Company: Markel Law
Location: Manchester
Role: Trainee Solicitor
Salary: Competitive
Duration: 2 Years
Start Date: September 2026

Who is the company? 

• Markel Law is one of the UK’s leading insurance centric law firms which is authorised and regulated by the SRA. With lawyers ranked in the Legal 500 we are experts in civil and commercial litigation, employment law, regulatory law and casualty.

• We operate out of offices in Manchester, Leeds and London. Our clients comprise of businesses, individuals, and associations across a broad spectrum of industries. The work we do is challenging, complex and varied. We aim to be leading sector specialists providing high quality, efficient and client focussed legal services.

• As part of the Markel family we have the enviable position of having the financial robustness of a Fortune 500 company whilst still being small enough to care about every client and empower our people.

• We are looking for the optimists. The visionary problem-solvers who believe that life’s greatest ambitions shouldn’t fade in the wake of all the things that could go wrong. The people willing to work hard together to protect our clients in their times of need against their largest and most complex legal challenges, and have fun doing it.  It’s a promise to serve others that we’ll hold on to forever, and we’d like you to help us keep it.

Part of the Markel Family 

Markel Law is the independent law firm of Markel International. Markel International is an international insurance company with offices in 17 countries, across the UK, Europe, Canada, and Asia Pacific. Markel International is a division of Markel Corporation (NYSE – MKL), a US based Fortune 500 company, which operates a leading speciality insurer and owns an impressive portfolio of products and services businesses, employing in excess of 20,000 people worldwide.

Our win-win-win philosophy means our employees win by creating fulfilling careers, our customers win by finding protection against life’s biggest risks, and our shareholders win by earning good returns on their capital.  Our culture is guided by a creed we call the Markel Style, which ensures that our greatest qualities endure across generations of people who have been a part of Markel.

What is the role? 

Our Markel Law Trainee Solicitor scheme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need to kick start your career in law as you work towards becoming a qualified solicitor. During your training contract you will work closely with our solicitors, providing legal support and assistance as you work across a number of ‘seats’ in the firm.  You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience in both contentious and non-contentious work types across our specialist areas; civil and commercial litigation, regulatory law, employment and casualty.

You will also benefit from exposure to an unparalleled insight into the inner workings of a global insurer with the opportunity to study for globally recognised insurance industry qualifications, something which will differentiate you from other newly qualified solicitors.

Day to Day Responsibilities 

We want to ensure that you have the opportunity to gain exposure across a number of processes and practices to give you a broad understanding of our business and how we operate. This will include, but is not limited to:

• Supporting with drafting agreements, enquiries and applications
• Participate in interviews at client meetings
• Perform legal research tasks
• Draft letters, witness statements and other legal documentation
• Participate with, and work on, client files
• General administrative and legal support
• Attend at hearings in a variety of Courts and Tribunals
• Participate in team meetings, attend networking events and contribute to business development
• Keep up to date with law and practice, attend internal courses
• Complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC)

In addition to on-the-job experience, you will also have a structured learning and development plan, in line with the SRA Practice Skills Standards.

Why you should apply  

• Successful candidates will be highly valuable and integral members across the business, with the opportunity to be working across civil litigation, regulatory law, employment and commercial teams.
• Immerse yourself in the inclusive and welcoming company culture, by participating in regular socials.
• Be part of a tailored and developed program, based on feedback from current/previous trainees.
• Participate in presentations to progress and develop your skills.
• All qualifications are fully funded, including the Chartered Institute of Insurance qualification, obtained alongside the LPC /SQE.
• Markel are committed to you and your career, inputs are encouraged and discussed and you’ll be well supported with training and development opportunities as you progress at Markel.
• The opportunity to work closely alongside Solicitors on a variety of work, leading to a broader understanding of the business and an opportunity to accelerate your career.
• Markel encourages career development by offering 1-1 mentorship to help employees reach their personal targets.
• Competitive starting salary with an excellent package – including; private medical insurance, your own financial coach, hybrid work structure, gym discounts, cycle-to-work scheme, motor breakdown cover, income protection and additional countless benefits that will be shared at the first stage of the process!

Who can apply? 

• Do you have a Law degree, or conversion, 2:1 classification or above? (achieved or predicted)
• Are you in your final year of study (any degree), on track for a 2:1 classification or above and now looking to embark on a Law career?
• Do you have 3 A Levels, grade C or above? (or equivalent qualification)
• Proven eligibility to work in the UK

Markel Law are looking for a candidate who… 

• Is patient, proactive, resilient and hard-working looking for a long-term career in law.
• Is a strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills who is able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Is an organised individual with the ability to prioritise tasks efficiently and handle large workloads.
• Displays clarity of thought, as well as strong attention to detail.
• Is able to maintain high standards of accuracy and demonstrate initiative & self-discipline.
• Is a driven and ambitious candidate who is committed to their learning and development.

The Markel Style  

Pursuit of excellence 

• Consistently provides quality work products
• Adapts behaviour to reflect the style of others to foster effective working relationships
• Finds the most efficient and practical means of overcoming challenges

Customer focus 

• Actively looks for solutions to customer problems
• Seeks to further knowledge of customer needs
• Builds relationships with customers and responds to needs by demonstrating tact, empathy and professionalism

Business results 

• Seeks the best and most direct option to accomplish tasks

• Demonstrates effective organisation skills
• Applies logic and draws accurate conclusions from information

Collaboration 

• Helps others succeed
• Approaches change in a positive manner
• Listens for and acts on key information

Strong foundations 

• Holds self and others accountable to ethical standards
• Takes ownership and accountability for own development
• Shows accountability and resilience in achieving goals