Burnetts

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Agriculture & Rural
• Banking & Finance
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Real Estate
• Construction & Engineering
• Corporate & M&A
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Employment
• Commercial Contracts
• Hospitality & Leisure
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Private Client & Wealth
• Family Law
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence

Geographic Focus: Regional UK (North West & North East England) — offices in Carlisle, Cockermouth, Kendal, Hexham and Newcastle; largest solicitors partnership in Cumbria and one of the largest law firms in the North.

Training Contract

Three qualification routes are offered: (1) two-year Solicitor Training Contract route for graduates with the LPC; (2) SQE route (SQE1/SQE2 exams plus two years Qualifying Work Experience); (3) L6 Solicitor Apprenticeship (six-year fully funded programme). The firm emphasises long-term retention of訛

• Application Deadline: 5 January 2026

Apply on the Burnetts website →

Notable Matters

What Burnetts Looks For

Key Competencies

• People-focused and team-oriented (values-alignment with Progressive / Together / Balanced)
• Long-term commitment to the firm (they train candidates they see being part of the team long term)
• Good communication and cultural fit (interview process assesses capability and values fit)
• Interest in community and charitable engagement
• Wellbeing-aware and resilience-oriented

Evidence Signals

• Demonstrable alignment with the firm values (Progressive, Together, Balanced)
• Previous volunteering or community engagement
• Participation in work experience or vacation placements
• Evidence of teamwork and people-centred activities
• For apprenticeship applicants — interest in the L6 Solicitor Apprenticeship and long-term commitment

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Equality and Diversity policy (recruitment based on experience, skills and qualifications)
• Disability Confident Committed employer
• Work Experience Scheme (one-week placement, usually aimed at Year 12 students)
• Vacation Placement Scheme (one-week placement for students and graduates)
• L6 Solicitor Apprenticeship (fully funded; internal recruitment supported by Legal Career Development Policy)
• Thrive Fund (grant scheme for eligible students and donations to Winter Warmth Fund and Search Newcastle)
• Volunteering policy (one day of paid leave to volunteer)
• Wellbeing Group and Thrive! platform (financial, mental and physical wellbeing support)

Pro Bono

The firm supports local and national charities through fundraising, monthly team challenges, volunteering and donations. The Thrive Fund provides grants to local students and donations to Winter Warmth Fund and Search Newcastle; the firm also sponsors charity awards (e.g., NR Times Awards).

Innovation

Burnetts takes a pragmatic ESG-led approach to innovation focused on environmental impact reduction (IT and building efficiencies), employee wellbeing technology (Thrive! platform) and continuous improvement via an ESG Committee.

• ESG Committee (regular meetings to suggest environmental improvements)
• Cloud First IT infrastructure (reported as using 88% less CO2 than previous on-premises system)
• IT equipment recycling programme (recycling led to planting 45 trees)
• Installation of energy-efficient lighting in Cockermouth office (uses 80% less energy)
• More efficient printers (saving reported 1.6 tonnes CO2 per year)
• Thrive! platform (employee wellbeing platform)

Quick Application Angles

• Show long-term commitment: emphasise you want to be part of the firm for the long haul (Burnetts states they only train those they see staying long term).
• Demonstrate values alignment: reference the firm’s exact values — Progressive, Together, Balanced — and give concrete examples of how you live them.
• Highlight community or volunteering experience: the firm runs The Thrive Fund, volunteering leave and strong local charity engagement, so show related involvement.
• Emphasise wellbeing and people skills: Burnetts prioritises wellbeing and people-focused managers — evidence emotional intelligence and teamwork in applications.
• Use the firm contact route for speculative applications: send CV and covering letter to yourfuture@burnetts.co.uk if applying speculatively (email provided on careers pages).