This guide provides an in-depth look at one of the City’s most prestigious law firms, Travers Smith, offering key insights into its training contracts, vacation schemes, culture, and values. You will learn about the requirements, application process, program structure, and what to expect during your training.
Having a well-crafted legal CV and a personalized cover letter can significantly increase your chances of securing a training contract or a vacation scheme.
What is the Travers Smith Training Contract?
As you embark on the two-year Travers Smith training contract, you’ll gain extensive legal experience by rotating through various departments. You’ll spend a minimum of six months with the corporate teams and another six months in a contentious area, such as dispute resolution or employment law. This prestigious training contract offers a relaxed and supportive environment, even within the high-stakes atmosphere of a City finance firm.
The firm offers up to 40 training contracts and typically fills most of these positions through its vacation schemes. There are three summer vacation schemes and one winter vacation scheme, with about 15 places available in each, giving candidates multiple opportunities to join the firm. The application for these positions requires a CV and a cover letter, indicating a selection process focused on individual merits and potential. Stay up-to-date with training contract deadlines and know exactly when to apply to Travers Smith.
Travers Smith Training Contract Requirements
For the Travers Smith training contract, the requirements include:
- Academic Requirements: Grades are not considered during the application process, instead a contextual approach to recruitment is used. However, a minimum AAB at A-levels and a 2:1 at a university degree is recommended.
- Recruitment: Primary recruitment is through vacation schemes, with direct applications considered for any remaining spaces.
- Candidate Qualities: Seek individuals with academic excellence, common sense, determination, articulateness, quick thinking, self-motivation, and a sense of humor.
- Non-Law Graduates: Over 40% of trainees have non-law backgrounds; a law degree is not essential.
- Training Structure: Rotations through four legal departments, including corporate and possibly dispute resolution or employment, with an option to spend time in the Paris office.
- Financial Support: Full payment of PGDL fees and SQE fees and a maintenance grant (PGDL – £13,500, SQE – £20,000)
What is the Travers Smith Vacation Scheme
The Travers Smith vacation scheme is an integral component of the firm’s recruitment process, designed to give students a real-life experience of working in a City law firm. Here are key points about the scheme:
- Program Structure: Two-week summer vacation schemes are scheduled for June and July. Additionally, there’s a one-week winter scheme.
- Compensation: Students will receive £750 per week.
- Degree Requirements: Applicants from any degree background are considered, not just law.
- Application and Selection: Applications are submitted online, with the recruitment process involving virtual interviews conducted by the Graduate Recruitment Panel.
The vacation scheme serves as a pathway to a training contract, with many trainees recruited through this scheme. Find out when vacation scheme deadlines are.
Winter Vacation Scheme at Travers Smith
The Travers Smith winter vacation scheme is a concise yet intensive program that provides participants with a deep dive into the life of a City lawyer. Here’s what you need to know:
- Duration: The winter scheme runs for one week in December
- Application Period: Applications for the winter scheme open in early September 2023 and close in mid-October.
Summer Vacation Scheme at Travers Smith
The Travers Smith summer vacation scheme is a comprehensive introduction to the workings of a City law firm, offering the following features:
- Duration: Two two-week schemes, running from 24 June to 5 July and from 8 July to 19 July 2024
- Application Period: Applications for the summer scheme open in early October 2023 and close in mid-January.
What You Will Do During Travers Smith Vacation Scheme
During the Travers Smith vacation scheme, participants will engage in a variety of activities aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the life of a City lawyer:
- Structured Programme: The scheme follows an internal programme consisting of talks, workshops, and a negotiating exercise.
- Insights and Interaction: Participants will gain insights into different departments and will have the opportunity for close contact with current trainees.
- Real-World Experience: The design of the scheme aims to give students an authentic taste of the work, responsibilities, and environment of a City lawyer.
- Networking Opportunities: There are working lunches and informal evening events, providing chances for networking and socializing.
This hands-on experience is integral for understanding the practical aspects of working at a law firm like Travers Smith.
Application Process for Training Contract and Vacation Scheme at Travers Smith
The application process for Travers Smith’s training contract and vacation scheme is detailed and structured to select candidates who are a strong fit for the firm. Here’s a comprehensive look at the process:
- Online Application: Candidates must apply online through the Travers Smith website. The application should include a CV and a short cover letter. There are no psychometric testing, like the Watson Glaser Test, involved in the application process.
- Vacation Schemes: The firm largely recruits its trainees for the training contract from these schemes. If you are applying for a vacation scheme, you will need to attend only one interview, which will be with a graduate recruitment partner at the London office.
- Interviews: Interviews for the vacation scheme are held virtually and are conducted by a senior member of the Graduate Recruitment Panel. The interview process for direct training contract applicants will commence only if there are available spaces after the vacation schemes.
Improve the way you answer why this law firm and why study law application questions with our detailed guides.
