Your legal career starts here
We see our graduates as the future of the firm - bringing fresh perspectives, energy, and ambition.
Our graduate programmes give you an exceptional start to your legal career, with hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and the chance to develop your legal skills in a supportive and dynamic environment. This is your opportunity to grow, make an impact, and shape your future with one of Scotland’s leading law firms.
We believe every moment matters - especially the one where your legal career begins.
Our graduate programmes help you build skills and confidence. You’ll have expert mentoring, real responsibility, and the freedom to shape your own career path - all in a supportive, dynamic environment that values your voice and your ambitions.
Summer Internships
Gain invaluable, real-world legal experience through our Summer Internship Programme. Over the course of the programme, you’ll work alongside experienced solicitors, contribute to real client matters, and develop practical skills that will enhance your legal knowledge. You’ll also get a genuine feel for life at Thorntons - immersing yourself in our culture, collaborating with our teams, and building connections that could shape your future career.
Traineeships
Our Traineeship Programme is designed to set you up for success as a qualified lawyer. You’ll gain expertise in different legal specialisms, with the guidance of experienced mentors who will help you shape your career. Over the course of the two-year programme, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience, develop essential legal and business skills, and build the foundations for a successful career in law.
Thorntons Traineeships are offered in the following locations, and you will remain within your ‘locational area’ for the duration of your traineeship:
- Central Belt (you will be based in either Edinburgh or Glasgow and may be required to commute between offices for one or more rotations)
- Dundee (this may include time spent in Dundee, Perth, North East Fife and Angus)
- Inverness
- Aberdeen
You are welcome to apply for more than one location. Please note that a separate application form must be submitted for each location, although the content of your applications can remain the same.
This is the moment to shape your future.
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.
Application Process for Graduate Opportunities
Our process is designed to identify candidates who are a great fit for Thorntons. Each stage provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills, experience, and ambitions while also learning more about what a career with us involves.
Stage One: Application Form
The first stage is an online application, where you'll provide your personal details, academic background, and responses to key questions that help us understand your interest in a Summer Internship or Traineeship at Thorntons.
How to Make a Strong Application:
- Be clear and accurate – ensure all details are up to date.
- Highlight relevant experiences – showcase academic, professional, or extracurricular achievements.
- Proofread - check for errors before submitting your application!
Stage Two: Assessment Day
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an Assessment Day at one of our offices in Edinburgh, Dundee, or Glasgow. The session lasts approximately 3.5 hours, and we’ll reimburse travel expenses where needed.
What to Expect:
- Group exercise – assessing how you collaborate and contribute in a team setting.
- Interviews – exploring your career aspirations, skills, experiences, and discussing live legal and social issues.
- Short written exercise – evaluating your ability to identify key issues and communicate effectively in writing.
Preparing for the Assessment Day:
- Research Thorntons – understanding our values and practice areas will be beneficial.
- Think about your strengths – consider examples that demonstrate key skills and experience.
- Work collaboratively – the group exercise is about problem-solving and teamwork, not competition.
- Take your time – ensure clarity and structure in your written responses.
Candidates who successfully complete this stage will receive an offer for a Summer Internship starting in June 2026. Unsuccessful applicants will be provided with feedback to support their development.
Stage Three: Partner Panel Interview
Candidates who complete a Summer Internship will be invited to a final-stage interview with our Partner panel.
Following this stage, successful candidates will receive an offer for a Traineeship. If you are not selected, we will provide detailed feedback to support your career progression.
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 to expect as a Trainee Solicitor
From the start, you’ll be trusted with real client work and meaningful responsibility, working hands-on as part of a collaborative team that makes a real difference. While you’ll be challenged, you’ll never be on your own—our trainees benefit from expert mentoring, supportive supervisors, and peer support from fellow trainees.
We know that developing as a solicitor is about more than just work. That’s why we provide a dynamic, supportive environment with excellent training, career guidance, and plenty of opportunities for social connections and team activities.
And because we value balance and reward commitment, trainees who stay on after qualification enjoy four additional weeks of paid leave—perfect for travel, personal projects, or simply recharging.
Our traineeships are designed to give you real responsibility, the freedom to shape your own career, and the confidence to succeed—all within a firm that values your voice, your ambitions, and your growth.
Join us, and start making your mark from day one.
The Unpacked Series
Curious about 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
We attend many of the University Law Fairs and events to meet future Trainee Solicitors, including:
- Dundee University
- Aberdeen University
- Robert Gordon University
- Strathclyde University
- Napier University
- Glasgow University
- Edinburgh University
- Legal Cheek Law Fair
