Wilkes Solicitors

Overview

Wilkes is a mid-sized, partner-led full-service law firm based in the Midlands with a regional heritage (founded 1933) and an increasing national profile. The firm operates from Birmingham City Centre and Solihull and offers a wide range of corporate, commercial, real estate, planning, dispute resolution and private client services, delivering partner-led advice backed by a large team of associates and support staff. Wilkes combines local sector knowledge (owner-managed businesses, NHS/ICBs, developers and private clients) with international associations across 40 countries, and the firm highlights strong trainee retention and partner-led training as key differentiators.

Headquarters: Birmingham, 41 Church Street
Founded: 1933
Lawyers: almost 200 (associates, assistant solicitors and support staff)
Trainees: 4-5 per year
Offices: 2
Revenue: £17m (forecast)

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Corporate & M&A
Banking & Finance
Commercial Contracts
Data Protection & Privacy
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Employment
Environment & Planning
Insolvency & Restructuring
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Private Client & Wealth
Real Estate
Regulatory & Compliance
Retail & Consumer
Construction & Engineering
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Immigration
Public Law

Geographic Focus: Strong regional focus in the West Midlands (Birmingham and Solihull) serving owner-managed businesses, SMEs, public sector bodies (including NHS trusts and ICBs), developers and private clients; delivers partner-led advice across the UK and supports cross-border work through international associations covering 40 countries.

Training Contract

The training contract normally comprises four six-month seats (four 6-month seats) across the firm's practice areas, giving trainees exposure to both commercial and private client work. Seats are based in either the Birmingham City Office or the Stanton House, Shirley (Solihull) office. Trainees are supervised by qualified staff and have regular meetings with the Training Principal. The firm uses a single interview day selection process that includes a short practical exercise and a face-to-face interview with the Training Principal and a partner.

Starting Salary: £26,000 (starting salary for 2023)
NQ Salary: £46,000 (minimum upon qualifying)
Trainee Intake: 4-5 per year
Qualification Rate: 100% retention rate (the firm states it aims to retain as many trainees as possible and currently reports a 100% retention rate)
Academic Requirements: Minimum of ABB at A Level (or equivalent) and at least a 2.1 degree classification; the firm assesses applicants holistically and considers mitigating circumstances.
Application Deadline: 30th June 2026

Seat Options

Corporate & M&A
Real Estate
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Private Client & Wealth
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Employment
Business Recovery
Planning
Immigration
Property litigation

SQE Support

The firm accepts both LPC and SQE routes. SQE candidates must pass SQE1 before starting; trainees may complete SQE2 during the training contract and the firm will fund the cost of the SQE2 exam.

Mentorship

Trainees receive direct mentorship from partners, supervision by qualified staff, regular meetings with the Training Principal (Mark Hodgson), access to a Junior Fee Earner programme, and opportunities to contact current trainees for peer insight. The Birmingham Trainee Solicitor Society (BTSS) is active for social and professional support.

Apply on the Wilkes Solicitors website →

Programmes & Schemes

Wilkes Insight Days

One-day insight events held at the Birmingham City Centre office where students tour the office, meet trainees, shadow a trainee, complete practical group work and present to senior lawyers, and take part in an open Q&A. The programme aims to give degree students practical insight into life as a trainee and supports applications to the firm's trainee solicitor programme.

Duration: 1 day
Deadline: 2027-01-29

Apply →

Paralegal opportunities

The firm indicates that future trainees may have the opportunity to work as paralegals at Wilkes prior to starting a training contract to gain practical experience and familiarity with the firm.

Notable Matters

Advised Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam on a London fine dining joint venture

Wilkes acted on the joint venture for chef Aktar Islam's London fine dining project, advising on the transaction structure and documentation for the hospitality venture.

Hospitality & Leisure

Advised on the multi-million pound sale of Johnsons Cars Limited

Wilkes advised on the sale of Johnsons Cars Limited in a multi-million pound corporate transaction, supporting the shareholders through the sale process and completion.

Corporate & M&A

Advised shareholders of WOW! Stuff on strategic sale to Troy Companies Group

Wilkes acted for the shareholders on the strategic sale of WOW! Stuff to Troy Companies Group, providing corporate transactional advice to effect the disposal.

Retail & Consumer

Advised management team on the buyout of Brandauer (historic Birmingham manufacturer)

Wilkes advised the management team on a management buyout of Brandauer, delivering transaction support, documentation and completion services on the MBO.

