Training and Apprenticeships

Choosing the right law firm to qualify with is a big decision and you’ll need to weigh up many factors. To make things easier for you, here are the key things you should know about us.

There are two routes for qualifying at FSP: a training contract or the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship.

Training contracts: a two-year training period for those who have completed their LPC or the SQE 1&2.

The Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship: for Law graduates or those who have completed a Law conversion course, who have not yet started the SQE. Graduate Apprentice Solicitors complete the SQE 1&2 while simultaneously carrying out their Qualifying Work Experience. SQE studies and exams are paid for by the firm.

Size

With well over 100 people based in one office, our trainees can make a big impact while still benefiting from the expertise and training provided by a wide range of highly talented lawyers. At FSP you’ll get client contact and hands on access to deals, cases and advisory work that gets you building and using your legal skills quickly.

Variety

We are a full-service law firm, which means we provide advice to organisations and individuals across a wide range of issues that are likely to affect them (with the exception of general criminal advocacy). We therefore encourage applications from people who see their career as focused on commercial clients and organisations, or on helping individuals, or who want to try both before deciding where to specialise. You’ll experience some very different seats during your training to give you a rounded training and help you choose where you want to specialise.

Location

Our Reading office makes us well placed to take advantage of a thriving business district in and around the Thames Valley. Being close to London we can attract a wider client base looking for sensibly priced, quality advice, and our proximity to Heathrow and our international network membership of Globaladvocaten gives us an international reach beyond most firms of our size.
Our modern, central, riverside offices are also handily placed for transport links, shopping, restaurants and other useful venues – or just for taking a relaxing lunchtime stroll (or run) beside the river.

Learning & development

As a firm, developing all our people is extremely important to us, as our gold accreditation with Investors in People testifies. We take particular care in ensuring our trainees get the support and encouragement they need to reach their potential. The training you will receive ensures you develop a broad spectrum of skills including commercial awareness and the importance of legal technology.

Culture

We are particularly well known for our friendly and supportive culture, which has been a core part of our philosophy since we were founded over 30 years ago. Joining our ‘Family FSP’ you can be confident you’ll be looked after and supported to get that essential balance of work and home-life/outside interests. Health and well-being are at the forefront of the culture we promote and you will be involved in regular training and workshops to build on that culture.

We have a strong social ethos. We value face to face interaction, team meetings and regular social events. We also like to get involved in the local community. Not only are we heavily involved in the local legal and business networks, we support many charitable local initiatives, through the FSP Foundation and beyond.