What to expect

Choose us for your training contract and, over the course of two years, you’ll get the chance to experience different areas of the law first hand and to work with a variety of colleagues and clients. Our training contract follows the SQE route to qualification, or the traditional route to qualification for those who have already completed the LPC. 

This is your training contract and it’s up to you to make the most of it, but along the way we offer fantastic opportunities to develop your legal career in a growing firm. Our supervisors are trained and fully supported on an ongoing basis. You’ll have access to high quality work and senior client contact.  We regularly second trainees to our most high profile clients.

Don’t just take it from us! Chambers Student spoke to our trainees and called our training contract programme ‘the real deal’ Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP – True Picture – Chambers Student Guide

We are now transitioning to qualification through SQE – and most of those who join us in 2027 onwards will be following this route. We have recognised that the changing landscape gives us a chance to do something different when it comes to educating and training our lawyers. In that sense, we are viewing it as an opportunity to make sure we are giving our trainees the skills they need to be successful in the profession and our business. Aligning with our behaviour framework, we will be putting more focus on areas such as legal tech, project management and client relationships.

Please take a look at the following document for more information about our training contract route to qualification – WBD’s Training Contract – FAQ’s

It is a lot of responsibility at an early stage of your career but we think that is part of what makes our training programme so appealing. Whilst we’re pushing you outside of your comfort zone, we’re providing you with all of the support you need to succeed.

Take a look at some of the “myths” we want to bust about working in law. 

Broad experience

You’ll spend six months in four placements (seats), gaining genuine breadth of experience along the way. It’s by having access to this variety, surrounded by supportive, approachable professionals, that we can develop your skills and help you to find your niche.

Trusted to deliver

Whichever of our offices you join us in, you’ll have access to high-quality work and senior client contacts. We regularly second trainees to our most high-profile clients – it’s testament to the level of trust we’re prepared to place in you.

First-class training

We truly believe that the quality of training at Womble Bond Dickinson is second to none. We consistently take the time to ensure that we deliver on our promises so we’re delighted to have been recognised through award nominations.

Strong support

We make sure that your supervisors are well trained and supported on an ongoing basis. So as well as being experts in their field, they’re confident when it comes to passing on their skills and expertise. You’ll also have a buddy to guide you through your first two years and beyond. They’ll be able to answer all your queries and pass on the fruits of their experience – after all, it isn’t long since they were in your shoes.

Why train at WBD?

“Growing up in the North East of England, WBD has always been a firm that has been on my radar. The firm’s representatives often visited my school on career days, and then later at University, I attended their stalls at various career fairs to find out more information. When it came to applying for training contracts, I knew that I wanted to be within the realm of commercial law but still wasn’t quite sure where I wanted to be based in the UK. I was keen on finding a firm with multiple locations that specialised in commercial law.

Upon research, I found that WBD had a strong reputation across its departments and had an array of different teams under its main business groups (being Real Estate, Dispute Resolution, Private Wealth and Corporate & Commercial). I therefore deduced that any seat that I would undertake during a training contract with them would provide me with a great experience in the respective sector.  By attending the career’s fairs and speaking to WBDs current trainees at the time, I was able to gage that WBD clearly fostered a positive learning environment and all the trainees seemed to really enjoy working there!

Further to this, I have always had a strong interest in community engagement, raising awareness about various DEI initiatives and volunteering and WBD takes its commitment to community engagement very seriously. WBD gives each employee two volunteer-days per year and employees are strongly encouraged to make use of these days. Additionally, each office has an office charity whereby they aim to raise a certain amount of money per year for the charity. We are recognised on a national level for our commitment to DEI and Community Engagement, and I quickly realised that WBD promoted a positive and inclusive culture which aligned to what I was looking to be amongst in a workplace.”

“The main attraction for me was the culture of WBD and the firm’s commitment to diversity and collaboration, which align with my personal values. It is important for me to be part of a firm that not only has a successful reputation and excels in its legal work, but also maintains a strong sense of community, integrity and building long lasting relationships.

Additionally, the quality of training at WBD is one that provides an excellent platform for me to enhance my personal and professional development.”

“WBD is a competitive, forward-thinking and international firm. Training at WBD provides the opportunity to work on a wide range of interesting and complex legal matters with a variety of clients, including some of the largest businesses in the UK, government organisations and wealthy individuals. Trainees are given responsibility, receive high quality training and with an emphasis on innovation, have access to cutting edge legal technology. As a full service firm operating in key sectors including, for example, energy, finance and private wealth, trainees are given a breadth of experience.

Whilst the above were all important, what set WBD apart from other firms, and ultimately made me choose to train with WBD, was the culture and the people. Throughout the application and interview process what stood out to me was the supportive, welcoming and approachable culture, that I continue to experience today. It was evident during the application process that WBD was a collegiate and progressive workplace that cared about its employees. 

As a responsible business, with a focus on sustainability, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing, the firms values also aligned with mine. Testament to that is that since joining WBD I’ve had the opportunity to refresh my Mental Health First Aider qualification, engage in social mobility initiatives and use my volunteering days to give back to the local community.”