Begin Your Legal Career with Francis Hanna & Co – Law Degree Apprenticeship 2025

At Francis Hanna & Co, we believe in nurturing future legal professionals who are passionate about people, justice, and making a difference. As one of Northern Ireland’s most respected law firms, we are now offering an exciting opportunity to join us as a Law Degree Apprentice in partnership with Ulster University.

This four-year apprenticeship is an ideal pathway for those who want to pursue a career in law while gaining invaluable, hands-on experience in a leading legal practice.

What the Degree Apprenticeship Offers

Our Law Degree Apprenticeship is a unique blend of work and study.

  •         You will work four days a week at our Belfast office, immersed in real legal work
  •         You will attend Ulster University one day a week, completing a fully funded LLB (Hons) Law degree
  •         You will receive a full-time salary, including your day at university
  •         You will graduate with not only  a law degree, but four years of experience in a solicitor’s practice

About Us

At Francis Hanna & Co, we don’t just train lawyers — we shape advocates, problem-solvers, and trusted advisors.

From day one, you will be part of a supportive team that values curiosity, integrity, and compassion. You will contribute to meaningful legal work across our areas of expertise — including personal injury, family law, human rights, property law and private client services.

You will learn to engage with clients sensitively and professionally, assist in preparing legal documents, attend Court and client meetings, and be mentored by experienced solicitors who are committed to your development.

Who We Are Looking For

This Apprenticeship is ideal for:

  • School leavers ready to take their first steps into the legal world
  • Career changers looking for a meaningful and practical route into law
  • Individuals who are thoughtful, hardworking, and passionate about helping others

Criteria

You must be resident in Northern Ireland and eligible to work in the UK.

You should also meet the academic requirements for the programme (typically AAB at A-Level or equivalent — please check Ulster University’s website for details).

No previous legal experience is needed. What matters most is your drive to learn, your commitment to the profession, and your desire to make a difference.

How to Apply

To apply, please:

  • Review the programme details on Ulster University’s website by clicking here  
  • Send your CV and a short covering letter telling us a little bit about yourself, including why you want to practice and work in law, why the apprenticeship route appeals to you and why you want to train at Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors
  • Email your application to pauline@fhanna.co.uk by 12 noon on 31st July 2025

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in early August. Offers will depend on meeting Ulster University’s entry requirements and gaining a place on the course.

Have Questions?

If you’d like to know more before applying, we’d be happy to hear from you. Just get in touch at pauline@fhanna.co.uk

Francis Hanna & Co is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive workplace.

 

 

Litigation Solicitor - Personal Injury - Join our leading Personal Injury team at Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors

We are  looking for a dynamic Litigation Solicitor to become a key part of our busy and growing Litigation Department. If you are passionate about helping clients and want to be part of a firm with a proud tradition of excellence in personal injury law, we want to hear from you.   Working on a variety of diverse personal injury matters for both Plaintiffs and Defendants and to include working in asbestos related litigation, we are seeking a motivated individual who can both work on their own initiative and within a team. In order to be considered for the role, as a minimum, you must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Be a qualified Solicitor with at least 2 years PQE
  • Possess previous personal injury experience.
  • Be able to manage a busy caseload to include attending Court for hearings, applications and reviews.
  • Be highly organised and capable of working in a busy and fast paced environment.
  • Be able to work on own initiative.
  • Be confident and proactive with regards to business development
  • Have good communication/interpersonal skills
  • Be flexible and be willing to adapt to a varying workload

As part of this role, you will work closely with our litigation Partners, gaining valuable experience on complex matters, while also having the opportunity to manage your own caseload.

Why join us?
At Francis Hanna & Co, we are proud of our long-standing reputation in Personal Injury litigation. You will be joining a supportive team where you will be given the tools and encouragement to develop your skills, tackle challenging cases, and take your career to the next level.  This is an exciting opportunity for someone to progress their career in a Belfast firm with a long-standing history and reputation of dealing with Personal Injury litigation

For further information, please e-mail your CV  to pauline@fhanna.co.uk as soon as possible.

If a large number of applications are received, Francis Hanna reserves the right to enhance the criteria in order facilitate the shortlisting process.  Any offer of employment with Francis Hanna is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and right to work checks. 

 

Junior Solicitor – Family Law – Join our dedicated Family Law team at Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors

We are looking for a passionate and committed Junior Solicitor to join our busy and growing Family Law Department. If you are driven by making a real difference in people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments, and seek to build your career in a firm with a long-standing reputation in family and matrimonial law, we would love to hear from you.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a wide range of sensitive and impactful family law matters, with a particular focus on cases involving domestic abuse and children’s proceedings. You will work closely with our experienced family law team, receiving hands-on mentorship, gaining valuable experience in public and private law children’s cases and non-molestation orders while managing your own caseload.

In order to be considered for the role, as a minimum, you must be able to demonstrate the following:

Be a qualified Solicitor (NQ to 2 years PQE preferred).

  • Have a genuine interest in family law and issues surrounding domestic abuse and child welfare.
  • Be able to manage a busy caseload to include attending and advocating at Court hearings and reviews
  • Be empathetic, highly organised, and confident in working with vulnerable clients.
  • Be able to work both independently and collaboratively within a close-knit team
  • Have good communication/interpersonal skills
  • Be flexible, resilient, and committed to delivering client-centred legal solutions.

Why join us?
At Francis Hanna & Co, we are proud of our legacy in family law, advocating for those in crisis and helping to shape better futures for families.  You will join a supportive and experienced team where your professional development will be nurtured, your contributions valued, and your career path encouraged. This is an exciting opportunity to grow within a very well respected Belfast firm known for its compassionate and effective approach to family justice.

For further information, please e-mail your CV  to pauline@fhanna.co.uk as soon as possible.

If a large number of applications are received, Francis Hanna reserves the right to enhance the criteria in order facilitate the shortlisting process.  Any offer of employment with Francis Hanna is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and right to work checks

Secretarial Support 

We are looking for an experienced Secretary to work within our busy law firm. We are keen to meet motivated individuals who can both work on their own initiative and within a team.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop essential skills and progress in a longstanding and reputable Belfast law firm.

Duties:

  • Perform general clerical duties, including data entry, photocopying, scanning, and filing
  • Answer and direct phone calls, take messages, and respond to enquiries
  • Schedule appointments and maintain calendars
  • Manage and organize electronic and paper documents

Skills:

  • Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record keeping
  • Knowledge of office equipment operation (e.g., printers, scanners)
  • Experience of using a case management system such as ALB desirable
  • Candidates with additional experience and qualifications in IT desirable.

This is full-time position and salary will be commensurate with experience. .We offer a supportive work environment, an attractive employee package and opportunities for professional growth.

If you have the required skills and experience for this role, please submit your CV for our consideration to pauline@fhanna.co.uk . Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. 

If a large number of applications are received, Francis Hanna reserves the right to enhance the criteria in order facilitate the shortlisting process.   Any offer of employment with Francis Hanna is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and right to work checks. 

Francis Hanna Solicitors wish to ensure equal opportunity is given to all job applicants. We will not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender (including gender reassignment status), sexual orientation, religious belief, political opinion, marital status, age or disability.