Porter Dodson

Overview

Porter Dodson is a Top 200 UK law firm headquartered in the South West, operating a network of seven offices across Somerset, Devon and Dorset. The firm provides both commercial and private client services with particular strength in agriculture & rural affairs, private wealth, commercial property, corporate & commercial work and employment law, and is regularly ranked in independent directories. It emphasises practical, joined-up advice for clients ranging from farming families and SMEs to high-net-worth individuals, and invests significantly in early careers through training contracts, apprenticeships and a formal Learning & Development strategy. The firm has also committed to social and environmental standards, achieving B Corp certification in 2026.

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Agriculture & Rural
Private Client & Wealth
Real Estate
Corporate & M&A
Employment
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Family Law
Tax
Commercial Contracts
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Pensions
Regulatory & Compliance

Geographic Focus: Strong South West focus with seven offices across Somerset, Devon and Dorset (Bridport, Exeter, Poundbury, Sherborne, Taunton, Wellington and Yeovil). The firm serves local and regional clients (farmers, landed estates, SMEs, care providers, medical/dental practices) and also acts for high‑net‑worth private clients; it positions itself as a South West specialist with the capability to handle matters for clients beyond the region.

Training Contract

Two-year solicitor training contract made up of four seat rotations (four seats across two years). Seats expose trainees to all aspects of work within each training area with supervising Partners responsible for learning and development. Seats are allocated according to candidate preference where possible, balanced against business needs, and are complementary to support long-term career plans.

Trainee Intake: 5 per year
Academic Requirements: We continue to run a parallel intake for LPC and SQE candidates. All future trainees will be required to have completed either the LPC or the SQE1 and SQE2 exams prior to starting their training contract and to undertake two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE). The firm typically encourages applications from candidates with at least a 2.1 degree classification and A‑levels at BBB, and values a
Application Deadline: TBC

Seat Options

Corporate & M&A
Real Estate
Commercial Property
Residential Property
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Family Law
Private Client & Wealth
Employment

Sponsorship

Porter Dodson typically provides sponsorship for the cost of the LPC or SQE where applicants have not already enrolled. The firm partners with the University of Law for LPC and SQE delivery and offers study leave.

SQE Support

The firm runs a parallel LPC and SQE intake and has partnered with the University of Law for LPC and SQE courses. The firm provides sponsorship for the cost of the LPC or SQE for applicants who haven’t already enrolled and offers study leave to support vocational study.

Mentorship

Each trainee is supported by a Supervising Partner, Training Principal, HR & Early Careers Manager and a trainee buddy. The firm emphasises internal mentors, coaching and a trainee network to support professional development.

Apply on the Porter Dodson website →

Programmes & Schemes

Work Experience Programme

A structured one-week work experience placement (full-time or part-time) giving hands-on experience with real legal work, time with experienced fee-earners across different departments, opportunities to observe client meetings and participate in legal projects. Placements are unpaid and tailored to availability with a personalised timetable.

Duration: 1 week

Apply →

Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

Porter Dodson operates solicitor apprenticeship schemes (both graduate and non‑graduate routes). The programme combines on-the-job training across departments (trainees rotate through teams such as Private Client and Family) with formal legal study and SQE preparation. The firm highlights apprenticeship success stories and recruits apprentices who then rotate through departments to gain broad experience.

Duration: 6 years (typical apprenticeship duration referenced in firm case study)

Apply →

What Porter Dodson Looks For

Key Competencies

Academic ability (typically a 2:1 degree encouraged)
Interpersonal skills and teamwork
Commercial awareness
Attention to detail
Motivation and enthusiasm for a career in law
Commitment to development and client service
Connection to or interest in the South West region

Evidence Signals

Relevant legal work experience or paralegal placements (summer placements and work experience placements are emphasised)
Apprenticeship or clerkship experience
Demonstrable interest in the firm’s key sectors (rural/agriculture, private client, property, healthcare)
Strong academic record (2:1 degree, BBB at A-level where applicable)
Evidence of community/charitable involvement and sporting or social participation

Benefits & Wellbeing

Competitive salaries
Performance-related pay and bonus
Pension provision / auto-enrolment onto company pension scheme
Life cover
Private healthcare (including optional family coverage) / Health Insurance with cash back benefit
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Payment of annual professional memberships
Study leave and funded training options (LPC/SQE sponsorship)
25 days holiday + bank holidays (extra day for your birthday) and generous holiday entitlement which increases over time
Gym membership / gym membership discounts
Flexible Working
Cycle to Work scheme
Eye tests
Legal support
Regular office socials and active social committee
Mental health first aiders and training
Opportunities to get involved with events planning, charity fundraising and CSR initiatives
Paralegal and business support professional development opportunities

Wellbeing

Employee Assistance Programme, mental health first aiders and training, wellbeing-focused activities and social events

Awards & Recognition

Top 200 UK Law Firm (site statement)
The Legal 500 — ranked across multiple practice areas (Corporate & Commercial; Employment; Agriculture & Estates; Contentious Trusts & Probate; Family; Commercial Property; Private Client) (2026 recognition referenced)
Chambers and Partners — multiple department rankings including Agriculture & Rural Affairs and Private Wealth (Chambers HNW Band 2 for Private Wealth in Somerset) (2025/2026 recognitions referenced)
DASLS Lifetime Achievement Award – Julia Perrins (2023)
Porter Dodson Achieves B Corp Certification (24 July 2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

B Corp certification (commitment to high standards of social and environmental performance); active support for local communities and charities

Apprenticeship programme (graduate and non-graduate routes)
Staff nomination and voting for a local office charity
Active social committee and inclusive social activities
Mental health first aider training

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

Research and reference the firm’s South West sector strengths (agriculture & rural, private wealth, commercial property) in your application to show alignment with their client base and local market expertise.
Highlight practical experience: cite any summer placements, paralegal work, or work experience (including the firm’s own work experience placements) to demonstrate readiness for early client contact.
Mention the firm’s apprenticeship and training routes (including sponsorship of LPC/SQE and partnership with the University of Law) if applying via those routes to show you understand their training model.
Reflect the firm’s community and CSR focus (B Corp certification, local charity work, sporting and social committee activities) to demonstrate cultural fit—examples of local engagement or voluntary work will resonate.
Proofread carefully and be authentic: the firm explicitly asks candidates to personalise applications, avoid AI‑generated written answers, and ‘be yourself’ during the recruitment stages.