Judge & Priestley LLP

Overview

Founded in 1889 and headquartered in Bromley, Judge & Priestley LLP is a long-established full-service solicitors' practice focused on serving clients across London and the South East. Built originally on a strong debt recovery practice, the firm has expanded into a broad range of areas including family law, residential and commercial property, private client & probate work, housing/social housing, employment and dispute resolution. Growth has been driven both organically and by acquisition (notably the Portner Law Limited merger in June 2025 and a planned merger with William Heath & Co effective 7 September 2026), and the firm positions itself as a client-focused regional practice with a London presence.

• Headquarters: Bromley, Justin House, 6 West Street
• Founded: 1889
• Lawyers: 300 (staff count as of June 2025)
• Partners: 40
• Offices: 5

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Housing & Social Housing
• Private Client & Wealth
• Family Law
• Real Estate
• Employment
• Commercial Contracts
• Corporate & M&A

Geographic Focus: The firm’s strongest markets are Bromley, South East London and the wider South East region, with an additional Central London (W1) office to service London-based and corporate clients. The firm operates regionally across the South East while also advising on matters in England and Wales and maintaining a Central London presence to serve city-based clients.

Training Contract

We are always looking for bright and enthusiastic individuals who share our values. In return, we will invest in your development, provide excellent learning opportunities, and support you in achieving your full potential. Delivering forward-thinking legal solutions to a loyal and growing client base. At J&P, you won't be just another trainee. You'll be part of a supportive and collaborative team where your contribution is valued from day one. We pride ourselves on providing meaningful responsibility, genuine career progression opportunities and a culture built on integrity, respect, wellbeing and community During your training you will be involved in intellectually challenging work and be provided with the support needed to flourish into an outstanding solicitor. You will be expected to put in lots of hard work and plenty of commitment to achieve the best results for the firm and for our clients. You will be expected to behave in a way that is representative and in line with our values and demonstrate these values on a daily basis.

• Application Deadline: 20th November 2026.

Seat Options

• Housing management
• Family
• Residential Conveyancing
• Private Client
• Debt Recovery
• Property Litigation
• Property Development and Commercial Property

Mentorship

The firm has launched a company-wide mentoring scheme (delivered under the DE&I committee) and has People & Culture support structures. Talent acquisition and People & Culture roles are in place (e.g., Talent Acquisition Business Partner, People & Culture Director) to support development and pastoral care.

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Judge & Priestley LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Client-focused communication and empathy
• Professionalism and accountability
• Technical competence in relevant practice area (e.g., conveyancing, family, housing, debt recovery)
• Teamwork and approachability
• Commitment to wellbeing and inclusive working

Evidence Signals

• Local community engagement or outreach (work experience, Discover events)
• Practical client-facing experience (conveyancing, family law, litigation support)
• Demonstrable empathy and resilience for family and private client work
• Involvement in pro bono or charitable activities
• Interest or experience in legal technology and process improvement

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Enhanced annual leave entitlements
• Additional time off linked to tenure
• Wellbeing-focused benefits and mental health awareness training
• Network of Mental Health First Aiders
• People & Culture and Social Committees
• Additional paid leave to support charitable causes
• Home visit service for clients (nominal fee applies) — service offering supported by the firm

Wellbeing

The firm has a formal People First wellbeing strategy, a network of Mental Health First Aiders, and has introduced wellbeing-focused benefits and additional time off linked to tenure. These initiatives were cited in the firm’s winning of the Wellbeing Award at the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2026.

Awards & Recognition

• Winner: Wellbeing Award, LexisNexis Legal Awards 2026
• Shortlisted: Diversity and Inclusion category, LexisNexis Legal Awards 2026
• Investors in People Silver accreditation (date announced on firm news feed)
• Included in UK Legal 200 (first inclusion in 2024)
• Included in The Times "Best Law Firms" listing (first inclusion in 2025)
• Recognition in The Legal 500 UK 2027 (press release)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The firm has committed to delivering seven DE&I objectives through 2025 and 2026 (including a new DE&I policy and strategy, enhanced training, mentoring and the Discover programme). CSR objectives include reducing environmental impact; the firm has moved from a Silver to a Gold Greenly rating and has an objective to achieve Net Zero by 2033.

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee (jointly headed by equity partners Rachel Addai and Nitika Singh)
• Company-wide mentoring scheme (launched by DE&I committee)
• Discover event programme (access for pupils from disadvantaged or under-represented backgrounds)
• Return to work programme (to assist reintegration after long absences)
• Enhanced DE&I training and enhanced DE&I data collection
• CSR Committee (headed by equity partner Robert Davis) overseeing environmental policy and charitable engagement

Pro Bono

The firm supports national and local charities (current national charity: Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM); current local charity: Demelza), participates in fundraising events and supports the London Legal Support Trust. Staff are permitted additional paid leave to support charitable causes. The firm also undertakes community engagement and school outreach activities aimed at social mobility and access to law.

Innovation

Judge & Priestley has a dedicated Technology, Innovation and Change team and a named Head of Technology & Platforms, signalling an organisational commitment to legal technology and platform development.

• Technology, Innovation and Change team
• Head of Technology & Platforms (Oleg Janas)
• Ongoing investment in technology as part of people and development commitments

Quick Application Angles

• Reference the firm’s long regional heritage (established 1889) and its focus on client service and community when explaining why you want to join.
• If applying to conveyancing or private client teams, highlight practical transaction experience and an ability to manage direct client contact — the firm emphasises timely communications and a personal service.
• For family law roles mention the firm’s membership of Resolution and its child-focused, pragmatic approach (international children work and Spanish links are highlighted by the team).
• Demonstrate alignment with the firm’s People First wellbeing focus and DE&I activity — mention interest in mentoring, mental health first aid or community outreach if applicable.
• If relevant, tie application evidence to recent firm developments (e.g., the Portner Law merger, the 2026 Wellbeing Award or the firm’s Net Zero/Greenly commitments) to show commercial awareness of the firm’s strategy.