Freeths

Overview

Freeths is a large UK national full-service law firm with a broad regional footprint and sector depth across corporate, real estate, private client, dispute resolution and employment work. The firm positions itself as entrepreneurial and purpose-led — it is a certified B Corp with a firm-wide IMPACT responsible business mission and a stated strategy of 'one firm, one future 2030'. Freeths operates a network of 13 UK offices and promotes a people‑focused culture, emphasising practical, commercial advice, integrated national teams and investment in technology and training. The firm has won multiple recent national awards including Law Firm of the Year (Legal Business Awards 2024) and City AM Law Firm of the Year 2025.

• Lawyers: 1,200+
• Offices: 13

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Banking & Finance
• Construction & Engineering
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Environment & Planning
• Real Estate
• Private Client & Wealth
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Immigration
• Intellectual Property
• Technology & Digital
• Tax
• Professional Negligence
• Public Law
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Housing & Social Housing
• Pensions
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Energy & Natural Resources

Geographic Focus: Freeths is UK‑focused with a national footprint delivered through 13 regional offices. The firm has strong regional hubs across the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the South East and the West Midlands and operates as a national adviser on larger corporate, property and dispute matters. Its strategy emphasises cross‑office collaboration and servicing clients from local SMEs through to national and sector specialists.

Training Contract

Freeths delivers solicitor qualification via a two‑year traineeship/Qualifying Work Experience route. Trainees rotate seats across different practice areas over a two‑year training contract. Academic SQE preparation is delivered through the University of Law (part‑time or full‑time options) alongside workplace supervision. Trainees have an identified supervisor and an assigned trainee mentor and receive workplace tutoring and review meetings during fixed‑term placements such as the Legal Graduate Programme or Legal Assistant Programme.

• Academic Requirements: Freeths accepts law and non‑law graduates; non‑law graduates must complete a conversion (PGDL) or equivalent before or as part of the traineeship. The firm comments that it has no grade level entry requirements for certain graduate programmes and supports candidates via a range of entry routes.

Seat Options

• Corporate & M&A
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Private Client & Wealth
• Commercial Contracts
• Construction & Engineering
• Immigration
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Intellectual Property
• Environment & Planning
• Banking & Finance

Sponsorship

Freeths will make a significant contribution to PGDL fees for candidates who secure a Training Contract via the Graduate programme; the firm also funds SQE course fees for trainees.

SQE Support

Academic SQE training is provided by the University of Law; Freeths states that all course fees are funded by the firm and trainees are supported by University tutors and workplace supervisors.

Mentorship

Trainees are supported by an allocated supervisor, an assigned trainee mentor and University of Law tutors; the careers pages highlight ongoing mentoring, regular review meetings and a formal trainee support structure.

Apply on the Freeths website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Freeths Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Client focus and pragmatism
• Integrity and ethical judgement
• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Resilience and adaptability
• Attention to detail

Evidence Signals

• Relevant work experience (placements, paralegal roles or apprenticeships)
• Practical experience from apprenticeships or degree apprenticeships
• Demonstrable commercial projects or transactional exposure
• Pro bono or community engagement (e.g., mentoring, bursary activity)
• Evidence of teamwork and leadership (student societies, campaigns, volunteering)
• Technology interest or exposure (AI, eLearning, knowledge management) for technology/data roles

Benefits & Wellbeing

• All SQE course fees funded for trainees
• Significant contribution to PGDL fees for candidates who secure a Training Contract via the Graduate programme
• Paid summer placement and mentoring for some bursary recipients (Freeths Skylark Scholarship)
• Formal mentorship and supervisor programme for trainees (assigned trainee mentor)
• Preparation Plus learning hub and access to University of Law tutors for SQE study
• Family friendly and flexible working support (Top 30 Employer by Working Families 2025 recognition)
• Marketed 'market‑leading rewards' and a focus on career progression and recognition
• eLearning training packages for clients (reflects internal learning capability)
• B Corp / Freeths IMPACT responsible business initiatives

Wellbeing

The firm runs workplace wellbeing events and seminars (including partnerships with Cavendish Cancer Care and Compassionate Cultures), promotes mental‑health awareness and mental‑health first aider training for colleagues, and operates the Freeths IMPACT mission which covers colleagues and communities. Regional NEW events and wellbeing workshops are regular features.

