Early careers

Your future starts here

Start to shape your career without limits at Reed Smith – a dynamic international law firm that is dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients.

Ambitious and entrepreneurial graduates and school leavers are rewarded at Reed Smith with a training programme that is supportive, challenging, and exciting, offering unparalleled client and international secondments. Along with receiving high-quality training, you will gain experience supporting client teams on a wide variety of interesting projects.

Investing in our future talent is very important to Reed Smith. We have put a lot of focus into creating an outstanding framework for early careers. Our values-led approach, which strives for excellence in all that we do, is a hallmark of the firm. At Reed Smith, you will develop the skills and knowledge that will launch your career and support you to succeed at a high level. We create opportunities to build strong relationships across offices and practice groups. Our unique culture allows apprentices and trainees to turn passions into careers. It is one of the reasons our lawyers remain with us for such a long time – moving seats, job roles, and even countries, all within the same firm.

Reed Smith is a place where your development is taken seriously, your contributions matter, and you will work alongside people you genuinely enjoy. If you are looking for a firm where respect, collaboration, and growth are woven into everyday life, we invite you to discover what sets Reed Smith apart.

Unleash your ambition and join us to supercharge your career.

Vacation schemes

Applications for our 2027 vacation schemes will be open from 7 September to 5pm on 18 December.

Training contracts

Applications for our direct training contract vacancies are now closed and will open in spring 2027. This route is for candidates who have passed SQE1 and are available to commence a training contract from March 2028 onwards.

Solicitor apprentices

Applications for our 2027 Solicitor Apprenticeship programme will be open from 5 October to 5pm on 8 January 2027.

Open days

Applications for our Vacation Scheme Insight Day will be open from 4 September to 5pm on 28 September. This event is open to first-year undergraduate students onwards and offers an opportunity to gain genuine insight into life at Reed Smith. You'll get a look into the work we do for our clients, hear from senior lawyers, have the opportunity to network with trainees, and hear our tips for application success.

Apply online.

Virtual events

We'll also be hosting a range of virtual events during the autumn term for vacation scheme applicants. Visit our website for more information.

"Investing in our future talent is a cornerstone of our strategy. We believe strongly that, to attract and retain the best talent, and do the best work for our clients, we must continue to build our culture around collaboration, learning from each other and offering exciting opportunities for professional development at all levels. Having trained here at Reed Smith, I see this in action every day and am committed to ensuring we adapt and listen to our people and our clients to keep the firm fighting fit for today’s and tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities."

Brigid A. North

"Since joining Reed Smith, I have been struck by how genuinely supportive those at the firm have been at every level. As a trainee, I was given fantastic development opportunities, including the opportunity to go on a client secondment, and that commitment to my growth has only continued now that I have qualified as an associate. I have had the privilege of working alongside leading lawyers on interesting and complex matters and have been encouraged to share my opinions and ideas throughout. This has been invaluable in shaping my skills and confidence as a junior lawyer."

Cassandra Acquah

Application process

View:

Online application form

All applicants are required to complete our application form. You’ll be asked to provide information on your academic background and work experience.

Open the online application form

Online assessment

Eligible candidates are invited to take our online assessment. This blended assessment includes situational judgement, and verbal and numerical reasoning. Our tests are potential based, so we don’t require any prior legal knowledge or work experience.

Written application form

Successful applicants will be invited to submit their responses to written motivational questions. This is your chance to showcase why you think you'd be a good fit at Reed Smith, and an opportunity for us to get to know you better.

On-demand video interview

The next stage of the process is to take part in a video interview. You'll be asked a range of strengths-based and motivational questions.

Assessment centre

This is the final stage in the process before the vacation scheme, training contract, or apprenticeship, depending on the role you have applied for. You will be given time to review case study documents before undertaking an interview based on the content. For some roles, you may also take part in written and group assessments.

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If you think you could be a Reed Smith lawyer, talk to us...

The early careers process at Reed Smith

At Reed Smith, we use a potential-based assessment approach, meaning that we don’t require candidates to have any prior legal knowledge or work experience.

Our assessments aim to enable candidates to demonstrate their full range of skills, as well as to find out more about the firm and the work our trainees do. 

These assessments will give you an opportunity to make sure the firm is right for you whilst ensuring that you are a good fit for us and for the role of a trainee. 

Am I eligible? 

Our eligibility criteria vary based on the role you are applying for. Visit the ‘apply now’ section to view the criteria for our current roles. 

