Career Coaching for Aspiring Solicitors

In a fiercely competitive market, expert one-to-one support can give you the edge. Get tailored help with applications, interviews, and assessment centres to secure your training contract.

Built on 25+ Years of Legal & Coaching Experience

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Matt Oliver, Founder of Trainee Solicitor Surgery & Accredited Career Coach

I work directly with a small number of aspiring solicitors each cycle - helping them improve their approach, strengthen applications, and succeed at interviews and assessment centres.

Before retraining as a professional career coach, I spent 10 years as a commercial lawyer, gaining experience in a law firm and in-house at a FTSE 100 company (Sky TV). As part of this, I helped recruit trainees and junior lawyers.

Over the last 15+ years, I’ve helped over 300 candidates secure training contract offers.

I've developed tailored coaching programmes designed to get you unstuck and move you through each stage of the TC recruitment process.

✅ 10+ years as a commercial lawyer

✅ EMCC-accredited and postgraduate-trained career coach

✅ 15+ years of experience helping candidates secure TC offers

I know what firms are looking for - and how to help you show it.

Whether you’re applying for the first time or have faced multiple rejections and want to turn things around, I'll provide you with the honest feedback, personalised advice and support you need.

Wherever You’re Stuck, I Can Help

Training Contract Strategy Coaching: Find Your Best Fit

Learn where your best fit is & where you have a realistic chance in the training contract recruitment process. Take critical pre-application strategy action steps.

Training Contract Application Help: Craft Impactful Applications

In such a competitive market, it's imperative you understand what a successful application looks like. Get your applications reviewed & improved.

Training Contract Interview Coaching to Boost Performance

Learn how to control your interviews & assessment centres & give the recruiters what they are looking for. Get the offer, not the polite rejection email.

If Any of These Sound Familiar, You’re Not Alone

You keep getting rejections and don’t know why

You’re unsure what firms want to hear in your interview answers

You’ve lost confidence or momentum in the process

You’re not sure which firms to apply to - or how to choose

You’re tired of second-guessing what to include in applications

You want tailored help from someone who knows what works

Whether you need training contract application help, interview coaching, or guidance through assessment centres, I’ll give you the honest feedback and proven strategies to secure your TC offer.

WHAT MY COACHING CLIENTS SAY

Kate, Trainee at a leading City firm:

"Matt’s advice on applications and coaching was invaluable in helping me secure a training contract. In particular his advice on perfecting my applications was truly game-changing and I am sure I would never have got to the assessment centre without it.”

KATRINA

London

Razan, Trainee at a Magic Circle firm:

""I attended multiple assessment centres with Magic and Silver Circle law firms but unfortunately never managed to land a training contract. Matt’s coaching and assessment helped me understand exactly what I needed to improve in my approach and what firms look for in a candidate, ultimately leading me to land a training contract with a Magic Circle law firm!"

RAZAN

Manchester

Read More Client Success Stories >>

Want to Work Together?

All coaching is delivered one-to-one via video call, allowing me to support you wherever you’re based.

To check availability and receive details on how I can assist you, please send a brief description of your current circumstances and coaching needs via the enquiry form on this page.

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Got questions about how the coaching works?

Here are answers to common questions I’m asked by aspiring solicitors before they get started.