RWK Goodman

Overview

RWK Goodman is a Top 100 national law firm with deep roots (established 1873) and a strong regional network across the South West, Thames Valley and London. The firm combines specialist teams in personal injury/clinical negligence, family, property and commercial law with sector-led expertise in health & social care, retail & hospitality, technology & media and energy & infrastructure. Its client base ranges from individuals and charities to AIM-quoted and larger private businesses; the firm markets a collaborative, client-focused approach emphasised by a flat structure and multi-office presence.

• Headquarters: Bath, Midland Bridge House
• Founded: 1873
• Lawyers: Over 650 colleagues
• Offices: 9

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Agriculture & Rural
• Real Estate
• Family Law
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Corporate & M&A
• Employment
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Technology & Digital
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Private Client & Wealth
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Charities & Not-for-Profit
• Tax
• ESG & Sustainability

Geographic Focus: RWK Goodman has its strongest presence across the South West and Thames Valley with a significant London office; the firm targets regional, national and cross-border matters for clients in the public, private and third sectors. Its strategy emphasises sector-specialist teams (health & social care, retail & hospitality, technology & media, energy & infrastructure) able to service clients locally and on national matters.

Training Contract

Training contracts run for two years and provide experience across four different teams/seats. The firm prefers to recruit trainees from internal talent (paralegals and existing employees), emphasising development, early client contact and the opportunity to be considered for a training contract after gaining paralegal experience within the firm.

• Application Deadline: TBC

Seat Options

• Family Law
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Private Client & Wealth
• Employment
• Corporate & M&A
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Sponsorship

Support for CILEx qualifications and apprenticeships; the firm works with Damar Training for paralegal and business services apprenticeships and supports the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship (Level 6) through U Law.

Mentorship

The firm operates established internal mentoring schemes including the Thrive Mentoring Programme and wider internal mentoring/support structures for early careers; trainees are encouraged to engage in mentoring, committee activity and learning & development programmes.

Apply on the RWK Goodman website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What RWK Goodman Looks For

Key Competencies

• Client service orientation
• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Resilience and adaptability
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• Strong communication skills

Evidence Signals

• Relevant work experience (paralegal, internships, apprenticeships)
• Pro bono or charity involvement
• Sector experience aligned to firm specialisms (e.g. health & social care, real estate, agriculture)
• Demonstrable commitment to personal development and mentoring schemes

Benefits & Wellbeing

• 26.5 days holiday
• Profit share bonus scheme
• Support for apprenticeships and CILEx (employer-funded training)
• Learning and development programmes and internal mentoring
• Travel and lunch expense reimbursement for selected programmes
• Flexible hybrid working and family-friendly policies
• Wellbeing committee and wellbeing initiatives

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is overseen by a dedicated committee; the firm promotes an open culture around wellbeing and family-friendly support at different career stages.

Awards & Recognition

• Top 100 Law Firm (firm description)
• Chambers and Partners rankings for Industrial Disease team (2024)
• Legal 500 multiple regional rankings including Tier 1 listings across clinical negligence, personal injury and family (various years)
• Highly Commended Children Team of the Year at the Family Law Awards (2025)
• Civil Lawyer of the Year at the 30th Asian Legal Awards (date referenced)
• Regional firm of the year nominations and Family Law Awards shortlists (2024, 2025)
• Kim Lehal nominated for Women & Diversity in Law Awards 2026 (Law Firm Leader of the Year – National/Regional Firm)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The firm commits to fostering an open, inclusive and diverse culture, embedding ED&I into decision-making and developing diverse talent pipelines. It publishes an annual ESG report and a Diversity survey and set a target of at least 40% female partners by 2025.

• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
• Thrive Mentoring Programme
• Internal mentoring schemes
• Partnerships with Inspire Law Global and WCLEN
• Level 2 Disability Confident Employer status

Pro Bono

Longstanding support for regional Community Foundations and encouragement of colleague participation in charity and fundraising activity (example: team Kilimanjaro challenge raising £37,117 for Julian House).

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• If applying to the family or international children team, reference Kim Lehal’s public work (editorial board membership, reported cases) and the firm’s emphasis on inclusion to show alignment with the team’s priorities.
• For personal injury/mesothelioma applications, cite the firm’s multi-case settlements (e.g. the £670,000 mesothelioma settlement) to show sector-specific commercial awareness and an understanding of client-care issues.
• Highlight experience with apprenticeships, CILEx or paralegal roles and mention the firm’s supported alternative qualification routes (Damar Training partnerships, Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship) to demonstrate cultural fit and long-term commitment.
• Demonstrate regional knowledge (South West / Thames Valley market) and an understanding of sector specialisms (health & social care, retail & hospitality, technology) — the firm values candidates who can work with regional clients on commercially-focused matters.