We are a dynamic international law firm 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. Our unique culture, which allows apprentices and trainees to turn passions into careers, 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.
Vacation schemes
We are currently accepting applications for our 2026 vacation schemes. The deadline is 19 December 2025 at 5 p.m. GMT.
Training contract
Direct applications for our training contract are now closed and will reopen in May 2026.
Solicitor apprentices
We are currently accepting applications for our 2026 Solicitor Apprenticeship programme. The deadline is 27 February 2026 at 5 p.m. GMT.
Open days
Our Open Days for the 2026 Vacation Scheme have concluded. We will be holding further Training Contract focussed events in Spring 2026. If you are considering our Solicitor Apprentice Programme, apply to attend our Open Day. The deadline is 14 January 2026 at 5 p.m. GMT.
“Our culture is nurtured through prioritising collaboration as one of the key drivers of Reed Smith’s success, ensuring we have an inclusive environment, making sure the firm is fighting fit for the future and encouraging continuous feedback – what we are doing well and where we could do better.”
Andrew P. Jenkinson
“From the moment I joined Reed Smith as a paralegal right up to now as an associate in the Real Estate Group, I have felt incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such supportive mentors. Not only has the group nourished me into who I am today but they have all genuinely cared about my development. Reed Smith is a great place to really develop into a tactful commercial lawyer with ample opportunity to contribute towards our clients’ deals.”
Dashni M. Khimji
Application process
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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, as well as answering a few questions relating to the firm and your motivations.
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.
On-demand video interview
As part of our online assessment, you’ll also be invited to take part in an interview.
Vacation scheme
For the final stage in our process before the vacation scheme, candidates will be given time to review a case study before undertaking an interview and completing tasks based on the content.
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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 blended assessment aims 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.
Our 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 the role as a trainee.
Am I eligible?
Our applications are open to all candidates from their penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree onwards. This includes graduates, career changers, and international applicants.
We require a 2:1 or equivalent in your undergraduate degree. If you are still studying, we require you to be on track to achieve a 2:1.
If you did not achieve this due to mitigating circumstances, there is a section on your application form where these can be noted.
We have no minimum A-Level requirements.
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 are untimed and 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 doesn’t have to be completed in one sitting, so you can save your progress and return later.
On-demand video interview
As part of our blended assessment, candidates will be invited to take part in 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.
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?
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 understand 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 will also take part in a group exercise.
Disability
Disability and long-term health conditions
A key aspect of our culture and engagement programme focuses on attracting and recruiting candidates with disabilities. We understand that being a disability-smart organisation is a facilitator for increased productivity and effectiveness. We want to emphasise that jobs for disabled candidates are both available and achievable at the top of the legal profession.
The recruitment process
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 on 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 on your disability will remain strictly confidential.
Email Rebecca Schrod to discuss via email, or arrange a time to speak on the phone.
Disability partners
We work closely with a number of disability specialist organisations such as My Plus Consulting.
We welcome comments on how to improve our website and recruitment process in terms of accessibility for candidates with disabilities. Please get in touch with us to let us know your comments.
For more information on our commitment to recruiting a wide range of talent, visit our Culture & Engagement page.
For more information on our commitment to recruiting disabled talent specifically, visit our profile on the My Plus Consulting website.
Vacation schemes
During this round of recruitment, we will be looking for candidates who wish to start their training contract (qualifying work experience) in 2027 onwards.
Our winter and spring vacation schemes offer students the opportunity to gain an insight into life at Reed Smith and a solid understanding 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 of your 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 group exercise and a variety of workshops, covering topics such as networking, professional etiquette in a law firm, presentation skills, and business development. These sessions, alongside feedback from your seats, will allow the early careers 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.
Trainee solicitor
A career without limits
Ambitious and entrepreneurial graduates are rewarded at Reed Smith with a training programme that is supportive, challenging, and exciting. We were also among the first firms to offer a unique approach to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination with our Professional SQE programme. Future trainees will gain experience in the firm’s numerous business services teams while also studying for their exams, providing them with invaluable insight into the work we do across the firm.