Corporate & M&A

Advised shareholders on the multi-million pound sale of Monarch Care Group

Wilkes acted on the sale of Monarch Care Group, advising shareholders on the transaction and the corporate and commercial aspects of the disposal in the care sector.

Healthcare & Life Sciences

What Wilkes Solicitors Looks For

Key Competencies

Strong academic ability (minimum 2:1 degree and ABB A-level equivalent)
Commercial awareness
Teamwork and collaboration
Client focus and service orientation
Integrity and professionalism
Curiosity and drive
Resilience and practical skills
Good communication and presentation skills

Evidence Signals

Relevant legal work experience (paralegal roles, internships)
Practical experience from insight days or shadowing trainees
Examples of teamwork (sports, societies, group projects)
Demonstrable commercial awareness and knowledge of the firm’s sectors (owner-managed businesses, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, property)
Community engagement/CSR activity and volunteering
Clear academic record (2:1 and ABB A-level or equivalent)

Benefits & Wellbeing

Trainee starting salary: £26,000 (2023)
Newly qualified minimum salary: £46,000
8% company pension scheme (4% employee, 4% employer)
Life assurance at 4x base salary
Medicash health cash plan
Access to a Virtual GP
Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support)
Trained Mental Health First Aiders across offices
Skinvision (skin-spot/mole assessment)
Free flu jabs
Eye care vouchers
Enhanced parental leave (maternity/paternity/adoption)
Weekly yoga and meditation sessions
Monthly social events
Cycle to work scheme
Season ticket loans
Recruitment referral bonus (£500)
Support staff bonus scheme for introduction of new clients
Access to 1-2-1 appointments with a financial adviser or mortgage broker
Discounts on conveyancing, wills and gym memberships
Paid time off for volunteering (2 days per year)
Option to purchase up to 3 additional holiday days
24 days annual leave plus bank holidays (full-time employees) and 2 additional days at Christmas
Financial assistance towards SQE2 examination

Wellbeing

Trained Mental Health First Aiders, Employee Assistance Programme (24/7), Virtual GP access, Skinvision, free flu jabs, eye-care vouchers, weekly yoga and meditation sessions and monthly social events; the firm also provides enhanced parental leave policies.

Awards & Recognition

Legal 500 2026: Recommended in 13 categories (39 key/recommended lawyers listed)
Worcestershire Law Society Legal Awards 2026: Trainee Solicitor of the Year – Callum Sussex (Winner)
Insider Media Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2026: Corporate Law Firm of the Year (Mid-sized) (Winner)
West Midlands Rainmaker Awards 2026: Rick Smyth – Changemaker (Winner)
Women and Diversity in Law Awards 2026: Eleanor Holland – Law Firm Leader of the Year (National/Regional) (Winner)
Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2024: Law Firm of the Year (Regional) (Winner)
Insider Media Midlands Dealmakers Awards 2023: Midmarket Deal of the Year (Winner)
Various shortlistings across regional and sector awards (2023–2026)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Wilkes commits to creating a workplace where everyone has the same opportunity to succeed regardless of background, and describes recruitment steps such as clear/unbiased job descriptions, diverse recruitment panels and partnerships with diversity-focused recruiters.

Diversity and Inclusion programme (focus on inclusive recruitment and diverse interview panels)
Focus on talent rather than university prestige in recruitment
Use of diverse panels in recruitment
CSR Team and Charity of the Year partnerships
Birmingham Trainee Solicitor Society (BTSS)
Sustainability Team

Pro Bono

Employees are given two volunteer days per year; the CSR committee organises fundraising and volunteering (charity bike rides, team events, Giving Tree, Kids Out Giving Tree and other community initiatives). The firm has run Charity of the Year partnerships (Marie Curie 2023–2025; When You Wish Upon a Star 2025/2026) and supports local food banks and community projects.

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

Reference the firm's three stated values exactly (We do the Right Thing; We Collaborate for Success; We Are People Focused) and show with examples how you demonstrate one of them in a legal or extra-curricular context.
Mention a recent Wilkes matter or sector focus (for example the Johnsons Cars multi‑million sale, the WOW! Stuff strategic sale or work for NHS trusts/ICBs) to show sector fit and commercial interest.
If applying for a trainee role, ask about SQE2 support and reference the firm’s published policy that it will fund SQE2 — demonstrate you understand the qualification route you are following (LPC or SQE) and the timing implications.
Use the Insight Day experience (or attendance at the Birmingham Insight Day) to build specific examples of what you learned about partner-led training and early client responsibility — name a partner/team you’d like to sit with and explain why.