Shannon Maguire is a fourth seat trainee solicitor in Shoosmiths’ Employment team based in Leeds. Here she shares an insight into working in Leeds and what the city can offer a junior lawyer.
Our office
Shoosmiths’ Leeds office is located in the Platform building in the heart of Leeds city centre. The firm has been operating in Leeds since December 2016, where the office started with just seven team members and has now grown to a team of 92.
The team of 92 occupy the whole of the ninth floor and a wing of the tenth floor, which provides a modern, agile office space. The office provides a comfortable working environment with a mixture of co-working and quiet spaces in addition to a number of meeting rooms for both personal and client use. In the summer months you will often find colleagues socialising on the rooftop terrace of the Platform building during their lunch break.
Our people
The Leeds office, headed up by Simon Meek is home to a number of departments including corporate, real estate, employment and dispute resolution and litigation.
The social and kitchen area on the tenth floor provides a great space for catching up with colleagues and has hosted many successful events including, pizza nights, games evenings, coffee and doughnuts and football and pie nights.
The Leeds office places a large focus on giving back to the local community and the charity committee is responsible for organising great events that the whole office can take part in. Some members of the Leeds office have even volunteered to take part in a marathon costal walk challenge to support the office charity of the year, Martin House Hospice. The volunteers will be walking a gruelling 26 miles from Scarborough to Whitby in April – wish us luck!
The location
Leeds has a wealth of unique strengths and offerings, which makes it such a desirable place to live and work. It’s home to a number of restaurants, bars, coffee shops and therefore whether you’re a keen foodie or an avid walker, Leeds has something for you. Key sights and recommended visits in the city include the Victoria Quarter shopping centre, the Royal Armouries Museum, the parks at Temple Newsam and Roundhay and Leeds Kirkgate Market.
The Shoosmiths office is located next door to Leeds train station, which means not only will you never be late to catch a train again, but it is a perfect place to grab a morning coffee to start your day. For a bite to eat at lunch, you will find a Pret, M&S, Starbucks and Leon all within the station, which means you will never go hungry!
Facts & figures for Leeds (correct as of March 2024)
Address: Platform Building, 9th Floor, New Station Street, Leeds, LS1 4JB
Head of Office: Simon Meek, Partner, Real Estate
Total number of staff: 92
Number of partners: 15
Number of trainees:
- 3 x 2nd year trainees
- 3 x 1st year trainees
Trainee salary: £32,000 - £34,000
NQ Salary: £60,000
Likely trainee seats: Banking & Finance, Commercial, Construction, Corporate, Dispute Resolution & Litigation, Employment, Planning, Property Litigation, Real Estate
Local junior lawyer & business networking groups:
- Leeds Junior Lawyers Division
- Leeds Young Professionals
- Leeds Law Society
- The After Work Club Leeds
Find out more local knowledge on Instagram:
- @Leeds.IndependentLife – Celebrates independent gems and highlights of the city
- @Leeds.Life – A community dedicated to exploring Leeds and sharing updates along the way
- @Leeds Indulgence – Shares honest food reviews of spots in Leeds
A few facts about Leeds
- Hyde Park Picture House is one of the UK’s oldest cinemas. It opened its doors in 1914 and is open to this day, operating as a two-screen cinema for 364 days of the year.
- The murder mystery board game Cluedo was first made and sold in Leeds.
- Middleton Railway Station is a popular spot for visitors, as it is the oldest operating railway in the world. It operates from Moor Road Station to Park Halt and is run by a team of volunteers. A great spot for those interested in history.
Apply for an insight evening, placement or training contract in Shoosmiths’ Leeds office here.
Apply for a business support or legal adviser role in Leeds here.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024.