Mills & Reeve LLP - True Picture

Mills & Reeve training contract review 2026

The Firm

Here at Chambers Student, we know that choosing a training contract can often feel like standing at a crossroads, with high-calibre work along the road up ahead, a social life at a sharp right and a big decision to make on which way to head. Trainees at Mills & Reeve, however, reckoned they’d found a way off the beaten track. As one trainee told us, “The biggest selling point is the work/life balance. I haven’t felt pressure to be chained to my desk, but I am also given lots of responsibility.” The firm’s got offices in every corner of the UK, including Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester, Norwich, Leeds, London and Oxford.

“I haven’t felt pressure to be chained to my desk, but I am also given lots of responsibility.”

With such a strategy, it'll come as no surprise that the firm touches a number of sectors across the economy, namely education, health, charities, private wealth, insurance, real estate, agriculture, food and beverage, technology and sport, with a smattering of expertise and practices to boot. In fact, Chambers UK awards the firm with over 50 department accolades, most notably for its work in agriculture and rural affairs, banking and finance, construction, corporate/M&A, employment, family/matrimonial, information technology, intellectual property, litigation, planning and environment, professional negligence, real estate, and real estate litigation across East Anglia. Nationwide, it’s the firm’s education, healthcare and mental health expertise which shines.

The Seats

Before starting their contract, trainees rank their seat preferences and have a discussion with graduate recruitment about the areas of law that interest them most, as well as the order in which they’d like to experience each department. “They manage expectations,” one insider explained, since business needs play a part, but most of our sources were happy with their seat allocations. One lucky source even told us, “I’ve had everything I wanted throughout – in the order I wanted!”

Trainees are able to explore six seats for four months each, with the final seat often serving as a “run up” to the department trainees hope to qualify into. One individual described this as the “biggest benefit” of the contract, as it allowed them to gain a richer breadth of experience across different legal sectors. Additionally, there are no compulsory seats at Mills & Reeve, giving trainees the freedom to pursue what interests them most – so long as it aligns with business needs.

While the firm does not offer international secondments for trainees, there have been opportunities for client secondments for first and second years. Previous examples include undergoing a stint with a global entertainment company. Throughout the process, they had a firm-assigned supervisor for regular check-ins and ensured a formal review process was in place. They cheerfully added: “The firm has even given me a chance to develop the client relationship with the company long term – I’m taking them to lunch even though I’m still a trainee!”

Many of the insiders we spoke to opted for a seat in corporate early on, drawn in by the “tonnes of training” and the fact it’s “hands-on” from the get-go. The department’s work spans M&A, private equity investments and mid-market transactions. In one such example, the team advised Eckoh, a secure payment solutions group, in its acquisition by private investment company Bridgepoint, worth over £160 million. Trainees in this seat praised the level of responsibility, with one telling us, “I managed a transaction and spoke directly to the clients, and even managed the completion by myself, with great supervision.”

Day-to-day tasks range from preparing ancillary documents and conducting due diligence work to negotiating sales and purchase agreements in client meetings. And for the more sociable trainee, a stint in the corporate department comes with plenty of opportunities to attend networking events and panels, helping trainees strengthen professional relationships before they’ve even qualified.

Real estate is one of Mills and Reeve’s largest departments, with a vast amount of range across the offices. Birmingham in particular has a health and education sector focus; the team in Norwich works on mixed-use development schemes; and those in Norfolk manage local leasehold property portfolio. As such, the firm services a wide range of clients, including but not limited to a number of charities, trusts and big names in the education sector. One example of the firm’s varied expertise is its advisement of Marshall Group, an aerospace and defence group, on its development of 900 acres of land in East Cambridge, including Cambridge airport and a number of novel housing communities.

As is likely expected, trainees here reported being given plenty of responsibility. One source told us, “In agricultural real estate, I have five of my own matters entirely  – but I know support is there if needed.” The work tends to be smaller in scale and quicker in pace, often involving the drafting of leases and associated lease documents. One trainee described their workload as “hugely varied” and more “piecemeal” than other departments.

