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Mills & Reeve

National law firm formed from an 1880 merger, with a "best friend" alliance with French firm Fidal.

Birmingham, United KingdomOfficial website (opens in new tab)

Firm overview

At a glance

A clear starting point for understanding the firm, its opportunities and the information students should check before applying.

Head office Birmingham, United Kingdom
Locations 14 office records
Practice areas 11 listed

Available routes

How can students join?

Student opportunities

Opportunities

Vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, insight programmes, work experience and other application routes.

United Kingdom - Summer placement scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester, Norwich

  • Applications open: 2026-09-01
  • Closing date: 2026-12-07 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications opened 1 September 2026 and close 7 December 2026.
  • Programme dates: 14–25 June 2027.
  • Duration: Two weeks
  • Places: Not published
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications opened 1 September 2026 and close 7 December 2026.
  • Programme: 14–25 June 2027.
  • Who can apply: Penultimate/final-year law students, final-year non-law students and graduates of any discipline.
  • Eligibility: Open to penultimate- and final-year law students, final-year non-law students and graduates of any discipline.
  • Academic requirements: No published minimum grade on the checked page.
  • Application process: Online application, blended assessment and in-person assessment centre.
  • Assessments: Situational judgement, verbal and numerical reasoning and video questions, followed by group, presentation and written exercises and an interview.
  • Progression: Sole route to the 2029 Training Contract intake.
  • Expenses: Competitive allowance towards accommodation, travel and other expenses.
  • Travel support: Allowance intended to assist with travel costs.
  • Accommodation support: Allowance intended to assist with accommodation costs.
  • Right to work: Applicants must have the right to participate in the placement.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - Summer placement scheme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Solicitor degree apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom: Manchester

  • Applications open: 2026-10-12
  • Closing date: 2027-02-18
  • Programme dates: September 2027 start; exact day not published.
  • Duration: Six years
  • Places: Not published
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 2026-10-12; Close 2027-02-18
  • Programme: September 2027 start; exact day not published.
  • Who can apply: School leavers committed to qualifying as a solicitor.
  • Eligibility: a levels: ABB gcses: Five at grade 4+ including Maths and English
  • Academic requirements: ABB at A-Level and five GCSEs at grade 4+ including Maths and English.
  • Application process: Application Assessment Assessment centre Offer Online application Online assessment Assessment centre Offer
  • Assessments: Assessment centres take place from 15 to 19 March 2027 and include a group exercise, an individual exercise and an interview.
  • Progression: LLB, Level 7 apprenticeship and solicitor qualification.
  • Funding: Apprenticeship training and academic study are employer funded. training and study funded: true
  • Right to work: Apprenticeship right-to-work rules apply.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - Solicitor degree apprenticeship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - M&R Insight Event

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom: Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester

  • Application timing: Register through the official Mills & Reeve events page.
  • Programme dates: Leeds: 29 October 2026.
  • Duration: Event-specific
  • Places: Not published
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Register through the official Mills & Reeve events page.
  • Programme: Leeds: 29 October 2026.
  • Programme: Birmingham: 29 October 2026.
  • Who can apply: Prospective applicants.
  • Application process: Register through the official events page.
  • Progression: Improved route understanding and application preparation.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - M&R Insight Event official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - M&R Virtual Law Fair

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme dates: 26 November 2026.
  • Duration: Event-specific
  • Places: Not published
  • Status: unknown

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme: 26 November 2026.
  • Who can apply: Prospective applicants.
  • Application process: Registration Attendance Register through the official events page
  • Progression: Improved route understanding and application preparation.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - M&R Virtual Law Fair official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Broadening Horizons

Type: Access Programme

Location: United Kingdom: Manchester

  • Programme dates: SMBP Work Insight and Skills Experience Week ran in July 2026; the Mills & Reeve Insight Week runs in the October 2026 half term.
  • Duration: One year
  • Places: Not published
  • Status: unknown

