christmas
• Holiday purchase scheme (buy additional leave)
• Competitive pension contribution
• Enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity schemes
• Travel to work assistance depending on role
• Medicash healthcare cash plan
• Free flu jabs
• Bi-annual heart health checks
• Depending on role, access to private medical cover
• Paid counselling
• Menopause support
• Financial wellbeing sessions
• Holistic therapies
• January wellbeing month, Christmas party, annual quiz and awards night
• Apprenticeships with paid salary (earn while you learn)

Wellbeing

Paid counselling, menopause support, financial wellbeing sessions, holistic therapies, Medicash healthcare cash plan, free flu jabs and bi-annual heart health checks; regular wellbeing events (January wellbeing month).

Awards & Recognition

• Named Yorkshire's most recommended law firm by Legal 500 (based on client feedback) (2026)
• Five finalist spots at the Yorkshire Legal Awards (2026) — including Law Firm of the Year: Medium and Rising Star finalist for Jack Dodd (2026)
• Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation (Law Society)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Committed to equal opportunities, building a team that reflects different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences; ESG and DE&I are embedded into operations with a dedicated ESG committee and plans to develop measurable KPIs aligned to global frameworks.

• Sponsorship and participation in Leeds Pride
• This Is Us internal programme (teams sharing what they do)
• This Is Me lunchtime sessions (colleagues share personal journeys)
• Charity fundraising and Charity of the Year activities
• Regular staff wellbeing and inclusion sessions
• Submission of diversity data to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (Diversity Survey 2025 Results link provided)

Pro Bono

Active community engagement and charitable support (sponsorships, fundraising events, pro bono and community-facing matters such as advising charities on property and governance). Specific pro bono hour targets are not stated.

Innovation

The firm has started formal sustainability and technology governance work: it measured a carbon baseline (Scope 1, 2 and 3), performed a stakeholder materiality assessment and is developing an ESG action plan with measurable KPIs. The materiality assessment explicitly flags responsible AI adoption and data governance as priorities.

• Independent baseline carbon footprint measurement and sustainability reporting
• Development of a formal Sustainability and ESG Action Plan with KPIs
• ESG committee and stakeholder materiality assessment
• Commitment to 'Protecting Data & Embracing AI Responsibly' and ethical data governance
• Lexcel accreditation (governance and risk management focus)

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise the firm's regional focus and community work: reference sector work (e.g. charity property work such as the Battle Scars lease) and charity engagement to show cultural fit.
• Highlight demonstrable client-facing experience or work experience: the firm values early responsibility and practical contribution on live matters.
• If applying for training/apprenticeship, make sure you meet stated academic benchmarks (128 UCAS points & strong 2:1 for training contracts; 96/128 UCAS points for apprenticeships) and reference your study/work balance plan (the firm works closely with BPP for apprentices).
• Mention the firm's values verbatim (Be Positive. Be Approachable. Be Supportive. Be Present. Be Yourself.) and give short examples of how you embody them in practice.
• Show awareness of Blacks' ESG and wellbeing emphasis (sustainability baseline, wellbeing programmes) and, where relevant, give examples of contribution to inclusion or sustainability initiatives.