Travers Smith ensures that any updates regarding the application process are communicated through their website and social media channels, so it is vital for candidates to stay informed by checking these platforms regularly.
Why You Should Apply to Travers Smith?
Applying to Travers Smith offers several distinct advantages, which set it apart from other firms:
- Innovative Culture: Travers Smith boasts a culture of innovation, independence, and humor, valuing lawyers who take their work seriously without taking themselves too seriously.
- Learning Environment: The firm’s unique room-sharing structure fosters a non-hierarchical culture, offering trainees direct learning opportunities from senior lawyers and a broad range of work and client contact, underlining their focus on individual development and high retention rates.
- Global Reach: Despite not having numerous international offices, the firm maintains a global presence through partnerships, allowing trainees to work on international matters and build worldwide relationships.
- Collaborative Spirit: Collaboration is at the core of the firm’s culture, encouraging contributions from all levels to solve legal problems, ensuring a blend of friendly engagement with professional rigor.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Travers Smith values and promotes diversity, running various initiatives to ensure an inclusive work environment for everyone, respecting individual differences in numerous aspects.
History of Travers Smith
The history of Travers Smith is both rich and influential within the legal landscape of the United Kingdom:
- Origins: Founded by Samuel Amory in 1810, Travers Smith has its roots deeply embedded in London’s legal history. The firm’s name reflects its familial heritage, with Joseph Travers Smith, the grandson of Samuel Amory through his daughter Ann and her husband John Travers, becoming the senior partner in 1851.
- Growth and Expansion: Known for its stable growth, the firm has historically expanded organically, particularly after the Second World War. Unlike many UK-based peers, Travers Smith chose to maintain its independence rather than merging or extensively expanding overseas.
- Recognition: The firm has been recognized for its excellence, winning UK Law Firm of the Year in both 2007 and 2012, which speaks to its prestige and standing in the legal community.
- Modern Developments: In recent history, Travers Smith has also shown adaptability, such as when it converted to a limited liability partnership in July 2008, aligning with modern legal business structures.
What Makes Travers Smith Stand Out
Travers Smith stands out as a law firm for several reasons:
- International Experience: Trainees can request a corporate seat in Travers Smith’s Paris office and associates have the opportunity for international secondments to places like the U.S., Japan, and India, highlighting the firm’s commitment to global legal practice.
- Employee Excellence: The firm is characterized by lawyers who are not only academically excellent but also articulate and quick-thinking, demonstrating a high intellectual standard.
- Unique Interview Process: The firm advises prospective applicants to actively network and prepare for an interview experience that deviates from the norm, indicating a preference for candidates who are adaptable and can handle the unexpected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the frequently asked questions regarding the Travers Smith training contract and vacation scheme:
How many training contracts does Travers Smith have?
Travers Smith offers up to 40 training contract places annually. However, the actual numbers may vary and depend on the expected workload of the firm.
Is Travers Smith a good firm to work for?
Reviews indicate that Travers Smith is well-regarded by its employees, over 85% would recommend the firm to a friend. The firm scores highly on culture and values, senior management, compensation and benefits, work/life balance, diversity and inclusion, and career opportunities.
How much does a partner at Travers Smith make?
The highest-paid partner at Travers Smith took home £2 million in the previous year, which was a 33% increase over the top earner of the year before.
How much does Travers Smith NQ make in London?
Newly Qualified (NQ) solicitors at Travers Smith in London receive a base salary of £110,000, which can increase to between £110,000 and £130,000 after bonuses. Learn all about solicitor salaries in our comprehensive guide.
What do Travers Smith look for in trainees?
Travers Smith looks for candidates who are academically excellent, articulate, and can think on their feet. They also emphasize the importance of attending presentations and law fairs to network with trainees and partners, showcasing a genuine interest in the firm over others. Additionally, the firm values diversity and seeks individuals who respect and contribute to an inclusive work environment.
What is the retention rate for Travers Smith trainees?
Travers Smith has a high trainee retention rate, recently reported to be over 95%.
What is the minimum A level for Travers Smith?
Historically, Travers Smith required AAB at A-level and a 2:1 degree. However, they have since adopted a contextual recruitment approach, which means they also consider mitigating circumstances, making these grades no longer a strict requirement. There is no requirement for you to take A-level law.
Is Travers Smith a Silver Circle firm?
Travers Smith is not typically categorized as a Silver Circle firm. The Silver Circle refers to a group of corporate law firms in the UK that are perceived as providing the highest quality legal services and have a high revenue per lawyer but are smaller than the Magic Circle law firms. Travers Smith is an independent City law firm known for its high-quality work and unique culture.
How many vacation scheme places does Travers Smith have?
Travers Smith offers 72 vacation scheme places. These are divided among the schemes that run throughout the year, with 20 places available for each of the summer schemes.