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’s Rainmaker Awards 2025 (and consecutive winner)
• Litigation Team of the Year - The Lawyer Awards 2020
• Legal Team of the Year - Property Week RESI Awards (Housebuilding & Strategic Land) 2026
• Diversity and Inclusion Initiative/Programme of the Year (firm‑focused) - Women Diversity in Law Awards 2026
• Firm of the Year - UK Diversity Legal Awards (listed on careers page)
• Top 50 - The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For (placement referenced on careers page)
• Working Families Top 30 Employer 2025

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Certified B Corp status; REACH and Rise networks delivering firm‑wide listening and inclusion programmes; membership of Stonewall's Diversity Champion programme and participation in Business Disability Forum initiatives. The firm publishes a Gender Pay Gap Report link in its footer (report not reproduced in the provided content).

• REACH (Race, Ethnicity & Cultural Heritage) network
• Rise (network for Black colleagues and allies)
• Disability Officer and firm disability adjustments (Sharon Extance highlighted)
• Freeths Skylark Scholarship (Leicester bursary scheme supporting socio‑economically disadvantaged students)
• Membership/partnerships: Diversity Champion for Stonewall
• Member of the Business Disability Forum
• Firm‑wide listening and trauma‑informed sessions led by networks (REACH / Rise)
• Freeths IMPACT responsible business mission (Colleagues, Communities, Climate and Clients)

Pro Bono

Freeths has an active pro bono and social‑justice practice evidenced by its landmark work for Post Office Horizon victims (supporting victims to secure compensation and quashed convictions), fundraising and community partnerships (e.g., Cavendish Cancer Care seminars) and local bursary/mentoring programmes such as the Freeths Skylark Scholarship. The firm publishes an overturned conviction team contact line and supports access to compensation schemes.

Innovation

Freeths has a formal focus on knowledge, innovation and legal technology with named roles (Head of Legal AI; Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer). The firm develops eLearning products that can be embedded in client LMS systems (SCORM), promotes digital training for clients and highlights the deployment of technology in large litigation matters (combining strategy, small specialist teams and technology). Trainees and junior lawyers are exposed to eLearning and knowledge management resources and the firm positions AI and legal tech within its service delivery and internal innovation strategy.

• Head of Legal AI (David Lane) and a dedicated Legal AI remit
• Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer role (Nick Pryor)
• Preparation Plus online learning hub
• eLearning training courses with SCORM/LMS integration
• Use of technology in complex litigation (litigation project teams using powerful technology)

Quick Application Angles

• Reference Freeths’ role in the Post Office/Horizon litigation and its national dispute capability when applying to dispute or litigation seats—show you understand complex, high‑stakes, multi‑party litigation and how technology can feature in evidence.
• Mention the firm’s B Corp status and Freeths IMPACT mission (Colleagues, Communities, Climate, Clients) in applications to demonstrate cultural fit with its purpose‑driven, responsible business agenda.
• If applying for immigration or employer compliance roles, cite the firm’s business immigration work (Graduate Trainee route, sponsor licence advice, Right to Work training) and practical experience advising universities and corporates.
• For real estate/housebuilding roles, reference the firm’s recognised Housebuilding & Strategic Land offering and recent RESI Awards recognition — tie regional development experience to the firm’s national residential development practice.
• When discussing technical skills or innovation, highlight familiarity with legal tech/knowledge management (eLearning, LMS/SCORM, legal AI) — Freeths has named innovation roles and develops digital training products.