Online assessment 

Successful candidates are invited to take our online assessment. This blended assessment includes situational judgement, and verbal and numerical reasoning. Our tests are potential based, so we don’t require any prior legal knowledge or work experience. These tests include a range of scenarios you might encounter as a trainee, for which you will be asked to select a response. Candidates, whether successful or not, will receive a feedback report after completing the assessment. 

The assessment is untimed and designed in collaboration with educational psychologists and neurodiversity specialists to ensure that all candidates can showcase their strengths effectively.

The assessment doesn’t have to be completed in one sitting, so you can save your progress and return later.

Written questions 

Successful applicants will be invited to submit their responses to written motivational questions. This is your chance to explain why you think you’d be a good fit at Reed Smith, and an opportunity for us to get to know you better. 

On-demand video interview 

The penultimate stage in the process is an on-demand video interview. This will be based on the transferable skills required to be a trainee, as well as your motivations for applying to the firm.  

You will be able to access this interview on your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. 

Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to provide feedback at this stage; therefore, we suggest you use a variety of sources to ensure you have researched the firm before answering these questions. 

Assessment day 

Successful candidates will then be invited to our assessment centre. 

You will be asked to participate in a case study exercise, which will help us to assess your ability to comprehend information. This will involve reading through a set of materials within a set time frame, following which you will be asked questions on the materials. 

Candidates for our apprenticeship and direct training contract roles will also take part in a group exercise and written task. 

How can I prepare? 

To ensure that you show us the best of you on the day, here are some things to think about as you prepare: 

  • What are your strengths and skills, and can you give examples of times you have shown these?
  • What do you know about Reed Smith, and why do you want to work here?
  • What tasks do trainee lawyers typically perform, and how would your transferable skills help you undertake them? 

Disability 

We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you consider yourself to have a disability or long-term health condition, please feel able to be open about this at any point during the recruitment process. If you are not sure what adjustments you require, we will work with you to establish the most suitable adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that our online application form includes a section which allows you to advise us of any extenuating circumstances that are relevant for us to consider when reviewing your application form. 

If you would like to talk to a member of the team in relation to any queries you may have regarding your disability or long-term health condition and the recruitment process, please contact Rebecca Schrod, who will be more than happy to help, and provide information on the adjustments that we can provide. Any information disclosed about your disability or health condition will remain strictly confidential. 

Email Rebecca Schrod to discuss via email, or arrange a time to speak on the phone. 

For more information on our commitment to recruiting a wide range of talent, visit our Culture and Engagement page. 

Our programmes

Frequently asked questions

We understand that you may have questions. If you can’t find the answer you are looking for then please get in touch. You can find the early careers team’s details on the contacts page.

Do I have to complete a vacation scheme in order to receive a training contract?
We predominantly recruit through our vacation schemes. In May 2025, we introduced a direct training contract route for SQE graduates who may not be able to attend a vacation scheme.
Should I apply for a vacation scheme or a training contract?
Our vacation scheme is the most flexible application route, as it is open to law students from their penultimate year onwards and non-law students from their final year onwards. Our direct training contract role is only open to candidates who have already passed SQE1. If this does not apply to you, you are only eligible for our vacation scheme.
Can I apply for a vacation scheme if I haven’t studied law?
Yes. We aim to ensure our intake is as broad as possible.
Do you recruit on a rolling basis?
Yes, we do recruit on a rolling basis. Candidates will be assessed and may be moved on to our online assessment stage and invited to an assessment centre while applications are still being accepted. 
Is there any point in applying if I do not have a 2:1/first in my degree?
If you did not obtain a 2:1 or a first (or the equivalent), we would expect to see exceptional academic ability demonstrated elsewhere. We do take into account mitigating circumstances.
Would an LL.M. help my application?
You might feel an LL.M. would improve your chances if, for example, you did not achieve a 2:1 in your degree (or the equivalent). It certainly does show added commitment. However, we suggest you should only study for an LL.M. if you have a genuine interest in doing so. It is not a factor which we would usually take into account for selection purposes.
Can I reapply to a vacation scheme or training contract if I have been unsuccessful previously?
We welcome up to two reapplications, but do not recommend applying more than three times in total unless your application has significantly changed (for example, you have graduated from further study or completed SQE2). We reserve the right to reject reapplications that do not meet this criterion.

