Ask Reed Smith Anything! Join Rebecca Schrod, Karen Manu and Charlotte Lear ⬇️

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi Charlotte!

Is there a link to apply for an open day at Reed Smith as a graduate? I could not find open days for this year on your graduate recruitment website.

Thank you !

Yes, we will be launching all applications, including the Open Day on 2nd October

 

[giseladamptey]

Hi there, you too!

Yes, LPC grads can certainly apply for the vacation scheme. As we have now made the move to the SQE, we ask our LPC joiners to complete the SQE2 with us should you accept a training contract offer. Your studies will be funded by the firm, and we will also provide you with a maintenance grant.

In terms of what differentiates us, we have some really cool industry groups that work across our practice areas which make our market offering really unique. We have specialisms in Transportation, Energy and Natural Resources, Entertainment and Media, Finance and Life Sciences. The culture of this firm is also incredibly open and welcoming, I'd encourage you to apply for an open day to see it for yourself!

Thank you

 

[F12M34L]

Yes, we will be using the Amberjack Assessments. They will be tailored to Reed Smith but if you've done assessments through Amberjack before you might be used to the style.

Could you provide some insights into the assessment process? They pose a challenge due to the absence of a benchmark. Will they be automated, or will RS send them after the application stage? Additionally, I'm curious if there will be 4-5 VI questions, considering that RS previously had a separate SJT VI with numerous questions.

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hey guys, really appreciate you taking the time to answer our quesitons! My first quesiton is that Reed Smith is obviously known for their shipping practice, financial disputes and pro bono work, would it be advisable to really show an interest in these on the applcaiton from? And is it recommended to show commercial awareness of their areas, or are you looking, right now, for wider commercial accumen?

Also, are there any opportunites for graduates to get an insight into the firm before the vacation scheme?

And finally, I currently work as a paralegal at a firm with similar leading practices to Reed Smith? How best can I show how the skills I have gained translate to that of a trainee?

Thank you!

Hi, no problem, thanks for your questions! Yes, we will have a Reed Smith and commercial awareness question on our application form so recommend you showcasing your research around one of our industry groups there. We aren't looking for in-depth commercial knowledge, but evidence that you have researched one of the sectors we work in is valued.
We will have face to face and virtual open days available - applications for face to face open on 2nd October and we will post a link here.
Consider which skills you have gained and, at the virtual interview it's great to use examples of times you have used or demonstrated this skill.

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Could you provide some insights into the assessment process? They pose a challenge due to the absence of a benchmark. Will they be automated, or will RS send them after the application stage? Additionally, I'm curious if there will be 4-5 VI questions, considering that RS previously had a separate SJT VI with numerous questions.

Hi, assessments are not automated, we read every application form and progression to the assessment stage is based on the application answers you give.
We have never previously released scores or advertised the benchmark we use for online assessments, so nothing has changed in this regard. We will have less VI questions this year - this is because we are expanding the types of virtual assessments used to take a more holistic approach.

 

[F12M34L]

Hi, assessments are not automated, we read every application form and progression to the assessment stage is based on the application answers you give.
We have never previously released scores or advertised the benchmark we use for online assessments, so nothing has changed in this regard. We will have less VI questions this year - this is because we are expanding the types of virtual assessments used to take a more holistic approach.

Thank you Rebecca

 

[futuretrainee2025]

Hi Rebecca, what would you say are the core practice and specialisms of Reed Smith at the London office? Also, what seats are offered to trainees?

Thank you!

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi Rebecca, what would you say are the core practice and specialisms of Reed Smith at the London office? Also, what seats are offered to trainees?

Thank you!

Our main practice and industry groups in London include Finance, Transportation, Entertainment & Media, Energy & Natural Resources, Corporate, Real Estate, Employment and Global Commercial Disputes. More in-depth information on all of our groups can be found on the 'capabilities' tab at reedsmith.com.

The seats we offer in London currently are: Pro Bono, Corporate, Tax, Tech & Data, Entertainment & Media, Finance (including Banking, Structured Finance, Restructuring and Regulatory), Global Commercial Disputes, Antitrust and Competition, Employment, Real Estate, Transportation (including Shipping Litigation and Asset Finance), Energy and Natural Resources. We also have client and international secondments available.

 

[SolicitorHopeful]

Good afternoon,

I applied to Reed Smith last year and made it through to the interview stage and I am interested in applying again this year. Would you recommend submitting the same application as last year?

Many thanks,
Imran

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Good afternoon,

I applied to Reed Smith last year and made it through to the interview stage and I am interested in applying again this year. Would you recommend submitting the same application as last year?

Many thanks,
Imran

Hi Imran, we've updated our application questions so you won't be able to submit exactly the same one. However, some questions are similar, such as 'why commercial law' - for those you're fine to submit a similar response as before as I can imagine your motivations might not have changed much.

 

[SarahB3]

Yes, we will be launching all applications, including the Open Day on 2nd October

Hello Becca,

I participated in the TCLA Webinar this evening and was wondering if it's still possible for me to apply for the virtual Open Day happening this week?

Kind regards,

Sarah

 

[NJS]

Hello Becca,

I participated in the TCLA Webinar this evening and was wondering if it's still possible for me to apply for the virtual Open Day happening this week?

Kind regards,

Sarah

You just need to register, so there's still time to do it!

