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Michelmores
An independent UK law firm recognised for its expertise in corporate transactions, real estate, private wealth, agriculture and sustainable business.
About Michelmores
Michelmores is an independent UK law firm headquartered in Exeter, with offices in Bristol, London, Cheltenham and Cambridge. With a history stretching back to the nineteenth century, the firm has developed from its South West origins into a national practice advising businesses, entrepreneurs, institutional investors and private individuals. Its principal strengths include corporate and commercial law, real estate, agriculture, private wealth, litigation and employment, with particular expertise in sectors such as technology, sustainable investment and the rural economy. Michelmores has expanded its national presence through investment in its London practice and the opening of its Cambridge office in April 2026. Unlike firms whose work is concentrated primarily on large international transactions, Michelmores combines substantial corporate and commercial mandates with specialist advice to family businesses, landowners and high-net-worth individuals. Its work in sustainable finance, renewable energy and natural capital also reflects the firm's growing focus on the transition towards a more sustainable economy.
Michelmores recruits approximately 16 trainees annually into a two-year training contract comprising four six-month seats. Trainees are based in either Bristol or Exeter, with opportunities to undertake secondments to the firm's London, Cambridge or Cheltenham offices. The programme allows trainees to express preferences about their seat allocations and gain experience across contentious and non-contentious practice areas, including corporate, commercial litigation, real estate, construction, employment, agriculture and private wealth. Each trainee receives support from a supervisor, trainee buddy, HR team and Training Principal, alongside one-to-one coaching to help shape their development and qualification plans. Michelmores emphasises early responsibility and direct client exposure, encouraging trainees to contribute to substantive legal work rather than concentrating on administrative tasks. The firm also operates a structured professional development programme and reports retaining more than 92% of its trainees over the previous four years.
Michelmores supports future trainees undertaking their professional legal qualifications, with Legal Cheek reporting a £5,000 PGDL maintenance grant and £7,000 SQE maintenance grant. During the training contract, trainees participate in the firm's SPARK development programme, which combines technical legal training with commercial awareness, business development and networking skills. They also complete the Professional Skills Course and participate in the Leading Minds Trainee Resilience Programme, designed to develop emotional intelligence, resilience and professional relationships. Additional benefits include 25 days of annual leave, two additional days over Christmas and an extra day for their birthday, alongside healthcare support, pension contributions and flexible working arrangements. Trainees are encouraged to participate in pro bono activities, charitable initiatives and the firm's environmental and social impact programmes.
Practice areas & rankings
In the 2026 edition of Chambers UK, Michelmores achieved 16 ranked departments, including Band 1 rankings for Agriculture & Rural Affairs, Corporate/M&A: £5 Million and Above, and Family/Matrimonial in the South West, alongside Infrastructure: PFI/PPP nationally. Its real estate, employment, litigation and information technology practices also achieved Band 2 recognition in the South West. The firm's official rankings announcement highlighted significant improvements, including the promotion of its Family/Matrimonial team to Band 1 and its Real Estate Litigation practice to Band 2. Individual lawyers recognised in the guide include Daniel Eames, Ashley Pigott, Ben Sharples and Tom Torkar, each ranked Band 1 in their respective practices. These results demonstrate Michelmores' established regional expertise alongside its growing national capabilities in infrastructure, corporate transactions and private wealth.
Michelmores received several notable awards during 2025 and 2026. At the Insider South West Dealmakers Awards 2026, the firm won Medium-sized Deal of the Year (£10 million–£25 million) and Environment, Social and Governance Deal of the Year, recognising its involvement in significant regional transactions. The firm was also named Law Firm of the Year at the Insider South West Residential Property Awards 2025 and received Contentious Probate Provider of the Year at the Probate Industry Awards 2025. In addition, Michelmores was named Best Law Firm to Work At 2025 by RollOnFriday, reflecting positive feedback from its lawyers and employees. These awards highlight both the firm's transactional expertise and its established reputation in private client services.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Corporate law is one of Michelmores' principal commercial practices, with the firm ranked Band 1 for Corporate/M&A: £5 Million and Above in the South West and Band 2 for Corporate/M&A: SME/Owner-managed Businesses in East Anglia in Chambers UK 2026. The team advises entrepreneurs, private equity investors, family-owned businesses and established corporations on acquisitions, disposals, investments and corporate reorganisations. Its work is particularly relevant to growing businesses seeking investment or preparing for a sale, where lawyers must consider both the legal structure of transactions and their commercial implications. Michelmores also supports technology and innovation businesses through its corporate practice, including early-stage investment and venture capital transactions. The firm's recognition at the Insider South West Dealmakers Awards 2026 reflects its involvement in significant regional corporate transactions.
