About the firm
About the firmThe firm: At Reed Smith, we believe that the practice of law has the power to drive progress. We know your time is valuable and your matters are important. We are focused on outcomes, are highly collaborative, and have deep industry insight that, when coupled with our local market knowledge, allows us to anticipate and address your needs. You deserve purposeful, highly engaged client service that drives progress for your business.
Global managing partner: Casey Ryan
Managing partner EMEA: Gregor Pryor
Managing partner London: Andrew Jenkinson
Other offices: Beijing; Hong Kong; Shanghai; Singapore; Abu Dhabi; Astana; Athens; Brussels; Dubai; Frankfurt; London; Munich; Paris; Austin; Century City; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Orange County; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Princeton; Richmond; San Francisco; Silicon Valley; Tysons; Washington DC.
Who we are: Reed Smith is 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. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions and regulatory matters.
Our team of 3,000 people (including more than 1,700 lawyers) across 31 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia operate as one global partnership to drive progress for our clients, for ourselves and for our communities.
What we’re looking for: 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 and 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 co-operatively 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.
What you’ll do: Your trainee induction: your training and induction programme will start when you join us when studying for the SQE; this will mean that when you start your qualifying work experience 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.
Cornerstone trainee development programme: 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 is 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.
Perks: 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.
A flexible benefits package which includes: critical illness; 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
We will pay your full course fees for both the GDL and SQE, plus maintenance grants of £15,000. In addition, while studying the SQE, you will also be paid the London Living Wage while working during our internships. Currently fulltime for the month of September and two days per week in June and July.
Seat options
We have a range of seats within our different groups. These include entertainment and media, transportation, finance, and energy and natural resources industry groups, as well as our practice groups which include employment, real estate and global commercial disputes.
Tips from the recruiter
- Try to showcase your strong, original and well-researched commercial awareness by showing an understanding of the firm as well as the commercial sectors it sits within.
- Make sure your application is authentic and unique to who you are, and not who you think people want you to be.
- Don’t be worrying about trick questions and tasks. We make it clear what we are asking and don’t have hidden agendas.
Diversity and inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are central to our business. The talent pool is changing rapidly, and we are determined to attract candidates from the widest pool possible, to continue to be competitive and to ensure the very best service for our clients. We see differences as a strength, and we work hard to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all, where the unique insights, perspectives and backgrounds of individuals are valued.
We run a number of programmes focused on all aspects of diversity and inclusion, including: race and ethnicity, disability, social mobility, gender equality and the LGBTQ+ community.