Opportunities at Shoosmiths

At Shoosmiths, we offer a diverse range of opportunities tailored for aspiring solicitors at every stage of their journey. Whether you’re considering the routes to qualification, transitioning from another career, or a recent graduate eager to apply your knowledge, we have something for you. Explore our comprehensive list of opportunities available throughout 2025 and discover how you can grow with us.

From placements and training contracts to apprenticeships and insight evenings, Shoosmiths is committed to supporting your career aspirations and helping you achieve your goals.

You can stay up to date on all of the below vacancies by signing up to our mailing list, we will let you know when applications open and when deadlines are looming. Plus, you will get notified of additional resources to help you get to know Shoosmiths before submitting your application, all straight to your inbox.

Thinking about applying for vacancies? Before you dive in, we highly recommend attending a Shoosmiths Virtual Insight Evening. These events are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Shoosmiths as a business, gain invaluable tips from our people on navigating the recruitment process, and ultimately determine if we’re the right fit for you. To secure your place at an insight evening, all you need to do is fill out a short application form to let us know why you would like to attend.

Our insight evenings are designed to provide you with all the information you need without overwhelming you. Each session has a specific focus to cater to different needs. For instance, if you’re a school leaver considering apprenticeship routes, our apprentice-specific event will give you all the details you need. If you’re a socially mobile candidate interested in learning about the opportunities available to you and our commitment to social mobility, our diversity and inclusion-focused evening is perfect for you.

These are just examples of the many focused events we offer. No matter where you are on your journey, there’s an insight evening tailored for you. Join us to get a real sense of what a career at Shoosmiths looks like and how you can be a part of our future. You can view all our insight evenings and the deadlines below:

If the above dates don’t work for you, you can also meet us at one of our other digital events or an in person event – which you can sign up for here.

If university isn’t the right path for you, or if you’re eager to jump straight into the working world, our Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme offers an excellent alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor. This programme allows you to gain practical experience while earning your qualifications, providing a hands-on approach to starting your legal career.

Our six-year apprenticeship allows you to spend 80% of your time (four days a week) working at Shoosmiths, where you’ll learn from our expert professionals and tackle real-life legal challenges. The remaining 20% of your time (one day a week) will be dedicated to studying relevant legal subjects and developing essential skills with BPP University, our training provider.

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. Law requires a high level of intellect, but we look for candidates with strengths in other areas too, which is why our minimum academic criteria is a minimum of 5 A-C GCSEs (including English & Maths) and a minimum of ABB at 'A' level. Our minimum requirements at A Level stage are in line with the requirements set out by BPP University and the Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme that you will be enrolled in.

Interested in applying? Find all the details you need below:

This year, we will be recruiting 2 apprentices to start in September 2025, in our Leeds office. Our recruitment process includes an online application, a strengths-based assessment, and an in-person assessment centre to evaluate your potential as a solicitor at our firm.

Our Discover Vacation Placement and Mentoring Programme is an exciting work experience programme aimed at high achieving applicants from under-represented groups in the legal profession.

In advance of your placement, you’ll be matched with a professional mentor who will prepare you for your placement. They will act as a mentor throughout the placement, providing you with ongoing support right up to the training contract assessment centre and beyond.

On the one-week placement itself, you’ll experience a week in the life of a trainee solicitor, which will include real responsibility, working on case files, and attending meetings.

To apply for the Discover placement & mentoring programme opportunity, you must:

• Be an aspiring solicitor interested in qualifying in England or Scotland.
• Be a penultimate year law undergraduate, or a final year law or non-law undergraduate student. GDL, LPC and SQE students are welcome to apply, as are graduates and career changers.
• Not have accepted a training contract with any law firm or legal team
• Be eligible to work in the UK

You should also be from at least one of our under-represented groups:

• Black, Asian or minority ethnic
• LGBTQ+
• Disabled, neurodivergent or have a long-term health condition
• Socially mobile (given this is not a defined characteristic in the Equalities Act 2010, there are multiple variations of this meaning but we consider this to include (but not limited to) candidates who:

i) attended a non-selective state school comprehensive educated and first generation of their family to attend university
ii) spent time in local authority care
iii) came to this country as a refugee

Eager to get started? See the application details below.

The recruitment and selection process includes an online application, and an online strengths based assessment. During the placement, you will be assessed, and if successful, you’ll be invited to attend an in-person training contract assessment centre. By applying for the placement, you will be considered for the training contract, so you do not need to submit an additional application.

Throughout your two-year training period at Shoosmiths, we'll give you the support to build your career and boost your skills in a stimulating and rewarding environment.

You will be guided by expert solicitors, working across a number of areas of law. In addition to legal knowledge, you’ll also develop skills in business development and client management.

As a trainee solicitor, you will be working on large workloads, extracting and analysing key pieces of information. You’ll have daily contact with Partners and clients, and deadlines to meet. A career in law can be challenging, and applying legal knowledge in a real-world context can be very different to the theory you learn at law school, so it’s important to know that you will enjoy your job.

If you are currently at university, to apply you must be a penultimate year law undergraduate, or a final year law or non-law undergraduate student. GDL, LPC and SQE students are welcome to apply, as are graduates and career changers.

Ready to apply? Check out the details below.

Our training contracts run full-time for two years, during which you’ll experience four six-month seats. Before starting, you’ll need to complete the LPC or SQE (England) or the Diploma (Scotland). Non-Law graduates must also complete a law conversion course (PGDL in England or accelerated LLB in Scotland). We offer funding for postgraduate studies. Our recruitment process includes an online application, a strengths-based assessment, and an in-person assessment centre to evaluate your potential as a solicitor at our firm.