Employmentwas heralded by one trainee as “the team I enjoyed the most (!)” thanks to its tight-knit and collaborative environment, fostered by the fact there are team meetings every few days to conduct internal discussions and give an opportunity to raise any concerns. The department works on matters across the technology, mid-market, education, health, food, charities, life sciences, retail, sport, government and insurance sectors, often advising on pensions, immigration, tax, IP and general corporate matters.

With such range on offer, one trainee beamed, “It’s a really fun seat with lots of variety.” The work is largely contentious and less client facing, often involving in-depth research into topics such as shared parental leave. Typical trainee tasks include drafting writing witness statements, sitting in on client meetings, assisting with investigations and preparing instructions to counsel. There are also opportunities to attend tribunal hearings, too. In one recent example, the firm advised a large healthcare provider in disability discrimination proceedings brought against the company by a former employee, which involved a two-day hearing.

“…it taught me how to think on a case-by-case basis – there was no formula for most of the work we were doing!”

For readers who fancy lining the wooden benches of a court room, commercial disputes might just be the answer. The department covers a wide range of matters for clients across a smattering of industries, with names like the University of East Anglia (UEA), Jaguar Land Rover and Odeon Cinemas lining the books. In a recent example of the work carried out here, the team is representing UEA against claimants seeking compensation as a result of alleged breaches arising from industrial action in 2017-18 and the university’s response to COVID-19.

Demonstrating the range of expertise in the department, the firm’s reputation in sports law in particular was a standout for one trainee who detailed, “I knew of their work in sports law, and during my time in commercial disputes I got to conduct research pieces I was genuinely interested in.” This seat is considered more “hands off” than others, giving trainees greater independence. Many appreciated the responsibility, with one individual telling us, “I gained a lot from this seat as it taught me how to think on a case-by-case basis – there was no formula for most of the work we were doing!”

Construction offers a mix of transactional and dispute work, giving trainees the chance to collaborate with a wide range of team members. Trainees also explained that the department does its best to accommodate any preferences for either type of work. The work is very “contract focused,” and trainees are handed plenty of responsibility from the start. Typical tasks include emailing clients, drafting letters of response, taking notes from client meetings and amending construction contracts based on discussions.

One individual described it as a “varied workload,” explaining, “I’d be involved in multiple smaller matters while managing ongoing core matters.” There are even opportunities to travel for full-day mediations held elsewhere in the country, too. Notable recent work includes the team’s advisement of various construction contracts in relation to the development of a novel Natural History Museum facility in the Thames Valley Science Park.

Trainee Life

Whether you’re a trainee in London or Leeds, our sources spoke highly of the friendly and fair culture at Mills & Reeve. One trainee noted, “The culture lives up to how its advertised – it feels like no one is more senior than anyone else.” The firm’s bonus scheme reflects this ethos, with a unique all-staff bonus shared by everyone from partners to reception. Trainees told us this approach “breeds positivity at the firm.” One trainee reasoned, “I think compared to the hours we put in, we get paid very well; I leave before 6pm most days – as long as I’m not too busy!” During busier times, trainees reported 7pm finishes. As for the time spent in the office, trainees are asked to be in person 50% of the time.

“You get the high-quality work without the intense pressure of a big London firm.”

As such, sources consistently praised the firm’s respect for their personal lives. As one put it, “If I have other commitments they don’t mind. No one is ever cross with you – they’re all willing to help.” Another reflected, “I thought law firms would be high-pressured with late hours, but that’s not the case here. You get the high-quality work without the intense pressure of a big London firm.”

As for the firm’s social calendar, alongside firm-wide events like the annual summer and Christmas parties, Mills & Reeve has a sports and social committee that organises everything from rounders, cricket and netball to pottery, painting and calligraphy classes. In Birmingham, there’s even a Mills & Reeve football team that plays against other local law firms – and we’re told the partners aren’t shy about joining in for a kickabout!

