Machins Solicitors LLP

Overview

Machins Solicitors is a well-established regional full-service law firm with roots in Luton and two offices in Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire. The firm celebrated its centenary in 2020 and positions itself as a broad commercial and private client adviser serving individuals, sole traders, SMEs and national/international businesses. Machins is recommended in directory rankings across multiple practice areas (seven practice area recommendations), including a top-tier regional recommendation for family law, and emphasises staff retention, early client contact for trainees and an inclusive, community-focused culture.

• Headquarters: Luton, 28 Dunstable Road, LU1 1DY
• Founded: 1920
• Lawyers: 120+ (staff across two offices)
• Trainees: 3 per year
• Offices: 2

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Family Law
• Employment
• Real Estate
• Corporate & M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Intellectual Property
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Private Client & Wealth
• Tax
• Pensions
• Professional Negligence

Geographic Focus: Regional focus across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire with reputational reach into London and an international client base. Core client markets include local and regional businesses, SMEs, national and multinational companies and private individuals.

Training Contract

Two-year training contract typically comprising four seat rotations. Trainees work directly with a partner in each department rotation who acts as the training supervisor. Each trainee is allocated a mentor (a partner or senior solicitor) who provides ongoing advice, support and feedback. The firm aims to provide team-based, client-facing experience across multiple practice areas so trainees can identify the practice area best suited to them. Applications for 2028 will open in December 2026. Applications for positions starting July 2028 will open on 1st December 2026 and close 1st March 2027.

• Trainee Intake: We offer three training contracts each year
• Application Deadline: 1 march 2027

Seat Options

• Employment
• Family Law (Private and Public)
• Commercial Property
• Company Commercial
• Dispute Resolution
• Private Client
• Residential Conveyancing

Mentorship

Each trainee works directly with a partner training supervisor during each seat rotation and is allocated a mentor (a partner or senior solicitor) for ongoing advice, support and feedback. Trainees are also supported by internal trainee-focused resources such as trainee blogs, podcasts and committee involvement.

Apply on the Machins Solicitors LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Machins Solicitors LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Client focus / client-handling
• Communication (written and oral)
• Teamwork
• Commercial awareness
• Attention to detail
• Adaptability / flexibility
• Resilience

Evidence Signals

• Sustained non-legal work experience showing transferable skills
• Paralegal or client-facing experience
• Active involvement in committees, volunteering or charity projects
• Practical examples of teamwork and time management
• Engagement with trainee resources (blogs, podcasts) or local/regional legal activity

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Three training contracts offered each year (trainee intake information publicised)
• Partner/senior solicitor mentorship and direct partner supervision in each seat
• Regular social events including an annual Christmas party and smaller social activities
• Internal committees offering involvement opportunities (Social, Mental Health, Diversity & Inclusion)
• Wellbeing activities (lunchtime walks, coffee mornings, themed awareness days)
• Volunteer and charity fundraising opportunities (Hospice of St Francis Running Club, Community Interest Luton, Keech Hospice partnership)
• Visitor parking available onsite at the Luton office

Wellbeing

Mental Health Committee initiatives (lunchtime walks, coffee mornings, awareness days), employee wellbeing promotion and supportive committees; volunteering and charity activity encourage community engagement.

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500 UK: seven practice area recommendations, including a top-tier regional recommendation for family law
• Centenary celebrated in 2020 (100 years)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Founding corporate partner membership of local hospice partnership networks and active local charitable partnerships; the firm emphasises a diverse workforce and inclusive culture.

• Social Committee
• Mental Health Committee
• Diversity & Inclusion Committee
• Machins Iftaar (Ramadan event)
• Black History Month Q&A events
• Hospice of St Francis Corporate Partner Network (founding member)
• Keech Hospice Business Collective (founding member)
• Community Interest Luton (sponsorship and volunteering)

Pro Bono

The firm runs free legal advice consultations and a range of charitable and volunteering activities; community engagement and pro bono-type clinics are part of the firm's community portfolio.

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise sustained non-legal work experience and the transferable skills it developed (the firm explicitly values months/years of non-legal employment over short insight days).
• Reference Machins’ regional strength and top-tier family recommendation — explain why family or regional practice suits your interests and how you’d add value to a local client base (Luton/Berkhamsted).
• Mention specific seat preferences and demonstrate flexibility: Machins runs four seat rotations across Employment, Family (private/public), Commercial Property, Company Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Private Client and Residential Conveyancing.
• Use the firm’s trainee resources (Trainee Blog, Trainee Talks and #AskMachins podcasts) to cite concrete examples of trainee experience and link those to your readiness for early client contact and responsibility.