Graduate recruitment

Everything you need to know about our trainee programme.

Register your interest

Moore Barlow is a Top 100 UK Law firm in the South and South East with offices in Guildford, London, Lymington, Richmond, Southampton and Woking.

We have ambitious plans for growth and a reputation for doing things differently. With an emphasis on combining care with expert legal knowledge, we are human first in everything we do to ensure our people thrive and our clients receive the best experience possible.

Applications for our 2027 trainee intakes are now open.

Register your interest to stay updated

Why Moore Barlow?

At Moore Barlow we are different. We are looking to be the career firm, a place for long term legal careers where individuals can thrive. Our trainee solicitors are at the very beginning of that journey.

We are a full-service law firm and as a trainee you will have the opportunity to explore four seats across multiple and diverse practice areas ranging from Corporate to Family to Medical Negligence. You can expect to be involved in work which not only develops your technical skills and knowledge but also your soft skills to help you become the best possible lawyer and prepare you for your continued career with us. Throughout your training contract you will be involved in exciting, challenging work with responsibility from the outset. You’ll be working closely with and will be supported by our expert lawyers as we help make a difference to our clients.

As well as gaining exposure to different practice areas and clients, you will be supported by our Training Principal and Early Careers Manager as you progress to ensure that you have everything you need to reach your potential.

Our culture is open, diverse and inclusive. Whether you are a partner or a trainee solicitor, we strive to nurture our people and offer enjoyable, fulfilling and sustainable careers. This includes providing the best training, great pay and rewards and a good work-life balance.

Trainee programme factsheet

Discover more about the programme in our trainee programme factsheet.

Download

How to apply

Applications for our summer vacation scheme and assessment days are now closed.

Applications for next year will open in October 2025. Register your interest to stay updated.

Register your interest to stay updated

What do we look for in our trainees?

We look to recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds who share our values and who have the potential to become our future partners and leaders. Ours is a long-term commitment, during which you will be given every opportunity to excel.

If you have the characteristics and skills we are looking for, we will provide the environment, encouragement and opportunities for you to thrive both personally and professionally regardless of your background.

What characteristics and skills are we looking for?

  • Self-motivation and enthusiasm
  • A desire to make a difference
  • A ‘can do’ attitude
  • Confidence
  • Flexibility
  • Resilience
  • People and team working skills
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Analytical ability
  • Time management and organisational skills

Building careers – Inside our training contract

At Moore Barlow, we are committed to developing the next generation of talented lawyers through a hands-on, supportive, and enriching training experience. Our trainees work alongside experienced professionals, gaining exposure to high-quality work from day one. In this video, hear directly from our trainees as they share their experiences, the challenges they’ve tackled, and the moments that have shaped their careers so far.

Don’t just take our word for it…

I joined Moore Barlow in December 2021 as a paralegal and begun my training contract in March 2023. I have completed seats with the Commercial & Technology, Schools & Charities and Commercial Dispute Resolution teams, and I am currently in my final seat back with the Commercial & Technology team.
The trainee experience has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. Throughout my training contract I have been immersed in real client work, gaining hands-on experience in a wide range of legal areas. The exposure to different departments has broadened my understanding of the law, allowing me to develop a versatile skill set while working closely with experienced solicitors who are always eager to offer guidance and mentorship.
One of the highlights of the past 18 months has been the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility early on, from drafting documents, to sitting in on client meetings, negotiations, and mediations. It’s motivating to see how my contributions impact cases and transactions. The learning curve is steep at times, but the practical knowledge and confidence I’ve gained make it worthwhile.
Moore Barlow’s supportive environment has been instrumental in my development. Whether it’s formal training sessions or informal chats with colleagues, I’ve always felt encouraged to ask questions, explore areas of interest, and grow both personally and professionally. This journey has solidified my passion not just to be a solicitor, but a Moore Barlow solicitor, and I’m excited about the future as I continue to work towards qualification at the firm.

Alice Carr, Trainee Solicitor

A day filled with excitement, anticipation, and a lot of jam-packed activities! We had a group and written exercise, an interview, and a presentation task. The whole day was very well executed, I particularly enjoyed the group exercise and the presentation task. Like anyone, I initially found it nerve-wracking. I was able to manage this by researching the firm and being prepared, speaking to others for support and reassurance, and by simply implementing an overall positive mindset. It also really helped that throughout the day everyone at Moore Barlow were accommodating and welcoming which made me feel even more at ease!

Tamia Varghese, incoming Trainee Solicitor

From Paralegal to Partner

Sophie Winstanley began her journey at Moore Barlow as a paralegal. She then secured a spot in the firm’s trainee programme, ultimately qualifying as a solicitor in the Major Trauma team.

Her dedication and expertise have since propelled her to the position of Partner. Watch Sophie’s story and discover how Moore Barlow supported to nurture her talent, helping her achieve her full potential.