And when partners aren’t out nailing it on the pitch, they’re providing support and supervision for trainees, which our sources echoed positive reviews for. “In general, all my supervisors have been great and pushed me to get the work I want,” one reflected, “they introduce me to a variety of key people and give me feedback on how to make good impressions.” And on the topic of feedback, this comes in many forms throughout a trainee’s seat, but, in particular, during the mid and end-of-seat reviews. These are held with graduate recruitment to discuss trainees’ progress, air any concerns and organise future seats. Trainees also receive seat specific training sessions throughout their training contract.

Qualification occurs around April when the firm circulates vacancies across all offices. Trainees then speak to the relevant partners in what is usually a “relatively informal” process – though if more than one person applies, an interview may follow. Retention rates are typically high: one trainee told us, “I looked elsewhere in case I didn’t qualify and even recruiters advised me not to leave if possible as I had a good thing here. Lots of people who do leave boomerang back, which is a testament to the firm.” In 2025, the firm retained 24 of 26 qualifiers.

How to get a Mills & Reeve training contract

Vacation scheme deadline (2025): 1 January 2026 (opens 6 October 2025)  

Applications   

Mills & Reeve offers around 30 training contracts a year and recruits all its trainees via the summer vacation scheme.    

Over 2,000 candidates usually apply for roughly 60 vacation scheme spaces. The emerging talent team tell us that the firm is looking for applicants who are driven, and have a positive attitude, an agile approach and the potential to be an excellent future lawyer.   

The firm uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System in its application process to identify high-achieving candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds. It has also worked with recruitment firm Amberjack to redesign its selection process, to ensure it recruits diverse trainees with the key competencies to be excellent future lawyers. 

Assessments and interviews   

Candidates submit a basic online application form and then take an online blended assessment via Amberjack. The online blended assessment explores applicants’ motivations for joining Mills & Reeve, their thinking style and abilities to embrace change and creatively problem-solve. They will be asked a mix of situational judgement questions, verbal and numerical reasoning questions and video interview question. 

Although the firm does not recruit on a rolling basis, candidates will be invited to take the assessment within two weeks of applying so are advised to not submit their application until they are ready to take the assessment.  

Around 130 candidates are invited to an assessment centre, which consists of a welcome talk, group exercise, written exercise, individual presentation and an interview. There is also an opportunity to meet some of the firm's current trainees over lunch to learn more about the role and the firm.  Following the assessment centre, the firm makes its vacation scheme offers. It will then select its future trainees from those who attend the summer vacation scheme.  

Summer placements   

The firm runs summer vacation schemes and offers training contracts in 6 out of its 7 offices – Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester, and Norwich.  

Each vacation scheme lasts two weeks and candidates receive £430 a week for participating (£480 if in London). Over the course of the fortnight, they sit in four departments, receiving “a good flavour of the range of things you might do as a trainee,” according to sources.   

During their visit, vac schemers undertake a mix of live work and set tasks. “Everything I did was constructive, decent work,” recalled a current trainee, while another recounted how “they really invested in me by taking me along to client meetings and getting me involved – when I came back two years later the partners remembered me!”   

Each vac scheme features a handful of social events and candidates are encouraged to socialise with current trainees to get a feel for the firm and its lawyers. A recent vac schemer shared: “I had an amazing week! The work was challenging and interesting. Everyone I met at Mills & Reeve was genuinely warm and welcoming, and I finished the scheme feeling very excited for my future career in law.”  

There are no more formal assessments during or at the end of the vac scheme and the firm makes training contract offers following a candidate’s performance on the vac scheme. The graduate recruitment team advise approaching the vac scheme as an opportunity to show that you’re willing to learn and make the most of the opportunity you’ve been given. They don’t expect anyone to know the law inside out, so are really looking for enthusiasm, a good attitude and the core competencies to be an excellent future lawyer.