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Shoosmiths

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)
"Approachable, caring and fun."
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

"Well-rounded individuals with enthusiasm to get involved."
Culture

"Teamwork is a huge focus at Shoosmiths. There is complete visibility throughout the..."
Formal Training

"There's great-quality training on a wide range of legal skills including drafting..."
Informal Training & Mentoring

"All trainees are assigned a supervisor who arranges regular one-to-ones on a monthly..."
Offices & Dress

"Birmingham has a really nice open-plan office. There are hundreds of staff but they..."
Hours

"Trainees aren't expected to stay and work for the sake of it. That said, it isn't..."
Salary

"I think that our salary is a little behind other trainees in the area, however, the..."
Perks

"Birthday perks - you get an extra day off and a £50 gift voucher. Expenses are paid..."
Interview Process

"The assessment is focused around an assessment day which includes an interview, a..."
Interview Questions

"I was asked why I wanted to work for Shoosmiths, and to give examples of competency..."
Green Initiatives

"Lights are switched off over night. The firm recently installed a new printer system..."
Diversity

"The firms has won awards for our commitment to diversity. Diversity training forms..."
Career Prospects

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Satisfaction with Work

"I am regularly in contact with our clients and am able to play an active role in..."
Pro Bono

"Shoosmiths has both firm charities of the year and office charities of the year."
Pluses

"Best of both worlds: high quality work and a good work/life balance."
Minuses

"The salary could be higher in my opinion."
Why your firm?

"I chose Shoosmiths for their culture and values, practice areas, and the size and..."
Trainee Retention

"Retention rates are 50:50, but the firm really tries to retain trainees where it..."
Fun Facts

"In every McDonald's in the UK there will be a licence with the firm's stamp at the..."
In a few words

"Friendly and sociable with a good level of work and clients."
Social Mobility

"It's a very meritocratic process gaining recognition at Shoosmiths. I believe the..."
Level of Stress

"Depends on workloads."
One Small Change

"I would like there to be more training seats."
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