Freeths

Overview

Freeths is a leading national full-service UK law firm operating from 12 UK offices and recognised across the market for strong regional teams and high-ranking practice areas. The firm combines large-firm capabilities in corporate, real estate, dispute resolution and employment with a people-first purpose (B Corp certified) and a strong focus on responsible business through its Freeths IMPACT programme. Recent headline recognition includes Law Firm of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2024 and City AM Awards 2025, and multiple Tier 1 rankings across Legal 500 and Chambers.

• Lawyers: 1,400+
• Trainees: 20
• Offices: 12

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Immigration
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Corporate & M&A
• Real Estate
• Employment
• Environment & Planning
• Construction & Engineering
• Private Client & Wealth
• Banking & Finance
• Technology & Digital
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Public Law
• Housing & Social Housing

Geographic Focus: Nationwide UK coverage from 12 offices with strong regional hubs in the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the West Midlands, South East and Scotland (Glasgow). The firm positions itself as a One firm delivering cross-office resource and meets clients 'where best' across cities rather than centralising work in a single HQ; international work is delivered on a client-specific basis rather than via a global office network.

Training Contract

Freeths operates a traineeship model. Formal academic training for England & Wales trainees is delivered by the University of Law (part-time or full-time) to prepare trainees for SQE1 and SQE2. Trainees must complete two years' Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). Trainees rotate through multiple seats across the firm to gain broad exposure; each trainee is supported by an office supervisor and an assigned trainee mentor and participates in the Trainee Development Programme with regular feedback and formal reviews.

• Starting Salary: £45,000
• NQ Salary: £84,000
• Trainee Intake: 20
• Qualification Rate: 75%
• Academic Requirements: No formal minimum A-level or degree classification is stated; Freeths accepts law graduates and non-law graduates via appropriate routes and does not set minimum grade requirements for graduate opportunities, although strong academic ability is emphasised.
• Application Deadline: 3 september 2027

Seat Options

• Corporate & M&A
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Real Estate
• Employment
• Immigration
• Private Client & Wealth
• Technology & Digital
• Banking & Finance
• Environment & Planning
• Construction & Engineering
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Financial Services & Regulation

Sponsorship

Freeths funds preparatory SQE course fees and the first sitting of SQE examinations. The firm is also a Skilled Worker visa sponsor and can sponsor candidates meeting eligibility requirements.

SQE Support

Freeths funds all preparatory course fees and the first sitting exam fees for SQE preparation; academic training is provided via the University of Law. (Supplementary data notes an SQE grant figure of £8,000.)

Mentorship

Each trainee is assigned a trainee mentor and has a named supervisor within their seat. The firm operates the Trainee Development Programme, formal reviews and close supervision, supplemented by tutors at the University of Law.

Apply on the Freeths website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Freeths Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Client-focused attitude
• Resilience and adaptability
• Strong communication and attention to detail
• Drive to be excellent and entrepreneurial mindset
• Commitment to inclusive working and people-first values

Evidence Signals

• Relevant work experience or assessed legal placements
• Practical experience from apprenticeships or paralegal roles
• Volunteering, mentoring or community engagement (e.g., outreach/DEI activity)
• Commercial examples demonstrating interest in sector-specific issues (tech, property, corporate finance)
• Participation in insight days or Preparation Plus resources

Benefits & Wellbeing

• First year trainee salary: £45,000
• Second year trainee salary: £52,000
• NQ salary: £84,000
• SQE grant / support: firm funds preparatory course fees and first sitting exam fees (supplementary figure: £8,000 SQE grant noted)
• PGDL / GDL grant: N/A
• Annual leave: 25 days
• Annual target hours: 1,200
• Paid legal placements (Year 12 programme)
• Paid apprenticeship opportunities and structured apprenticeship pathway
• Mentoring, Trainee Development Programme and University of Law tuition support

Wellbeing

Freeths emphasises colleague wellbeing through seminars, wellbeing workshops and local events; apprentices and trainees have access to wellbeing training (examples include mental health first-aider training referenced in apprentice case studies). Freeths positions work-life balance and colleague care as part of its One firm culture and Freeths IMPACT responsible business activities.

Awards & Recognition

• Law Firm of the Year — Legal Business Awards 2024
• Law Firm of the Year — City AM Awards 2025
• National Legal Team of the Year — Business Desk Rainmaker Awards 2025 (National Legal Team of the Year)
• Legal Team of the Year — Property Week RESI Awards 2026 (Housebuilding & Strategic Land team)
• Planning Team of the Year — Midlands Residential Property Awards 2026
• Outstanding Law Firm of the Year — Property Week Awards 2025
• Listed in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For
• Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme of the Year — Women Diversity in Law Awards 2026 (REACH & Rise networks)
• Firm of the Year — UK Diversity Legal Awards (mentioned)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Freeths is B Corp certified and operates Freeths IMPACT, a responsible business mission covering colleagues, communities, climate and clients. The firm is a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a member of the Business Disability Forum, and it runs firm-wide listening and inclusion programmes via REACH and Rise.

• REACH (Race, Ethnicity & Cultural Heritage) network
• Rise (network for Black colleagues and allies)
• Disability Officer role (Sharon Extance) and disability workplace adjustments programme
• Freeths IMPACT (responsible business framework aligned with B Corp principles)
• Stonewall Diversity Champion status
• Member of the Business Disability Forum
• Bursary scheme (Freeths Skylark Scholarship) for Leicester students in memory of Mukesh Patel

Pro Bono

Freeths uses its legal expertise to deliver social impact through Freeths IMPACT, pro bono casework and community schemes. Examples include high-profile public-interest litigation (Post Office representation of postmasters), a bursary and mentoring scheme for Leicester students, and wide-ranging community engagement and volunteer activity hosted across offices.

Innovation

Freeths positions technology and legal tech as core capabilities: the firm lists a Head of Legal AI and a Head of Knowledge Management and references use of technology in litigation and knowledge workflows. Trainees and apprentices are exposed to technology initiatives and events (example: attendance at AI conferences) and the firm provides digital resources for candidate preparation (Preparation Plus, Future Talent Hub).

• Head of Legal AI (role listed: David Lane, Head of Legal AI)
• Preparation Plus (application and assessment preparation platform referenced in careers)
• Future Talent Hub (early careers digital hub)
• Firm use of technology in disputes and case management; active engagement in AI/tech events (trainees attending AI conferences)

Quick Application Angles

• Demonstrate commercial awareness by referencing a recent Freeths deal (for example the Skewb £6.25m BGF investment or the CloudCall £7.5m fundraising) and explain succinctly how you would add value to that practice area.
• Highlight alignment with the firm’s purpose and values (quote 'Unlocking possibilities through the power of law with people at heart' or the core values 'smart, bold, together') and give a concrete example of where you’ve shown those traits.
• If you have an interest in tech or AI, reference Freeths’ legal tech/AI activity (Head of Legal AI, attendance at AI conferences) and explain how you would apply technology or process improvements in a seat you hope to train into.
• Show commitment to inclusion and community: mention relevant volunteering, socio-economic context or participation in outreach (Freeths runs bursaries and local programmes) and, where applicable, reference experience working in diverse teams.
• Use the firm’s Preparation Plus resources and the Future Talent Hub before applying and tailor strengths-based answers to the firm’s values and the specific seat you request; note the firm funds SQE prep and first sitting, so emphasise readiness to progress on the SQE pathway.