Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world. Our 23 offices span three continents and we have almost 700 people (around 20% of our global presence) in London and Birmingham. We provide a full range of legal services to clients across a number of industry sectors.

Our work

We are particularly well known for advising leading companies in the areas of financial services, life sciences, shipping, energy, trade and commodities, advertising, technology and media. We provide a wide range of commercial legal services for all these clients, including a full spectrum of corporate, commercial and financial services, dispute resolution, real estate and employment. Much of our work is multi-jurisdictional.

Our requirements

We’re looking for individuals with the drive and potential to become a world-class business lawyers. We want ‘players’ rather than ‘onlookers’, with a strong intellect, initiative, the ability to thrive in a challenging profession and the personal qualities to build strong relationships with colleagues and clients. Applicants should have a strong academic record and should either expect or have obtained a 2.1 degree.

Your development

Part of the firm’s vision involves providing the best environment for the practice of law. Key to this vision is a strong emphasis on development.

On arriving at the firm you spend the first two and a half weeks undertaking a comprehensive firm induction and training courses. We offer a four-seat programme, and you can exercise much influence over the choice and timings of seats. We offer a wide range of different practice areas, and as a result you will receive a very broad training.

Support is always available through both your supervisor and group trainee partner. There are also many opportunities for secondments to clients and our overseas offices. Trainees also benefit from being able to take a wide range of courses in our award-winning corporate university, developed in partnership with the highly rated Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Opportunities

We are looking to recruit 32 trainees across our London and Birmingham offices for training contracts commencing in August 2011 and February 2012. The deadline for these applications is 31 July 2009.

The recruitment process

Following a successful online application there are two stages to the selection process:

• Stage one involves undertaking a verbal reasoning test.
• Subject to passing the verbal reasoning test, you will be invited back for a second stage of assessment.