S&C’s award-winning trainee solicitor programme offers recruits the opportunity to do some of the most interesting and exciting work available, meet exceptional people and develop their legal and personal skills in a supportive environment.
About the Programme
S&C's London office has been recruiting trainee solicitors for well over a decade. By recruiting the very best law and non-law students and graduates to train as solicitors with a view to continuing their careers with the Firm, S&C aims to continue the organic growth of its London office and its English and EU law practices. S&C sees its trainees as the future associates and partners of the Firm.
Your time as a trainee with S&C will be divided into at least four six-month seats. The Firm distinguishes its trainee programme by offering genuine mentoring from partners and senior lawyers who take a keen interest in their trainees' career development. Trainees are, in each seat, supervised by a partner who is a leader in his or her field or by other senior lawyers, in each case who guide the trainees through their work and help ensure that they are engaged and challenged. These partners and senior lawyers ensure that the trainees see a range of outstanding work and receive guidance to help make the transition from academic study to legal practice.
The trainee solicitor programme is overseen by S&C London partners Ben Perry and Craig Jones and is part of the Firm’s integrated, global approach to recruiting, associate development and client service. In this regard, S&C differs from many of its competitors in that it is truly one law firm and one partnership worldwide, fostering a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration between offices.
Eligibility
S&C's goal is to employ the brightest minds, regardless of subject studied at university. The Firm seeks trainees who have strong academic credentials (including a projected or achieved First or Upper Second Class honours degree, or equivalent) and an excellent prior academic record. Most importantly, however, candidates should also have intellectual curiosity, integrity, common sense, commercial awareness and an ambition to succeed as a lawyer at one of the world’s leading law firms. Strong interpersonal skills will also be important: S&C is looking for team players.
While S&C expects most of its applicants to be penultimate-year law students and final-year non-law students, graduates and postgraduates are also eligible.
To Apply
To apply for the 2024 summer vacation scheme, please click here and complete the online application form.
We will accept applications for our 2024 summer vacation scheme from penultimate-year law students and final-year non-law students, as well as those studying for postgraduate degrees, from 1 November 2023 through 12 January 2024.
To apply for a position as a trainee solicitor starting in 2026, please click here and complete the online application form.
S&C will accept applications for its 2026 trainee intake from 1 May through 12 July 2024.
We expect to offer up to eight trainee solicitor positions starting in 2026.
Learn more about the U.K. Trainee Solicitors Programme: