The Legal Cheek View
This is the Shoosmiths profile for those considering solicitor apprenticeships. Students looking to apply for training contracts should check out Legal Cheek‘s main Shoosmiths profile.
With roots in Northampton, full-service commercial outfit Shoosmiths has achieved a considerable UK presence, with a spread of 13 national offices, as well as one European outcrop in Brussels. Focusing on its three core practice divisions, solicitor apprentices can expect to fill their boots with work across real estate, corporate and advisory services. Under these umbrellas, Shoosmiths boasts several practices including commercial work, banking & finance, IP, employment, construction, and EU & competition. A newcomer to the apprenticeship market, Shoosmiths hired its first cohort of four solicitor apprentices in 2024, based at the firm’s “gorgeous” Birmingham office. The firm is now recruiting solicitor apprentices only for its Leeds office.
Legal Cheek spoke to three current Shoosmiths apprentices to get the inside scoop on the programme. On why they opted for apprenticeship over university, one Shoosmiths rookie revealed, “I definitely considered the university route, right up until results day in fact!” But ultimately it was the promise of “real hands-on experience”, a broader professional network and debt-free “financial independence” that tipped the balance in favour of apprenticeship. This reasoning is echoed by their peers, one of whom describes apprenticeship as “the perfect blend of academic learning and practical experience.”
So, when shopping around for apprenticeships, what made Shoomsiths stand out to these lawyers-to-be? “Shoosmiths genuinely put people at the heart of everything,” one insider told us, “there’s a real sense of belonging here.” For another apprentice it was the firm’s “strong reputation for nurturing talent” as well as the “wide range of legal work” on offer. We heard that apprentices felt “welcomed and valued” during the application process here, something that hasn’t changed as they began their careers at the firm: “everyone from trainees to partners — even the top dogs! — are approachable and happy to chat,” one of our insiders revealed.
The fine print of the Shoosmiths programme reveals that rookies will undertake a minimum of eight seat rotations over the course of the six-year pathway. Completing four annual seats in the first four years, apprentices will experience at least one seat in each of the firm’s three core practice divisions during this time. One happy apprentice raved about the “fantastic mix of structured learning and hands-on experience” they have experienced so far, adding that “the support from colleagues and supervisors has been invaluable.”
Shoosmiths reveals to Legal Cheek that rookies may also get the opportunity to go on client secondment to one of their lauded, big-name clients such as Volkswagen Group, in these first four years. Further, giving rookies a holistic view on the operation of the firm, we’re told it’s likely that recruits will gain exposure to the ‘non-legal’ side of the business. This means rookies could get some hands-on experience in the firm’s legal tech, projects & innovation, and risk & ethics teams. One of our inside sources is currently sitting in the business development (BD) team, focused managing the firm’s clients and pursuing growth opportunities: “Having this insight early on will definitely give us an edge as we move into the legal side of our careers,” she tells Legal Cheek.
Following classic solicitor apprenticeship structure, seasoned apprentices will join the graduate training cohort in year five. The Shoosmiths TC will see apprentices undertake four, six-monthly seats including at least one contentious seat (i.e. litigation/disputes) and one non-contentious seat (advisory or transactional).
Shoosmiths is committed to the work-life balance of their apprentices — “it’s definitely not like a legal drama!” — one insider told us, explaining that apprentices can generally expect to be out the door by 5.30pm. Another source confirmed that “the firm doesn’t expect late nights unless it’s absolutely necessary.” When late nights do happen, we heard that some supervisors will offer time off in lieu and one current apprentice revealed they have even received a £60 voucher as a “thank you” for late-night work!
On the studying side, apprentices will complete their law degree on a part-time basis over the course of the first four years, spending four days of the week working full-time and one day studying with BPP University Law School. In the final two years of the programme, seasoned apprentices will embark on the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE), emerging as fully qualified solicitors by the end of the programme. “Balancing work and studying can be challenging,” one inside source admits, with another explaining that during exam season or busy work periods this can be especially tricky. All our insiders stress that “it is essential to remain organised” and mention that “the firm is really supportive when it comes to studies”.
When they’re not working and studying hard, our insiders have found the social life at Shoosmiths to be “a pleasant surprise” and “better than you might expect from a law firm!” We heard that, “from team lunches and after-work drinks to charity bake-offs and quizzes, there’s always something going on,” while another more daring source mentioned attending darts and axe-throwing socials. Shoosmiths also throws big firm-wide summer and winter parties which have gone down will with our apprentice insiders.
Taking a networking spin on their apprentice socialisation, Shoosmiths recruits will join the trainees in a free membership to the local lawyer-y networking circles. Boasting internal diversity networks for neurodiversity, sexuality and ethnic minority recruits, rookies can also hobnob and socialise with their communities inside the workplace.
For readers now sold on an apprenticeship at Shoosmiths, we pinned down our sources for their top tips on the application process. “Show that you’re genuinely curious about law and the business world,” is one insider’s response. Another suggests, “take the time to research firms and tailor your application to show why you’re a great fit.” Authenticity is also crucial, as one apprentice advises, “don’t be afraid to let your personality shine.”
This is Shoosmiths’ Solicitor Apprenticeship profile. Read Shoosmiths’ full Legal Cheek profile here.