 

[prettyprincess24]

Hi,

I would like to understand the difference between the following questions, please?

1. Motivations for a career in commercial law with a firm?

versus:

2. Why commercial law career with a firm?



*Also, would I need to draw out motivations more-so in first question or is question 1 same as question 2 in terms of answering on application form? Or in interviews?

Please advise.

Thank you.

 

[wz_13]

Hi Reed Smith Team! I Thank you for the TCLA session Rebecca and Jaysen, it was truly helpful!

I had a question regarding the SQE if you don't mind answering. I recently graduated with a 2:1 law degree and was looking at my next steps. I am looking to self-fund the SQE at the College of Legal Practice as an LLM.
Firstly, would having this SQE disadvantage me in the application process, compared to a candidate who has not done it yet and will undertake the SQE programme with RS?
Secondly, as this course I am looking at will be a online learning programme, do RS regard this with less preference, in comparison to a SQE course that is in person?

Thank you so much for your help in advance, and have the best day!

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi Reed Smith Team! I Thank you for the TCLA session Rebecca and Jaysen, it was truly helpful!

I had a question regarding the SQE if you don't mind answering. I recently graduated with a 2:1 law degree and was looking at my next steps. I am looking to self-fund the SQE at the College of Legal Practice as an LLM.
Firstly, would having this SQE disadvantage me in the application process, compared to a candidate who has not done it yet and will undertake the SQE programme with RS?
Secondly, as this course I am looking at will be a online learning programme, do RS regard this with less preference, in comparison to a SQE course that is in person?

Thank you so much for your help in advance, and have the best day!

Hi, so sorry for missing this post at the time. Not sure if this still helps but:
- No, doing the SQE wouldn't disadvantage you in the application process, we consider candidates who have self funded the LPC or SQE in the same way as anyone else. In some ways it can be an advantage because, if you are successful in getting a TC offer, we might be able to offer you an earlier start date if you had already passed SQE1 & 2.
- We don't have a preference for in person or virtual learning.

Sorry again for the delayed reply!

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi all,

Our Vacation Scheme applications shut next week on 8th January! Ahead of our deadline, here are the answers to a few FAQs:

Am I eligible to apply?
The following are eligible to apply to our Vacation Scheme:
- Penultimate year and Final year Law students
- Final Year non-Law students
- Graduates from any discipline, including career changers

What is the deadline for Vacation Scheme applications?
8th January at 5pm GMT. We are unfortunately not able to extend this deadline under any circumstances.

Who do I contact if I have an issue with your online application form?
Please visit this page for troubleshooting tips: https://candidats.io/faq or, if you can't find a solution to your issue there, please contact our support team at: [email protected]

Can I apply directly for a Training Contract?
No, we recruit solely through our Vacation Schemes. We find that this allows us to assess you and your abilities more effectively, but, equally, it gives candidates a much deeper insight into the firm, so helps your decision making process too. We are mindful that some candidates, such as career changers might not be able to take a long time off work, so limit our schemes to a 2 day virtual induction followed by 1 week in person.

Are international applicants eligible to apply?
Yes, we are able to sponsor visas for successful international candidates.

Answers to additional frequently asked questions can be found here: https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-faqs

Please also feel free to ask the team any questions you have here

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi Becca,

I have been successful in reaching the VI stage; I was wondering if there is any particular dress code. Is it okay to wear just a white shirt or would you prefer us to wear a suit? How are the answers assessed?

There isn't a dress code for video interviews so wear whatever you are comfortable in!

 

[sarahhhh]

Hi, I would like to ask when will be the Reed Smith Rise programme be held offline? Like what specific dates around? Thank you.

 

[Seven]

Hi @ReedSmithBecca when can we expect to hear back post-VI? it's been 3 weeks since I submitted my VI. Thank youuu

 

[Cawareness101]

Hi all,

Our Vacation Scheme applications shut next week on 8th January! Ahead of our deadline, here are the answers to a few FAQs:

Am I eligible to apply?
The following are eligible to apply to our Vacation Scheme:
- Penultimate year and Final year Law students
- Final Year non-Law students
- Graduates from any discipline, including career changers

What is the deadline for Vacation Scheme applications?
8th January at 5pm GMT. We are unfortunately not able to extend this deadline under any circumstances.

Who do I contact if I have an issue with your online application form?
Please visit this page for troubleshooting tips: https://candidats.io/faq or, if you can't find a solution to your issue there, please contact our support team at: [email protected]

Can I apply directly for a Training Contract?
No, we recruit solely through our Vacation Schemes. We find that this allows us to assess you and your abilities more effectively, but, equally, it gives candidates a much deeper insight into the firm, so helps your decision making process too. We are mindful that some candidates, such as career changers might not be able to take a long time off work, so limit our schemes to a 2 day virtual induction followed by 1 week in person.

Are international applicants eligible to apply?
Yes, we are able to sponsor visas for successful international candidates.

Answers to additional frequently asked questions can be found here: https://www.reedsmith.com/en/careers/general/uk-faqs

Please also feel free to ask the team any questions you have here

Hi Becca,

Thank you for taking time out to answer our questions.

I have a few questions in terms of the Assessment Centre. I was wondering how long decisions take to come out following the Assessment centre and also in terms of the case study element what types of things will the interviewer be looking for.