We are a leading international legal practice, with more than 1,100 lawyers in our offices in Europe and Asia. In addition, we work closely with two premier European firms with which we have an alliance - the German firm Gleiss Lutz and the Dutch and Belgian firm Stibbe.

Training programme

The Herbert Smith training programme is one of the most varied among leading City firms. Our priority is to provide a friendly, professional, team-based environment in which our lawyers can learn and develop their skills.

As a trainee, you will rotate around four seats of six months each, including one in corporate, one in litigation and a further non-contentious seat in either finance or real estate. You can also apply for a specialist seat such as IP, Tax, Trusts, EU and Competition, Employment, Pensions and Incentives or our advocacy unit. Alternatively you can apply to go on secondment to a client or one of our international offices.

Skills Development

The firm’s wide-ranging training and education programme is structured in two parts, both of which fulfill Solicitors Regulation Authority requirements and are tailored to the specific business objectives of Herbert Smith, the Professional Skills Course and the Legal Education Programme. In total, trainees can expect to spend some 30 days of training sessions during their contract.

Who should apply

Applications are welcome from penultimate-year law students and final-year non-law students, or anyone wishing to commence a training contract in two years’ time. The firm recruits from a wide range of universities, and the ratio of law and non-law graduates is broadly equal.

Trainee solicitors need common sense, self-confidence and intelligence to make their own way in a large firm. They are typically high achieving and intelligent, numerate and literate, with good interpersonal skills.

When and how to apply

Herbert Smith is currently recruiting up to 100 students from any academic discipline to commence training contracts in September 2010 or March 2011.

For a training contract students should submit their application form before 31 July 2008.

For vacation schemes, the deadline for the winter scheme (non-law only) is 12 November 2007 and the deadline for the spring and summer schemes is 31 January 2008.

For further information, please contact the graduate recruitment team on 202 7374 8000 or email graduate.recruitment@herbertsmith.com