A strong start in law
Where you start your legal career matters. How you’re supported as you develop matters just as much.
Our graduate programmes provide a strong foundation for building your legal career, combining practical experience with guidance from some of Scotland's leading solicitors.
You'll work closely with colleagues on meaningful cases across a wide range of practice areas, giving you insight into life at Thorntons while learning how to shape legal advice for individuals and businesses.
Along the way, you’ll develop practical skills, professional judgement and confidence. We’re a full-service law firm, so you’ll collaborate with different teams and discover new ways of working, helping you understand your areas of interests and develop your approach.
At Thorntons, we value fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and curiosity. From day one, we encourage thoughtful questions and active participation.
Your potential is just the beginning. Let the people around you realise it.
Summer Internships
Our two-week Summer Internship Programme gives you the opportunity to experience what life as a solicitor at Thorntons looks like. You’ll spend time with our teams, get involved in real work and see how we work with clients.
It’s a chance to put your studies into practice, ask questions and learn from people who are already doing the job. Just as importantly, you’ll get a feel for our people, our culture and the way we work together.
What you could experience
- Working alongside solicitors on live matters
- Attending meetings
- Researching legal issues
- Drafting documents
- Meeting trainees and newly qualified solicitors
- Taking part in social or networking activities
- Learning more about different areas of law
Application for our Summer Internship Programme 2027 are open 9 November 2026 - 3 January 2027.
Traineeships
Our two-year Traineeship Programme is made up of four six-month rotations designed to give you the training, practical experience and support you need to develop as a solicitor and build the foundations of your legal career.
You’ll gain experience across different areas of law, working closely alongside experienced colleagues and supervisors with clients from the outset.
Through hands-on experience, you’ll build your confidence, develop essential business and legal skills, and form meaningful relationships to get you ready for the next stage of your career.
Where you could be based
Our traineeships are available across four locations in Scotland.
You’ll be based within your chosen area for the duration of your traineeship, and your training may take place across the offices within that area.
- Central Belt: You’ll be based in either Edinburgh or Glasgow and may work across both our Central Belt offices during your traineeship.
- Dundee: Your traineeship may include time spent in Dundee, Perth, North East Fife and Angus.
- Inverness: Your traineeship will be based in Inverness.
- Aberdeen: Your traineeship will be based in Aberdeen.
Diploma in Professional Legal Practice
We contribute towards your Diploma in Professional Legal Practice as part of our support for your development as a trainee solicitor.
Getting ready to apply
We understand that applying for graduate opportunities is a big decision, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need to prepare.
What does the recruitment process look like?
Our recruitment process is designed to give us the opportunity to get to know you and for you to get to know us.
It begins with an online application, where we’ll ask about your background, experience and interest in joining Thorntons. Depending on the opportunity and stage of recruitment, you may then be invited to take part in further assessment activities.
We’ll provide clear information about each stage of the process and what to expect, so you can approach it with confidence.
Who can apply for the Summer Internship Programme?
Our Summer Internship Programme is open to candidates in 3rd or 4th Year of a Scots/Dual LLB; 1st or 2nd Year of the Accelerated Scots LLB, and candidates currently undertaking, due to undertake or who have completed the Diploma in Legal Practice.
Who can apply for the traineeship?
Our traineeship programme is open to candidates in their 4th Year of a Scots or Dual LLB (at the time of interview), candidates in their 1st or 2nd Year of the Accelerated Scots LLB, and candidates who are currently undertaking or have completed the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice.
Do you recruit trainees from your Summer Internship Programme?
Yes. We recruit trainees through both our Summer Internship Programme and our general traineeship recruitment programme.
Our Summer Internship Programme can provide a pathway to a traineeship, with interns having the opportunity to interview for a traineeship at the end of the programme.
Can I express a preference for a particular area of law?
Absolutely. We encourage you to think about the areas of law that interest you and will ask you to share your preferences when planning your rotations.
At the same time, we believe a traineeship is an important opportunity to build a broad range of legal experience and develop the skills you’ll need as a well-rounded lawyer. This includes developing your legal knowledge alongside skills such as client care, drafting, research, problem-solving and working effectively with colleagues. Experiencing different practice areas will also help you understand where your interests and strengths lie.
