Early Careers at
Foot Anstey McKees
At Foot Anstey McKees, we are committed to delivering the highest quality of training as we understand this is an investment in the future of the firm. Interested in starting a career with us? Find out more about our direct training contract opportunity and our brand-new vacation scheme below.
Training contracts
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Our training contracts are designed to give you high-quality experience and exposure to high-calibre work. You'll gain early client exposure and make an immediate impact, guided and supervised by colleagues who are passionate and supportive experts.
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We provide a unique opportunity for individuals to develop skills in problem solving, advocacy, legal drafting and managing client expectations. We believe in giving our trainees high levels of responsibility and as they progress, supervised ownership of their own case load to achieve the skills required to be a high performing solicitor. To be eligible to apply, you will need to be in your final year of a qualifying law degree or have already completed this.
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Find out what work and life at Foot Anstey McKees looks like as a Trainee Solicitor at our webinar on Monday 20 October. Register here.
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Applications for our direct training contract opportunity open on Monday 15 September and close on Friday 21 November. If successful, you will be invited to complete your online assessment after this date and will need to do so by Monday 8 December. Find out more about our training programme structure.​
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Vacation scheme
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This year, we have launched Aspire: our brand-new vacation scheme taking place in Summer 2026.
This provides those currently in their penultimate year of a qualifying law degree with the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the firm, practical experience, and professional skills development.
During your vacation scheme, you will have the opportunity to work on live cases to understand the work you would be doing as a trainee. Get involved with interesting work and discover what training at a dynamic firm is like!
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At the end of the week, you will join and take part in an assessment centre day and, if successful, you will be offered a training contract. If successful, you will need to be eligible to start your training contract in September 2027. Find out more about our training programme structure.
Applications for our Aspire programme (taking place in Summer 2026) open on Monday 13 October 2025 and close on Friday 2 January. If successful, you will be invited to complete your online assessment after this date and will need to do so by Monday 2 February.​
Who are we looking for?
At Foot Anstey McKees, our recruitment process is designed to identify people who have the key qualities to succeed and thrive. We aim to discover whether our firm is the right fit for you, and if you have the potential to excel and grow with us.
Strong Communication​
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We're looking for individuals who can articulate their ideas clearly and collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients.
Positivity and determination
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We seek candidates who approach challenges with a positive attitude and a determined mindset.
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Innovative and initiative
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Staying competitive means constantly evolving. We value fresh perspectives, a solution focused approach, and proactive problem-solving.
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Future facing and agile
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We want our people to embrace new ideas and technologies, that help us deliver innovative solutions to our clients.
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Passion for law & business acumen
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Your enthusiasm for the legal profession, coupled with solid commercial awareness, are essential traits for our trainees.​
Application process
Step 1 - Choose your route
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We have two main routes that you can apply to and would encourage you to select the route that is the best fit for you. We have our direct Training Contract route as well our Aspire Vacation Scheme.
Before you start your application, make sure you look at all the options available to you as you can only make one application to one programme per intake year.
Step 2 - Complete an application form
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Our application form is an opportunity for you to shine and show us what sets you apart from your peers. As well as understanding your legal experience and business understanding we also want to find out more about YOU!
Alongside basic biographical information, we’ll ask you to provide details of your academic achievements, any work experience, volunteering experience or interests you have and, finally, ask you three qualitative questions.
We are proud to use contextual recruitment within our selection process. This means we look at your academic achievements in the context within which they were achieved helping us to review your application holistically.
We recognise it’s tempting to utilise AI tools to create your answers. However, our application questions are designed to show who you are and what makes you unique so make sure your personality shows through!
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Step 3 - Prepare for your online assessment and video interview
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Once the application window has closed, you’ll receive an email from our recruitment system with a link to an online assessment and video interview. Make sure to check your junk folder for the assessment link – just in case it gets sent there!
Once received, there will be a set window (usually between 2-4 weeks) in which you will then need to complete the online assessment and video interview in. Please check your email for details on this.
