Matt Oliver
Matt is a former FTSE 100 lawyer and accredited career coach who founded Trainee Solicitor Surgery in 2009. He’s helped over 300 aspiring solicitors secure training contracts at top UK and US firms, drawing on 10 years of legal practice and 16 years of coaching expertise.
Matt shares free, trusted advice in his articles and offers expert one-on-one coaching for those who want tailored support from someone who has been on both sides of the process.
Posts
I’m often asked: how hard is it to get a training contract? My answer is it’s notoriously difficult, with the majority of candidates failing each year. HOWEVER, the hurdles aren’t insurmountable. In this article, I’ll explore why it’s so challenging and why it can be easier than you think. I’ll also outline proven strategies to…
In this post, you will discover key guidance and insider insights to help you secure a training contract as an international student. You will learn both from my 15+ years of experience coaching international students to help them secure training contracts and from co-writer Ananya Agrawal, an international candidate who has recently secured a training…
In this interview, Arnav Maru explains how a more tailored approach helped him secure a training contract and the importance of coherent narratives in the application process. Arnav is a future trainee solicitor at Travers Smith, an Oxford post-grad with an undergraduate in law from MNLU, Mumbai, India. If you’re an international student, also check…
In this interview, Raina Mahapatra provides invaluable tips, including how to overcome common mistakes and how best to leverage an international background. Raina is a current trainee solicitor at Eversheds Sutherland, with an LLM from Queen Mary and an undergraduate in law from India. If you’re an international student, also check out our Insider Guide…
In this interview, Lydia Odedeji gives some important advice about maintaining a positive mindset and how to navigate the challenging TC recruitment process. Lydia is a future trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance with a Nigerian undergraduate in law. If you’re an international student, also check out our Insider Guide On How To Get A Training…
In this interview, Ananya Bagri describes how she went from multiple rejections to multiple vacation scheme and training contract offers. Ananya is an Indian, born and brought up in Singapore, and got her undergrad in law from Warwick University. She is a future trainee solicitor with Clifford Chance. If you’re an international student, also check…
In this post, Ananya Agrawal, a future trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance, shares her journey to a training contract, including key steps she took and the importance of mindset. If you’re an international student, also check out our Insider Guide On How To Get A Training Contract As An International Student. The journey to securing…
I had the pleasure of interviewing Razan Samkari, who secured a training contract at a magic circle firm after several years of applying. There’s some real gold in here for you if you’re struggling to get that elusive TC offer. If you’re struggling to make progress, check out my advice on how to craft successful…
Struggling to get past the application bottleneck? This essential guide reveals the proven techniques I’ve used to help hundreds of aspiring solicitors get interview invites. Discover how to beat procrastination, avoid costly mistakes, and use recruiter-friendly drafting tactics to boost your success rate.