Travers Smith LLP |

Travers Smith is the firm of choice for ambitious organisations navigating complex, high-stakes legal challenges—both in the UK and globally. Our approach is built on deep expertise, independence, and genuine partnership: we treat our clients’ goals as our own, providing tailored solutions by truly understanding their needs and the rapid changes in the business world. We focus on three core areas—transactions, disputes & investigations, and complex advisory matters—which allows us to deliver premium, bespoke advice and help our clients stay ahead.

What truly sets us apart is our collaborative and inclusive culture. We deliberately invest in our people, offering outstanding training and development, and we put long-term success—yours and the firm’s—above short-term targets. Our supportive, close-knit environment means you can bring your whole self to work, share ideas across levels, and be part of a team that values diversity of thought and real teamwork. There are no chargeable hour targets, fewer silos, and more chances to get involved, connect, and grow alongside talented colleagues.

When you join Travers Smith, you join a firm that is confident, dynamic, and different by design—not just another City law firm. Here, you’ll gain responsibility early, work on exciting international matters, and benefit from a learning culture that values your wellbeing and ambitions as much as your expertise. If you want to start your legal career in a place where quality, culture, and personal growth truly matter, Travers Smith is where you belong.

At Travers Smith, you’ll be trusted with real responsibility from day one—speaking to clients, joining meetings, and managing your own work, all with plenty of support and guidance. That’s why we look for people who match academic strength with clear-headed judgement and practical sense; who are determined, communicative, and quick-thinking; who are motivated and bring a positive, down-to-earth attitude to their work, alongside a healthy sense of humour.

A law degree is not a necessity – over 45% of our trainees have non-law backgrounds.  

Our training is hands-on and wide-ranging, giving you the chance to work directly with Partners and Associates on real client matters from day one. There is responsibility that goes with this, but you won't be alone. All trainees sit with Partners and Associates through our room sharing system, which ensures a refreshing lack of hierarchy and unparallelled opportunities to learn by osmosis. 

You’ll rotate through four different departments over two years – with all trainees spending one of those rotations in one of our Corporate departments, and the rest in a spread of other departments.  This means you gain exposure to a variety of legal work, all within a supportive, non-hierarchical environment where learning from experienced lawyers is part of daily life. 

At Travers Smith, collaboration and respect are at the heart of our culture, so you’re always encouraged to be yourself while building close relationships and skills that will shape your future.

Apply online via our website at Early Careers | Travers Smith for a training contract commencing from September 2028, although earlier start dates are available.  

This year we will largely recruit for from our Summer Vacation Schemes, however we are also running a Direct Training Contract process. Candidates will be asked to apply directly via our website. Any updates will be available on our website and social media channels.

Our Vacation Schemes take place twice in the year in the form of two 2-week schemes in the Summer.

Vacation Scheme students will be paid £750 for completing each week. 

The scheme will follow our internal programme, which includes a number of talks, workshops, and a negotiating exercise. There will also be department insights and close contact with trainees. The week is designed specifically for students to be given an authentic taste of a City lawyer's work. There are also working lunches and informal evening events. 

The exact dates of each scheme are:15 June to 26 June 2026, and 29 June to 10 July 2026

Applications will be opened on 3 November 2025 (Midday) and will close on 14 January 2026 (Midday). Interviews will only be allocated once all applications have been processed.

Please note our interview process will be held virtually and run by a senior member of our Early Careers Panel. For more information on the panel please visit our recruitment team webpage.

At Travers Smith, we believe in nurturing future talent through a challenging and rewarding journey. Our Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship is a six-year programme designed to launch outstanding legal careers—offering real responsibility, tailored support, and unrivalled learning every step of the way. You’ll be a valued member of our collaborative and inclusive environment, benefiting from one-to-one mentorship, meaningful guidance, and continuous professional growth.

For four days each week, you’ll work within one of our core fee-earning teams, sitting alongside and learning from our experienced lawyers. Across six years, you’ll rotate through eight different market-leading departments, gaining deep exposure to a wide range of legal work and an eclectic mix of clients. Throughout, you’ll be empowered to contribute fully to your teams and develop as both a professional and a person.