While we can’t guarantee a particular rotation, we’ll always take your preferences into account and do our best to create a traineeship that gives you both the breadth of experience you need and the opportunity to explore the areas of law you’re most interested in.
How are trainees allocated to practice areas?
We want you to have a say in where your traineeship takes you. We’ll ask for your preferences when it comes to your rotations and will take these into account alongside business needs.
We’ll do our best to make the process fair for everyone, giving trainees the opportunity to experience the areas they’re most interested in wherever possible.
How to make a strong application
Tell us what interests you about Thorntons. We’re interested in what you’ve done, but also in what you’ve learned from your experiences and what interests you about a career with us.
Before submitting your application, consider the following:
- Be clear and accurate
- Answer the questions asked
- Give specific examples where relevant
- Tell us about experiences outside your studies as well as academic achievements
- Explain why Thorntons interests you
- Proofread your application
Pamela Muir, Graduate Programme Partner
"Trainee Solicitors play a vital role, not only in our firm, but also in our shared profession. Of course we look for the brightest and the best, but you have already shown that you’re capable and smart. What we’re also looking for is a diverse range of people with different backgrounds, interests, passions and personal stories.
"Why? Because our profession is about understanding, communicating and helping people with all kinds of problems, questions, ambitions and plans and guess what, our clients are just like you; ambitious, entrepreneurial, anxious and looking for advice delivered by people who really understand them and their businesses or lives."
What happens after your traineeship?
For many of our trainees, qualification is the next step in their career with Thorntons. Each year, we retain a number of our trainees as Newly Qualified Solicitors, reflecting our commitment to developing and investing in the people who join us.
As you approach qualification, we’ll work with you to explore the opportunities available and support you as you take the next step in your career. All our trainees have the opportunity to apply for available Newly Qualified Solicitor roles, with guidance and support throughout the process.
Whether you go on to qualify with Thorntons or choose a different path, we want you to leave your traineeship with the skills, experience and confidence to build a successful legal career.
The Unpacked Series: What life in different areas of law really looks like
The Unpacked Series, our interactive webinar programme, has been designed to unpack what it’s like to work in various areas of legal practice. Each session features a panel discussion with trainees and experienced lawyers from across Thorntons, who share their real-life experiences, career journeys, and practical advice on the skills you can start developing now to succeed in these areas.
Whether you’re exploring your options or have a particular legal specialism in mind, The Unpacked Series is your chance to hear authentic insights directly from our lawyers and ask questions in a relaxed, informal setting.
Family law: On-demand webinar
In this session, Fiona Stewart (Head of Talent Acquisition), is joined by Family Law colleagues Eilidh Withers (Solicitor), and Kirsty Barron (Newly Qualified Solicitor) who share their real-life experiences, career journeys, and practical advice on the skills you can start developing now to succeed in these areas.
Litigation: On-demand webinar
In this session, Fiona Stewart (Head of Talent Acquisition), will be joined by Litigation colleagues Iain Buchan (Associate), Iain Sargison (Newly Qualified Solicitor), and Sophie Fairweather (Trainee Solicitor) who will share their real-life experiences, career journeys, and practical advice on the skills you can start developing now to succeed in these areas.
IP and media law: On-demand webinar
In this session, Fiona Stewart (Head of Talent Acquisition), is joined by IP & Media Law colleagues Baktosch Gillan (Associate), Megan Craig (Senior Solicitor), and Liam Martin (Solicitor) who share their real-life experiences, career journeys, and practical advice on the skills you can start developing now to succeed in these areas.
Law Fairs
Meeting students in person is one of our favourite parts of the graduate recruitment process.
We attend law fairs and university events throughout the year, giving you the chance to meet people from Thorntons, ask questions and find out more about our graduate opportunities. These events include:
- Dundee University
- Aberdeen University
- Robert Gordon University
- Strathclyde University
- Napier University
- Glasgow University
- Edinburgh University
- Legal Cheek Law Fair
Whether you’re considering applying, have a question about our programmes or simply want to find out more about life at Thorntons, come and say hello.
