Reed Smith is a dynamic, international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients, our communities and ourselves.

We operate as one global partnership and have more than 3,000 employees (including more than 1,700 lawyers) across 30 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Our deep industry knowledge spans energy and natural resources, financial services, life sciences and healthcare, entertainment and media and transportation. This, paired with our long-standing relationships and collaborative structure, makes us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions and regulatory matters.

Ambitious and entrepreneurial graduates are rewarded at Reed Smith with a training programme that is supportive, challenging and exciting, offering unparalleled pro bono, client and international secondments. We are also amongst the first firms to offer a unique approach to the Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination with our brand new professional SQE programme. Future trainees will gain experience in the firm’s numerous business services teams whilst also studying for their exams, providing them with invaluable insight into the work we do across the firm.

Our unique culture, which allows 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 as their careers with the firm develop.

Are you a creative and forward-thinking graduate who likes to take the initiative and drive progress? If yes, apply now to be the next generation of law at Reed Smith.

Our vacation schemes are nine days' long, comprising induction and training followed by one week in a seat, shadowing associates and partners. In addition, delegates participate in bespoke training sessions and practical exercises to build their skills and knowledge of the law. They also enjoy a number of social events where we encourage engagement with current Reed Smith trainees.

The closing date for our vacation scheme applications is 8 January 2024.

We offer a four-seat programme and our approach to training means trainees are given access to real work and the option to take part in community projects or pro bono work. Our departments are structured across offices so that trainees are regularly in touch with colleagues and clients in different offices.

There are also opportunities for secondments to clients and our overseas offices. Trainees also benefit from being able to take a wide range of training courses offered by our learning and development team.

The changes brought about by the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) provide us with an exciting opportunity to truly innovate and transform the route to qualification in the legal profession. We offer you a unique opportunity to earn while you learn – to work with us in an innovation, knowledge, business services, pro bono or a client-facing capacity; while also engaging in a commercially-focused legal education and training course that includes the knowledge and skills needed to pass the SQE examinations.

Our future trainees study SQE preparation courses with BARBRI, as well as bespoke master's level modules with the College of Legal Practice. In addition, you will work part time at Reed Smith for two days per week across two placements. This concurrent studying and working will allow you to gain a solid foundation in business skills and the elements of an innovative and “O Shaped” lawyer. During your time working with us, you’ll rotate through two roles in different business services teams at the firm. You will also have the advantage of being fully inducted at Reed Smith, building an understanding of our systems, business processes and a network of contacts throughout the firm before starting your qualifiying work experience (QWE). You’ll be fully confident in talking to senior leaders, how to work with and influence your colleagues, and how to navigate 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.

At Reed Smith, we are passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. 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 diverse talent. We are transforming our culture through “tone at the top” messaging and innovative programming focused on inclusive behavior and actions.

GDL funding: Fees paid plus £9,000

SQE fees are paid plus £10,000 maintenance along with two paid working days per week.

Additional means tested grants are available.

• Corporate
• Real estate
• Employment
• Financial services
• Commercial disputes
• Tax
• Energy & natural resources
• Transportation
• IP tech & data
• Entertainment & media

• Corporate & Commercial

• Abu Dhabi
• Athens
• Austin
• Beijing
• Belgium
• Century City
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Dubai
• Frankfurt
• Houston
• Hong Kong
• Kazakhstan
• London
• Los Angeles
• New York
• Miami
• Munich
• Paris
• Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
• Princeton
• Richmond
• San Francisco
• Shanghai
• Silicon Valley
• Singapore
• Tysons
• Washington DC
• Wilmington

• A4ID
• Amicus
• Aspire Foundation
• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Fair Trials International
• LawWorks (the Solicitors Pro Bono Group)
• Lawyers Without Borders
• Liberty
• PILnet (Public Interest Law)
• Prince’s Trust
• ProHelp
• Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre
• Reprieve
• The National Pro Bono Centre
• The Royal Courts of Justice Advice Bureau
• TrustLaw Connect

• Aspiring Solicitors
• Black Lawyers’ Directory
• Bright Network
• DiversCity
• Diversity Access Scheme - Law Society
• MyPlus Consulting
• PRIME
• Stonewall
• The Brokerage
• Urban Lawyers Careers Conference