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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)
"Not your average law firm."
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

"Think about what will set you apart from other good candidates and research the firm..."
Culture

"The culture can be highly specific to each office. For example, some that are not..."
Formal Training

"I would definitely say that there is recognition of the importance of training. A..."
Informal Training & Mentoring

"Everyone is personable and friendly and the supervision is supportive without being..."
Offices & Dress

"I think the Solent office is a great office although it is on a business park which..."
Hours

"My hours are generally consistent but can be erratic at times. To its credit, the..."
Salary

"Pay is market rate and, like a grad scheme, increases on qualification."
Perks

"Perks include free conveyancing after a year of employment."
Interview Process

"They are looking for intelligent, commercially aware students who show enthusiasm,..."
Interview Questions

"My interview mainly consisted of competency based questions."
Green Initiatives

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

"Generally very good. A lot of senior women with children."
Career Prospects

""
Satisfaction with Work

"I am satisfied with the work that I have been assigned so far. My day-to-day role..."
Pro Bono

"I have worked on the trainee challenge, in which the first year trainees were challenged..."
Pluses

"The people. The level of work and responsibility. The level of engagement. The emphasis..."
Minuses

"The pay and lack of a London office."
Why your firm?

"I applied here because of the firm's friendly nature, and the fact that it was an..."
Trainee Retention

"Retention rates are good. It is a fairly transparent process with early indication..."
Fun Facts

"Despite the confusion of some people that call our office, we are not a cobblers!..."
In a few words

"Down to earth and impressive lawyers."
Social Mobility

"I am from a less privileged background and I felt comfortable applying to Shoosmiths..."
Level of Stress

"Depends on workloads."
One Small Change

"More secondment opportunities and international secondments."
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