Typically, we do not permit reapplications from candidates who unsuccessfully attended an assessment centre or vacation scheme.
Can I apply if I am already a qualified solicitor?
No, our programme is a trainee role and is therefore only suitable for candidates who are not already qualified solicitors in England & Wales. If you are qualified in a different jurisdiction, we may be able to accept an application from you, but this will depend on your experience level. Please contact [email protected] to confirm if you are eligible to apply.
Will Reed Smith expect me to attend a particular law school for the PGDL/SQE?
Yes, if we provide you with a training contract prior to you completing the PGDL/SQE, we will sponsor your PGDL course through BPP and your SQE course with the College of Legal Practice. We only sponsor students attending these providers. The reason for this is so that we can build relationships with our future trainees before they join us and so that all our future trainees receive the same training. However, if you have already completed your qualification with a different law school, this will not disadvantage your application.
What if I have already completed my LPC?
Reed Smith has transitioned to the new professional SQE route. As such, we ask all of our future trainees to complete the SQE course regardless of whether they have completed the LPC. However, if you have already completed your LPC, we will only ask you to take SQE2 and not SQE1. This way we can ensure all of our future trainees receive the same training and you have the opportunity to gain part-time work experience at Reed Smith during your SQE2 as part of our unique programme.
Do you pay a maintenance grant and course fees?
We will pay your course fees for both the GDL (if required) and SQE, plus a maintenance grant of £15,000. You will also be paid for your work at the firm during your Professional SQE placements.
Can I choose when my training contract will start?
We do our very best to accommodate preferences for training contract start dates; however, this will depend on spaces available and any interim studies that you need to complete. In general, we try to prioritise earlier training contract offers for those who are further along in their studies at the time of their offer. Please note that we are recruiting for training contracts starting no earlier than March 2028.
Can I choose which seats I spend time in during my training contract?
Trainees are able to submit preferences to outline the departments they want to sit in throughout their training contract. To ensure a well-rounded training experience, we expect all trainees to sit in at least one finance-focused and one litigation-focused department during the course of their role. We do our best to ensure that all trainees receive at least one top-choice department, but we encourage trainees to keep an open mind.
Is there any possibility of an international secondment during my training contract?
Yes, we run regular trainee secondments to Singapore, Dubai, and Paris. We also offer a wide range of client secondments. We review secondments on an annual basis.
How likely am I to be kept on when I qualify?
We only recruit a small number of trainees a year. This allows us to commit to giving our trainees the best possible training and retaining them on qualification. 
Is there a good social life?
One of our summer students recently observed, “Reed Smith’s sociable ethos was carried over after working hours. It was good to see that people didn’t spend their whole lives at their desk, and the evenings out were always well attended.” There are various sports teams, including softball, football, and cricket – spectators are always welcome. The firm also often arranges socials, including for all members of staff.
How inclusive is the firm?
At Reed Smith, our most valuable asset is our people. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We believe in a culture of respect that attracts and retains top talent, promotes opportunity for everyone, and builds a sense of community and belonging for all.

Our core values are at the heart of everything we do. They represent who we are and who we want to be. Our trainees have the opportunity to join groups that are focused on multicultural, LGBTQ+, disability, and mental health matters, along with the firm’s Women’s Initiative Network.
What responsible business initiatives do you have?
Our responsible business initiatives include pro bono, community volunteering, culture and engagement programmes, and fundraising activities. We are proud to have achieved 100% trainee participation in pro bono projects for over a decade.
How environmentally conscious is Reed Smith?
We achieved a 22% reduction in our carbon footprint between 2019 and 2024. In addition, we are proud to be one of the first in the legal industry to implement a billable-hours policy for lawyers who engage in sustainability initiatives.
Find out more about our sustainability commitments
I’m an international student – how do I work out if my degree is equivalent to a UK 2:1?
We use the UK national agency for international qualifications and skills (enic.org.uk) to verify degree equivalencies. However, if you’d like to check in advance of applying, there are a number of resources available online that provide guidance.
Can I use generative AI when writing my application form?
We do allow the use of generative AI to support research. However, we do not permit candidates to use AI to draft written or video interview responses, and you cannot use it during our situational judgement test. Whilst we embrace AI as part of our practice, at the application stage, we want to get to know you and your skills in your own words. At Reed Smith, innovation is one of our firm’s values, and we are embracing the potential AI has to enhance the way we work and drive progress for our clients. We have a director of applied AI in the firm’s Innovation team, and our lawyers are increasingly using technology in their practices. Stay up to date on the latest developments in innovation at Reed Smith by subscribing to our Tech Law Talks podcast.
Tech Law Talks | Reed Smith
I don’t have the right to work in the UK. Can you sponsor my visa?
Yes, we can provide visa sponsorship for successful candidates for both the vacation schemes and training contracts. If you are based outside the UK, whilst we cannot arrange visas for assessment centres, we can arrange for you to attend virtually. Please note that, due to the nature of our assessments, candidates for direct training contracts must attend assessment centres in person.