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Summer placements

“I received a warm reception from all at Shoosmiths… with staff at all levels being approachable and supportive. The social aspects of the vacation scheme were great fun and provided further opportunity to gain insight into life at the firm. I was treated to lunches, took part in a netball ball match… and went along to support the Shoosmiths cricket team in one of their games. All in all I would wholeheartedly recommend the Shoosmiths vacation scheme to anyone who has an interest in commercial law.”
Alex Newborough, 2007 summer placement student & 2009 trainee entrant

Our 2010 summer placement scheme is now closed to new applicants, but those that are successful will be undertaking a one-week placement with us in one of the following office locations: Milton Keynes/Northampton, Thames Valley, Solent, Birmingham, Manchester or Nottingham.

The placement provides a realistic impression of the work of a commercial law firm along with the opportunity to speak to our trainees and partners in a professional working environment.

Typical activities

During your time with us, you'll spend time in one or two of our departments working alongside partners, qualified lawyers and trainees. Everyone in our firm makes a valuable contribution to the business and we need you to do that too. It's for this reason that you will be involved in all the practical stuff, from attending client meetings, going to court and taking witness statements to legal research and letter writing.

Activities are tailored to your level of experience and we would never expect you to take on a piece of work that you felt was beyond your level of expertise (please see below for those who are eligible to apply).

Away from the desk

We’ll try to fit in some social time for you during your placement. You’ll have the chance to chat to trainees and other staff in a more informal setting such as over lunch at the local café. You might also be invited to watch or participate in sporting events such as netball or cricket, or a community project or fundraising event. Basically, if there’s something going on, we’ll give you the opportunity to be a part of it.

Training Contract

If you also wish to apply for a training contract you must select the relevant option on the online system. If your application is successful you will be invited to a selection day at the end of the summer. We no longer hold selection days within the summer placements as happened in previous years.

Eligibility to apply

Placements are usually held during the end of June, throughout July, and sometimes the very start of August. The placements are open to:

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Get in touch

Rita Tappia

Professional Recruitment Manager
T: 03700 86 4155
I: +44 (0)121 625 4155
E: rita.tappia@shoosmiths.co.uk