Hi, firstly, huge congratulations on your offers! That’s a fantastic achievement, and it also sounds like you’ve handled this really thoughtfully and transparently, which is great to see.
I was in a somewhat similar position myself, though perhaps not exactly the same, but I think the underlying principles are transferable here.
On the facts you’ve set out:
- Firm A is aware you have a training contract and has still explicitly invited you to attend their vac scheme
- There is nothing in your current contract with Firm B preventing you from doing so
In those circumstances, attending the scheme does not strike me as inherently problematic.
Practically, these are some of the best lawyers in the world drafting or overseeing these contracts and offer letters. If there isn’t a clause preventing this kind of situation, it’s very unlikely to be an oversight. More realistically, it suggests they don’t take issue with it in principle.
I also think some of the common concerns here particularly around how Firm B might perceive this can be a bit overstated. In practice, recruitment processes are often handled by different individuals and teams, rather than something that attracts close personal scrutiny.
It’s still worth being thoughtful about timing of communication. If your contract doesn’t require disclosure at this stage, there isn’t necessarily an obligation to raise it proactively but it’s something you can keep under review depending on how things develop.
Overall, I’d view this as a positive situation and a good opportunity to exercise judgement, balancing professionalism, transparency, and your own interests. These are exactly the kinds of skills you’ll use as a solicitor.
The best career advice I received from a Senior Associate was to be bullish about my career — I’d extend the same advice to you
Hope that helps, and congratulations again!
