You might have just started university, or you might be thinking about changing careers. Either way, it’s important to know you’re on the right path. That’s why we offer plenty of opportunities for you to get a sneak peek of our world.
You might have just started university, or you might be thinking about changing careers. Either way, it’s important to know you’re on the right path. That’s why we offer plenty of opportunities for you to get a sneak peek of our world.
Uncover the world of law.
You’re interested in law, but you don’t know much about it. What do lawyers actually do? And what will your work life really look like? Our spring insight scheme will give you the inside track.
Spring insight scheme
Discover what it’s really like to be a Simmons lawyer. Join us for a packed two-day schedule of events, workshops and the chance to shadow a trainee. The added benefit? If you go on to apply to our vacation schemes, you’ll be fast-tracked through the assessment process. Our spring insight scheme is open to first year university students of any degree subject, as well as penultimate year non-law students.
Dates: 3–4 April 2024 | Pay: £150 for two days
Mark Raynor
Associate
The spring insight scheme helped me see what life at Simmons was all about. In just two days, I learned so much about the firm's work and what it's like to be part of the Simmons team. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly and approachable. My trainee buddy helped me get to grips with the work. Partners from across the firm taught me about recent deals they'd been involved in. And my supervisor made a genuine effort to include me in the cases she was working on. I was trusted to contribute to a wide range of projects, from helping to draft a handbook for a pro bono client, to reading through submission documents for a high-profile case. By the end, I had such a good insight into Simmons – and the perfect platform to apply for the Vacation Scheme during my final year at university.
Explore our evolve placement
Can you help keep us at the forefront of our industry? If so, our evolve placement year gives you the platform you need.
You’ll work with our lawyers and innovation teams to explore how we can embed emerging technologies across our business. What’s more, you’ll gain exposure to some of our most visionary clients.
This placement is for law and non-law students studying a degree with a year in industry. We are currently recruiting for a September 2024 start date. Those successful on the placement will be offered a training contract with us.
Bojidara Simeonova
Future Trainee
The Evolve Placement is truly a one-of-its kind opportunity. I spent the first 6 months in the Emerging Tech Group, where I engaged in a lot of technical legal work. This involved researching, assisting with drafting certain points of contracts, helping with trial preparation. This was intertwined with a great deal of business development work – e.g. drafting pitches, client reports, business plans, setting up webinars, launching podcasts, attending client meetings, conferences, and events.
In the second half of the placement I found myself immersed in the world of the Legal Design team, part of the legal tech focused start-up Wavelength. The seat was focused on reimagining and redesigning clients’ documents and user journeys, which allowed me to use my creativity. I worked on reimagining the code of conduct of a major international bank, designing from scratch the data protection policy of a major Middle Eastern tech company, improving the user experience of financial institutions’ documents, conducting accessibility reviews, and even a little bit of coding.
My favourite part about the programme is the open-ended nature – it allows you to shape your experience in a way you’d like it to be. I had a lot of autonomy and was encouraged and supported by my supervisors, to explore outside of my designated teams and work with people from other teams, offices, and literally continents. This allowed me to connect with lawyers from all over the world while polishing my understanding of Simmons and Simmons as a business.
Discover what it’s like to be a trainee lawyer through one of our vacation schemes.
Throw yourself into this full programme of social events and work experience, and you’ll get a taste for our firm and the work we do.
Winter vacation scheme (London)
Join us for a week in London to discover how the legal world works, and whether law in the city is right for you. With support from your buddy, you’ll get to grips with the same legal work as our trainees.
Open to: Final-year students and graduates of all disciplines.
Dates: 4-8 December 2023
Pay: £450 per week
Summer vacation scheme (London)
If you want to spend more time with our firm, join us for a two-week summer vacation scheme. You’ll gain experience across two departments, as well as enjoying the same packed schedule as the winter scheme.
Open to: Penultimate and final year university students and graduates of all disciplines.
Dates: 1-12 July 2024
Pay: £450 per week
Summer vacation scheme (Bristol)
Curious about a law career in Bristol? Over the course of two weeks, you’ll become part of working life here, with a stacked calendar of training, practical work experience and social events.
Open to: Penultimate and final year university students and graduates of all disciplines.