Skills and behaviours
Qualifications and skills
We are looking for candidates who are on target for, or have achieved, a 2:1 or above at degree level (or the equivalent) in any discipline. We are mindful that circumstances can sometimes prevent individuals from meeting their true potential and so we would encourage you to email us directly if you have mitigating circumstances. We are also looking for you to demonstrate that you have the skills and behaviours which we would expect from our trainees. These are as follows:
Legal skills
Practice skills and knowledge – learns the basics
Research and analysis – approaches research and analysis logically
Written and oral communication skills – communicates clearly and concisely; is a good listener
Citizenship
Developing self and others – actively makes use of opportunities to further own development
Teamwork and collaboration – works cooperatively with colleagues
Business skills
Leadership – understands Reed Smith’s strategy, values, and policies
Matter and financial management – manages own time commercially
Clients
Client relationships – seeks to understand and meet client needs
Business development – builds knowledge of the firm’s capabilities and establishes relationships
The Professional SQE
A unique place to grow: We offer stimulating work in an informative, challenging, and busy environment. Your contribution counts from the year before you join our Professional SQE programme through to the end of your qualifying work experience. With four seats over two years, you can express preferences for the practice or industry group areas you would like to experience, and you may benefit from a client or international secondment.
What this will look like…
During your Professional SQE year, you will prepare for SQE1 and SQE2, as well as study master’s-level modules tailored to Reed Smith and the skills and knowledge required as a trainee. Alongside study, you will undertake paid professional placements. During your time working with us, you’ll rotate through two roles in different business services teams at the firm, one of which may be client-facing. You will also have the advantage of being fully inducted at Reed Smith, building an understanding of our systems and business processes, and establishing a network of contacts throughout the firm before starting your qualifying work experience (QWE). You’ll be fully confident in talking to senior leaders, working with your colleagues, and navigating the law firm environment. This experience will enable you to truly hit the ground running, unlike any trainee has done before – starting your QWE as an experienced member of the Reed Smith team.
These placements have periods of full-time study leave to ensure you have enough time to prepare for your SQE exams.
Why Reed Smith?
We’ve been at the forefront of legal educational change since we launched our Master’s in Law and Business in 2012, which many other law firms subsequently emulated; and this Professional SQE is the evolution of that offering. We thrive on creating innovative and inventive ways to ensure our trainees and our future lawyers are at the cutting edge of legal developments.
Our Professional SQE brings together elements of the O-shaped lawyer offering and vocational professional training, ensuring our trainees gain an integrated and commercial understanding of working in a law firm so that they are equipped to succeed in the evolving legal services environment, while also meeting the SQE requirements as set out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Where will I be based? Our London office, 1 Blossom Yard, is an exciting and innovative space, allowing trainees to benefit from a range of collaborative workspaces, as well as spaces dedicated to wellbeing and socialising.
Life as a trainee
Your trainee induction: Your training and induction programme will start when you join us while studying for the SQE. This will mean that when you start your training contract, you will be ready to hit the ground running.
Your peers: The first relationships you’ll form at Reed Smith will be with your fellow trainees, who will help you develop and prosper throughout your training contract. As part of the process, you’ll also link up with a buddy – a more experienced solicitor who will provide guidance and support to help you through your first six months (and often beyond). In addition, for those conversations about qualification or more advanced topics, we offer mentoring support in each practice group from a junior associate.
Trainee Academy: In addition to training to introduce you to our practice areas, you will attend ongoing training on updates and developments with the partners and associates. We are also keen to allow you to develop your own coaching and mentoring skills, so we encourage our trainee cohorts to mentor those more junior to them.
Qualifying work experience: While classroom learning is important, your practical legal training and experience are where you really learn how to be a lawyer. During each seat, you will get regular feedback from your supervisor to help you gauge your progress, including a mid-seat and end-of-seat appraisal.
Salary and benefits
In addition to a competitive salary (£53,000 per annum during your first year, moving to £58,000 per annum in your second year, plus benefits), our trainee solicitor benefits package includes:
25 days’ annual holiday
Permanent health insurance
Life insurance
Contributory pension scheme
Season ticket loan
Staff introduction bonus
Conveyance fees reimbursed for domestic conveyance
Plus a flexible benefits package which includes:
Critical illness cover
Dental insurance
Private medical insurance
Health screening
Travel insurance
Personal training
Cycle to work scheme
Discounted gym membership
Restaurant card
Give as you earn (GAYE)
Sponsorship details (if applicable)
We will pay your full course fees for both the GDL and SQE, plus a maintenance grant of £15,000. In addition, whilst studying the SQE and working on a part-time basis, you will also be paid the London Living Wage.
Reed Smith Alumni Network
Another key benefit of joining Reed Smith is that current and former members of the firm are able to join the Reed Smith Alumni Network. Through this programme, you will get access to an extensive international network of current and former members of the firm, along with support, coaching, and future career opportunities that you can access throughout your career.
Solicitor apprenticeships
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme in London offers ambitious school leavers an exciting opportunity to begin their legal careers at a leading global law firm.