Michelmores' agriculture practice is ranked Band 1 in the South West and Band 3 in London in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting its established expertise in rural businesses, agricultural property and landed estates. The team advises farmers, landowners, agricultural businesses and institutional investors on land transactions, tenancy arrangements, succession planning and disputes involving rural property. Its lawyers also advise on the commercial implications of environmental regulation and the growing market for natural capital, including projects involving biodiversity and sustainable land management. The practice works closely with Michelmores' private wealth, real estate and tax teams, allowing clients to obtain integrated advice on the ownership, management and transfer of agricultural assets. Partners Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams are individually ranked Band 1 in the South West. Chambers
Michelmores' real estate practice is ranked Band 2 for Real Estate and Band 2 for Real Estate Litigation in the South West in Chambers UK 2026. The team advises developers, institutional investors, commercial landlords and businesses on property acquisitions, disposals, development projects and portfolio management. Its work includes commercial leasing, property finance and transactions involving development land, alongside disputes arising from property ownership and occupation. The firm's real estate expertise is particularly relevant to the South West's commercial property market, where it advises on regeneration projects, investment transactions and development opportunities. Its contentious real estate team handles landlord and tenant disputes, property rights issues and litigation involving commercial premises, providing clients with support throughout the property investment and development lifecycle.
Michelmores' litigation practice is ranked Band 2 in the South West in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting its experience handling complex commercial disputes for businesses, investors and private individuals. The team advises on contractual disagreements, shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims and litigation arising from commercial relationships. Its lawyers represent clients in court proceedings and alternative dispute resolution processes, including mediation and negotiated settlements. The practice frequently works alongside the firm's corporate and real estate teams, particularly where disputes arise from business transactions or property investments. Michelmores' 2026 Chambers results also recognised the progression of several litigators, including Jonathan Kitchin, who moved to Band 3, and Charlotte Bolton, who received an Up and Coming ranking.
Michelmores' family practice is ranked Band 1 for Family/Matrimonial in the South West in Chambers UK 2026, following an improvement from Band 2 in the previous edition. The team advises individuals and families on divorce, financial settlements, wealth protection and disputes involving children. Its expertise is particularly relevant to high-net-worth clients whose financial arrangements involve substantial property holdings, trusts, business interests or international assets. The firm's wider private wealth practice advises on estate planning, inheritance tax, succession and the administration of trusts, supporting individuals and families seeking to preserve wealth across generations. Michelmores also achieved eight departmental rankings in the separate Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2026, including Band 1 recognition for Landed Estates nationally and Private Wealth Disputes in the South West. Partner Daniel Eames is individually ranked Band 1 for Family/Matrimonial
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Michelmores offers two principal early-careers recruitment routes: a Spring Assessment Day and a Vacation Scheme. Both routes allow applicants to demonstrate their suitability for the firm's training contract programme, although the stages and assessment dates differ. The Spring Assessment Day is scheduled for 24 and 25 March 2027, while the firm's vacation schemes take place in Bristol and Exeter in June 2027. Michelmores accepts applications from candidates with different academic and professional backgrounds, including non-law graduates and career changers. The firm does not impose minimum A-level requirements and considers degree results on a case-by-case basis. Its current recruitment timetable confirms that applications for both routes opened on 5 October 2026. Candidates begin by submitting an online application through Michelmores' recruitment portal, selecting either the Spring Assessment Day or Vacation Scheme route. Applicants provide information about their academic background, previous experiences and motivation for pursuing a career at the firm. A strong application should demonstrate an understanding of Michelmores' position as an independent UK law firm, particularly its strengths in corporate transactions, real estate, private wealth and agriculture. Candidates should also consider the firm's emphasis on sustainability, collaboration and long-term career development when explaining their reasons for applying. As training contracts are based in Bristol and Exeter, applicants should be able to explain their interest in working in these locations and demonstrate an understanding of the firm's regional client base. The exact written questions and word limits for the 2026/27 application form have not been publicly confirmed.
How to answer why youMichelmores: quick answers
How much does Michelmores pay trainees?
Michelmores pays first-year trainees £37,500, rising to £39,500 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Michelmores earn £80,000.
How many trainees does Michelmores take on?
Michelmores takes on around 16 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Michelmores use in its applications?
Michelmores uses a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) as part of its initial application process for both the Spring Assessment Day and Vacation Scheme routes. The test assesses how candidates respond to hypothetical workplace situations, providing an indication of their judgement, professional approach and suitability for the firm's working environment. Unlike conventional numerical or verbal reasoning assessments, situational judgement tests typically focus on decision-making in realistic professional scenarios. Candidates should consider how their responses demonstrate sound judgement, effective communication and an ability to work collaboratively. The firm's current recruitment timetable confirms that the SJT forms part of the application process, but it does not specify the test provider, number of questions or time limit. Applicants should therefore follow the instructions provided when accessing the assessment rather than relying on information about tests used by other law firms.
What grades do you need to apply to Michelmores?
To apply to Michelmores you will generally need a 2:2+ degree. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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