Welcome to our student guide on Shoosmiths training contract and vacation scheme. Shoosmiths is a leading law firm with accolades in many areas of law, an exciting team, and more importantly an excellent training programme. Below, you will learn everything you need to know about how to succeed in your application to Shoosmiths.
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 Shoosmiths Training Contract?
The Shoosmiths Training Contract is a gateway to a legal career within the firm, offering a two-year training period that is designed to develop both legal knowledge and practical skills in business development and client management. Trainees are taken in twice a year, with the larger intake in September and a smaller one in March, available at select offices. Throughout the training, candidates work on large workloads, engage with partners and clients, and learn to handle the pressures of a legal career.
Your hard work, ambition, and pride in your profession will be essential, as Shoosmiths values a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds. You’ll enjoy a work culture that supports a healthy work-life balance and offers flexibility. Before you begin, you’ll need to complete the requisite legal education, for which Shoosmiths may provide funding. The selection process will assess your potential through various stages, ensuring you’re well-suited to excel at the firm. Make sure to check out our training contract deadlines calendar.
Work-life balance is emphasized, with no expectation of ‘face-time’ and a willingness to consider flexible working hours. Applicants must have completed the LPC or SQE in England, or the Diploma in Scotland, with funding available for postgraduate studies.
Shoosmiths Training Contract Requirements
To apply for a Shoosmiths Training Contract, you must meet certain requirements.
- Be in the penultimate or final year of a law degree, or a graduate, in England or Scotland.
- Be a final year non-law student or a graduate, in England.
- Be a Scottish non-law student from the first year of the accelerated LLB or afterwards.
- Have ‘CCC’ at A-Level or equivalent. No A-level law requirement.
- Hold a degree in any discipline.
- Meet a minimum score on competency questions and overall application form score during the application process.
What is the Shoosmiths Vacation Scheme
The Shoosmiths Vacation Scheme is an immersive experience where participants live a week in the life of a trainee solicitor. This includes working on actual case files, attending meetings, and taking on real responsibilities. A trainee mentor supports participants throughout this period, providing guidance and answering any queries.
In addition to practical legal work, participants undertake a business development project, allowing them to demonstrate innovative thinking. The scheme offers a valuable opportunity to network, understand the firm’s culture, and make a solid impression on future colleagues and mentors. Apply in time with our vacation scheme deadlines calendar.
The placements are in-person, last one week, and are compensated. It’s also part of the recruitment process for the training contract at Shoosmiths, meaning that successful candidates from the vacation scheme may be invited to an assessment center for the training contract without needing an additional application.
Summer Vacation Scheme at Shoosmiths
The Shoosmiths Summer Vacation Scheme is an essential component for students seeking to gain a firsthand glimpse into life as a trainee solicitor. Participants engage in a week-long, in-person experience, handling real case files, attending meetings, and carrying out a business development project.
This program is designed to provide an authentic feel for the firm’s culture and work environment. Trainees are supported throughout by mentors and have the opportunity to network with legal professionals. Successful participants in the vacation scheme may directly progress to a training contract assessment center, streamlining the recruitment process.
What You Will Do at Shoosmiths Vacation Scheme
During the Shoosmiths Vacation Scheme, you will undertake a variety of activities that mirror the responsibilities of a trainee solicitor. This includes:
- Working on actual case files, providing a realistic view of the legal processes.
- Attending meetings to gain insight into client interactions and case discussions.
- Completing a business development project to hone your innovative thinking skills.
- Engaging in social events to build relationships with team members and learn about the firm’s culture.
- Receiving mentorship from an assigned trainee solicitor who will guide you and answer any questions about working in law and life at Shoosmiths.
Application Process for Training Contract and Vacation Scheme at Shoosmiths
The application process for Shoosmiths differs depending on the type of your application.
- For the Vacation Scheme, submit your application by 28th February. If successful, you will be notified in March and invited to an online video interview. Following a successful interview, you will be notified in April, after which you can accept your place, and your placement will be arranged.
- For the Training Contract, applications must be submitted by 31st May. If successful, you will be notified and invited for an online video interview in May/June. If you pass this stage, you will be notified in June to attend an Assessment Day in late June or early July. Success at the Assessment Day will result in securing a Training Contract, with notifications sent out in early July.
It’s important to note that Shoosmiths does not include psychometric, verbal, or numerical reasoning tests like the Watson Glaser Test at any stage of the application or assessment process.
