Applications are now closed for our July 2026 intake of trainees. Applications for July 2027 will open on 1 December 2025. We offer three training contracts each year for law and non-law graduates from a variety of backgrounds.
Machins Solicitors is a highly regarded full-service law firm with around 115 staff working across our two offices in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. We offer a wide range of legal services across both commercial and private client sectors, with our client base ranging from individuals, soles traders, SMEs, national, international businesses and multinational corporations.
We are recognised in the latest edition of Legal 500 UK achieving seven practice area recommendations including a top-tier firm recommendation in the area of family law.
We are proud of our highly experienced legal team with backgrounds from reputable local and City firms. We achieve great results when it comes to staff retention; take a look at our partners, some of whom joined us as trainees! Cultivating a sense of pride in your work is at the core of our staff ethos – we aim to go above and beyond when it comes to valuing and investing in our employees.
We want Machins to be a great place to work so we take the time to listen to feedback and understand what we can do to support our workforce from both a personal and professional perspective. We understand the importance of well-being, home and family so we take the time to actively encourage a healthy work-life balance recognising that all our staff need to enjoy their life at work as well as outside the office
We have a great team and the winning combination of our friendly people and inclusive culture is what makes us great to work for. We’re down to earth, likeable and caring.
We are incredibly proud of our diverse workforce that reflects all backgrounds, talents and routes into the legal profession. We want you to achieve your full potential so our training programme ensures every employee has the chance to develop their core skills to progress and succeed in their legal careers
A training contract is the first step in your legal career. We make every effort to provide our trainees with the opportunity to gain experience outside of just developing their technical expertise and to become well-rounded solicitors with a real investment in the firm. We involve trainees at the earliest stage in marketing and business development initiatives valuing your contribution to the firm’s future. Every voice counts and thanks to our flat hierarchy our working environment is collaborative and supportive from day one.
Our trainees and newly qualified solicitors are the driving force of our charity fundraising events. We aim to offer a steady balance between responsibility and support, and you’ll be surprised at the degree of client contact that you will have from an early stage in your training contract.
During your training with us, you can expect:-
We pride ourselves on employing people who are approachable, and if you have any questions, you won’t be short of people to ask.
Strong all-round, commercially-minded individuals. We recruit on the basis of potential. We are interested in you and what you can bring to Machins to enrich our expanding team.
In particular, we look for:-
Applications for our July 2026 intake have now closed. Applications for our July 2027 intake will open on 1 December 2025.
Do you offer any sponsorship or grants?
Unfortunately, no grants are currently offered. We are however excited to announce that we are also now recruiting for Level 7 Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships.
Will I be working across both offices?
Yes, trainees could be based in either our Luton or Berkhamsted office, and applicants should have means of transport to either office.
I’m still doing my degree, when can I apply?
If you are in your final year and are due to complete your LPC/SQE by June 2027, you can apply from 1st December 2026 for our training contracts commencing July 2027 which is when our applications open. However, if you are in your penultimate year and will therefore not have completed your LPC/SQE by June 2027, you can apply from December 2027 for training contracts commencing in July 2028. We look forward to receiving your application!
Can I choose which seats I do?
For each of your seats, you can express a preference as to which team you would like experience in. We try to take these preferences into account where possible, but sometimes the seats offered depend on the business needs of each department at the time. We will usually try to accommodate your preference for your final seat which will be the team you hope to qualify into.
We offer three training contracts each year for law and non-law graduates from a variety of backgrounds.
The aim of our training contracts is to offer a rich variety of work experience providing on-the-ground team-based experience enabling each and every individual to find the practice area that they are best suited to. We offer four seats lasting six months each. You will work directly with a partner in each department who will be your training supervisor. You will also be allocated a mentor, who will be a partner or senior solicitor, who can provide ongoing advice, support and feedback along the way.
Training seats currently offered are:-
Placements are operationally driven but we try to take into account individual preferences where possible.
We pride ourselves on offering top quality training and view the development of our trainees as critical to the future growth of the firm. It will leave you equipped with excellent career prospects as well as hands-on legal experience and strong commercial acumen. We are confident that, once qualified, you will choose to stay with us. Our retention rate is high – you will see from our team profiles that a high number of our partners and solicitors trained with Machins.
Starting as a trainee solicitor can be challenging, but adopting the right mindset is key. Learn how to navigate unfamiliar situations, build confidence, and set the stage for a successful, rewarding, and fulfilling legal career.
Explore exciting trainee solicitor opportunities at Machins Solicitors. Join a leading regional firm, gain hands-on experience in diverse legal areas, and contribute to our vibrant community. Apply by 1st April 2025!
“My experience as a trainee so far at Machins has been invaluable. I have been exposed to the real legal world, participating from day one in client meetings, conferences with counsel and attending court hearings. Machins has placed its faith in me to produce high quality work and I am fully supported by a team of experienced professionals. I have been given the space to engage with charity causes and input on the firm’s social events. Being a trainee at Machins has given me a great insight into my future career and I cannot wait to qualify!”
Zarenna Porter, (Newly Qualified Solicitor in the Company Commercial team)
“From day one of my training contract I have been trusted with direct client contact and undertaking key legal tasks. I have felt challenged, but supported throughout and a valued member of the team. Every trainee has a mentor to support them and there is a real focus on learning and aiding me to be as prepared as possible for qualification.”
Thomas Palmer, (Newly Qualified Solicitor in the Family Team, Past Trainee)
The exposure to an array of practise areas, both commercial and private, is what drew me to Machins. Training in both areas have provided me with a well-rounded skillset and give me the ability to work with large corporations but also be empathetic towards the needs of individuals. Working at Machins and seeing the opportunities available to trainees shows the dedication and commitment that Machins has towards its employees and its willingness to invest in its people. The support I have witnessed for the trainees reassures me that my training and development is important and truly valuable to the firm.
