From our offices in the City of London, Leeds, Birmingham and Colchester, we house all our 350+ partners, solicitors and support colleagues in one 'hub of expertise' enabling us to create teams, collaborate with others and deliver high-quality, practical advice using advanced systems and technology.

We are highly regarded within both the public and a broad range of private sectors and we are market leading advisers in the social housing arena. In order to provide excellent legal advice and practical, commercially focused solutions, we continually update our knowledge and expertise. This includes a comprehensive training and education programme for all of our colleagues, from senior partner through to business support teams. Likewise we understand our clients' thirst for knowledge and excellence, and to cater for this we provide a programme of regular webinars, briefings and eBulletins across a wide range of subjects.

Our clients

We are proud to represent many of the leading organisations in the fields in which we specialise and work with clients of all sizes across the G15, HALA (Housing Association Legal Alliance) and CHIC (Communities and Housing Investment Consortium), as well as many clients outside of these organisations.

Our people

The basis of our success and quality of service is the people that work at Devonshires. With outstanding people at all levels of contact, we are dedicated to providing you with efficient, ethical and effective solutions. Many of our lawyers have a dual background, experienced in providing private commercial advice and public authority expertise that makes them and Devonshires stand out from the crowd.

We are well regarded within both the public and private sectors, and we have a strong foothold in the social housing arena. We can therefore provide a fantastic training platform in a friendly and supportive, yet supportive yet stimulating atmosphere in which to launch your legal career.

Our values

Devonshires is a leading practice providing high-quality, accessible and value-for-money services to domestic and international clients, including developers, local authorities, housing associations and financial services firms. We focus on building strong, long-lasting relationships in order to achieve outstanding results based on practical advice. The foundation of our success is our commitment to people. We ensure our staff have access to high-quality training, and foster ‘one to one’ connections between our solicitors and clients.

We are committed to our clients, community and each other; we take Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) very seriously, and our partners, staff, clients, and charities continue to demonstrate goodwill, generosity, and dedication to the CSR schemes that we operate. From taking part in sporting events to hosting a private cinema screening for our charities, our work is ultimately aimed at supporting the outstanding and invaluable work that they do. Read more about our chosen charities here.

Sustainability

Devonshires is committed to working with our clients, suppliers and employees in all of our offices to promote and support sustainability across our business. We have signed both the Greener Litigation Pledge and the BPF Net Zero Pledge and are committed to reducing the environmental impact of our practice.

In summer 2026 we will be hosting a two-week placement across June and July (dates to be confirmed).

Places are available in our London, Birmingham and Leeds offices.

Our vacation scheme is open to applicants moving into their third year of undergraduate study and above.

Applications for this scheme will open on 1 February 2026.

For any queries related to Devonshires vacation scheme, please contact [email protected].

What to expect

The Devonshires vacation scheme enables you to spend two weeks within two of our specialist departments carrying out ‘real-life’ legal work and contributing to live cases. During the placement there will be ample opportunity to network with colleagues both inside and outside of your assigned departments. You will also be paired up with a current trainee to find out more about Devonshires and our training contract provision. Throughout the week we offer a combination of activities including 'Lunch and Learns' and a variety of social events. You will receive a topped-up Living Wage for the duration of the scheme.

How to apply

A link to the application site will appear on our website when the window opens. If your application is shortlisted, you will then be invited to complete a short online assessment and attend a virtual interview. Successful candidates who have secured a place on our vacation scheme will be contacted by a member of the HR team. 

Key dates

Applications open: 1 February 2026

Applications close: 28 February 2026

Vacation scheme: To be confirmed (June/July 2026)

Training contract final interviews: To be confirmed

Training contract process

Applicants are able to apply for both our 2026 vacation scheme and 2027 training contract as part of the same application. Our vacation scheme is an integral part of our training contract recruitment process. Candidates who attend the scheme and are applying for a training position will undergo various assessments as part of the vacation scheme in place of the trainee recruitment assessment centre.

Before you start

From the moment you are offered a training contract with us you will be in regular contact with the HR Manager providing firm-wide updates and information about your induction. Trainees are also introduced to one another, a great way for you to meet your future colleagues and get to know them ahead of your official start date.

