About us
Preston Redman is a forward thinking law firm which has been based in Bournemouth on the South Coast for almost 150 years. The firm prides itself on traditional values with personal service providing high quality legal advice, attention to detail and exceptional client service. We are also increasingly focused on introducing modern technology and methods to complement our traditional values.
We are therefore looking for talented individuals who share our ethos and who want to develop their career with us. We have a track record of promoting from within, with a number of our current partners having undertaken their training with us. Some of our partners even started out as secretaries or paralegals and have worked their way up and so we take the view that when we are hiring graduates, we are hiring future partners.
The programme
We understand that the changing approach to qualifying as a solicitor means there are a number of ways to qualify as a solicitor. We are more than happy to discuss the various routes to qualification with you at interview and are developing links with Bournemouth University with a view to supporting their apprenticeship courses. However, please note that at present we are unable to offer funding for either an apprenticeship course or SQE preparation programme.
We recruit up to three trainee solicitors or graduate apprentice solicitors each year, typically starting in September, and are currently recruiting for our September 2026 and September 2027 intake.
Our two-year training programme is overseen by our training principal, Tim Flower, and our trainee partners Daniel Gardner and William Buchanan. You will usually undertake four seats across our four departments: Company commercial, Property (both residential and commercial), Private Client, and Litigation (comprising civil and commercial litigation, employment and family law) providing experience in both contentious and non-contentious work.
You will typically work under the supervision of a partner within each department; however, you will be given the opportunity to work with a range of colleagues across all levels of experience.
We aim to ensure that all trainees and apprentices have an opportunity to experience and work in a variety of departments to give you a broader understanding of what we do and the options that are open to you. Many trainees will join us with an idea of the area of law that they want to qualify into, only to discover that they actually enjoy other areas. We therefore think that it is important to try a variety of practice areas before deciding on your specialism.
Some applicants may be invited to initially join the firm as a legal secretary or paralegal. Typically a one year role, this will give applicants an opportunity to gain experience of the firm prior to undertaking their training contract or apprenticeship. Alternatively, you may be invited for a short period of work experience so that we can get to know you better. As we say above, we have a history of promoting from within and this includes a number of secretaries who have gone on to become trainee solicitors.
What’s it like?
For us, our staff wellbeing is a priority. We aim to offer an enjoyable place to work and offer a range of perks, including:
1. Car parking.
2. Free breakfast every Friday.
3. Regular social events organised by our Social Committee, to include outdoor activities and summer BBQ’s.
4. Hybrid working model.
5. Fruit bowls delivered every Monday.
6. Pension scheme.
7. Birthdays off.
8. Office closure between Christmas and New Year (subject to change).
9. AXA Employee Assistance programme.
10. Discounted legal fees for conveyancing and will service.
11. Free entry to Bournemouth Running festival or New Forest Marathon and free personalised coaching.
How to apply
To apply for a training contract or solicitor’s apprenticeship please download our application form, and return by email with a covering letter to careers@prestonredman.co.uk, or send by post.
Please use your covering letter to indicate your preferred route to qualification (if you have one) and your preferred start date.
Applications can be made up to 30 June 2025. Once we have reviewed all the applications, a short-list of candidates will be invited to attend an interview.
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