Foot Anstey has welcomed four new trainee solicitors to its Belfast office as the firm continues to invest in developing the next generation of Northern Ireland’s legal talent.
Ben Lloyd, Kerri Robinson, Ben Donnelly and Sinead Donohoe have joined the firm’s two-year training programme, which combines direct experience across a range of practice areas with study at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS).
Throughout their training contracts the trainees will complete a series of ‘seats’ across a number of practice areas. This provides them with broad experience and the opportunity to develop their legal and commercial skills while working alongside experienced solicitors across the leading firm.
Foot Anstey sponsors the trainees for the duration of their IPLS studies, covering tuition fees and paying a competitive salary. The firm also provides additional tutor support to help future trainees prepare for the Institute’s entrance examination.
The programme is designed around a small trainee cohort, giving trainee solicitors hands-on experience, early responsibility and access to experienced professionals across the firm. This year’s trainees also completed a combined induction with trainees from Foot Anstey’s Bristol office, helping build connections across the wider business.
As part of the induction, trainees also took part in a growth mindset session with one of the Bristol Bears Women’s Rugby team, made possible by Foot Anstey’s partnership with the Bristol Bears, exploring the importance of mindset, resilience and continuous learning.
Chris Ross, Partner and Head of Foot Anstey’s Belfast office said: “We are delighted to welcome Sinead, Ben, Kerri and Ben to Foot Anstey and to support them as they begin the next stage of their legal careers.
“Over the next two years, they will gain hands-on experience in litigation, corporate, property and banking and learn from experienced solicitors across the firm. That breadth of experience, combined with the support they receive throughout their training contract, will be central to preparing them for qualification as solicitors.
“One of our values is to be ‘seriously ambitious’, and that applies just as much to the careers of our people as it does to the future of the firm. As Foot Anstey continues to grow, we want our trainees to see a clear career pathway from trainee to qualified solicitor, with the opportunity to build a long-term career at a leading national law firm.”
Foot Anstey currently has seven trainee solicitors in its Belfast office, including three in the second year of their training contracts.
Applications are now open for the firm’s next trainee intake starting in September 2027 and will close on Monday 23 October 2026. Those interested in finding out more can also attend the ‘Step into Foot Anstey (Northern Ireland)’ virtual event on Tuesday 13 October 2026.
For further information and to apply, go to www.footanstey.com/careers/early-careers