Clarkslegal LLP

Overview

Clarkslegal is a full-service commercial law firm with offices in Reading and London and a history stretching back over 100 years. The firm positions itself as a Thames Valley leader with strong capability across corporate & M&A, commercial real estate, employment, immigration and dispute resolution, and combines local market strength with international reach through membership of the TAGLaw alliance. The firm emphasises practical, commercially driven advice, a partner-led approach and close client relationships across businesses, institutions and private clients.

• Headquarters: Reading, Thames Tower
• Offices: 2

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Immigration
• Real Estate
• Public Law
• Intellectual Property
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Construction & Engineering
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Technology & Digital
• Media & Entertainment

Geographic Focus: Primary strength in the Thames Valley / Reading market with a central London presence; active across the South East and handling UK-wide matters. International capability is delivered through membership of TAGLaw (a global alliance of independent firms), enabling cross-border work without a large overseas office footprint.

Training Contract

Training contracts are four seats of six months each (four 6-month seats). Seats are typically based in the Reading office and commonly include corporate, employment, commercial real estate and dispute resolution teams. Trainees are closely supervised with regular review meetings and formal appraisals; supervisors and partners retain an active mentoring role.

• Trainee Intake: 4-5
• Academic Requirements: Minimum of a 2:1 degree or equivalent, right to work in the UK required. The firm welcomes law and non-law graduates and expects candidates to take or have taken the LPC or SQE parts 1 and 2.
• Application Deadline: TBC

Seat Options

• Corporate & M&A
• Employment
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Mentorship

Trainees are closely supervised by fee earners and partners, receive regular review meetings and formal appraisals, and report positive supervisor engagement in testimonials (described as patient and welcoming).

Apply on the Clarkslegal LLP website →

Notable Matters

What Clarkslegal LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Client service and communication
• Attention to detail
• Resilience and adaptability
• Sector understanding (especially Thames Valley/London commercial sectors)

Evidence Signals

• Commercial internships or work experience with businesses or in-house teams
• Sector-specific experience (real estate, corporate, employment, immigration, TMT)
• Pro bono or community volunteering (aligns with firm's community focus)
• Evidence of strong academics (2:1 degree minimum) and professional/legal vocational progression (LPC or SQE steps)
• Demonstrable teamwork and ability to work in open-plan, partner-led teams

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Access to virtual GPs
• Access to dentist and prescription cost support
• Shopping vouchers
• A range of other well-being support and benefits

Wellbeing

Virtual GP service, dental and prescription support, shopping vouchers and other well-being support; staff fundraising and volunteering for nominated charities forms part of the firm's community and wellbeing activity.

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500 – firm quoted on site (multiple practice areas; site contains Legal 500 endorsements and rankings)
• Chambers and Partners – firm quoted on site (client/peer recommendations cited on site)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to eliminating discrimination and to promoting equality and diversity.

• We are an equal opportunities employer
• We are an LGBT+ inclusive employer
• Community fundraising and volunteering for nominated charities

Pro Bono

The firm states it is "caring of our community providing fundraising and volunteering for nominated charities."

Innovation

Clarkslegal supports product and platform initiatives such as Employmentbuddy (an online employment law and HR resource) and forburyTECH (advice and support aimed at start-ups and SMEs in tech). The firm also leverages TAGLaw membership for international referrals.

• Employmentbuddy
• forburyTECH
• TAGLaw (international alliance enabling referrals/work across jurisdictions)

Quick Application Angles

• Mention the firm's Thames Valley and Reading strength and its TAGLaw membership — demonstrate how your international or regional experience could add value to cross-border or referral work.
• Reference the training structure (four 6-month seats typically in corporate, employment, real estate and dispute resolution) and explain why those seats match your experience and career aims — be specific about which seat you want and why.
• Show commercial awareness of recent firm-cited client work (for example, transactions referenced in client testimonials such as the BMW Group UK-related matter or share purchase work) and explain the business/legal issues you would expect to address on similar matters.
• Stress adaptability to a partner-led, open-plan environment and give examples of working under partner supervision, client-facing exposure or where you contributed to a team delivering timely, pragmatic commercial advice.
• Highlight commitment to community and diversity (volunteering, pro bono or inclusion activity) — the firm emphasises community fundraising and being an LGBT+ inclusive employer.