One day a week, you’ll study with BPP University, progressing toward both an LLB in Law and completing your Solicitors Qualifying Exam. Your studies will cover tutor-led seminars, independent work and portfolio assessments—all with course fees fully funded by Travers Smith. 

On completion of the six years, you’ll qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales and be eligible to apply for a newly qualified associate role here at Travers Smith, all while earning a salary and building a future to be proud of. 

At Travers Smith, supporting your wellbeing and ambitions is central to our culture – and that's reflected in our benefits package. We offer a flexible, market-leading benefits platform, giving you choice over a wide range of high-quality perks, many fully funded by the firm or offered at discounted rates. 

We recognise that everyone's needs are different, so you can tailor your benefits package to suit your priorities – whether that's travel cover to support the 27 days' annual leave everyone receives, environmentally conscious pensions, charitable giving options, electric cars, or generous family-focused benefits like comprehensive parental leave. Our ongoing investment in these benefits is just one of the ways we help out people thrive both in and out of work, ensuring there's something for everyone. 

At the heart of Travers Smith’s culture is Braithwaites, our award-winning, sustainable, fully subsidised café. More than just a place to eat, Braithwaites brings colleagues together—offering delicious, sustainably sourced food in a welcoming space that reflects our commitment to wellbeing and shared values. Whether grabbing a morning coffee, enjoying a healthy lunch, or catching up with the team, it's a hub for connection, collaboration and community across the firm.

At Travers Smith, we know diversity and inclusion are about much more than box-ticking—they are essential to who we are and to the quality of our work. We actively celebrate the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that everyone brings, because we believe they help us thrive and drive better outcomes for our clients and our people. Our culture of allyship, visible role models, and genuine respect empowers everyone to bring their authentic selves to work and fulfil their potential.

We back up this commitment with action. Our six professional networks, each led by a partner, provide support, connection, and strategic input across the firm. These networks—REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage), LGBTQ+, Faith Resources, Gender Balance, Enable (focusing on accessibility needs), and the Social Mobility Group—reflect our belief in fostering community, encouraging dialogue, and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard at Travers Smith.

At Travers Smith, our commitment to responsible business is woven into the fabric of our culture. Our award-winning CSR Programme is vibrant and continually evolving, driven by the passion and involvement of our people. It’s much more than giving back—it’s about sharing knowledge, building skills, and connecting meaningfully with diverse communities and audiences. By engaging in our four key focus areas—community engagement, charitable partnerships, support for emerging artists, and pro bono legal work—we help shape not only our industry, but society at large. Through these collective efforts, everyone at Travers Smith has the chance to make a real impact, grow as individuals, and recognise our broader role beyond the world of business.

At Travers Smith, we use our legal expertise to drive positive change—addressing environmental risks, promoting sustainability, supporting vulnerable people, and championing an open, inclusive global society grounded in the rule of law. Our award-winning pro bono programme focuses on impactful partnerships and legal work across four priority areas: 

1. Climate, environment, and sustainability
2. Diversity, inclusion and social mobility
3. Vulnerable groups (refugees, survivors of domestic violence and survivors of human trafficking)
4. Rule of Law

Through these efforts, we aim to make a meaningful difference both within our profession and in the wider world.

Recent highlights include: 

• Partnering with JUSTICE on their rule of law work, to conduct an extensive investigation into the treatment of Black, Brown and racialised girls and young women in the criminal justice system.
• Founding and launching the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA), the largest ever project of its nature, which has provided legal advice and representation to over 280 survivors of domestic abuse in need of protective injunctions.
• As a member of the Green Tech Legal Collaborative, spearheaded by Bloomberg, we provided pro bono legal support to 12 ‘green tech’ startups from Imperial College's Enterprise Lab, which aim to address climate change and promote sustainability.
• Working with Foundervine for over 6 years to increase access to entrepreneurship by providing legal mentoring and delivering masterclasses, including as part of the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator programme.