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Insider reviews

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Get the inside view from graduates at Shoosmiths

8.8 / 10 Overall Satisfaction
(based on 11 ratings in 2019)
"A melting pot of different people."
Culture
9.5 / 10
 
Formal Training
8.4 / 10
 
Informal Training & Mentoring
8.2 / 10
 
Offices & Dress
8.1 / 10
 
Hours
8.7 / 10
 
Salary
7.1 / 10
 
Green Initiatives
8.0 / 10
 
Diversity
8.8 / 10
 
Satisfaction with Work
7.9 / 10
 
Pro Bono
8.3 / 10
 
Trainee Retention
8.0 / 10
 

Pros

  • The firm is very sociable with a relaxed and friendly environment.
  • Trainees get a good amount of responsibility and client interaction from an early stage.
  • The work/life balance of trainees is treated with importance.
  • Very strong mentoring and detailed feedback is given regularly.

Cons

  • There’s relatively low remuneration compared to other firms.
  • Some trainees would like to have more secondment opportunities.
  • While the firm is flexible, some departments can have demanding hours.
  • Retention rates can vary a lot between departments.

What insiders say about...

Interview: Tips & Advice

"Online application then assessment day. It is beneficial to secure a vacation scheme..."
Culture

"There is no obvious hierarchy at Shoosmiths. The open-plan offices enhance the team..."
Formal Training

"You are assigned a supervisor in your department who makes sure you are given a good..."
Informal Training & Mentoring

"Everyone is willing to sit down and go through work you have completed while giving..."
Offices & Dress

"Most of the offices are very nice, but one is in need of a bit of refurbishment...."
Hours

"Recently, I have been working fairly long hours, but on average they are very reasonable...."
Salary

"It's pretty standard for a trainee salary."
Perks

"Gift vouchers for your birthday, Easter eggs at Easter and a selection box at Christmas...."
Interview Process

"You start with an application which asks skills based questions. There is then an..."
Interview Questions

"There were numerous competency based questions asking me to demonstrate when I had..."
Green Initiatives

"While it can be difficult for a law firm to reduce its impact on the environment,..."
Diversity

"Shoosmiths genuinely recruits people from a diverse range of backgrounds, something..."
Career Prospects

""
Satisfaction with Work

"Trainees at Shoosmiths are offered City quality work and clients with a much more..."
Pro Bono

"I have not yet completed pro bono work for the firm, but I will be conducting some..."
Pluses

"The extremely friendly working environment is a plus for me!"
Minuses

"Junior lawyer salaries could be better."
Why your firm?

"Based in Manchester, established training programme, good clients."
Trainee Retention

"The firm has fairly good retention rates."
Fun Facts

"The Solent office has a charity tuck box and a drinks trolley most Fridays that raise..."
In a few words

"Excellent work, quality clients and approachable colleagues."
Social Mobility

"Each office has Diversity Champions. I am a Diversity Champion for the Solent office..."
Level of Stress

"Depends on workloads."
One Small Change

"More information on the different seats available when you start your training contract..."
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