Davis Blank Furniss

Overview

Davis Blank Furniss is a long-established full-service regional law firm founded in 1877 with offices in Glossop and a major Manchester presence. The firm positions itself as a client-focused, down-to-earth adviser for both private individuals and businesses across the North West, combining traditional values with a modern, pragmatic approach (summed up on the site as 'Traditional in our ideals. Original in our thinking.'). Key strengths promoted on the firm's pages include corporate & commercial work, commercial property, dispute resolution, employment, insolvency, professional negligence, private client work (wills, probate, LPAs) and personal injury/clinical negligence. The firm emphasises local market knowledge, community engagement and a collaborative culture where trainees are given early responsibility.

• Headquarters: Manchester, The Apiary, 86 Deansgate
• Founded: 1877
• Lawyers: 60+ (employees)
• Trainees: Up to 4 per intake (March & September)
• Offices: 2

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Private Client & Wealth
• Professional Negligence
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Intellectual Property
• Banking & Finance
• Regulatory & Compliance

Geographic Focus: Primary strength across Greater Manchester and the wider North West (including Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside and North Wales). The firm also serves Glossop, High Peak, Tameside, Hyde, Woodley, Ashton-under-Lyne and Derbyshire. Client work is focused on local and regional businesses, SMEs and private clients.

Training Contract

Training contracts are seat-based. Successful applicants will spend at least six months in each of the Business Services, Commercial Property, Dispute Resolution and Residential Conveyancing departments (based in the Manchester office). Trainees will also gain exposure to specialist practice areas including Employment and Clinical Negligence and may undertake a formal seat in one or more of these departments. While training will usually be Manchester-based, placement in the Glossop office may occur, typically at the trainee’s request. The recruitment process uses a two-stage interview system (first interview panel with a partner and Head of Operations/solicitor involving discussion of a short case/email; second interview panel of partners including a short presentation and possible role‑pl

• Trainee Intake: Up to 4 per intake (March & September)
• Academic Requirements: Applicants should have: Graduated, or be due to graduate by Summer 2026; and/or Completed, or be currently studying towards the LPC or SQE
• Application Deadline: 2026-08-31

Seat Options

• Business Services
• Commercial Property
• Dispute Resolution
• Residential Conveyancing
• Employment
• Clinical Negligence

Mentorship

The firm operates an open-door policy with ongoing support from colleagues at every level; trainees are encouraged to build direct client relationships and to take part in the Manchester Trainee Solicitors’ Group. Pastoral support and informal mentoring are emphasised; an active Social Committee organises staff events.

Apply on the Davis Blank Furniss website →

Programmes & Schemes

What Davis Blank Furniss Looks For

Key Competencies

• Strong academic background
• Genuine commitment to a legal career
• Professional approach and excellent attention to detail
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Enthusiasm, resilience and a willingness to learn
• Commercial awareness and client service orientation

Evidence Signals

• Relevant work experience or short legal placements (work experience placements are encouraged)
• Client-facing or customer service experience demonstrating communication skills
• Presentation experience (second interview involves a presentation)
• Practical legal problem-solving (candidates are asked to read and discuss a short case/email during interviews)
• Participation in trainee solicitor groups or local legal networks

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Active Social Committee and regular staff social events (bowling, sporting activities, theatre trips)
• Open-door culture with ongoing colleague support
• Early client contact and responsibility for trainees
• Encouragement to participate in the Manchester Trainee Solicitors’ Group
• Community engagement (free community legal clinics; annual Lasting Powers of Attorney and Will Weeks) and local sponsorships

Wellbeing

Supportive and inclusive culture with social activities and an emphasis on work-life balance; informal pastoral support via open-door policy.

Awards & Recognition

• First firm in Manchester to be awarded the Lexcel kitemark
• Investors in People accreditation (over 10 years)
• Manchester office rated 5 stars on Google

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion; the firm states it is an equal opportunities employer and highlights an inclusive working culture.

• Equal opportunities employer (explicit statement of commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion)
• Regular community legal clinics and outreach (free events)

Pro Bono

The firm regularly stages free community legal clinics and runs events such as Lasting Powers of Attorney and Will Weeks to provide legal support to local communities.

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Highlight local and regional knowledge: reference the firm’s long history in Glossop (est. 1877) and its Manchester client base when explaining why you want to train/work there.
• Prepare for the interview format: expect to read/discuss a short case or email in the first interview and give a short prepared presentation and role-play in the second – practise written case analysis and presentation skills.
• Emphasise client-contact experience and teamwork: the firm values early responsibility and direct client relationships, so give examples of client-facing work or team projects where you took ownership.
• Mention community engagement or practical legal clinics: the firm runs free community legal clinics and 'Will Weeks' — referencing this shows cultural fit and service orientation.
• If applying for a business-focused seat, reference experience or interest in North West SME sectors (hospitality, retail, property, recruitment, technology) and any relevant technical knowledge.