At Morton Fraser Lawyers we have highlighted clarity as our guiding principle.
This directs the way we communicate, the way we advise, the way we conduct relationships with our clients and the way we are totally transparent and upfront about our charges. This applies to all our services from the straightforward to the more complex.
Read legal insights, our comments on the latest legal updates and articles covering all types of legal queries and scenarios, written by experts from our teams.
A clear future together.
To ensure that we continue to thrive, we need to find the next generation of Morton Fraser people. To do this we take a lot of care with our selection process. And we expect you to do the same.
Trainees are chosen by a trained panel of Morton Fraser partners. We see our trainees as potential future partners, so this investment is time well spent.
We’re looking for high-calibre candidates who can run with the information they’re given, who can deliver an argument, find quick solutions and form strong relationships. Most of all, we’re looking for trainees who can provide a better future for our clients, for our firm and for themselves.
We are one of the Top 100 Best Companies to work for and we know that not because we are in the Sunday Times Top 100 list, but because the views expressed by our people put us there. They believe we are working to create a great place to work and if you are looking to put your talents to best use, come chart your best course with us!
Find out more about Jonathan Seddon, the partner with the responsibility for the development and wellbeing of our trainees.
Find out below what your trainee's journey could look like over the course of two years.
"Made to feel welcome and at ease from before even starting at the firm! Current trainees speak really highly of the firm and confirm that there really is the work/life balance promised at interview!"
"This is the first opportunity to meet your future colleagues and a great opportunity to get to know the other trainees before starting work."
"Good to meet the other trainees again. More people are able to make it to this one as it's close to when we start work."
"Another chance to meet the trainees and ask any burning questions you might have before the start of the traineeship."
End first day with drinks hosted by partners. Meet the team and coffee with my manager tomorrow.
"Really good to meet our managers and some of the partners early on and it definitely made it less intimidating. Everyone's really happy to help and want to get to know you in the first couple of days which puts you at ease straight away. "
"Although the first day of the traineeship might be daunting, the trainees are made to feel welcome with the drinks event."
"Keeping a work diary and then uploading it for the Law Society is made much easier given the variety of work that we're asked to do in our seats."
"A chance to join the MF Charity Committee, who organise fundraising events to raise money for our charity of the year."
MF licensed to deliver 4 hours off the job training each month. Different topics each Monday.
"Excellent training to give a more detailed look at the main legal areas of the firm from experts in the field. Good news is that you're not expected to know it all already, which was a relief! The training prepares you really well for working in each bit of the firm. Some really good practical sessions around interviewing and negotiation working with (and against) the other trainees! "
"There is plenty of training during the first few months of the traineeship! It is a great opportunity to learn more about the areas of law practiced throughout the firm and the skills required to be a solicitor."
Drinks in the café with colleagues
"We have drinks in the café which are really informal, and allow you to meet people from different teams. Everyone is genuinely interested in meeting you, and this is a really good way to settle in quickly."
"A chance to relax get to know your colleagues over drinks."
Donation to our charity of the year
"Trainees collect the dress down day money from people, they're always happy to have a chat to see how it's all going so far. "
"Trainees collect donations for our charity of the year."
Helping at assessment day. Meet the potential candidates for coffee and tour of Edinburgh office.
"Good to meet the candidates to give them an idea of how the firm works. Good fun to be on the other side of things, seeing how stressed we were, and trying to calm people down too! "
"Helping at the recruitment day by putting the candidates at ease and answering any questions they might have about the traineeship and life at MF."
"It's a bit nerve-wracking to be put in charge of such a popular event, but it's really good to get to know people in the firm. A really fun evening in the end, with food, speeches and a few drinks to go with it! "
"The 1st year trainees are tasked with organising the annual MF Burns Supper, one of the most popular events in the MF calendar."
1st of my 8 quarterly reviews with my manager. Need to prep form and schedule meeting.
"My manager was really good at telling me what to expect at this review, and not to worry about it. Like so many things in your first year, you're so worried and feel a bit of pressure for this, but in the end it's not necessary at all. It's just to go through what's been done well and what can be improved and then you're done!"
"It is time to look over your trainee log book and prepare for your first review. A chance to reflect on your first three months at MF and what you hope to achieve in the next three months."
"Brilliant event with everyone attending. Plenty of food, drinks and some dodgy dancing! "
"Attending your first MF Christmas Party. It is a highlight of MF's social calendar and attended by most of the firm."
