You might have just started university, or you might be thinking about changing careers. Either way, it’s important to know you’re on the right path. That’s why we offer plenty of opportunities for you to get a sneak peek of our world.
You might have just started university, or you might be thinking about changing careers. Either way, it’s important to know you’re on the right path. That’s why we offer plenty of opportunities for you to get a sneak peek of our world.
Uncover the world of law.
You’re interested in law, but you don’t know much about it. What do lawyers actually do? And what will your work life really look like? Our spring insight scheme will give you the inside track.
Spring Insight Scheme
Discover what it’s really like to be a Simmons lawyer. Join us for a packed two-day schedule of events, workshops and the chance to shadow a trainee. The added benefit? If you go on to apply to our vacation schemes, you’ll be fast-tracked through the assessment process. Our spring insight scheme is open to first year university students of any degree subject, as well as penultimate year non-law students.
Dates: 5–6 April 2023 | Pay: £150 for two days
Mark Raynor
Trainee
The spring insight scheme helped me see what life at Simmons was all about. In just two days, I learned so much about the firm's work and what it's like to be part of the Simmons team. Everyone I met was incredibly friendly and approachable. My trainee buddy helped me get to grips with the work. Partners from across the firm taught me about recent deals they'd been involved in. And my supervisor made a genuine effort to include me in the cases she was working on. I was trusted to contribute to a wide range of projects, from helping to draft a handbook for a pro bono client, to reading through submission documents for a high-profile case. By the end, I had such a good insight into Simmons – and the perfect platform to apply for the Vacation Scheme during my final year at university.
Explore our evolve placement
Can you help keep us at the forefront of our industry? If so, our evolve placement year gives you the platform you need.
You’ll work with our lawyers and innovation teams to explore how we can embed emerging technologies across our business. What’s more, you’ll gain exposure to some of our most visionary clients.
This placement is for law and non-law students studying a degree with a year in industry. We are currently recruiting for a September 2023 start date. Those successful on the placement will be offered a training contract with us.
Bryan Tan
Future Trainee
For the first six months I spent my time within the FinTech team. Although I wasn’t too sure what to expect, working in a city law firm for the first time, everyone was very welcoming. I worked on a range of research projects, from understanding the FinTech legal market and the cryptocurrency regulation to analysing the team’s business plan. I was also able to work on the preparation of important pitch documents for clients and marketing materials for both internal and external purposes. Working with individuals across multiple levels of seniority helped me develop trusting relationships throughout the firm.
For the next six months, I worked in the Solutions team, spending time in the Innovation and New Business Change department and with Wavelength. During this seat I was exposed to using different software and tools such as PowerBI, Contract Express and DocuSign. These technologies are crucial in improving the efficiency of law firms especially during unprecedented times. Working with Wavelength helped me understand how legal engineers use data to deliver positive and innovative changes in the legal sector. The placement has provided me with skills and experience which will be invaluable to my legal career such as creative problem solving, commercial awareness and attention to deal. I’m very excited to take up the offer of a Simmons training contract.
Discover what it’s like to be a trainee lawyer through one of our vacation schemes.
Throw yourself into this full programme of social events and work experience, and you’ll get a taste for our firm and the work we do.
Winter vacation scheme (London)
Join us for a week in London to discover how the legal world works, and whether law in the city is right for you. With support from your buddy, you’ll get to grips with the same legal work as our trainees.
Open to: Final-year students and graduates of all disciplines.
Dates: 5-9 December 2022
Pay: £450 per week
Summer vacation scheme (London)
If you want to spend more time with our firm, join us for a two-week summer vacation scheme. You’ll gain experience across two departments, as well as enjoying the same packed schedule as the winter scheme.
Open to: Penultimate and final year university students and graduates of all disciplines.
Dates: 26 June – 7 July 2023
Pay: £450 per week
Summer vacation scheme (Bristol)
Curious about a law career in Bristol? Over the course of two weeks, you’ll become part of working life here, with a stacked calendar of training, practical work experience and social events.
Open to: Penultimate and final year university students and graduates of all disciplines.
Dates: 12–23 June 2023
Pay: £350 per week
Winter vacation scheme (London)
Join us for a week in London to discover how the legal world works, and whether law in the City is right for you. With support from your buddy, you’ll get to grips with the same legal work as our trainees.