Induction

Your first week at Devonshires will be spent on our trainee induction programme, this will give you an introduction to us and how we work. The purpose of this week is to equip you with all the right tools and information to give you a flying start. Across the week you will meet a number of key people who will deliver presentations and talks, together with training sessions on our IT systems and other processes you will need to know. You will also spend some time during this week meeting your team and shadowing a current trainee as well as having the opportunity to socialise with the trainees in a more informal setting.

Seat rotations

You will undertake four six-month seats across our range of practice areas. Your first seat is allocated for you by the HR manager and training principal, with your three remaining seats being settled following consultation with you as to your areas of interest and preferences and taking into consideration the firm's needs and SRA requirements. You must complete a litigation seat and property seat as part of your training contract and, due to the business needs in our housing management and property litigation; and real estate and projects department, most trainees will spend at least one seat in each of these areas.

Support

We have a supportive and encouraging culture that focuses on training and developing our employees to be the best they can be.

Throughout your career with us you will be provided with a strong and well-balanced support network. In particular, but not exclusively:

Buddy – all new trainees are paired with a trainee buddy, one of our current trainee solicitors who will help you through your first few months and beyond. They will be there to answer any questions you may have. Starting a training contract can be a huge step and having a buddy that has been through the same experience can be a really useful source of support.

Trainee supervisor – for each six-month seat, you will be allocated a trainee supervisor who will delegate you work, monitor your progress and give you timely and constructive feedback. You will have a mid-seat review as well as a formal appraisal meeting at the end of your seat, and they will set you stretching objectives each step of the way.

HR manager – working closely with you, the training principal and your trainee supervisors; the HR manager will be your first point of contact for any queries and will ensure you are well supported and encouraged throughout your time with us.

Training principal – Helen Curtis, partner, will oversee your training contract from an SRA regulation perspective working closely with the HR manager. Acting as a senior guide they will take a keen interest in your development and will be a key sponsor in your training.

Mentor – you will be allocated a mentor at the start of your training contract who will provide informal support and offer opportunities for you to learn from someone with a greater or different understanding of the firm, and provide you with an objective and alternative source of information. Many of the firm’s trainee-mentor relationships continue on past the end of the training contract and through to qualification and beyond. 

Training

By working closely with your trainee supervisor in each seat you will receive on the job training, client contact and early responsibility, which will assist you in developing the necessary skills to become a well-rounded lawyer.

Qualification

During the qualification process we will make you aware of our current NQ vacancies across the teams and discuss these with you and the process of applying.

SQE-route trainee solicitors will gain their qualifying work experience through our rotational two-year training contract provision. Trainees must have completed and be in receipt of pass results of the SQE1 prior to starting their training contract and must complete the SQE2 during the first year.

At Devonshires, we are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace that fosters the development of our people, is free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

Objectives

Our EDI objectives stem from our core values regarding our people, our clients and our community.

Our clients – to add value to our relationships, we seek to better understand our clients’ cultures and aspirations through collaboration and our diverse staff.

Our people – to be a successful organisation we strive to encourage diversity, provide an inclusive environment where people want to work, and ensure that they are treated fairly.

Our community – fostering partnerships with socially minded organisations to help the disadvantaged and champion causes that we are passionate about.

Leadership

Our EDI programme is led by senior partners within our firm who meet regularly throughout the year to plan how we can better promote EDI and keep track as to whether we are meeting our objectives.

Whilst our senior partners, supported by our compliance and HR teams, drive diversity within the firm, we require everyone’s commitment and co-operation to ensure it continues to be successful.

https://www.devonshires.com/diversity/

We provide financial assistance for the SQE2 preparation course and assessments when they are completed during the first year of a training contract, as well as paid exam leave.

We do not offer financial assistance for the GDL, LPC or SQE1. For the avoidance of doubt we cannot offer reimbursement for the cost of any SQE2 studies which have already been paid and undertaken prior to the start of a training contract.

• Banking, governance & corporate
• Construction
• Employment
• Housing management & property litigation
• Litigation & dispute resolution
• Real estate & projects
• Property securitisation
• Clinical negligence

• Niche
• Corporate & Commercial

• London
• Leeds
• Colchester
• Birmingham

• Birmingham
• Leeds
• London

• Pathways to Law
• Sutton Trust