Gowling WLG

A law firm recruiting direct and real estate trainee solicitors in Birmingham and London for 2029.

About Gowling WLG

Gowling WLG is an international law firm that advises businesses. It describes itself as 'an international, sector-focused law firm', which means its lawyers are organised around industries such as technology, life sciences and real estate as well as legal specialisms. Its listed practice areas include corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, dispute resolution, employment, intellectual property (protecting ideas, brands and inventions), life sciences, and technology, media and telecoms.

The firm was formed in February 2016 when the Canadian firm Gowlings combined with the English firm Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG), which is why the name has several parts. LawCareers.Net describes it as a top 100 global firm with about 1,500 legal professionals and 21 locations worldwide, including Dubai, Paris, Singapore, Toronto and Vancouver. In the UK it has offices in Birmingham (Two Snowhill), Leeds and London, and its training programmes are based in Birmingham and London. Its early-careers page says it has 33 apprentices and takes on 25 university graduates a year.

We did not find a formal mission statement. The firm's apprenticeship page says 'Caring about the wellbeing of our people is the cornerstone of our success' and describes the firm as 'dedicated to supporting diverse talent', and its training contract page says it looks for candidates with 'a sharp mind and entrepreneurial spirit'. These are the firm's own words.

Its UK work is organised into groups, including the Real Estate Group, Corporate, Finance and Tax, the Dispute Resolution Group, and Commercial, Employment and Pensions. Trainees are also lined up with an industry sector each year to build commercial awareness (understanding how businesses make money and what they worry about). We did not find named clients or projects in the sources we read.

The firm describes itself as collaborative and inclusive, with trainees reporting strong peer support and early responsibility. Several routes exist (as at 2026). The two-year training contract has four six-month seats, including a compulsory real estate seat, and is open to graduates in any subject; there are no minimum A-level or degree grade requirements. First-year pay is £35,000 in Birmingham and £52,000 in London, rising to £38,000 and £56,000 in the second year, and the firm funds your law conversion and solicitor exams. The deadline is 18 November 2026, and for a 2029 start it listed direct and real estate contracts in both cities. For school leavers, there is a two-year Level 4 Paralegal Apprenticeship (96 UCAS points needed) and a Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship; apprentices earn while training with fees paid, and applications normally open in February and close in April, next due to reopen in February 2027. Selection involves an application form, an online task, a video interview and an assessment centre.

What they do

• {'desc': 'Two-year route to qualify as a solicitor, in Birmingham or London.', 'title': 'Training contract'}
• {'desc': 'Two-year Level 4 route for school leavers with 96 UCAS points.', 'title': 'Paralegal apprenticeship'}
• {'desc': 'Level 7 route to qualify as a solicitor while earning.', 'title': 'Solicitor apprenticeship'}
• {'desc': 'Short placements for students, with a spring deadline each year.', 'title': 'Work placements'}

Key facts

• Formed February 2016 from Gowlings and Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co
• UK offices: Birmingham, Leeds and London; training in Birmingham and London
• Training contract pay: £35,000 (Birmingham) or £52,000 (London) in year one; deadline 18 November 2026
• Paralegal apprenticeship: two years, 96 UCAS points; applications normally February to April
• About 1,500 legal professionals and 21 locations worldwide (LawCareers.Net)

Website: gowlingwlg.com