Open to: Final-year students and graduates of all disciplines
Dates: 6–10 December 2021
Pay: £425 per week
Summer vacation scheme (London)
If you want to spend more time with our firm, join us for a two-week summer vacation scheme. You’ll gain experience across two departments, as well as enjoying the same packed schedule as the winter scheme.
Open to: Final-year students of all disciplines, penultimate-year students of all disciplines and graduates of all disciplines
Dates: 27 June–8 July 2022
Pay: £425 per week
Summer vacation scheme (Bristol)
Curious about a law career in Bristol? Over the course of two weeks, you’ll become part of working life here, with a stacked calendar of training, practical work experience and social events.
Open to: Final-year students of all disciplines, penultimate-year students of all disciplines and graduates of all disciplines
Dates: 13–24 June 2022
Pay: £350 per week
Lara Davies
Trainee
The vacation scheme at Simmons both cemented my desire to become a solicitor and encapsulated the benefits of a training contract here. I was given real responsibility from day one and received the necessary support to develop my skills.
Whilst on the scheme, I researched and drafted a training presentation on the collapse of Thomas Cook. As well as that, I created a guide for the team to use when considering whether a company needs a PSC register. I was also given the opportunity to work on a pro bono matter which involved writing up board minutes and proofreading several documents. These tasks gave me a real sense of what the day-to-day life of a Simmons trainee is like.
The scheme's networking opportunities, such as a Q&A session with the Senior Partner and a cohort cooking "competition" at School of Wok, highlighted how supportive everyone across the firm is and so I knew this would be the best place to start my legal career.
Training contract
Are you ready to join the world of law for the long-term, and start a lasting career with us? We’ve laid out how your training contract will progress.
Your training contract starts with either one or two funded legal qualifications, followed by a two-year programme of work with us. There are some ways your journey might differ, but it goes a little like this.
Those joining our Bristol office will be offered the option of studying in Bristol or London and those joining the London office will study in London.
Non law graduates will study BPP’s law conversion course called the Law Foundations Course (previously known as the PGDL), for which we will provide a maintenance grant of £6,500 in Bristol and £7,500 in London.
We require all future trainees to qualify via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) route. The SQE route involves a one-year preparatory course including a bespoke Simmons module. The course is designed to support you through the SQE 1 and 2 exams and ensures you have all the skills you need to hit the ground running during your training contract. Whilst completing the SQE we will sponsor you and provide a maintenance grant of £7,500 in Bristol and £9,000 in London.
Simmons training contract
Our training contract lasts for two years. It’s made up of four six-month seat rotations across our practice areas. With support from our lawyers and partners, you’ll have real responsibility for a wide range of matters.
You’ll submit your seat preferences ahead of each rotation, so you’ll have the chance to shape your training contract journey in the direction you want. We only ask that you complete either one or two contentious seats. Our graduate development team will support you through this process, and make sure you get the experiences you need to fulfil your goals.
You’ll also have the chance to apply for a client or international secondment. A secondment is an opportunity to see our work from a new perspective and learn about different aspects of the legal world. These experiences will soon help you become a well-rounded lawyer.
At the end of your four seats, you’ll qualify as a fully-fledged lawyer and graduate to associate. So, whether you choose to work for Simmons in London or Bristol, your training contract marks the start of your full-time legal career with us.
Margaret Dunning
Trainee
I started my training contract with a seat in Dispute Resolution (Litigation & Arbitration). Despite this being a very different flavour to my previous legal experience, I was involved at the outset with a variety of different matters, ranging from enforcement to financial mis-selling. Within the first two weeks I was assisting with preparing a trial bundle index and attending a pre-trial review Court hearing. The tasks I was assigned were very varied in nature from preparing chronologies, to attending witness interviews and preparing research notes.
I felt very well supported throughout from both the department and my peer group and it set a great foundation for the next seats.
I am about to finish my second seat in Financial Services Regulatory, and whilst this has been very different in nature again, the work within the team has been broad and I have been able to get involved with matters which I am interested in, and the scope to take ownership of these matters has been great in helping me develop my soft skills for the remainder of my training contract. I am looking forward to seeing what the next 12 months has in store!