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Plus, you can practice your technique by taking a practice assessment here.
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Step 4 - Take your online assessment and video interview
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Our online assessment and video interview are designed to assess your potential. We’ll ask you a series of questions to get a sense of your situational judgement, problem-solving skills, and behavioural traits.
This will be followed by a short video interview. In this interview you’ll be asked four questions. You’ll have one minute to think about your answer to each question followed by one minute to record your answer.
You do not have to complete all the elements in one sitting – you can log in, complete some, save your progress and then come back to pick up where you left off. You aren’t judged on how long it takes you to complete this, but you do need to complete it within the two-week window.
You’ll receive an email when you hit ‘submit’ to notify you that the online test and video have been successfully completed. If you don’t get an email, then go back in and double check you clicked the ‘submit’ button!
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Step 5 - Assessment Day
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If you are successful in your application form, online test, and video interview you will be invited to take part in our Assessment Day. This will take place in-person in our Belfast office. If you have applied via a Vacation Scheme, this will happen on your final day with us. There are three key elements to the assessment:
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Case-study. You’ll be asked to prepare a response to a hypothetical task. It will be based on the type of work you are likely to carry out as a trainee. There is no need to prepare in advance or have specific legal knowledge.
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Interview. You will have an hour-long interview with a Partner and a member of our HR team. During this, you will discuss the case-study you’ve worked on as well as your motivations for training with us. Be sure to use a variety of examples from your work life, hobbies, interests, or studies.
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Group exercise. Alongside your fellow candidates you’ll undertake a short exercise designed to test your collaboration and teamworking skills.
Your assessors won’t see a copy of your application in advance of the Assessment Day – this is to help remove unconscious bias from our selection processes.
Throughout the day we encourage you to be yourself, let your personality shine through, and show us all the great qualities you have to offer!
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Step 6 - Offers
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If you are successful in the process and we make you an offer you will receive a contract which includes further details of the position. You’ll then have two weeks to let us know if you would like to accept – which we hope you do!
Frequently asked questions?
When do applications open and close?
For our Aspire vacation scheme, applications open on Monday 13 October 2025 and close at midday on Friday 2 January 2026. For our training contract, applications open on Monday 15 October 2025 and close on Friday 21 November 2025. Try not to leave your application until the last minute. Take your time to create the best possible application you can.
What can I apply for? Vacation Scheme or Training Contract?
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Our vacation scheme is a great way to experience Foot Anstey McKees and find out more about the work you could be doing here. At the end of each vacation scheme, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an assessment for a training contract. If you already have plenty of work experience and would prefer to apply directly for a training contract, feel free to do so.
Do you provide financial support for those attending the Vacation Schemes?
Yes! We help you with the cost of travel and accommodation and you will receive a competitive salary for your week’s hard work.
What’s involved in the application process?
There are three parts to our process – the online application, online assessment and then the vacation scheme with assessment day on the final day of the programme. Further information on this can be found on our dedicated recruitment process page.
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Do you take into consideration mitigating circumstances?
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Yes. We take mitigating circumstances into consideration when reviewing applications. There is space on the application form for you to let us know what your mitigating circumstances relate to.
I studied abroad – do I need to convert my qualifications into UK equivalents?
Please enter your qualifications (including the scores that you have) as normal. You do not need to convert your grades to the UK equivalent, we will do this for you.
Can I apply for a vacation scheme during my first year of study?
Our vacation schemes are targeted at those in their second year of a qualifying law degree in Northern Ireland, and above.
Apply now
Training contracts starting in September 2026 will open for applications on Monday 15 September and close on Friday 21 November. If successful, you will be invited to complete your online assessment after this date and will need to do so by Monday 8 December.
Our Vacation Scheme (taking place in Summer 2026) will open for applications on Wednesday 1 October 2025 and close on Friday 2 January. If successful, you will be invited to complete your online assessment after this date and will need to do so by Monday 2 February.
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Please direct any questions regarding our opportunities our application process to our Early Careers team: Early.Careers@footanstey.com