|
|
Careers Life at Darbys is exciting. We are an equal opportunities employer with the ISO 9001:2000/LQS accreditation and hold Legal Services Commission franchises in some areas of work.
We are always looking for bright, motivated individuals to join our firm. Every employee is encouraged to make their mark, supported by mentoring partners, excellent training opportunities and experts in HR, IT, finance and business development.
All our employees enjoy an extensive range of benefits:
25 days holidays per year
Membership of the firm's pension scheme
Medical expenses reimbursement
Interest-free season ticket loan
Gym membership
Child care vouchers
Cycle to work Scheme
Darbys provide a friendly working environment with opportunities to progress. If you have any queries about any aspect of our recruitment process please email:
Cherie Rose
Human Resources Manager
Darbys Solicitors LLP
52 New Inn Hall Street
Oxford
OX1 2DN
Tel: 01865 811736
or email Cherie Rose
Please ensure that you send your CV and include your salary expectation when sending your application.
Training Contracts Why Darbys?Darbys has approximately 6 – 8 Trainee Solicitors in residence at any one time. We normally take at least 4 Trainees a year and recruit two years in advance. Trainees will normally start in the September of any given year.
We look for outstanding, talented and committed candidates with a strong academic record (good A levels and a 2:1 degree are preferred), committed to the law and who seek to develop a career with Darbys. We have no bias whatsoever against candidates who do not have a law degree. We have a good retention rate; several of our lawyers have come through the route of being a Trainee at Darbys.
As a Trainee, you will gain experience in at least three teams, sitting in each Team for six months. We try where possible to give you a choice over team placements. You will be involved in “real work” from day 1, for example, drafting letters and documentation, direct contact with clients, attending Court and much more – gaining valuable practical experience.
Although each team operates on a different basis, we will give you as much responsibility as we feel you can handle whilst not leaving you out of your depth. Teamwork We have nine specialised teams - these are:-- Personal Injury and Clinical & Medical Negligence
- Family
- Private Client
- Residential Property
- Dispute Resolution
- Commercial Property
- Corporate, Technology & Finance
- Employment
- Crime/Immigration
- Insolvency
Whilst working at Darbys is fast paced and enjoyable, Darbys also provide a very supportive environment for Trainees. When starting a Training Contract all Trainees take part in a firm-wide induction programme, which is spread over a two week period. During each seat, Trainees will have review meetings with the Team Leader to check on how the Trainee is settling in, ensuring the correct level of experience is being achieved plus an opportunity for feedback as to progress. All Trainees meet up quarterly with the Training Principal, Head of HR and our Trainee Mentor for an informal discussion so that they can listen to individual experiences and for Trainees to discuss future seats. Our Trainee Mentor (a former Trainee at Darbys) is always available for Trainees to discuss any issues or concerns.
As well as completing the compulsory Professional Skills Course, our Trainees also attend a Trainee Induction Course run by LawNet (which offers excellent networking opportunities with other law firms in the group). Trainees also have the opportunity to attend numerous in-house training sessions covering a wide variety of subjects.
Darbys offer a friendly working atmosphere with lots of opportunities to socialise, being ideally located in the centre of Oxford. Whether its joining in at one of the firm’s wine tasting evenings, enjoying a pint at the local on a Friday night, taking part in one of the firm’s sporting activities or working out at the local gym, there is plenty on offer in Oxford.
Salaries and Benefits Darbys offer a competitive salary in the Oxford market. In addition we offer a pension scheme, health cover, season ticket loan and gym membership.
How to Apply To apply for a Training Contract, please send us your CV with a short covering letter. Your letter or email should be marked "Training Contract Application", followed by the year for which you are applying. The closing date for applications is 31st July of any year. The deadline for applications for 2011 has now passed and applications for 2012 will be considered in August 2010.
If you would like more specific information about training contracts, please contact our Trainee Principal – Samantha Leigh or our Head of HR Cherie Rose
All applications for a Training Contract should go to Cherie Rose.
INTERNSHIP SCHEME Introduction Darbys Solicitors LLP is a full service law firm in Oxford with specialist teams including, Corporate, Commercial, Property, Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence, Tax and Private Client, Employment, Dispute, Family, Crime and Immigration.
Our Internship Scheme is intended for those seeking a Training Contract with Darbys. It is designed to give you an opportunity to experience work and day-to-day life as a lawyer within our firm; all with the aim of assisting you to choose the firm best suited to your aspirations. The major part of your time with us will be spent working with our lawyers in our specialist teams. Whether you are attending client meetings, going to Court or carrying out office-based legal work and research, you will be making a practical and valuable contribution to a team.
What will happen in your Two Weeks Induction Before joining your team, you will spend time getting to know other students, learning about the history of the firm, familiarising yourself with our systems generally and learning about the strategy of our firm.
Specialist Teams You will be based for two weeks in one of our specialist teams. The Team Leader will act as your principal, setting you real work to complete. If you have a preferred choice of team we will accommodate this wherever we can.
Mentor Our Trainee Solicitor Mentor, Rebecca Hewitt, will provide students with a trainee’s eye view of the firm, showing you around, introducing you to people, explaining their work and offering support and encouragement.
Lecture Programme A programme of lectures and presentations will be given by each of our Team Leaders, introducing you to the range of work, outside the practice area that you will be working in. This will provide an overall picture of our services and activities.
Projects During your two weeks you will be asked to carry out set projects. As you complete your work, experienced lawyers will be on hand to discuss your progress.
Social There will also be a variety of social activities to enjoy as well e.g. tours of the office plus meals and drinks with our current Trainees.
Completion of Internship Successful completion of an internship scheme, combined with an assessment and second interview, will count as the interview process for a Training Contract Application. Feedback will be presented to you at the end of the Internship.
Summary Our Internship Scheme is designed for those of you who are in the penultimate or final year of your first degree as you are likely to be in the process of making decisions about when to apply for Training Contracts at that time.
Completing an internship scheme is a practical and stimulating experience that will help you decide whether a career with us is right for you.
Application Process Number of Internships: 4 places per summer
Dates: 12th to 23rd July 2010
Salary: Weekly rate based on £13,000 p.a.
Preferred Qualifications: No particular subject interests. Evidence of commercial awareness.
Hours: 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Location: Oxford – city centre – no travelling required.
Method of Application: Our preferred method of application is by e-mail – please send us a covering letter plus CV (to include full details of all examination results to date) and stating preferred team (optional).
Applications to be
Addressed to:
Cherie Rose
Human Resources Manager
Darbys Solicitors LLP
52 New Inn Hall Street
Oxford OX1 2DN
Academic Standard: Good 2.1. ability or better
Opening and Closing
Dates for Applications: 1st to 31st March. Decision made early May.
Selection Process:
You will go through a thorough selection process to win a placement on our Internship Scheme. Applications will be graded alongside a selection guide. High scoring candidates will be invited for interview.
What we are looking for in an applicant:
Drive, enthusiasm, good technical and research skills. |
|
|
