Careers
Early careers at Higgs
Unlock your legal career at Higgs
Our trainee programme is a gateway to a more specialised legal path. As a trainee at Higgs, you’ll receive comprehensive training, mentorship and exposure to diverse practice areas. We believe in nurturing talent and our trainee programme is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge to excel in your chosen field.
For those seeking a broader perspective in professional services, we also offer extensive career opportunities in our central teams. Whether it’s in finance, human resources, IT, legal services or marketing, our commitment to excellence encompasses a range of roles that contribute to the overall success of our firm.
Learn, grow and contribute at Higgs
At Higgs, we understand that the early stages of a career are pivotal. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing a supportive environment, where apprentices, trainees and specialists in various fields can learn, grow and contribute meaningfully to our collective vision. Here you'll gain practical experience alongside seasoned professionals, honing your skills and building a solid foundation for your future.
Join us on this exciting journey, where your passion can truly flourish whether you aspire to be a lawyer or are interested in gaining experience in professional services.
Our values
Our core values are CLEAR and are the guiding principals at the heart of everything we do. They are far more than simply words on a page. They breathe life into our actions and words, guiding our interactions with our people, clients, business partners and community.
Care
Legacy
Excellence
Authenticity
Relationships
About our training contracts
We're thrilled to offer aspiring lawyers the opportunity to embark on a journey towards a fulfilling legal career with Higgs. Our application process is designed to not only select the best candidates but also to provide valuable insights and experiences along the way.
Each year we offer places on our interactive Vacation Scheme which takes place in March/April and June. Key deadlines are:
- Spring Vacation Scheme – 31st January
- Summer Vacation Scheme – 11th May
As a trainee, you can expect to have exposure to a wide range of practice areas and will generally be expected to complete 4 seats each lasting 6 months. Our training contracts offer experience across a range of skills including:
- Legal research and analysis – conducting thorough legal research and honing your analytical skills to dissect complex legal issues.
- Client interaction and networking – learning the art of effective communication with clients, understanding their needs and providing them with tailored legal solutions.
- Drafting legal documents – developing proficiency in drafting a variety of legal documents including contracts, briefs and memos, ensuring clarity, accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
- Advocacy – all trainees complete a litigation seat so you are given the opportunity to hone your advocacy skills with expert support.
- Professional ethics and responsibility – understanding the importance of upholding ethical standards in the legal profession, navigating ethical dilemmas and maintaining integrity in all aspects of legal practice.
Apprenticeships
Alongside our training contracts, we also offer apprenticeships across a range of specialisms. An apprenticeship is a form of hands-on training where individuals learn a specific trade or profession through a combination of practical experience and classroom instruction. This learning model allows apprentices to “earn while they learn”, gaining valuable skills and knowledge directly applicable to their chosen field.
Apprenticeships at Higgs usually fall into the following categories and are advertised when positions become available:
- Legal apprenticeships (both paralegal and solicitor level)
- Finance apprenticeships leading to accountancy qualifications
- Business administration apprenticeships
- IT apprenticeships
- Marketing apprenticeships
Our application process is not just about selecting candidates; it’s about nurturing future talent and providing a platform for growth and development.
If you want to know what it's like to be an apprentice. Please read our Q&A with current apprentices.
We look forward to receiving your application and embarking on this journey together.
Work experience
Are you an aspiring lawyer, or want to see what working in a brilliant, unique law firm is like before you decide on your future?
We’re launching a two-day ‘Legal Foundations: Career Insights’ scheme, starting this summer!
If you’re an aspiring professional and want hands-on insight into the world of law – this opportunity is for you.
Our Career Insights scheme is designed for individuals who are passionate about pursuing a career in a law firm – whether you want to be a lawyer or explore many of the other important roles in a law firm including marketing, business development, finance and more.
You’ll have the chance to shadow experienced professionals and gain valuable exposure to various practice areas. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the legal industry, develop practical skills, and enhance your understanding of what a career in law and working in a corporate environment entails.
We are running two intakes on the 2-3 July and 8-9 July for year 12 students exclusively. You will have the opportunity to experience different departments and take part in employability workshops such as CV writing and mock interviews.
Applications for 2025 have now closed.
