Careers FAQ

We are a full service firm with 6 key specialisms (Employment, Property, Company Commercial, Litigation, Public Sector and Private Client). Many departments have sub-teams (e.g. immigration, probate) and we encourage people with particular specialisms to work across specialisms in Practice Groups (e.g. Media, Private Client). Check our A-Z of services for full information about our areas of work.

The firm welcomes promotion applications from all solicitors, who can progress through the ranks from solicitor to principal or legal director. All promotions are judged on merit via an assessment process. If you are unsuccessful, we will work with you on any development areas so you are ready for next time. Legal executives, paralegals and business services people are also supported to expand their responsibilities and skills.

We have worked hard to develop an open style of management and devolve more responsibility to team leaders throughout the business. In 2008, we restructured to give smaller, more accountable teams with more responsibility at local level.

All full time fee-earners are expected to complete 5 chargeable hours per day (equivalent to 1300 per annum). We set low chargeable hours targets in comparison with other firms as we are keen for people to effectively manage junior colleagues and we expect fee-earners at all levels to be active in business development. We understand that this takes time. The firm is committed to maintaining our relaxed working environment and we don’t expect anyone to stay late, although there may be occasions when you will be involved in a big deal or out of hours networking events and work additional hours.

We are committed to developing our people. This is reflected in our low chargeable hours targets, which allows colleagues to supervise others effectively and spend time on personal development and keeping technical knowledge up to date. We also hold Investors in People. Our commitment to personal development starts from your induction and will continue throughout your career with a mix of internal and external taught training, mentoring, supervision and on the job exposure.

Steeles Law is a diverse organisation so there is no set personality profile. However, we are always keen to hear from people with a fresh outlook and ideas, who enjoy being accountable. You should have people management and business development skills as well as being a technically gifted lawyer or business services professional.

Yes. You can find out more about our approach to CSR here.

Steeles is a very friendly firm and we were highly commended by people on our working environment at our recent Investors In People re-accreditation. The firm lays on formal social events including Christmas and summer parties, an annual practitioners' conference and regular drinks and networking sessions in the offices. There are also less formal ad hoc events such as football, cricket matches, table football competitions, ten pin bowling and greyhound racing. Many teams socialise together with dinners or post work drinks.

Yes. We ensure that all recruitment and progression within Steeles Law is on merit and take our commitment to diversity seriously. Our full equal opportunities policy can be viewed here (pdf). If you have any concerns about your treatment during the recruitment process, please contact the HR Manager.

Our trainee vacation scheme and training contracts have closing dates, of 31 July and 30 March respectively. All other vacancies do not have a formal closing date, but we advise you to contact us as soon as possible.

We understand that moving firms can be a big decision and you might be concerned about confidentiality. We are happy to have an informal chat with you about our vacancies and firm, so you can decide if we are a good match for you. We guarantee to keep your approach to us confidential.

Steeles is supportive of flexible working. We employ a significant number of peoples on part-time or flexible contracts at all levels in our organisation. We clearly state in our job details if a role is only open to full time applications. All other roles can be applied for on a part-time basis.

Yes. Please send your CV to talentbank@steeleslaw.co.uk and we will contact you if something comes up which matches your requirements.

We like to interview in a relaxed style so there is no need to feel anxious. If you are coming for a fee-earning role, we will probably see you twice and you will be asked a mixture of questions from your CV, questions about past experiences and technical questions. Occasionally, we undertake paper tests or presentations, but you will be told about these in advance.

The firm offers a good range of benefits including:

• Competitive salary
• Pension (non-contributory)
• Excellence award scheme
• Season ticket loan
• LPC funding, trainee loans and NQ loans
• Death in service benefit
• BUPA healthcare (discounted until 5 years of service, then fully funded)
• Childcare vouchers
• Eye test vouchers
• Exceptional work life balance
• Bicycle purchase scheme
• Free domestic conveyancing (after probation is passed)
• Free will (after probation is passed)
• Free financial healthcheck on appointment
• Free on site parking (Norwich)

We pay competitive salaries for all our roles and review all salaries annually to ensure they are in line with market rates. We are happy to give you an idea of the remuneration if you are shortlisted for interview.

Norwich is our head office and is a modern, open plan building with a range of facilities including recreation room, kitchens, quiet rooms, and training facilities. It is located on the Norwich Business Park at the city end of Hall Road and has ample employee parking. Around 90 people work in the Head Office in an unstuffy and down to earth atmosphere. Our London team has blossomed over the last 10 years and consists of about 60 people. The offices are based on John Street in Holborn and have a friendly atmosphere. The offices are well equipped and open plan with a wide range of facilities including kitchens, recreation area, quiet rooms and training room. Diss is based in a converted town house, with many period features and has a kitchen and staff area. On site car parking is limited.

We provide up to 15 students with work experience every summer. Applications for the scheme must be made by 31 March each year. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer work experience to other people.

There is a strong competition for trainee roles, and you are unlikely to be shortlisted if you have less than 275 UCAS points.

We know that the website may not answer every question and that there are some things you do not want to ask us directly. You can discover more about Steeles Law on our facebook group (Steeles Law Graduate Recruitment). Here you can get the inside view on life at Steeles from our current trainees who will give you frank and honest answers to whatever questions you have from the quality of work to the quality of biscuits in the meeting rooms.

Norwich is a modern city within a beautiful county that offers the opportunity for you to combine an exciting career with a quality lifestyle. It is a large, mostly rural county with many hidden treasures, reasonable house prices and excellent schools. The city of Norwich is rare and extraordinary. It offers a wealth of modern amenities both socially and culturally, in a delightful heritage setting - with two cathedrals, more medieval churches than any other city in western Europe and a magnificent Norman Castle overlooking the city. There is a vast choice of pubs, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, sports facilities, theatres and arts centres and two large shopping malls which have contributed to Norwich's promotion as one of the top ten shopping cities in Britain. Outside Norwich, the area boasts unspoilt countryside, pretty villages, rivers and many miles of beautiful beaches. There is plenty to do, from fun parks and stately homes to outings on the Norfolk Broads and boat trips to see the coast’s seals.