Need to prep form and schedule meeting.
"Good to reflect on your development, and think about how much more you know than when you first started! "
"Reflecting on your first review, what you have improved upon and thinking about any development needs for your next seat."
Move to second seat
"A nervy first day in a new seat for me was made really easy by my new team and manager. They put me at ease straight away. Really nice to experience a different type of law, and a new part of the firm and the people that brings. "
"Find out what department you will be working in for your next seat, with trainees spread across all divisions in the firm. There is also the opportunity to experience working in a different office."
Source and select venue for 200.
"I'm not involved in this, but have organised the Golf Day. It's been good fun to arrange the firm golf day, and I know that Daniele has enjoyed organising the Hockey matches too. People really appreciate the effort that you put into these things and it definitely makes it worthwhile."
"Viewing possible venues and liasing with the Firm to decide on the best place to host the Christmas Party, an important task!"
FY results and BBQ. Trainees organise catering and activities/quiz.
"It's really good for the firm to put on an event like this so that everyone can celebrate successes together. Organising this has been good fun and the only real pressure for us is to try and one up last years event! You spend the week leading up checking the weather to see if it's going to be good enough to have the food out on the balcony! "
"1st year trainees organise the AGM and make sure it runs smoothly. Then it is time to enjoy a BBQ and drinks on the balcony with your colleagues."
Move to 3rd seat. Welcome to new 1st year trainees. Need to get a restricted PC so I can appear in court.
"You can really see a difference between where you're at as a 2nd year and the new 1st years coming in. A real boost as it shows you that you've learnt something! If you're in a litigation seat you will start appearing in court which is nerve wracking but fun at the same time."
Back to University for one day. Must complete before 13 months.
"Nice to go back to Uni for the day. A very relaxed and informative day with the first half covering ethics, and the second half a negotiation of a real case in groups. Really interesting exercise and day as a whole. "
Litigation project commences.
"A really interesting project and exercise. Very helpful for those who don't really want to go into litigation to experience that feeling in a safer setting! A mock debate in front of a Sheriff is really good fun."
MF NQ posts advertised any time from now.
"Exciting and nervy time, waiting to see if you and your friends are given job offers. Quite tough, as everyone really wants to stay at the firm! It's good as everyone's in it together and is very supportive of one another."
"Very similar to last year's experience. 2nd years have more input into the running of the event so that's quite good, getting to plan such a large event. When you're at the party it's good because you're a bit less nervous about how to act, as you've had a bit more experience of these things now."
Move to my final seat
"Good to find out your last seat, and normally you will know if you have been offered a job yet. Sometimes you will get the seat where you will start your job in September, so that's quite exciting, as it's the start of the rest of your career in effect!"
To meet the trainees due to start next September.
"Similar to the previous year. Nice to meet the new faces prior to them starting. Makes you feel slightly old looking at where you were two years ago, compared to now! "
"Less organising and more supervising which is good! You get to experience the event itself a bit more than the previous year. You're still checking the weather so that you can go out onto the balcony though! "
To meet trainees due to arrive in September.
"Nice to have a sit down with the new trainees and get to know them a bit better. Try to make them feel more at ease. Some of them will be part of your team when they start, and as their NQ, you are a good point of contact for some of the questions they think might be silly at the start."
Now signed off as "fit and proper" to practice as a solicitor
"You obviously feel more fit and proper than before… Lots of hard work has led to this, so it's quite a poignant moment. You feel confident and proud that you've been well prepared by MF for this. At MF you also get a ½ day to go to your ceremony! "
We’re looking for people who can fit in with us in these clear-cut ways.
Consistently high academic record from school and university - As and Bs in Highers or A-levels, and already obtained or on track for a First or 2.1 degree (or the equivalent in an accelerated law degree).
Confident and able to demonstrate a positive “can do” approach.
Naturally good communicators who find it easy to establish new relationships.
Enjoy problem-solving and able to progress matters using own initiative.
Think you’d fit in well in our culture? Great, we’d love to hear from you.
Please check out our key dates below.
If successful at this stage you will be invited to join a group to meet our HR team. Further shortlisting takes place for our assessment day.
Please note the following key dates:
| Applications open | 9 September 2020 |
| Closing date for applications | Thursday 29th October 2020 at 5pm |
| Group interviews with HR | Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th November 2020 |
| Assessment day | Saturday 14th November 2020 |
Applicants should complete and return an application form by email to traineeships@morton-fraser.com before the closing date.