Employer profile
Womble Bond Dickinson
Delivering the services our clients need most is what drives us, and our energy and determination to provide the best possible legal advice means that we’re a forward-thinking practice open to innovative ideas and new ways of working.
How do we make this happen? Our lawyers and professionals share ambitions, common values and a flexible working style that combines with strong personal connections to deliver outstanding levels of client service across every office, every day.
Collaborating is second nature to us – and by working together we explore new ways to better serve our clients, whether that’s using technology to drive practice innovations, or investing in our people to make sure we can continue to deliver the high quality, cost-effective, and personal service that our clients rely on us for.
We always put ourselves in our clients’ shoes and ask the right questions so that we can really understand and anticipate their needs. That’s why we look for trainees who take the time to listen and who want to work for a firm where integrity and reliability matter every bit as much as insight and legal expertise.
We focus on twelve key sectors (Public, Government and Third Sector, Technology, Healthcare, Insurance, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Retail and Consumer, Transport, Logistics & Infrastructure, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences, Technology and Private Wealth).
Our clients include Nissan, HSBC, Grainger, Bellway, Sainsbury’s, New Look, Atom Bank, HS2 and Five Guys.
Responsible business is an integral part of who we are as a firm and we focus on six key areas: environment, community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), wellbeing, social mobility and governance.
We seek out initiatives that enable us to live up to our commitment to create better places to live, work and do business and our decisions are always shaped by our desire to have a positive impact on our colleagues, clients, and the local communities around us.
Our gold sustainability rating from EcoVadis ranks us in the top three percent of participating companies and is testament to our work ensuring responsible business remains front of mind for everyone at our firm.
Whether it’s our commitment to net zero by 2030; our sustainable procurement policy; or our decision to give all colleagues 14 volunteering hours every year, our actions are focused on the future as we strive to continuously improve for our people, the planet and our clients.
Our work in this area has been recognised by rankings in the Stonewall Top 100 and being names on the Social Mobility List 2024.
And it’s not just within the firm that we take this holistic approach – we’re just as committed to it through our work with clients. You can read more about our environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy.
Graduate Training Programme
We offer training contracts across all our UK offices: Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, London, Newcastle, Plymouth and Southampton. We also have a small office on Teeside which is key to growing our practice in manufacturing, renewable energy, digital transport, and local government.
Over the course of two years, you’ll rotate through different seats, gaining exposure to several of our key sectors. Seat options vary depending on business need, but we ensure you receive a diverse and well-rounded experience, which may include a client secondment.
In our English offices, trainees qualify via the SQE route, or the traditional LPC route if already completed.
In Edinburgh, our traineeships follow the Law Society of Scotland route to qualification, rather than the SQE. As a trainee in our Scottish office, you’ll gain experience in sectors relevant to the Scottish market, while also contributing to our wider UK and international practice. You’ll be part of a close-knit team with access to high-quality work and client contact from the outset.
We encourage our Scottish trainees to get involved in firm-wide initiatives and cross-office collaboration, helping you build strong networks and a broad understanding of how WBD operates across jurisdictions.
This is your training contract, and it’s up to you to make the most of it—but we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our supervisors are trained to provide ongoing guidance, and you’ll be given opportunities to develop your legal career in a growing, forward-thinking firm.
But don’t just take our word for it! Chambers Student spoke to our trainees and our training Principal, Simon Hughes: you can read the full review of our training contract programme here - Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP - True Picture - Chambers Student Guide
Have a question about our training contract route to qualification Take a look here: WBD’s Training Contract – FAQ’s
And remember, while a training contract is undoubtedly a lot of responsibility at an early stage in your career – we think it’s exactly this that makes our training programme so appealing. We may push you to move outside your comfort zone, but we’ll also provide all the support you need to succeed.
