Summer 2022 internship/2023 traineeship — Aberdeen and Stirling

This video marks three decades of Ledingham Chalmers and explores our heritage, culture and what happens next, including our ambitious growth plans.

A central part of our approach is our core values, which guide how we work with each other, and our clients.

And we're looking for summer interns with the same mindset who'll bring that extra something to our firm.

Paid internship

You'll spend two weeks with us.

Those in Aberdeen will most likely be in one of our litigation, property, corporate or private client teams. In Stirling, you'll be working within our rural team.

You'll get an insight into what it's like to work at Ledingham Chalmers, including putting all the knowledge and skills you've learnt at university to great use in a supportive and fast-paced environment.

You'll have contact with our clients, many of which are high profile, high growth organisations, and you'll have a mentor to work with who'll show you the ropes.

These two-week, paid internships are based in Aberdeen and Stirling and begin weeks commencing 4 and 18 July as well as 1 August, 2022. Twelve interns will be based in Aberdeen over that period, three in the central belt.

Trainee recruitment process

This is an important part of our trainee recruitment process.

We'll choose four 2023 trainees for Aberdeen and one for Stirling from this intern group. In Aberdeen, our trainees will spend six months in at least three different teams. In Stirling there’ll be experience in the rural and private client disciplines.

Wherever you’re based, you’ll be working alongside our experts with plenty of client contact.

Application criteria

This process is designed so you can show us your strengths, as well as help you find out more about what you can expect working with us.

You'll have an LLB or LLB (Hons) in Scots Law and PEAT1/DipLP before the traineeship start date next year.

You'll also be able to show you understand the importance technology, including social media, plays in the modern business environment as well as how crucial a positive experience is for clients throughout their dealings with us.

Why Ledingham Chalmers?

We're proud of what we've achieved so far, and have ambitious plans.

When we announced our latest figures, showing increased profits for the 2020/2021 financial year, we revealed we'd be investing six-figures over the next 12 months as part of our growth strategy to double revenue to £25million by 2025.

We’re consistently recognised in the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories based on feedback from clients and peers.

On top of that, we’re committed to giving something back to the communities where we operate: colleagues are actively involved in third sector boards, governing bodies and charitable trusts, and we raise funds for, and donate thousands of pounds to, chosen charities each year.

Outside of the office, there will be plenty of opportunities to take part in networking and other social events. Who knows, maybe you’ll join our Law Law Land choir or even become a part of our charities group and help make a difference in our communities.

Application hints and tips

As you'll see below, as part of the application process, we're asking you to tell us what your notary public motto would be, and why.

To help, we caught up with two people who've been through the process and asked them what advice they'd give people, like you, who are applying.

Hannah Patience

• Be yourself — the interviewers are looking for an individual, it’s not a tick box exercise. It’s easy to see through someone putting on a front for the sake of a job application. Make sure you're well presented, but let your personality show too.

• Keep it conversational — preparation is obviously key to any interview, but don’t recite pre-prepared answers and be ready to react to the panel’s comments. One thing I loved about my Ledingham Chalmers interviews was the input from the panel and how it flowed as a conversation.

• Don’t waffle — get your point across and be succinct in your contributions, while keeping it conversational. All easier said than done, of course!

• Make your motto something personal — it needs to be more than meaningless legal jargon: gear it towards your life, an experience, a family member, a hobby… Don’t pick a motto because you think you should, be able to explain your reasoning behind your choice, but don’t shy away from something a little more unique.

Annabelle Macpherson

• Be yourself — talk about the things you love and that mean something to you. Better that than to speak about something you think is the right answer.

• On that note, there is no right answer — interviews can be scary and it's very easy to overthink that there is an ideal answer for traineeships. My experience with this firm is to just be yourself and let the conversation flow naturally.

• Interact with the panel — if possible, research who will be on your panel before and don’t be scared to ask them questions about activities that they may also be involved in, such as our charities group or the Crafty Club!

• Dress smartly, smile and make eye contact — don’t read off a script as this will show, even virtually.

• Film the video in somewhere you feel relaxed!

• Enjoy the application process — Ledingham Chalmers really isn't a tick box firm.

• When it comes to your motto, include something personal; something that's important to you.

Interested?