Summer 2024 internship/2026 traineeship — Aberdeen - Ledingham Chalmers LLP

Description

We're recruiting now for eight interns to work with us in Aberdeen this summer, up to four of whom will join us in 2026 as trainees.

Applications are open now and close on Sunday, 10 March.

Our latest figures show our highest turnover since becoming a limited liability partnership (LLP) in 2006 and we're consistently recognised in the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories based on feedback from clients and peers.

As a trainee and — ultimately — a qualified solicitor, you can take control of your career: exercising autonomy to progress and grow in an independent Scottish law firm where your contribution's actively encouraged.

There are also plenty of opportunities for personal development through networking, social events, and firm-wide groups.

Who knows, perhaps as a trainee you'll join our Law Law Land choir; or maybe you'll play a pivotal role in our wellbeing group: established to support colleagues' physical and mental health.

What do future and former trainees say about us?

Many former trainees are still working, and thriving, at our firm including Edinburgh partner Sarah Morris who tells us in this video why she chose the firm over 20 years ago.

Sarah was named in the 2023 Legal 500 rankings as a next generation partner and is a Law Society of Scotland-accredited specialist in personal injury law.

Cameron Rout, legal executive
How does the three-week, paid internship work?

You'll spend three weeks with us over the summer, most likely in our property, litigation, private client or corporate teams.

including putting all the knowledge and skills you've learnt at university to great use in a supportive, inclusive, and flexible environment.

These paid internships are based in Aberdeen and begin weeks commencing 1 July and 22 July.
Trainee recruitment process
The internships are an important part of our trainee recruitment process. We'll choose our 2026 trainees from this intern intake.

Paid above the Law Society of Scotland rate, the 2026 trainees will spend six months in at least three different teams, working alongside our experts (and each another).

As part of my seat in litigation, I had my own cases to manage from day one – a responsibility I never considered receiving so early into my legal career.

— Georgia Shirreffs, solicitor, describing her trainee experience
Internship/traineeship application requirements

You'll have an LLB or LLB (Hons) in Scots Law and PEAT1/DipLP before the traineeship start date in 2026.

however, we plan to hold an informal application support evening on 29 February where you can meet former interns and trainees as well as other colleagues.

The social committee organises a wide range of events from wine tasting to paddle boarding.

The group meets monthly, discussing various initiatives and organising events designed to help colleagues maintain or improve their health both in and out of work.

Recent initiatives have included setting up yoga sessions, hosting mental health and neurodiversity awareness presentations and organising light-hearted events like a photography competition for people to share their favourite things to do throughout the summer.

How does the firm support local communities?

We were one of the first law firms in Scotland to establish a charitable trust over 20 years ago and were highly commended in the CSR category of the Herald Law Awards of Scotland in 2023.

Annually, through an intranet vote, colleagues choose a focus for these efforts which (most recently) have included mental wellbeing and hardship support organisations.

Often match funding people's efforts, over the last ten years, the trust has donated around £170,000 to a range of bodies including animal and children's charities as well as mental health support and healthcare research organisations.

The Ledingham Chalmers traineeship has been fulfilling and enjoyable, full of support and guidance and tailored to each individual as far as possible.

— Hannah Patience, solicitor, describing her trainee experience

Please also submit a two-minute video through this portal , telling us who you'd love to invite to a dinner party and why.

The video is an important part of the process — it helps us get to know you better, beyond your impressive academic achievements.

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