Blackadders LLP

Overview

Blackadders LLP is a growing Scottish law firm with a multi-office presence across Scotland. The firm positions itself as a modern, forward-looking practice that combines sector knowledge (notably rural/agriculture, property, corporate, employment and IP/technology) with a people-first culture and an emphasis on transparency, opportunity and professional development. Blackadders promotes collaboration across its Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow offices and highlights close engagement with regional sectors including agriculture, technology, education and professional services. The firm publishes regular insights, hosts events and engages in community and charitable initiatives.

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Agriculture & Rural
• Commercial Contracts
• Corporate & M&A
• Banking & Finance
• Real Estate
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Employment
• Intellectual Property
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Private Client & Wealth
• Technology & Digital
• Education
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Retail & Consumer
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Charities & Not-for-Profit

Geographic Focus: Primary focus is Scotland: the firm operates from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow and describes itself as serving clients across Scotland and working with major Scottish sectors (agriculture, food & drink, technology, education, professional services). The firm also notes partnerships with firms south of the border to handle cross-jurisdictional matters.

Training Contract

You will experience up to four different departments over four, six-month placements, these can include Corporate and Commercial, Commercial Real Estate, Rural, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Family and Private Client.

• Trainee Intake: 4 (announced Sep 2026)
• Application Deadline: 14 august 2026

Seat Options

• Corporate and Commercial
• Commercial Real Estate
• Rural
• Dispute Resolution
• Employment
• Family
• Private Client

Apply on the Blackadders LLP website →

What Blackadders LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Keen legal mind
• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Client focus
• Passion and purpose
• Willingness to learn and adapt

Evidence Signals

• Relevant legal or sector experience (especially in Scottish sectors such as rural/agriculture, property or technology)
• Demonstrable commercial awareness and interest in multidisciplinary work
• Engagement with community or charitable activities
• Interest in legal technology/innovation and in producing or engaging with thought leadership

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Living Wage employer (badge displayed on site)
• Structured traineeship programme with multi-seat six-month rotations
• Access to firm insights, podcasts and events (e.g., 'Employment Lawyer in Your Pocket' podcast, Dundee HR Club events)
• Community and charitable involvement (donations and local sponsorship/partnerships)
• Opportunities to work across four Scottish offices and across a broad sector mix

Awards & Recognition

• Chambers ranking (Chambers image in footer)
• Legal 500 profile/ranking (Legal 500 logo in footer)
• Living Wage employer (badge)
• Employment Team Wins Highly Commended Award (2022) (press release)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Displays Living Wage employer status; site language emphasises 'breaking down barriers' and creating opportunities, and the firm highlights efforts to 'break the glass ceiling' and create opportunities for people who show potential.

Pro Bono

The firm is active in community and charitable initiatives (examples on the site include a £16,000 donation boosting Big Noise and Sistema Scotland and support for digital skills initiatives for young people).

Innovation

Blackadders states it is investing heavily in its own legal technology to enhance client experience and service delivery. The firm communicates thought leadership through a regular insights programme and a podcast; it works with tech innovators and disrupters in areas such as AI, IoT and fintech and lists IP, tech and data as a dedicated service offering.

• Investment in legal technology and internal digital tools
• Employment Lawyer in Your Pocket podcast (content/knowledge sharing)
• Events and seminars focused on topical matters (e.g., HR and employment law events)

Quick Application Angles

• Reference the firm’s Scottish focus and sector strengths (rural/agriculture, property, technology) and explain why you want to build a career within a Scotland‑focused full‑service firm.
• Show you’ve read the traineeship structure: highlight willingness to rotate across departments and give examples of how your experience would add value in at least one of the listed seat areas (Corporate and Commercial, Commercial Real Estate, Rural, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Family, Private Client).
• Demonstrate cultural fit: emphasise collaboration, a people-first approach and examples where you’ve championed transparency or supported others’ development.
• If you have sector-specific experience (e.g., agriculture, tech, education, professional services), make it explicit and tie it to the firm’s work in that sector.
• Mention engagement with the firm’s thought leadership (podcast or insights) or local events to show genuine interest in their activity and community presence.