The programme is designed to include structured training, dedicated support, and meaningful development opportunities. Our apprentices gain the skills and experience needed to thrive in the legal profession.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in commercial law but prefer not to attend university, this programme provides a direct pathway into the legal world. We welcome applications from UK national Year 13 students and school leavers who do not hold a degree.
The programme
Years 1-2: You’ll rotate through our business services departments to learn how the firm operates as a business and gain valuable office skills. Placements will also include experience with our Legal Engineering and Technology teams in order to equip you with future-ready skills and knowledge.
Years 3-4: You’ll begin completing legal work at the level of a paralegal, supporting at least two of our practice or industry groups. At the end of Year 4, you’ll earn your LL.B. law degree and have the option to progress to the SQE or to leave the programme to pursue a legal technology or operations role.
Years 5-6: You’ll join our trainee programme, rotating through four different departments. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a secondment with a client or at one of the international Reed Smith offices.
Throughout the programme, you’ll spend 20% of your time studying for your LL.B. law degree or Solicitors Qualifying Examination.
Eligibility
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme is open to applicants with ABB at A-Level (or equivalent) and at least seven GCSEs at grade 6 or above, including Maths and English. You must also be a UK national or resident in the UK for at least three years before starting the programme.
How to apply
Apply online: Complete our online application form. This will allow us to get to know you and understand why you want to become a solicitor and work at Reed Smith.
Take our online assessment: Successful candidates will be invited to take our online assessment. This includes scenarios that you might encounter as a solicitor apprentice, as well as a video interview. Our assessment process focuses on your strengths and transferable skills, so we don’t require you to have any prior work experience.
Chat with a member of the Early Careers team: If you progress from our online assessment, you’ll be invited to a call with one of the team. This is an informal telephone interview and a chance for us to get to know you, as well as for you to find out more about the firm and the role.
Attend an assessment centre: The final stage in the process is a visit to an assessment centre. You’ll attend our London office in person and meet fellow candidates. You will take part in a range of group and individual exercises aimed at showcasing your skills and strengths. You will also meet some of our trainees and lawyers to find out more about the firm and the work our apprentices do.
Why become a solicitor apprentice at Reed Smith?
Work for a leading international law firm and learn from experts in their fields.
Earn while you learn, with no fees or student debt.
Develop your skills and knowledge by putting your university studies into practice. You’ll be supported by a dedicated mentor as well as a development team.
Starting salary of £26,500, increasing annually as you progress through the programme. You’ll also receive a sign-on bonus of £2,000 for travel and housing costs.
25 days’ holiday a year and a range of employee benefits.
Exciting events and outside-of-work opportunities through our employee networks and Trainee and Apprentice Social Committee.
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 graduates who may not be able to attend a 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 reapplying more than three times 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.
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 the SQE2 and not the 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 your interim studies that need to be completed. In general, we try to prioritise earlier training contract offers to 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 2026.
Can I choose which seats I spend time in during my training contract?
You are able to select which departments you want to sit in throughout your training contract and list them in order of preference. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s first choice, but we encourage trainees to keep an open mind.
Is there any possibility of an international secondment during my training contract?
Yes, we currently run 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 is because we are not only committed to giving you the best possible training, but also to retaining our trainees 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 mission is focused on the recruitment, retention, promotion, and professional development of our talent. We are transforming our culture through “tone at the top” messaging and innovative programming focused on inclusive behaviour and actions. Our trainees have the opportunity to join our Business Inclusion Groups, including MCN (Multicultural), PRISM (LGBTQ+), LEADRS (Disability), WINRS (Women’s Initiative Network), and the Mental Health Taskforce.
What responsible business initiatives do you have?
Our responsible business initiatives include pro bono, community volunteering, and culture and engagement programmes and fundraising activities.
How environmentally conscious is Reed Smith?
We completed our previous Global Sustainability Plan, which included successfully achieving our target 20% reduction in our carbon emissions against a 2019 baseline. We now have in place an interim plan for 2025/26 while we put together new, longer-term strategic environmental goals and targets. In 2021, we became a founding member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance.
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 permit the use of generative AI to help draft application forms. However, while generative AI can be a useful tool to help you start researching and collate your ideas, we strongly encourage you to write applications in your own words, rather than copying or amending content generated by AI. We believe that the best applications are always well researched, authentic, and original, as this helps us to get to know you as an individual candidate. As generative AI is trained using open sources, meaning that information can sometimes be out of date or inaccurate, we encourage you to use different sources to aid your research and preparation. 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.
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 contract. If you are based outside the UK, whilst we cannot arrange visas for assessment centres, we can arrange for one to be held virtually.