Published application and programme dates

  • Programme: SMBP Work Insight and Skills Experience Week ran in July 2026; the Mills & Reeve Insight Week runs in the October 2026 half term.
  • Who can apply: Sixth-form students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Eligibility: social mobility: true
  • Academic requirements: Programme-specific socioeconomic and school eligibility.
  • Application process: Application Programme participation Programme application or partner nomination
  • Progression: Improved confidence, skills and legal-careers awareness.
  • Travel support: Travel and lunch are covered for in-person events.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - Broadening Horizons official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Solicitor degree apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom: Birmingham

  • Applications open: 2026-10-12
  • Closing date: 2027-02-18
  • Programme dates: September 2027 start; exact day not published.
  • Duration: Six years
  • Places: Not published
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open 2026-10-12; Close 2027-02-18
  • Programme: September 2027 start; exact day not published.
  • Who can apply: School leavers committed to qualifying as a solicitor.
  • Eligibility: a levels: ABB gcses: Five at grade 4+ including Maths and English
  • Academic requirements: ABB at A-Level and five GCSEs at grade 4+ including Maths and English.
  • Application process: Application Assessment Assessment centre Offer Online application Online assessment Assessment centre Offer
  • Assessments: Assessment centres take place from 15 to 19 March 2027 and include a group exercise, an individual exercise and an interview.
  • Progression: LLB, Level 7 apprenticeship and solicitor qualification.
  • Funding: Apprenticeship training and academic study are employer funded. training and study funded: true
  • Right to work: Apprenticeship right-to-work rules apply.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - Solicitor degree apprenticeship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Solicitor degree apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom: Norwich

  • Applications open: 2026-10-12
  • Closing date: 2027-02-18
  • Application timing: Applications open on 12 October 2026 and close on 18 February 2027. Assessment centres run from 15 to 19 March 2027.
  • Programme dates: The apprenticeship starts in September 2027.
  • Duration: Six years
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications open on 12 October 2026 and close on 18 February 2027. Assessment centres run from 15 to 19 March 2027.
  • Programme: The apprenticeship starts in September 2027.
  • Who can apply: School leavers applying to Birmingham, Manchester or Norwich.
  • Eligibility: a levels: ABB gcses: Five at grade 4+ including Maths and English
  • Academic requirements: ABB at A-Level and five GCSEs at grade 4+ including Maths and English.
  • Application process: Online application\nOnline assessment\nAssessment centre\nOffer
  • Assessments: Assessment centres take place from 15 to 19 March 2027 and include a group exercise, an individual exercise and an interview.
  • Progression: LLB, Level 7 apprenticeship and solicitor qualification.
  • Funding: Apprenticeship training and academic study are employer funded. training and study funded: true
  • Right to work: Apprenticeship right-to-work rules apply.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - Solicitor degree apprenticeship official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - M&R Apprenticeship Virtual Insight Event

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is open through the event page.
  • Programme dates: 12 January 2027.
  • Duration: Event-specific
  • Places: Not published
  • Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is open through the event page.
  • Programme: 12 January 2027.
  • Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme: 24 November 2026.
  • Who can apply: Prospective applicants.
  • Application process: Register through the official events page and attend the virtual insight event.
  • Progression: Improved route understanding and application preparation.
  • Disability support: Mills & Reeve invites candidates to request reasonable adjustments and can support disability, impairment, neurodivergence, cultural or other individual needs during recruitment.
View United Kingdom - M&R Apprenticeship Virtual Insight Event official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - AllAboutLaw Virtual Law Fairs 2026

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

  • Application timing: Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme dates: 12 November 2026.
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Registration is available through the event page.
  • Programme: 12 November 2026.
  • Programme: 2 November 2026.
  • Who can apply: Students and aspiring solicitors interested in United Kingdom early legal careers.
View United Kingdom - AllAboutLaw Virtual Law Fairs 2026 official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom support

UK Visa and Funding

UK qualification funding, maintenance support and published visa-sponsorship or right-to-work information for joining the firm in the United Kingdom.

Areas of work

Practice areas

The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.

Health

Insurance

Private Wealth

Real Estate

One of the firm's largest departments

Sport, Media and Entertainment

Food and Agribusiness

Technology

Education

Agriculture

Charities

Corporate and Commercial

Offices

Locations

Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.

Career paths

Roles

Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.

Access and inclusion

EDI

Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.

Community and legal access

Pro bono

The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.

Verified information for this section is being checked.

Firm research

Firm highlights

Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.

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