Shoosmiths

Introduction

Shoosmiths is a national law firm with a difference. We’re not different in what we do, but in the way we do it. Our approach to meeting clients' requirements is based on the simple premise that each client has a unique challenge and deserve to get the best service, expertise and attention. We want to build and maintain our reputation for providing all of our clients with valued legal services.

How to have your cake and eat it

Here at Shoosmiths we’ve found a winning formula – we offer high quality work to an impressive client list, yet still promote a healthy work/life balance for all staff.

As a Trainee you will be encouraged to participate in many social and sporting activities. You could be representing the firm at cricket, football, netball or hockey or equally you could be representing your team at the local pub quiz or table football tournament. We also regularly organise events for our clients, which could be anything from golf to a day at the races. Trainees are encouraged to participate in all business development activities and have been known to initiate and organise popular events themselves.

Shoosmiths takes its corporate social responsibilities very seriously. Our nominated charities for this year are Teenage Cancer Trust and Help for Heroes and all staff are encouraged to support these as much as possible. Staff have also jumped out of planes, run half-marathons, painted a local school and played golf – all for charitable causes.

Trainee life

As a Trainee, you will complete four seats of six months in length each. The areas listed on this page should give you a good indication of the type of work that Shoosmiths covers, but please note that Training Seats are not necessarily available in all of these areas of law, or in every location.

At Shoosmiths, we don’t stand on ceremony. We offer a relaxed, supportive, down-to-earth office environment with the majority of our office space being open plan. This means that, as a Trainee, you’ll be sitting amongst the whole team (from whom you may receive a variety of work during your seat) and you’ll most probably be sat next to your supervising Partner. You can also expect to have direct contact with clients and you will draft your own letters and documents.

We run dedicated 'Trainee Training Days' every other month, where all Trainees across the firm come together for a day's training in one of our offices. You will be trained on a mix of legal skills and soft skills training.

Trainee essentials

• Sense of humour
• Proactive
• Ready to learn (and make mistakes)
• Motivated to provide a consistent level of service to all clients (internal and external)
• 2.1 degree (obtained or predicted) with consistent A level and GCSE results.

Commendation for Diversity Award 2010 from LawCareers.Net