Lodders Solicitors

Overview

Lodders Solicitors is a regional full-service law firm headquartered in Stratford upon Avon with a strong market position across the Midlands and South West, particularly in real estate, private client and agricultural/landed estates matters. The firm emphasizes technical strength combined with practical, client-focused advice and highlights 240 years of legal service alongside multiple top-tier rankings in property and private client work. Lodders operates from four offices (Stratford upon Avon, Henley in Arden, Cheltenham and Birmingham) and positions itself as the go-to adviser for developers, landowners, family businesses and estates across the region, with specialist teams in planning, biodiversity/net gain, renewable energy, dispute resolution and family law.

• Headquarters: Stratford upon Avon, Number Ten, Elm Court, Arden Street
• Trainees: 4
• Offices: 4

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Real Estate
• Private Client & Wealth
• Agriculture & Rural
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Family Law
• Corporate & M&A
• Employment
• Construction & Engineering
• Environment & Planning
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Charities & Not-for-Profit
• Tax
• ESG & Sustainability
• Commercial Contracts

Geographic Focus: The firm's strongest geographic footprint is the Midlands (Warwickshire and the West Midlands), Gloucestershire/Cotswolds and the South West, operating from Stratford upon Avon (headquarters), Henley in Arden, Cheltenham and Birmingham. Lodders positions itself as a regional specialist with national reputation in private client, landed estates and real estate matters and acts for local, national and international clients on regionally-based development and land projects.

Training Contract

The firm recruits trainee solicitors and offers apprenticeship/paralegal routes. Careers material states there are current opportunities for four trainee solicitors working across the firm; trainees are exposed to the firm’s core regional practice groups. The firm also operates Level 3 paralegal apprenticeships and other apprenticeships (e.g., digital marketing) as part of a wider professional development programme.

• Trainee Intake: 4
• Academic Requirements: For solicitor apprenticeship routes the site notes the recommended minimum entry is five GCSEs and three A-levels (or equivalent). The firm runs Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeships and accepts non-traditional entry routes as part of its apprenticeships and paralegal development programmes.
• Application Deadline: 2026-02-22

Seat Options

• Real Estate
• Private Client & Wealth
• Agriculture & Rural
• Corporate & M&A
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Family Law
• Employment
• Construction & Engineering
• Environment & Planning
• Tax
• Charities & Not-for-Profit
• Commercial Contracts

SQE Support

The firm describes apprenticeship routes and awareness of the solicitor apprenticeship/SQE pathway; its apprenticeship communications reference the solicitor apprenticeship structure (on-the-job training with SQE1 and SQE2 examinations) and the CILEx pathway for paralegal progression.

Mentorship

The firm's career pages emphasise an open-door, team-based culture with experienced partners and support teams (HR, operations, technology) involved in training and development. Lodders promotes a collaborative environment for trainees and apprentices, and highlights internal professional development programmes and local line-manager support, though no formal buddy/mentor scheme details are published on the available pages.

Apply on the Lodders Solicitors website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Lodders Solicitors Looks For

Key Competencies

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Client empathy and interpersonal skills
• Strong technical legal ability and attention to detail
• Commercial awareness
• Ambition and willingness to learn
• Problem-solving and creativity
• Practical, service-minded approach
• Resilience and personal responsibility

Evidence Signals

• Relevant work experience (paralegal, internships or work experience placements)
• Apprenticeship or vocational training (Level 3 Paralegal or marketing apprenticeships)
• Experience or interest in regional sectors (real estate, agriculture, landed estates, renewables)
• Demonstrable commitment to client service and community involvement (charity fundraising, local networks)
• Commercial deal experience or coursework that shows commercial awareness

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Cycle-to-work scheme
• EV car salary-sacrifice scheme
• EV charging points at offices
• Secure cycle storage, showers and lockers (Birmingham office and others)
• Onsite parking at Cheltenham; parking spaces and nearby car parks at Stratford and Henley in Arden offices
• Professional development and apprenticeship programmes (Level 3 paralegal apprenticeships, marketing apprenticeships, internal training)
• Digital document management and e-signature adoption (DocuSign) to reduce paperwork
• Employee-led sustainability initiatives and charity fundraising events (e.g., tree planting for Heart of England Forest, Charity Dog Walk, annual fundraising receptions)

Wellbeing

The firm promotes staff wellbeing through an employee engagement and workplace wellbeing focus (shortlisted for related awards), staff-led sustainability and engagement projects, charity fundraising activities and initiatives that encourage green commuting (cycle facilities) and healthier travel options. Environmental improvements, energy-efficiency measures and a zero-waste-to-landfill policy are also part of workplace wellbeing and sustainability activity.

Awards & Recognition

• No.1 Midlands property law firm (Legal 500) - top rankings (year referenced on site)
• Midlands Residential Property Awards - Law Firm of the Year (retained title; referenced 2020/2021)
• Professional Services Firm of the Year - CoventryLive Business Awards 2021
• Shortlisted: 2025 Midlands Sustainability Excellence Awards (Employee Engagement & Workplace Wellbeing and Medium Business categories)
• Shortlisted/finalist: Midlands Props Awards finalist (2025)
• ‘A Great Place to Work’ certification (site news, March 19, 2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Lodders Charitable Foundation (established 2016) - regional charity support and fundraising events
• Apprenticeship and work experience programmes to widen entry routes into the firm
• People and Culture leadership (appointment of People and Culture Director to coordinate people initiatives and talent management)

Pro Bono

The Lodders Charitable Foundation (LCF) supports regional charities and, since formation in 2016, has donated approximately £100,000 to local independent charities. The foundation runs fundraising events (annual Charity Dog Walk, Autumn drinks reception) and supports named beneficiaries including Spinal Muscular Atrophy UK, Rape & Sexual Violence Project (RSVP) and Public Hearts Cheltenham Defibrillator Campaign. The firm also participates in local charitable activities and community fundraising initiatives.

Innovation

Lodders invests in digital document management and e-signature workflows (DocuSign) to reduce paperwork and improve efficiency. The firm highlights technology in operations and marketing (digital marketing apprenticeship) and is adopting sustainable building technologies and energy-efficiency measures across offices (Birmingham office improvements). Trainees and apprentices can expect exposure to practical digital tools used across the firm, and the firm promotes internal operational innovation driven by an operational team.

• DocuSign and digital document management tools
• Transition to a paperless office and e-signature workflows
• Office sustainability and building efficiency upgrades (EPC A Birmingham office) as part of operations/innovation)

Quick Application Angles

• Lead with the firm’s regional specialisms: reference Lodders’ strength in real estate, landed estates and agricultural work (biodiversity net gain, strategic land and development) and, where relevant, link your experience to those sectors.
• Mention specific matters or sector expertise: for commercial roles cite the £22m Hinton Group development work or the firm’s involvement in M&A transactions (for example, the £10m Sweetfuels sale to NWF) to show you understand the firm’s client base and deal types.
• Show regional fit and community engagement: emphasise connections to the Midlands/Cotswolds/Three Counties, rural or landed-estate experience, or participation in local networks — Lodders values human connection and local knowledge.
• If applying via apprenticeship/paralegal route, highlight practical experience and ‘learn while you work’ evidence (work placements, paralegal tasks, vocational qualifications) and reference the firm’s Level 3 paralegal apprenticeship and digital marketing apprenticeship programmes.
• Demonstrate a collaborative mindset and client empathy: use examples that show teamwork, clear communication and a practical approach to solving client problems (matching the firm’s stated values of sharing expertise and collective achievement).