Shoosmiths emphasizes clear communication throughout the process, ensuring that every applicant receives updates about their application status. They also reserve the right to close applications early if all places are filled, so it’s advisable to apply as soon as possible. Answering application questions like why this law firm or why study law is much easier with our complete guides.
Why You Should Apply to Shoosmith?
Applying to Shoosmiths offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a stimulating and rewarding environment where proactive individuals thrive. The firm fosters a culture where hard work is valued alongside innovation and creativity. You’ll join a team that operates within a positive, professional, and cooperative culture, with a strong focus on delivering client-centric solutions. Shoosmiths values diversity and believes a variety of perspectives leads to smarter solutions.
At Shoosmiths, you’ll be part of a forward-moving, imaginative firm that embraces challenges and empowers its people to think flexibly about when, where, and how to work, ensuring a balance that promotes both personal well-being and professional excellence. By applying, you are stepping into a role where you are encouraged to be yourself, make a difference, and contribute to a culture that has been at the heart of the firm’s success.
History of Shoosmiths
Shoosmiths LLP is a prominent UK law firm with a rich history dating back to its founding in 1845 in Northampton. Over the years, the firm has expanded significantly, now boasting 13 offices across the United Kingdom in major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Belfast, as well as an international office in Brussels. Originally known for its regional presence, particularly in out-of-town locations such as the Solent and Milton Keynes, Shoosmiths has grown to become a major player in the legal industry.
The firm has been advising people and businesses for over 165 years and has established itself as a major legal service provider for some of the biggest and best-known FTSE companies, as well as many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious businesses. Despite its growth and evolution, Shoosmiths remains true to its roots with one of its four divisions still dedicated to addressing the personal legal needs of individuals.
In recent years, Shoosmiths has experienced remarkable growth, with a turnover reaching £181.8 million, underlining its success and the robustness of its operations both in the UK and internationally. This historical journey from a regional law firm to an influential legal entity underscores Shoosmiths’ enduring legacy and its commitment to serving a diverse client base while staying grounded in its founding principles.
What Makes Shoosmiths Stand Out
Shoosmiths stands out for the following reasons:
- Inclusive and Collaborative Culture: The firm promotes a non-hierarchical structure and open-plan offices that foster teamwork and communication, embodying the firm’s core values.
- Innovation: Recognized for its innovative approach by the Financial Times, Shoosmiths has integrated advanced technologies and innovative practices into its operations.
- Commitment to ESG: The firm is actively engaged in environmental and social governance, participating in science-based initiatives for emissions reduction and supporting communities through The Shoosmiths Foundation.
- Diverse Clientele: Working with clients who are leaders in their fields, the firm offers trainees the chance to deal with interesting and complex legal and commercial matters.
- Effective Use of Social Media: The firm’s adept use of social media for graduate recruitment helps distinguish it in a crowded marketplace and demonstrates a modern approach to engaging with potential trainees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the frequently asked questions regarding the Shoosmiths training contract and vacation scheme:
How many trainees do Shoosmiths take on?
Shoosmiths has two annual intakes of trainees, one in September and another in March. The September intake is typically larger, with around 26 trainees, while the March intake is smaller, usually around 8 trainees, and is available in select offices such as Birmingham, Thames Valley, and Manchester.
The firm aims to balance the intake over the future years with about 20 trainees in the autumn and 10 in the spring. Overall, Shoosmiths has increased its recruitment of new trainee solicitors from 22 to 30 annually. Currently, they have 70 trainees and offer 36 training contract vacancies.
Why do you want to be a trainee at Shoosmiths?
In regards to why one would want to be a trainee at Shoosmiths, it’s subjective and would depend on an individual’s career goals and values. However, potential reasons could include the firm’s commitment to innovation, its inclusive culture, its reputation for being one of Europe’s most innovative law firms, its engagement with leading clients, and its active role in community support and environmental governance.
Is Shoosmiths a big firm?
Shoosmiths is considered a large firm, although not a magic circle law firm, with over 1500 colleagues across fourteen UK and European locations, indicating a substantial presence and significant operational capacity within the legal industry.
Do Shoosmiths recruit on a rolling basis?
As for recruitment on a rolling basis, Shoosmiths does not recruit on a rolling basis. The firm has a set deadline for training contract applications, usually by the end of May, and they notify applicants of their progression to online video interviews and assessment days, which take place in late June or early July.
However, when applying for a training contract starting in September of a particular year, applicants will also be considered for the following March intake, suggesting a degree of flexibility in their recruitment process.
