Securing a Mill & Reeve training contract or a vacation scheme can certainly jump-start your legal career. The firm has an astounding national presence and caters to a wide range of UK-based and international clients. In this guide, you will learn everything that will help you take your first steps to working at Mills & Reeve as a solicitor.
Having a well-crafted legal CV and a personalized cover letter can significantly increase your chances of securing a training contract or a vacation scheme.
What is the Mills & Reeve Training Contract?
As a prospective trainee solicitor, you will embark on a two-year training contract with Mills & Reeve, with the opportunity to work in offices across Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester, and Norwich.
You’ll experience six different legal sectors during four-month seats while receiving mentorship from a partner and engaging in real cases and client work. You should possess qualities like resilience, a growth mindset, and client focus. Check out our training contracts deadlines calendar to stay up-to-date on Mills & Reeve application deadlines.
Mills & Reeve offers sponsorship for your PGDL/SQE and a maintenance grant. You’ll start on a salary of £31,500, which will rise in your second year.
Mills & Reeve Training Contract Requirements
The requirements for the Mills & Reeve training contract are rigorous which, along with the high number of applicants, makes the competition very high. The requirements are listed below:
- Open to penultimate-year/final-year law students, final-year non-law students, and graduates of any discipline.
- There are no academic requirements. However, it is beneficial to at least have achieve a 2:1 in your undergraduate degree and AAB in A-levels. There is no requirement to take A-level law.
- It is advisable that you have attended the Mills & Reeve vacation scheme. The firm states that the large majority of trainees have first attended the vacation scheme.
Take a look at our vacation scheme deadlines calendar.
What is the Mills & Reeve Vacation Scheme
The Mills & Reeve vacation scheme offers a two-week work experience in one of their offices across the UK, providing an ideal introduction to the firm. During the scheme, you will:
- Rotate between different parts of the practice, engaging in substantial legal work.
- Be paired with a trainee for guidance and to maximize your experience.
- Participate in presentations, lectures, and social events to immerse in the firm’s culture.
The firm seeks candidates who are eager for early responsibility and demonstrate key competencies such as collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving.
Successful participants in the vacation scheme may be assessed for a training contract offer within 3-4 weeks of completion.
Summer Vacation Scheme at Mills & Reeve
The Mills & Reeve summer vacation scheme is a pivotal component of their recruitment process for training contracts. It’s a two-week work experience program available in their various UK offices, designed to provide candidates with real insights into the legal profession.
Participants engage in meaningful legal tasks, ranging from legal research to attending court. The scheme also offers presentations, mentoring by current trainees, and social events to help candidates understand the firm’s culture. The application process for the scheme is integrated with the training contract selection, assessing candidates’ suitability for a contract offer.
What You Will Do at Mills & Reeve Vacation Scheme
During the Mills & Reeve vacation scheme, you will undertake a variety of tasks that mirror the responsibilities of a trainee solicitor. At the Mills & Reeve vacation scheme, you will:
- Engage in various legal tasks, such as research and drafting documents.
- Work in different practice areas to gain broad exposure to the firm’s operations.
- Attend court and participate in client meetings, if opportunities arise.
- Receive mentorship from a current trainee solicitor to guide your experience.
- Be involved in presentations and lectures to learn about the firm’s approach and values.
- Participate in social events to network with professionals and peers within the firm.
Make sure you know how to answer why this law firm and why study law application questions.
Application Process for Training Contract and Vacation Scheme at Mills & Reeve
The application process for Mills & Reeve’s training contract and vacation scheme involves several steps:
- Application Form: Candidates must fill out an application form available on their website.
- Online Assessment: Applicants will undergo an online blended assessment, including situational judgment, verbal and numerical reasoning questions, and one long answer question.
- Assessment Centre: Shortlisted candidates are invited to an in-person assessment centre to participate in various exercises and an interview.
- Offer: Successful candidates are offered a position within two weeks of the assessment centre.
- Introduction to the Firm: Before starting, new trainees are introduced to peers, receive newsletters, and are invited to events.
