Our client list speaks volumes for the quality of our lawyers and the experience they provide. From Hewlett-Packard to Krispy Kreme and property developers to some of the UK's largest banks, we work with a growing number of the FTSE 250 and some of the world's most exciting and ambitious growth businesses. Shoosmiths is a major UK law firm with a network of offices working together as one team.
There's no secret to our growth over recent years to become a £206.7m turnover firm. Clients love working with Shoosmiths people because of the way we work and the results we consistently deliver for them. You don't have to take our word for it, many of our clients are happy to talk on our behalf - we've never been ones for banging our own drum.
We work to a simple formula: a can do ethos, values that are much more than words on paper, and the agility to find the best way for each individual client - whether that's ways of working, pricing structures or just innovative ideas that make a real commercial difference.
If you really want your career to take off then we'd like you to consider joining us. We're a firm with the scale, stature and clients to provide you with the quality and variety of work and opportunities for development that you need to grow your career and rewards.
We provide a demanding, stimulating and rewarding environment. You'll be working with people who thrive on being pro-active, bringing energy and ideas to make a real difference to clients. You'll be expected to make things happen and take the initiative from day one.
Start your legal career with a training contract at Shoosmiths
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.
We’re looking for great people who will work hard and be proud of who they are and what they do. Ambitious people thrive at Shoosmiths because of the enterprising and innovative way we work.
We welcome applications from all degree disciplines and universities, and value the wealth of experience that a non-law student or career-changer can bring to the firm.
Our training contracts typically run full-time for two years, where you’ll experience four six-month seats. You can see the current rate of pay for a trainee solicitor on our website.
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.
Insight evenings take place between December and March.
Solicitor Apprenticeships are available in Leeds for September 2025, you can apply between December & January.
One-week paid Discover Vacation Placement takes place W/C 7 April 2025, you can apply between December & January.
Training contracts will commence in September 2027, you can apply between December & March.
Live opportunities
Birmingham | Edinburgh | Glasgow | +3 moreShoosmiths DISCOVER Vacation Placement & Mentoring Programme
Birmingham | Edinburgh | Leeds | +2 moreSolicitor Apprenticeship Virtual Insight Evening
Our insight evenings are an opportunity for you to get to know Shoosmiths and decide whether we are the right fit for your future.Attending an event will give you an insight into our practice areas and clients, and the skills you need to develop and become a successful solicitor. The events will be packed with opportunities for you to virtually meet our people, build relationships, and include valuable advice for your training contract application.Shoosmiths insight evenings are open to applicants in any year of study at university, in any discipline, graduates and postgraduate students who are interested in a career as a solicitor and school leavers interested in the apprenticeship route.Depending on what opportunities you are most interested in you can attend an insight evening that focuses on apprenticeships, diversity and inclusion or the training contract.
Virtual
Diversity & Inclusion Virtual Insight Evening
Our insight evenings are an opportunity for you to get to know Shoosmiths and decide whether we are the right fit for your future.Attending an event will give you an insight into our practice areas and clients, and the skills you need to develop and become a successful solicitor. The events will be packed with opportunities for you to virtually meet our people, build relationships, and include valuable advice for your training contract application.Shoosmiths insight evenings are open to applicants in any year of study at university, in any discipline, graduates and postgraduate students who are interested in a career as a solicitor and school leavers interested in the apprenticeship route.Depending on what opportunities you are most interested in you can attend an insight evening that focuses on apprenticeships, diversity and inclusion or the training contract.
VirtualEngland & Scotland Virtual Insight Evening
Our insight evenings are an opportunity for you to get to know Shoosmiths and decide whether we are the right fit for your future.Attending an event will give you an insight into our practice areas and clients, and the skills you need to develop and become a successful solicitor. The events will be packed with opportunities for you to virtually meet our people, build relationships, and include valuable advice for your training contract application.Shoosmiths insight evenings are open to applicants in any year of study at university, in any discipline, graduates and postgraduate students who are interested in a career as a solicitor and school leavers interested in the apprenticeship route.Depending on what opportunities you are most interested in you can attend an insight evening that focuses on apprenticeships, diversity and inclusion or the training contract.
Virtual
