DTM Legal

Overview

DTM Legal is a regional, full-service law firm operating from Chester and Liverpool with a strong focus on the North West market. The firm positions itself as a practical, client-focused adviser across both contentious and non-contentious work, with particular depth in dispute resolution, private client/estates and corporate/commercial matters. It emphasises a down-to-earth, approachable culture and partner-led training, and promotes community engagement and social mobility through regular involvement with local universities, schools and regional initiatives.

• Headquarters: Chester, Knights Court, 1 Weaver Street
• Offices: 2

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Private Client & Wealth
• Charities & Not-for-Profit
• Real Estate
• Construction & Engineering
• Corporate & M&A
• Employment
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Pensions
• Commercial Contracts
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Agriculture & Rural

Geographic Focus: Regional focus on the North West of England (Chester and Liverpool) with national expertise across the UK. The firm actively engages with clients and talent in the Liverpool City Region and surrounding North West universities and schools and positions itself to serve owner-managed businesses, charities, landowners/farmers and private individuals across the region.

Training Contract

DTM Legal's training contract usually consists of four 6-month seats (a mix of contentious and non-contentious work). Each seat places the trainee alongside a Partner and is supported by intense one-to-one coaching. Seat reviews are conducted at the end of each seat by the Practice Manager and the Head of Compliance and Service Delivery. The programme is Partner-led, trainees are fee-earners and are expected to carry out substantive legal tasks appropriate to their experience.

• Qualification Rate: Over 95% of those accepted onto our training programme have gone on to qualify as solicitors, with more than 75% continuing their careers with DTM Legal after qualification.
• Academic Requirements: Applicants must have completed a law-related degree or the PGDL. It is likely that this will be a second class honours degree or above. Following this, applicants must have completed (or will have completed by September of the year of application) the LPC.

Seat Options

• Business Recovery & Insolvency
• Charity & Philanthropy
• Commercial Property
• Construction & Engineering
• Corporate & Commercial
• Dispute Resolution
• Employment & HR
• Property Litigation
• Residential Property
• Trusts & Estates

Mentorship

Trainees receive intensive one-to-one coaching in each seat and work alongside a Partner. Additional support is provided by the firm's training partner and the Human Resources Manager. Seat reviews are conducted by Sarah Wilcock (Practice Manager) and Alison Brennan (Head of Compliance and Service Delivery).

Apply on the DTM Legal website →

Programmes & Schemes

What DTM Legal Looks For

Key Competencies

• Law-related degree or PGDL and LPC (or LPC-completed by September of the year of application)
• Likely second class honours degree or above
• Teamwork and evidence of collaboration
• Good communication skills
• Commercial awareness and enthusiasm
• Evidence of a rounded life outside legal study and demonstrable responsibility

Evidence Signals

• Legal or paralegal work experience
• Participation in careers fairs or outreach events
• Examples of teamwork and leadership
• Clear, well-structured CV and tailored cover letter
• Practical examples demonstrating organisational skills, meeting deadlines and client focus

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Partner-led on-the-job coaching and access to a training partner and HR manager
• Sociable firm culture with regular get-togethers after working hours
• Opportunities to take part in ESG, charity and community outreach initiatives
• Practical, hands-on fee-earner experience for trainees

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: North West - Dispute resolution/Commercial litigation (Tier 1)
• Legal 500: North West - Agriculture and estates (Tier 2)
• Legal 500: North West - Charities and not-for-profit (Tier 2)
• Legal 500: Multiple North West rankings across Corporate, Real Estate, Insolvency and Employment (various tiers)
• Chambers & Partners: Firm has multiple ranked departments (Chambers data indicates numerous ranked departments and ranked lawyers)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Community engagement and social mobility are core components of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Policy.

• Participation in Step into Law
• Liverpool One Work Experience Week partnership
• Careers fairs with University of Liverpool, University of Chester and Liverpool John Moores University
• Careers evening for PLACED (social enterprise) with Avison Young
• North West HR Group mailing list for HR professionals

Pro Bono

The firm provides pro bono support to charities and not-for-profit organisations and sets parameters around the pro bono support it offers; charity work and legal-skill donations are highlighted within the Charity & Philanthropy practice.

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise regional commitment and local engagement — reference the firm's Chester/Liverpool presence, university careers-fair activity and partnerships (e.g., Liverpool One, Step into Law) to show genuine interest in their North West focus.
• Show you meet the academic entry requirements (law degree or PGDL and LPC) and include clear, concrete examples of teamwork and client-focused experience — the firm values fee-earner readiness and practical, demonstrable ability.
• Mention the partner-led training model and express eagerness to learn from Partners and to contribute as a fee-earner; reference the firm’s emphasis on one-to-one coaching and seat-based partner supervision.
• If applying for charity, agriculture or property-focused seats, highlight any sector-specific experience (charity volunteering, farm/estate background, property/commercial placements) because these are visible strengths for the firm.