Herrington Carmichael LLP

Overview

Herrington Carmichael LLP is a full-service regional law firm with over 180 years’ history, advising UK and international businesses as well as individuals and families. The firm operates from its head office in Farnborough with additional offices in Reading and Ascot and is especially well known for a large Real Estate & Development practice and strong Financial Services and Employment teams. The firm is ranked as a Top Tier firm by Legal 500 (2026) and appears in the Times 'Best Law Firms' list (2024), positioning it as a leading South East practice offering multi-disciplinary, client-focused advice.

• Headquarters: Farnborough, Brennan House (Farnborough Aerospace Centre Business Park)
• Founded: 1840s
• Offices: 3

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Real Estate
• Construction & Engineering
• Corporate & M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Immigration
• Charities & Not-for-Profit
• Private Client & Wealth
• Intellectual Property
• Technology & Digital

Geographic Focus: Strongest in the South East of England (Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and the Thames Valley). Offices in Farnborough, Reading and Ascot provide a local/regional hub; the firm also advises national and international clients and describes an international client base but does not list overseas offices.

Training Contract

Two-year, full‑time Training Contract based at the Farnborough head office. Trainees rotate through 2–3 (scheme also states 3–4) seats across contentious and non-contentious practice areas. Seats are allocated by balancing business needs, trainee preference and availability of roles on qualification; focused training 'pathways' (Property, Private Client, Business) can be chosen and the firm will consider permutations of three seat preferences. Trainees have dedicated supervisors, scheduled review meetings every 3 months, a Training Principal, Training & Development support and a trainee ambassador to represent trainee interests.

• Academic Requirements: Candidates require a first or 2:1 degree. Applications from candidates with a 2:2 will be considered where there are demonstrable skills and extenuating circumstances. Candidates must have successfully completed SQE1 & SQE2 prior to commencing the Training Contract. The firm only considers candidates based in the counties it operates in: Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and Sussex.
• Application Deadline: 2026-06-01

Seat Options

• Commercial Property
• Commercial
• Contentious Probate
• Corporate
• Dispute Resolution
• Employment
• Family
• Residential Property
• Private Wealth & Inheritance

Sponsorship

Guidance on postgraduate loans is offered where applicable.

SQE Support

From September 2026 successful Training Contract applicants will be eligible for a subsidy toward completing an LLM incorporating SQE1 and SQE2. The firm also states it will cover SQE1 & SQE2 exam fees for future trainees and can advise on accessing UK Government Postgraduate Loans. Individuals are required to self‑fund any remaining balance.

Mentorship

Each trainee is assigned a dedicated supervisor and benefits from a Training Principal, Training & Development team and a trainee ambassador. Formal review meetings take place every three months and trainees are supported by peer networks and partner mentoring.

Apply on the Herrington Carmichael LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Herrington Carmichael LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Responsibility and willingness to take early client responsibility
• Technical legal skills: drafting and research
• Interpersonal skills: client communication, teamwork and negotiation
• Commercial awareness and industry understanding
• Commitment to continuous learning and alignment with firm values (Growth, Relationships, Ambition, Collaboration, Excellence)

Evidence Signals

• Strong academic performance (1st or 2:1 degree) or demonstrable reasons for a 2:2
• Completed SQE1 & SQE2 prior to start (for training contract applicants)
• Relevant commercial or property experience for Real Estate seats
• Client‑facing experience or internships/placements (Legal Intern Programme)
• Engagement in CSR/volunteering or pro bono activity, and evidence of teamwork and mentoring roles

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Subsidy towards an LLM incorporating SQE1 & SQE2 (from Sept 2026) and payment of SQE1 & SQE2 exam fees for trainees
• Competitive training contract salary (figure not published)
• Significant training budget and dedicated fund for specialism development
• Continuous development reviews, annual appraisals and tailored learning & development plans
• Dedicated supervisor, Training Principal and trainee ambassador
• Opportunities for business development and industry profile growth
• Regular team and trainee socials, firmwide events, bi‑annual parties, end‑of‑month drinks and sporting events
• CSR committee activity, local charity partnerships and community volunteering initiatives
• Catered networking events for early careers and mentoring opportunities

Wellbeing

Firm operates a CSR and wellbeing focus through community partnerships, charitable initiatives and internal committees; training in equality and diversity and unconscious bias is referenced, and the firm emphasises creating an inclusive and accessible workplace.

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500 Top Tier Firm (2026)
• The Times Best Law Firms listing (2024)
• Best Legal Support to Advisers – Financial Adviser Service Awards (2025)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The firm commits to ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, improving accessibility (physical and digital), recruiting and retaining diverse talent, and running regular diversity monitoring (biennial surveys) to inform action.

• Unconscious bias training (access to)
• Biennial employee diversity survey (latest published 2025)
• CSR partnerships and local community outreach programmes
• Commitment to physically and digitally accessible workplace and inclusive recruitment

Pro Bono

The firm has a CSR committee and designated charity partnerships, runs local community initiatives (food banks, outreach, area clean ups) and supports fundraising and volunteering. No firm‑wide pro bono hours target is published.

Innovation

The firm states innovation is a strategic priority and references investment in technology and the future of the firm, but specific legal‑tech tools, platforms or named innovation programmes are not listed on the available pages. Trainees are encouraged to contribute to internal projects and business development, providing exposure to the firm’s operational and technological developments.

Quick Application Angles

• Demonstrate alignment with the firm’s GRACE values (Growth, Relationships, Ambition, Collaboration, Excellence) and give short examples showing each value in action.
• If applying for Real Estate/Development seats, reference practical experience or knowledge of residential development, plot sales or development finance and mention awareness of the firm’s work on multi‑million‑pound development projects.
• Highlight local connections or commitment to the South East (Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Thames Valley) — the firm prioritises candidates in these counties and local market knowledge is valued.
• Mention the firm’s SQE subsidy and career development pathways when discussing long‑term commitment and professional development; explain how you would use the firm’s L&D resources to build a specialist practice.
• For employment or financial services applications, reference the firm’s recent transactional highlights (e.g., multi‑million sales and FCA change‑in‑control work) to demonstrate commercial awareness and an understanding of the team’s remit.