Trainee Solicitor - Employment

Why Nelsons and Lawfront?

Nelsons is one of the largest and fastest growing law firms in the East Midlands with experts in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.

In 2023, Nelsons became part of Lawfront, a national group of leading regional law firms dedicated to delivering comprehensive legal support to individuals and businesses nationwide.

Committed to strategic growth, Lawfront is aiming to build a group in the top 10 of UK regional law firms. As part of this group, you will be able to benefit from working locally for a well-respected leading law firm whilst accessing the scale, investment resources, expertise and professional development opportunities of a national organisation.

We look to empower our clients, give them a voice, fight for them, help them seek justice and steer them through complex legal issues they face. The desire to push ourselves forwards to better serve our clients has been a constant throughout our evolution.

With a defined vision and plan for growth, we have created a culture of working together to achieve and are looking to recruit people with ambition, drive and a can-do attitude to be part of our journey.

The successful candidate can expect a competitive package and benefits that you’d expect from a leading regional law firm which is part of a group of national scale.

The Opportunity:

We’re offering an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Solicitor to join our Employment Team in Derby and contribute to the ongoing success of our firm. This two-year training contract provides hands-on experience within the area of Employment Law, giving you exposure to a wide range of work and direct client interaction.

At Nelsons, we pride ourselves on a supportive and collaborative culture. Alongside comprehensive training and professional development, you will enjoy a positive work-life balance and opportunities to get involved in initiatives such as fundraising and community projects.

What We’re Looking For:

• Academic Excellence: A strong academic background, typically a qualifying law degree (or conversion course) and completion of the LPC or SQE 1.
• Attention to Detail: Accuracy and precision in handling legal documents and information.
• Communication Skills: Clear and confident written and verbal communication, with the ability to simplify complex legal concepts.
• Organisation: Effective time management and the ability to prioritise a busy workload.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to buy annual leave
• An additional day off for wellbeing or your birthday
• 4% pension contributions
• Healthcare cash plan
• Income protection and life cover
• Access to a personalised benefits portal with lifestyle and wellbeing perks

As part of the Lawfront group, Nelsons is backed by national investment in technology, people, and long-term growth. This means you will benefit from modern systems, enhanced learning and development opportunities, and the support of a wider legal network, while still enjoying the hands-on experience, close supervision, and strong community focus of a regional firm. Together, this combination gives you the tools, exposure and support you need to build a successful and sustainable legal career.

If you meet the criteria and are ready to take the next step in your legal career, please submit your CV and covering letter via the our application portal, telling us about your experience and what you can bring to the role. In addition there is are some questions on the application form that we would like you to complete so that we can find out a little more about you.

Application Deadline – 30th April 2026

For any questions, contact