Feldon Dunsmore Solicitors

Overview

Feldon Dunsmore is an employee‑owned, B‑Corp certified niche law firm specialising in commercial property work. Based in the Warwickshire countryside, the firm is known for partner‑led, pragmatic advice on development, leasing, investment and planning matters and for working closely with developers, lenders, landlords, tenants and professional advisers. The firm places a strong emphasis on early‑talent development (work experience, vacation schemes and apprenticeships) and community engagement, combining specialist technical skills with a collaborative, service‑led culture.

• Headquarters: Warwick, Leafield Estate (Stratford Road)
• Founded: 2014

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Real Estate
• Environment & Planning
• Infrastructure & Projects
• Banking & Finance
• Commercial Contracts

Geographic Focus: Based in Warwickshire and serving clients across the UK, the firm focuses on UK commercial property transactions (development, investment, leasing, planning, plot sales and residential conveyancing for commercial clients). The firm works with developers, banks/lenders, landlords, tenants and professional advisors and positions itself as a national specialist delivered from a regional base.

Training Contract

The firm follows a practical, seat‑based approach to training where early talent and trainees gain hands‑on experience in both commercial and residential property work. Internal descriptions indicate a typical split that exposes trainees to commercial property matters and residential conveyancing (blog guidance describes a six‑month period on commercial matters followed by six months on residential matters as a general structure for early training rotations). Apprentices spend four days in the office on transactions and one day per week studying online with the training provider.

• Academic Requirements: Apprenticeship entry follows SRA recommended minimums: 3 A levels (or equivalent) at minimum grade C plus 5 GCSEs (or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade 4 or above. Paralegal/permanent roles: law degree/degree with law conversion, 2.1 or above (or equivalent) and a robust understanding of land law.

Seat Options

• Commercial Property
• Residential Property
• Property Development
• Plot Sales
• Planning & Infrastructure
• Landlord & Tenant
• Secured Lending
• Conveyancing

Sponsorship

Apprenticeship programmes: all training costs and exam fees are covered by the firm and apprentices receive a full‑time salary while studying. For permanent roles the firm states it is unable to offer visa sponsorship.

SQE Support

For apprentices the Solicitor Apprenticeship incorporates the SQE. Apprentices receive online theoretical teaching from Damar Training (including live workshops and a dedicated coach) and the firm states that all training costs and exam fees for apprentices are covered. The apprenticeship route explicitly prepares candidates to sit the SQE as part of the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship.

Mentorship

Mentoring and supervision are provided via a Head of Early Talent (Bethan Harvey Blackburn), named supervisors for apprentices and trainees, dedicated coaches provided by the apprenticeship training partner (Damar Training), in‑house group training sessions, regular individual training and a supportive buddy/early talent network.

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Feldon Dunsmore Solicitors Looks For

Key Competencies

• Good academic record
• Team player
• Going Above and Beyond
• Enthusiastic and proactive
• Commercially minded
• Resilient
• Adaptable
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong attention to detail
• Reliability

Evidence Signals

• Relevant property experience (conveyancing, plot sales, Land Registry applications)
• Work experience or vacation scheme participation with the firm or in property law
• Commercial awareness demonstrated through development/landlord & tenant‑related examples
• Evidence of teamwork and client service (customer‑facing or charity/community work)
• Strong A‑level/GCSE results for apprenticeship applicants; law degree or conversion for paralegal/graduate roles

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Market leading salaries (firm states market leading for some roles)
• Discretionary profit‑share bonus
• Up to 30 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Private medical cover
• Enhanced pension contributions
• All apprenticeship training costs and exam fees covered
• Paid salary for apprentices
• Competitive employee benefits package
• Countryside office setting and a sociable team culture (regular social events and family‑friendly activities)

Wellbeing

Wellbeing initiatives include active mental health awareness (Mental Health Awareness Week activities), community and charity engagement (B‑Corp community programmes and nominated charities), team social events and an emphasis on a supportive, collaborative working environment. Apprentices receive dedicated support (mentors, coaches and study support) to balance work and study commitments.

Awards & Recognition

• Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp certification)
• Best Law Firm award (2015)
• 20 ranked departments (2026)
• 4 ranked lawyers (2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

B‑Corp certification and a stated strategic plan to balance profit with social and environmental good; active local community engagement and fundraising for nominated charities.

• Employee ownership model
• B‑Corp certification and ongoing B Impact Assessment work
• Community engagement and nominated charity partnerships (Myton Hospice, Guide Dogs, Helping Hands Community Project, Esther Project)
• Early talent outreach (careers fairs, school talks, insight days and mock interview mornings)

Innovation

The firm uses technology primarily to support training (an AI‑powered platform delivered by the apprenticeship training partner) and to assist remote/virtual site inspections for due diligence. Trainees and apprentices engage with online learning platforms, live workshops, group coaching and digital tools as part of their structured training.

• Damar Training AI‑powered learning platform (online theoretical training for apprentices)
• Use of online tools and virtual site inspection technology to supplement physical site visits in development due diligence

Quick Application Angles

• Highlight commercial property experience and commercial awareness: reference development or lease negotiation examples (even small examples) — the firm prioritises practical, commercially focused thinking.
• Mention the firm’s employee‑owned, B‑Corp status and community work (Myton Hospice, Guide Dogs, Helping Hands) to demonstrate cultural fit and shared values.
• If applying for an apprenticeship, describe how you can balance study with practical work — reference experience of managing study or training alongside work and the SRA‑style A‑level/GCSE requirements.
• For vacation/work experience applications, reference specific activities the firm cites (Land Registry deed review, plot sales, shadowing solicitors) and explain what you hope to learn from those tasks.
• Be explicit about right to work in the UK (the firm states it cannot sponsor visas) and demonstrate commitment to working from the Warwick office and engaging with a close‑knit, rural team.