Shoosmiths opportunities
Shoosmiths' client list speaks volumes for the quality of our lawyers and the experience they provide. From Hewlett-Packard to Krispy Kreme and property developers to some of the UK's largest banks, they work with a growing number of the FTSE 250 and some of the world's most exciting and ambitious growth businesses. Shoosmiths is a major UK law firm with a network of offices working together as one team.
There's no secret to their growth over recent years to become a £206.7m turnover firm. Clients love working with Shoosmiths people because of the way they work and the results they consistently deliver for them. You don't have to take Shoosmiths' word for it, many of their clients are happy to talk on their behalf - Shoosmiths never been ones for banging their own drum.
Shoosmiths work to a simple formula: a can do ethos, values that are much more than words on paper, and the agility to find the best way for each individual client - whether that's ways of working, pricing structures or just innovative ideas that make a real commercial difference.
If you really want your career to take off, then Shoosmiths would like you to consider joining them. They're a firm with the scale, stature and clients to provide you with the quality and variety of work and opportunities for development that you need to grow your career and rewards.
Shoosmiths provide a demanding, stimulating and rewarding environment. You'll be working with people who thrive on being pro-active, bringing energy and ideas to make a real difference to clients. You'll be expected to make things happen and take the initiative from day one.
Shoosmiths offer a number of opportunities for university students and graduates. Depending on what stage of your studies you're at, you'll be eligible for different parts of our recruitment process.
There are three different routes:
Insight evenings
Come and meet partners, lawyers and current trainees. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear what they have to say, build your network and ask questions.
Placement scheme
Come and experience what working in their firm is all about. This is a perfect opportunity to gain quality work experience, see how they live their values and find out if they are right for you!
Training contract
As a trainee lawyer you will be handling real case files, get client contact and have the opportunity to work client-side on secondment opportunities.
Virtual Insight Evening – Scotland – 6 November 2024
This insight evening is an opportunity for you to get to know Shoosmiths and decide whether we are the right fit for your future, specifically aimed at those wishing to qualify in Scotland.
Attending an event will give you an insight into their practice areas and clients, their training contract, and the skills you need to develop and become a successful solicitor. The event will be packed with opportunities for you to virtually meet their people, build relationships, and include valuable advice for your training contract application.
Register here [external link]
The Discover Placement and Mentoring Programme is an exciting new work experience programme aimed at high achieving applicants from under-represented groups in the legal profession.
Discover supports Shoosmiths' diversity, equity and inclusion goals [external link], taking a conscious, purpose-led approach. By introducing this placement Shoosmiths is driving progress in the diversity of their trainee cohorts and helping to address the wider challenge in the profession.
In advance of your placement, you’ll be matched with a professional mentor who will prepare you for your placement. They will act as a mentor throughout the placement, providing your with ongoing support right up to the training contract assessment centre and beyond.
On the one-week placement itself, you’ll experience a week in the life of a trainee solicitor, which will include real responsibility, working on case files, and attending meetings. Your week will be filled with a programme of learning - supported by your whole team, but a trainee solicitor will guide you through the working week and will answer any questions you may have. You’re likely to spend time with one or two teams, in one office, over the duration of your placement.
In addition to this, Shoosmiths will task you with completing a business development project which will help you to develop and showcase your innovative thinking.
Shoosmiths know you will have lots of questions, so there will be opportunities for you to get to know their people and spend time with them in a social environment too.
Why should I attend a placement?
You will have the opportunity to hear first-hand what current trainees and lawyers think about the firm. It's a fantastic opportunity to network, get to know their people, and ask Shoosmiths trainees about their training contract and their advice on assessment centres. Most importantly, you will be able to introduce yourself to Shoosmiths and make a great first impression, hoping that you will progress to the training contract assessment centre.
Who can apply for this placement?
The Discover Placement & Mentoring Programme is a diversity access scheme which is part of Shoosmiths recruitment for the 2027 training contract.
It is open to those who are a penultimate year undergraduate, a final year law or non-law undergraduate student, a postgraduate or career changer.
To apply for the Discover Placement & Mentoring Programme opportunity, you must:
- Be an aspiring solicitor interested in qualifying in England or Scotland.
- Be a penultimate year law undergraduate, or a final year law or non-law undergraduate student. GDL, LPC and SQE students are welcome to apply, as are graduates and career changers.
- Not have accepted a training contract with any law firm or legal team.
- Be eligible to work in the UK.
You should also be from at least one of the firms under-represented groups:
- Black, Asian or minority ethnic
- LGBTQ+
- Disabled, neurodivergent or have a long-term health condition
- Socially mobile (given this is not a defined characteristic in the Equalities Act 2010, there are multiple variations of this meaning but Shoosmiths consider this to include (but not limited to) candidates who:
i) attended a non-selective state school comprehensive educated and first generation of their family to attend university
ii) spent time in local authority care
iii) came to this country as a refugee
The placement will commence on 7 April 2025 for one week in our Edinburgh office.
Applications will open on 1 December 2024 until the 31 January 2025,you can submit your application here.
Training Contract 2027
Throughout your two-year training period at Shoosmiths, they'll give you the support to build your career and boost your skills in a stimulating and rewarding environment.
You will be guided by expert solicitors, working across a number of areas of law. In addition to legal knowledge, you’ll also develop skills in business development and client management.
We’re looking for great people who will work hard and be proud of who they are and what they do. Ambitious people thrive at Shoosmiths because of the enterprising and innovative way we work.
The training contracts typically run full-time for two years, where you’ll experience four six-month seats. You can see the current rate of pay for a trainee solicitor on their website. [external link]
The recruitment and selection process is designed to assess whether you have the potential to be an excellent solicitor at Shoosmiths. Shoosmiths assess this via the online application, an online strengths-based assessment, and an in-person assessment centre.
Applications will open on 1 December 2024 and close on 31 March 2025, you can submit your application here. [external link]
Careers Blog [external link]
Shoosmiths' careers blog, dedicated to sharing helpful advice to support your journey into a career in law.
Mailing List [external link]
Sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know when applications open, and when deadlines are coming up. You will also receive resources to help your through the recruitment process straight to your inbox.
Twitter: @shoosmiths [external link]
LinkedIn: Shoosmiths [external link]
Facebook: Shoosmiths Graduates [external link]
Instagram: @shoosmithsgrads [external link]
Email: joinus@shoosmiths.com [external link]
Others: Events platform [external link]