Dates: 17–28 June 2024
Pay: £375 per week
Winter vacation scheme (London)
Join us for a week in London to discover how the legal world works, and whether law in the City is right for you. With support from your buddy, you’ll get to grips with the same legal work as our trainees.
Open to: Final-year students and graduates of all disciplines
Dates: 6–10 December 2021
Pay: £425 per week
Summer vacation scheme (London)
If you want to spend more time with our firm, join us for a two-week summer vacation scheme. You’ll gain experience across two departments, as well as enjoying the same packed schedule as the winter scheme.
Open to: Final-year students of all disciplines, penultimate-year students of all disciplines and graduates of all disciplines
Dates: 27 June–8 July 2022
Pay: £425 per week
Summer vacation scheme (Bristol)
Curious about a law career in Bristol? Over the course of two weeks, you’ll become part of working life here, with a stacked calendar of training, practical work experience and social events.
Open to: Final-year students of all disciplines, penultimate-year students of all disciplines and graduates of all disciplines
Dates: 13–24 June 2022
Pay: £350 per week
Lara Davies
Trainee
The vacation scheme at Simmons both cemented my desire to become a solicitor and encapsulated the benefits of a training contract here. I was given real responsibility from day one and received the necessary support to develop my skills.
Whilst on the scheme, I researched and drafted a training presentation on the collapse of Thomas Cook. As well as that, I created a guide for the team to use when considering whether a company needs a PSC register. I was also given the opportunity to work on a pro bono matter which involved writing up board minutes and proofreading several documents. These tasks gave me a real sense of what the day-to-day life of a Simmons trainee is like.
The scheme's networking opportunities, such as a Q&A session with the Senior Partner and a cohort cooking "competition" at School of Wok, highlighted how supportive everyone across the firm is and so I knew this would be the best place to start my legal career.
Training contract
Are you ready to join the world of law for the long-term, and start a lasting career with us? We’ve laid out how your training contract will progress.
Your training contract starts with either one or two funded legal qualifications, followed by a two-year programme of work with us. There are some ways your journey might differ, but it goes a little like this.
Those joining our Bristol office will be offered the option of studying in Bristol or London and those joining the London office will study in London.
Non law graduates will study BPP’s Law Conversion Course (previously known as the PGDL), for which we will provide a maintenance grant of £7,500 in Bristol and £10,000 in London.
We require all future trainees to qualify via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) route. The SQE route involves a one-year preparatory course including a bespoke Simmons Essentials For Practice module. The course is designed to support you through the SQE 1 and 2 exams and ensures you have all the skills you need to hit the ground running during your training contract. Whilst completing the SQE we will sponsor you and provide a maintenance grant of £10,000 in Bristol and £15,000 in London.
Simmons training contract
Our training contract lasts for two years. It’s made up of four six-month seat rotations across our practice areas. With support from our lawyers and partners, you’ll have real responsibility for a wide range of matters.
You’ll submit your seat preferences ahead of each rotation, so you’ll have the chance to shape your training contract journey in the direction you want. We only ask that you complete either one or two contentious seats. Our graduate development team will support you through this process, and make sure you get the experiences you need to fulfil your goals.
You’ll also have the chance to apply for a client or international secondment. A secondment is an opportunity to see our work from a new perspective and learn about different aspects of the legal world. These experiences will soon help you become a well-rounded lawyer.
At the end of your four seats, you’ll qualify as a fully-fledged lawyer and graduate to associate. So, whether you choose to work for Simmons in London or Bristol, your training contract marks the start of your full-time legal career with us.
Claudia Chan
Trainee
My training contract kicked off with a very useful induction, which contained sessions that deepened our understanding of the firm, prepared us for the start of the training contract, and opportunity to bond with our cohort.
During my first seat in the Corporate department, I was involved from day one with a variety of matters, ranging from mergers and acquisitions to re-organisations and company incorporation. I also had the opportunity to liaise directly with clients and external parties, which was a great opportunity for me to learn and grow. I felt like a trusted member of the team and the support I received from the department and fellow trainees helped me build confidence and improve my skills throughout my seat.
As my time in Corporate comes to an end, I am excited to start a new chapter in my next seat in the Financial Services Regulatory team. I look forward to developing new skills and knowledge in this very different area of law!