Learn more about the Watson Glaser Test and how to pass it.
Why You Should Apply to Mills & Reeve?
Applying to Mills & Reeve is an opportunity to join an award-winning law firm known for its inclusive culture and commitment to training and developing its staff. Here’s why you should consider applying:
- Professional Growth: Mills & Reeve’s structured training programs, such as the training contract and vacation scheme, are designed to nurture your legal career from the outset.
- Diverse Experience: The firm offers a variety of seats across different legal disciplines, providing a well-rounded experience.
- Supportive Environment: You receive mentorship and support throughout your training.
- Early Responsibility: The firm encourages taking on meaningful work early in your career.
- Future Opportunities: A high proportion of trainees stay with the firm post-qualification, indicating strong career prospects.
- Competitive Benefits: They offer sponsorship for professional qualifications and competitive salaries.
History of Mills & Reeve
Mills & Reeve has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. The law firm was originally established in 1880 in Norwich by Henry Mills and Edmund Reeve. Their initial legal work was tied closely to the development of the tram system within the city of Norwich. Over time, the firm expanded its expertise to include corporate and commercial law, real estate law, education law, health sector law, charity law, insurance law, legal advice for private individuals, technology law, and family law, indicating a broadening of its service offerings.
A pivotal moment in the firm’s history occurred in 1987 when Mills & Reeve, then a firm focused on serving the local agricultural community in Norwich, merged with Francis & Co of Cambridge. This merger was a significant milestone as it transformed Mills & Reeve into a major regional legal practice, positioning the firm for further growth and expansion. This foundational history and subsequent growth have established Mills & Reeve as a significant player in the legal services sector, with a long-standing reputation and a diverse range of specialties.
What Makes Mills & Reeve Stand Out
Mills & Reeve distinguishes itself through a commitment to building strong connections with clients, its people, and the communities in which it operates. This approach is encapsulated in their ethos “Achieve more. Together.”, suggesting a collaborative spirit at the core of their operations. The firm’s national presence is robust, with its headquarters in London and offices in several major UK cities. It stands as the UK’s 40th largest law firm based on yearly revenues, reflecting its significant position in the legal market.
The firm’s reputation as an excellent employer has been consistently recognized, with Mills & Reeve being named in The Sunday Times’ 100 Best Companies to Work For list for 19 consecutive years, indicating a deep commitment to employee welfare and corporate culture. Financially, the firm has shown impressive growth, with a record turnover increase, demonstrating solid performance and client trust.
Moreover, Mills & Reeve’s family law department has been singled out for its exceptional talent and national reputation for excellence, illustrating the firm’s high level of expertise in this area. This blend of client-focused service, employee satisfaction, financial strength, and legal expertise makes Mills & Reeve a stand-out choice for those seeking a training contract or vacation scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the frequently asked questions regarding the Mills & Reeve training contract and vacation scheme:
Does Mills and Reeve recruit on a rolling basis?
Mills & Reeve’s recruitment is not on a rolling basis rather, it is structured with a set deadline for their training contracts and vacation scheme applications. They have specific assessment centres and vacation schemes scheduled for certain times of the year.
Is Mills and Reeve a good law firm?
Yes, Mills & Reeve has been recognized as a leading law firm, crowned Law Firm of the Year by both Legal Week and RollonFriday, and consistently ranked in the UK’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the past 19 years. Althought it is not a magic circle law firm it is still a very prestigious company to work for.
How hard is it to get a solicitor training contract?
Securing a solicitor training contract can be competitive. Mills & Reeve is a prestigious firm, and their training contracts are sought after, but they provide comprehensive support throughout the training programme.
What are the grade requirements for Mills and Reeve?
There are no specific grade requirements for Mills & Reeve, but they welcome applications from law and non-law students and graduates of any discipline, indicating broad eligibility criteria.
Is Mills and Reeve a good place to work?
With accolades for their vacation scheme and training contracts and a recommendation by 97% of their staff, Mills & Reeve is considered a good place to work.
