During this round of recruitment we will be looking for candidates that wish to start their Training Contract (Qualifying Work Experience) in 2026 onwards.

Our spring and summer vacation schemes offer students the opportunity to gain an insight into life at Reed Smith, as well as providing a solid account of the type of work encountered as a trainee. Vacation scheme attendees will be paid a weekly wage in line with the London Living Wage.

Your seats: you will have the opportunity to experience a practice or industry group choice. You’ll have an experienced supervisor, and be integrated into a team and assigned to live projects. You’ll also have a trainee buddy who will act as an informal guide – you can catch up with them at any point, and ask any questions.

How will I be Assessed?: alongside your seats, you will have the opportunity to attend various sessions to improve your legal and business skills. These include a pro bono exercise and a variety of workshops, covering topics such as negotiation expertise, cultural intelligence, presentation skills, and business development. These sessions, alongside feedback from your seats, will allow the Graduate Recruitment Team and other people from across the business to assess your suitability for becoming a Reed Smith Trainee. You’ll also take part in a final interview at the end of the scheme.

Getting to know us: throughout the vacation scheme, you will get to experience the real culture of our firm through informal, relaxed socials alongside our trainees. This will give you a chance to really gain a deeper insight into each person’s path to Reed Smith, allowing you to get to know fellow team members and begin to network and build your own profile.