Careers
Russells puts a great emphasis on the training and development of its staff. In return, the firm has a superb track record with staff loyalty and history of bringing solicitors through to partnership.
As testimony to that, the firm is proud that many of the current partners joined as trainee solicitors and equally pleased to have welcomed solicitors successfully joining us from other firms, bringing with them new skills and perspectives with which to serve our clients’ needs. At whatever stage you are in your career, if you are interested in applying to work at Russells, please see the current career opportunities that are available below.
Diversity Statement
Russells is committed to recruiting and developing talented lawyers from diverse backgrounds.
The firm would welcome and encourage applications from groups historically and currently underrepresented in the firm and in the legal profession generally. Should you feel accommodations are required for any part of the application or interview processes, please don’t hesitate to contact Joanne Cocozza.
Current Vacancies
If you are interested in being considered for any of the above roles, please send your CV and a short covering letter to Joanne Cocozza on joanne.cocozza@russells.co.uk
Vacation Scheme
Our vacation scheme was launched in 2023 as part of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s focus to recruit candidates from diverse backgrounds. Each year we take four aspiring lawyers for one week’s paid work experience in July.
The application process for 2026 has now closed. Thank you to everyone that has submitted, we will be in touch shortly to let you know if you have been successful.
Bill Gankaseer (2024)
"I would strongly recommend the Russells Vacation Scheme to anyone considering a career in music and entertainment law. The scheme offers valuable insight into the firm's specialist practice areas and the broader industry landscape. The combination of live work and set tasks provides a well-rounded experience that is both challenging and impactful. Over the course of the week, you're encouraged to connect with a wide range of team members, all of whom are welcoming, supportive, and generous in sharing their experiences. For those exploring a future in this field, applying is a great first step!"
Klaudia Granowska (2023)
"The Vacation Scheme is a great opportunity to experience both the commercial and litigation departments here at Russells. Alongside the set tasks, the team actively involves candidates in real-life work, giving you a firsthand insight into the role of a music lawyer. There are also opportunities throughout the week to get to know the team and their journeys, in a more social setting. The Scheme was created by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and I would encourage those from all walks of life, who are interested in a career in music law to apply.”
Daisy Macnutt (2023)
"Participating in the Vacation Scheme is an exciting opportunity to gain a real insight into life at Russells. Completing ‘seats’ in both the Commercial and Litigation departments demonstrates how the firm’s specialist music and entertainment knowledge is employed across all practice areas, and highlights how these industries are embedded in the culture of the firm. It’s an invaluable way to get to know everyone at all levels of the business and to begin developing the necessary skills for a career in music and entertainment law.”
Open Days
In addition to the vacation Scheme, we are inviting candidates the chance to find out more about a career at Russells at our open days. This year we will be having one in person evening and will be arranging digital versions for those that cannot make it into London - stay tuned for further details.
Paralegals
Russells has been increasingly employing paralegals in all departments. The paralegal experience provides aspiring solicitors the opportunity to learn and understand more about their chosen field. Our paralegals generally come to us with a law degree or PGDL but prior to undertaking additional education (via SQE or LPC routes) and continue with us as paralegals whilst undertaking further legal education (whether SQE or LPC). We have a great track record of progressing our paralegals into training contract roles.
Like many other firms, Russells requires anyone wishing to qualify as a solicitor at the firm to complete a training contract to ensure that they acquire the breadth of skills and experiences required of a Russells solicitor. Subject to meeting the necessary SRA requirements, Russells would sign off periods of Qualifying Work Experience for those undertaking the SQE.
Training Contracts
We take great pride in developing talented individuals, giving them the experience and skills to become ‘best in class’ solicitors. We provide a rigorous and dynamic training: alongside active work, we require our aspiring solicitors to take part in a series of ‘masterclasses’ on varied topics across the practice areas we work in. All of our new joiners will have a supervisor and a ‘buddy’ to make sure there is always someone to support them both in work-related matters and in their welfare more generally. For individuals that show the aptitude and attitude, there is a clear trajectory from paralegal/trainee to partner.
From 2026 we will offer training contracts to individuals only following a period of being a paralegal with the firm. We see that initial time as a paralegal as a real opportunity for all parties to ensure that the training process is right for the individual before undertaking it.
The application period for 2026 has now closed. The closing date for applications for 2027 closes on 31st December 2026. Recruitment will be in May 2027.
Please apply by downloading and completing the application form using the link below and send that to us with a copy of your CV for the attention of Mark Sinnott by email to: mark.sinnott@russells.co.uk
REQUIREMENTS
We require all candidates for paralegal roles to have a qualifying law degree or PGDL at the point of interview.
The period of time it takes to progress from paralegal to a formal training contract will be decided on a case by case basis, depending on both performance and the level of education that has been concluded at the point of commencement of the paralegal role.
SQE Route: Paralegals will be required to have at least started their SQE studies prior to commencing their paralegal role and to have completed at least SQE1 before starting their training contract. In order to qualify, as well as completing their period of qualifying work experience, they will have to have successfully completed SQE2.
LPC Route: Paralegals will be required to have at least started their LPC studies prior to commencing their paralegal role and to have completed their LPC prior to starting their training contract. In order to qualify, as well as completing their period of recognised training, they will have to have successfully completed their PSC.
Subject to the above, for most candidates we hope to be able to progress them from paralegal to training contract within 12 months. For those candidates applying that either have (or will be able to have) completed the LPC or the SQE1 and SQE2 by the time they start as a paralegal, the firm’s hope and intention would be to progress those individuals into training contracts after 6 months (this was the case for two recent paralegals).
The training contract is generally 2 years and regardless of whether a candidate is qualifying via the LPC or SQE route will take the form of various “seats” in different departments (including one contentious seat) to ensure a broad training is given.
If appropriate, we may look to reduce a training contract by up to 6 months to accommodate prior work experience/qualifying work experience (including previous work at the firm as a paralegal).