Herrington Carmichael Solicitors

Overview

Herrington Carmichael is a long-established South East firm (tracing its history to the 1840s) that positions itself as a full-service adviser to owner-managed businesses, business owners and private wealth. The firm operates from a Farnborough head office with a second office in Reading and is known for sector-focused teams in financial services, property, corporate, employment and private client work. Distinctive features include a sector-led approach (notably financial services and property/rural), an emphasis on long-term client relationships and a large regional property practice combined with regulatory and fintech capability (digital assets). The firm promotes a people-focused culture with investment in training, apprenticeships and a growing trainee cohort.

• Headquarters: Farnborough, Brennan House (Farnborough Aerospace Centre Business Park)
• Founded: 1840s
• Trainees: 28
• Offices: 2

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Immigration
• Real Estate
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Private Client & Wealth
• Family Law
• Agriculture & Rural
• Technology & Digital
• Investment Funds

Geographic Focus: Core strength across the South East of England (headquartered in Farnborough with an office in Reading). The firm acts for clients across the UK and on international matters but its principal market and client relationships are regional (Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Sussex and neighbouring counties) while servicing UK and overseas corporates, high-net-worth individuals and specialist financial services businesses.

Training Contract

Two-year, full-time Solicitor Training Contract based in Farnborough. Trainees undertake 3–4 seat rotations (typical programmes offer two to three different practice area experiences for most trainees), each seat lasting approximately six months. Seats are allocated based on business need, trainee preference and potential availability of roles on qualification; trainees are given substantive client work and responsibility from day one, with scheduled review meetings every three months and a dedicated supervisor plus broader support from the Training & Development team and the Training Principal.

• Trainee Intake: 28
• Academic Requirements: Candidates require a first or 2:1 degree qualification. Candidates with a 2:2 result, proven skills, and extenuating circumstances will be considered. Candidates must have completed the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE1 & SQE2) prior to commencing their Training Contract. The firm will also consider LPC graduates with suitable workplace experience.
• Application Deadline: 2027-12-31

Seat Options

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

Sponsorship

Subsidy toward an LLM (incorporating SQE1 & SQE2) from September 2026; individuals are required to self-fund the remaining balance. Guidance is available on accessing a UK Government Postgraduate Loan.

SQE Support

From September 2026, the firm will provide a subsidy towards completing an LLM incorporating SQE1 and SQE2 and will contribute towards SQE1 & SQE2 exam fees for future trainee solicitors. The firm will also discuss reimbursement for individuals who have already enrolled on a self-funded LLM during recruitment.

Mentorship

Each trainee has a dedicated supervisor responsible for day-to-day guidance, quarterly review meetings and tailored learning plans. The programme also provides trainee ambassadors, peer support from the trainee cohort, the Training & Development team and access to a Training Principal. Interns and trainees are supported by allocated trainee buddies and subject-matter 'Ask the Experts' sessions.

Apply on the Herrington Carmichael Solicitors website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Herrington Carmichael Solicitors Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Attention to detail
• Teamwork
• Resilience
• Authenticity
• Commitment to the local area
• Client service and interpersonal skills
• Transferable skills from non-legal roles (communication, time management)

Evidence Signals

• Relevant internships or workplace experience (Legal Intern Programme or similar)
• Non-legal work experience in retail, hospitality or customer service demonstrating resilience
• Local connections to the South East or clear reasons for relocation
• Engagement with firm content (articles by fee earners) or attendance at firm events
• Volunteer or extracurricular experience demonstrating leadership and communication

Benefits & Wellbeing

• 25 Days Holiday (plus an additional discretionary day over the Christmas break)
• Perkbox employee discount platform
• Free car parking at HC office business park
• Annual service awards (£50 gift voucher)
• Holiday buy back (sell up to 3 days per annum)
• Month end drinks and regular team/trainee socials
• Sick Pay: SSP for first year, thereafter 20 days discretionary sick pay per 12 month rolling period
• Referral fees and recruitment bonuses
• Pension: employer match up to 5% of salary
• Life insurance: lump sum equivalent to 4x salary
• Weekly fresh fruit deliveries
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): mental, financial, physical and emotional wellbeing support
• Access to legal services at reduced rates or for free
• Long service awards: extra holiday days at 5 year intervals and a £75 gift voucher
• Bonus scheme for fee-earner performance
• HC Healthcare Benefits: online GP access, free eye tests and contributions towards glasses, annual free flu jabs
• Maternity & Adoption Pay: 100% salary for first 12 weeks, 50% for next 12 weeks (then statutory pay where applicable); Paternity: full pay for two weeks

Wellbeing

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), online GP access, annual flu jabs, company-provided healthcare benefits, weekly fresh fruit and wellbeing-focused benefits and events.

Awards & Recognition

• Rated as a 'Top Tier Firm' by Legal 500
• The Times 'Best Law Firms 2024'
• Legal 500: Employment (Hampshire) Tier 1
• Legal 500: Corporate and commercial (Hampshire) Tier 2
• Legal 500: Personal tax, trusts and probate (Hampshire) Tier 2

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Diversity page and resources (firm site)
• LGBTQIA+ dedicated private client service page
• Trainee ambassador and CSR/charitable initiatives representing trainee interests

Innovation

The firm states it places innovation and investment in technology at the forefront of its strategy. It has a digital asset and blockchain offering (advising on FCA authorisation, compliance and commercial agreements for cryptoasset businesses) and provides training and workshops for clients.

• Digital Asset and Blockchain advisory group
• Investment in technology and digital capability across the firm

Quick Application Angles

• Demonstrate a clear link to the South East/local area in your application—the firm explicitly values candidates who are connected to the region.
• Reference a specific firm article, insight or team (for example, work by the financial services or rural teams) to show genuine interest rather than generic praise.
• Highlight transferable skills from non-legal roles (customer service, hospitality) and give concrete examples of resilience, teamwork and client service.
• If applying for property/rural or financial services seats, mention relevant sector experience (e.g., work with land agents, accountancy/IFA exposure) to align with the firm’s sector focus.
• Use the Legal Intern Programme or Insights Day to showcase interest; successful interns are considered for training contracts and the firm frequently hires from its intern cohort.