Shoosmiths |

How can I start my legal career at Shoosmiths?

We offer a variety of opportunities for school leavers, university students and graduates. Depending on where you are in your academic journey, you’ll be eligible to take part in different events and apply for a range of vacancies designed to support your development and career ambitions.

Insight evenings

Our virtual insight evenings offer a behind-the-scenes look at life at Shoosmiths. You’ll explore our divisions, discover how we support clients, and learn about the opportunities available across our early careers pathways — including training contracts, solicitor apprenticeships, and our Discover Vacation Scheme.

These sessions are a great way to understand our culture, meet our people, and gain practical advice to support your journey into law. They run from 17:45 to 19:15 and are open to anyone considering a career as a solicitor.

Apply to attend an insight evening by following this page and filling out a short application form. 

Placement scheme

Discover is Shoosmiths’ purpose-led work experience programme designed to support high-achieving aspiring solicitors from under-represented backgrounds. It combines a one-week in-person placement with professional mentoring, helping candidates build confidence, gain real legal experience, and prepare for the training contract assessment centre.

What can I expect? Before the placement begins, you’ll be matched with a mentor who will guide you through the experience and offer ongoing support — from preparation to application and beyond. During the placement, you’ll work on live case files, attend meetings, and complete a business development project to showcase your commercial awareness and creativity. You’ll be supported by your team and a dedicated trainee mentor throughout the week.

There will also be opportunities to network, ask questions, and get to know our people in a relaxed social setting. It’s a chance to experience life at Shoosmiths, build your professional skills, and make a strong first impression.

How does the recruitment process work? The recruitment process includes an online application and a strengths-based assessment. If successful, you’ll be invited to attend the placement, which is paid and runs for one week. You’ll be assessed during the placement, and if successful, you’ll progress directly to our in-person training contract assessment centre — no additional application required.

Who can apply?
The Discover Vacation Placement & Mentoring Programme is a diversity access scheme which is part of our recruitment for the training contract .

To apply for the Discover placement & mentoring programme opportunity, you must meet our eligibility criteria, which can be found here.

Training contract

As a trainee solicitor, you’ll work on live case files, engage directly with clients, and may even go on secondment. You’ll be supported by experienced solicitors and collaborate across a variety of legal teams, gaining exposure to both contentious and non-contentious areas of law.

When and where can I start a training contract at Shoosmiths? Shoosmiths recruits onto its rotational training contract once a year, with a single trainee solicitor intake starting each September. We typically recruit two years in advance, giving you plenty of time to prepare for your journey into law. Training contracts are offered in our Edinburgh, Birmingham, London, Leeds, and Manchester offices. 

Trainee Seats - Over two years, you’ll complete four six-month seats, developing legal expertise alongside business development and client management skills. You’ll work closely with partners and clients, and be expected to take initiative and manage deadlines. Shoosmiths offers seats across a wide range of practice areas, including core teams in commercial, banking & finance, corporate, litigation services, and real estate. Additional seats may be available in areas such as intellectual property, EU & competition law, pensions, insurance, regulatory & compliance, planning, construction, and engineering. There are no compulsory seats, but you must train in at least three distinct areas of law, including one contentious and one non-contentious seat. Your training will align with the requirements set by the relevant law society.

What do you look for in a trainee solicitors? We’re looking for ambitious, authentic individuals with strong academics and the ability to apply their thinking in real-world scenarios. Applications are welcome from all degree disciplines and backgrounds, including non-law students and career changers. We take a holistic view during assessment and value the diverse experiences candidates bring. 

Work-life balance - Shoosmiths is known for its positive, inclusive culture and refreshing lack of hierarchy. We actively promote work-life balance and offer flexible working where needed — there’s no ‘face-time’ culture here. If you’ve done what you need to do, it’s time to go home.

How does the recruitment process work? The recruitment and selection process is designed to assess whether you have the potential to be an excellent solicitor at Shoosmiths. We assess this via the online application, an online strengths-based assessment, and an in-person assessment centre. More information about what to expect in the application and assessment stage can be found on our careers blog.

What else do I need to know?  You can see the current rate of pay for a trainee solicitor on the FAQ page of our website. You will be required to complete all of the elements of the LPC or SQE (England) or the Diploma (Scotland), before your training contract commences. If you are a non-law graduate, you will also need to complete a law conversion course called the PGDL (England) or the accelerated LLB (Scotland). We do offer funding towards your postgraduate studies.

Solicitor Apprenticeship at Shoosmiths

Our six-year solicitor apprenticeship offers an alternative route into law for ambitious school leavers. You’ll work four days a week gaining hands-on experience across legal and business support teams, while studying one day a week towards your qualification. Apprentices develop technical knowledge, practical skills, and complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to qualify.

Apprenticeship seats - You will start your apprenticeship with a year in Business Development, learning more about our clients, our business and the services we provide. You’ll then rotate through departments such as commercial, corporate, litigation, and real estate, with opportunities in areas like intellectual property, pensions, and construction. 

Who can apply? This programme is open to those without a degree and looking for an alternative to university – typically this will include final year school leavers who have completed, or who are completing, their A-Levels. To apply, you’ll need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9–4 (including English and Maths) and ABB at A-Level. These requirements align with the entry criteria for the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme delivered by BPP University.

How does the recruitment process work? The recruitment and selection process is designed to assess whether you have the potential to be an excellent solicitor at Shoosmiths. We assess this via the online application, an online strengths-based assessment, and an in-person assessment centre. More information about what to expect in the application and assessment stage can be found on our careers blog.

What else do I need to know? You can see the current rate of pay for a solicitor apprentice on the FAQ page of our website.