Ask Shearman & Sterling Anything!

[Heulwen]

Hi Paul,

I noticed that most of your trainees graduated from a university in the UK with a mix of law and non-law degree, and I am worried that priorities will be given to UK graduates when you are recruiting new trainees. I am currently studying Political Science at UCLA and I want to pursue a career in commercial law specifically in London because it has close ties to my home place–Hong Kong, and it is the world's most international market for legal services. I recently applied for the Open Day event and was rejected. I sincerely hope to work at Shearman & Sterling's London office and I hope you could give me some advice.

 

[jan28]

Hi @R19 - I'm really pleased you'll be joining us on Wednesday.

There'll be no requirement for you to join via your webcam. It's more of a webinar format.

Thanks,

Paul

Thank you.

 

[Kelly_]

Hi Paul,
I attended the Shearman open day yesterday (which I really enjoyed by the way!) and I found out about the issue of having a low contract law mark. As this was the first exam I ever took at university and being an international student with little experience writing essays I received a 50%. In my second year I took another contract related module (remedies) for which I gained a 2:1 and I graduated in 2020 with a first overall. However, I'm still a bit worried and was really looking forward to applying for the VS, for which I had already started my application. I was wondering if it was still worth applying.

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Hi Paul,
I attended the Shearman open day yesterday (which I really enjoyed by the way!) and I found out about the issue of having a low contract law mark. As this was the first exam I ever took at university and being an international student with little experience writing essays I received a 50%. In my second year I took another contract related module (remedies) for which I gained a 2:1 and I graduated in 2020 with a first overall. However, I'm still a bit worried and was really looking forward to applying for the VS, for which I had already started my application. I was wondering if it was still worth applying.

Hi @Kelly Bracken

It is always difficult for me to give you a yes or no answer to these queries. The application form covers much more than your grades - it's not as reductive as looking at one module grade.

You should have confidence though - you successfully applied for the open day. That should tell you a lot

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Lawgirl123]

Hi @Paul - Shearman & Sterling - please can you confirm whether graduates can apply to the summer vacation scheme? I know some firms have specific schemes for certain types of candidates!

Thanks!

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Hi @Paul - Shearman & Sterling - please can you confirm whether graduates can apply to the summer vacation scheme? I know some firms have specific schemes for certain types of candidates!

Thanks!

Hi @Lawgirl123

Yes, we welcome applications from graduates!

Thanks,

Paul

 

[SK02]

hi Paul,

I am a law graduate (2020) from India and pursuing LLM at Queen Mary University of London (2020-21). I am curious to know do the firms consider LLM enrolled applicants for the vacation scheme program?

if yes ,then I have a follow up question about the visa status.

As per the UK guidelines the students graduating after April 2020 will be entrusted with additional 2 year post study visa, via Graduation immigration route, so in the application form what should I answer in visa/work permit related question?

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

hi Paul,

I am a law graduate (2020) from India and pursuing LLM at Queen Mary University of London (2020-21). I am curious to know do the firms consider LLM enrolled applicants for the vacation scheme program?

if yes ,then I have a follow up question about the visa status.

As per the UK guidelines the students graduating after April 2020 will be entrusted with additional 2 year post study visa, via Graduation immigration route, so in the application form what should I answer in visa/work permit related question?

Hi @Suraj Kundu

Yes, we do accept applications from LLM students.

Regarding your VISA, from the information you have provided, you should tick 'yes' the to question asking if require permission to work in the UK.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Mxkry]

Hi Paul,

I was just wondering what happened to the International Arbitration Internship scheme. I applied in July and never recieved a response from the firm. I assume the pandemic meant that it was no longer possible for the scheme to go ahead, but I received no update on the application.

Kind Regards,

Mark

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Hi Paul,

I was just wondering what happened to the International Arbitration Internship scheme. I applied in July and never recieved a response from the firm. I assume the pandemic meant that it was no longer possible for the scheme to go ahead, but I received no update on the application.

Kind Regards,

Mark

Hi @Mxkry

We recruit on an ad-hoc basis for that role.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[33c]

Hi Paul,

I was wondering if you can allocate candidates to a scheme they did not originally apply for? For example, if the spring scheme is full but you interviewed a strong candidate, would you offer them a place on the summer scheme?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SK02]

Hi Paul,

I was wondering how S&S is looking up to the new SQE route to register as solicitor with SRA?

Is there and development done to adopt the new framework or the firm will be expecting the trainees to follow the existing route?

thanks and regards
Suraj

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Hi Paul,

I was wondering if you can allocate candidates to a scheme they did not originally apply for? For example, if the spring scheme is full but you interviewed a strong candidate, would you offer them a place on the summer scheme?

Thanks in advance!

Hi @Cmcc

It's possible, but all the schemes are equally competitive, so it very rarely happens.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Hi Paul,

I was wondering how S&S is looking up to the new SQE route to register as solicitor with SRA?

Is there and development done to adopt the new framework or the firm will be expecting the trainees to follow the existing route?

thanks and regards
Suraj

Hi @Suraj Kundu

We haven't formalised our SQE plans yet, so the existing route is good for now.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[M1999]

Hi Paul,

I am finalising my application and I had a question about the work experience section. Is it suitable to compile all open days and workshop events into one single entry (I have five) or shall I make separate entries?

Thank you!

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Hi Paul,

I am finalising my application and I had a question about the work experience section. Is it suitable to compile all open days and workshop events into one single entry (I have five) or shall I make separate entries?

Thank you!

Hi @M1999

You can do it either way. Best to chose what you think works best.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[lawhopeful]

Hi Paul, I am just finishing off my vacation scheme application. I applied and got onto the December Open Day and was just wondering if it is acceptable to have overlap between the two applications regarding why I am interested in Shearman & Sterling or should it be a completely fresh application?

 

[Paul - Shearman & Sterling]

Hi Paul, I am just finishing off my vacation scheme application. I applied and got onto the December Open Day and was just wondering if it is acceptable to have overlap between the two applications regarding why I am interested in Shearman & Sterling or should it be a completely fresh application?

Hi @lawhopeful

It's difficult to say. Your Vac Scheme application will be reviewed separately from your Open Day application, so go with what you think is best.

Thanks,

Paul

 

[lawhopeful]

Hi @lawhopeful

It's difficult to say. Your Vac Scheme application will be reviewed separately from your Open Day application, so go with what you think is best.

Thanks,

Paul

Thank you for the prompt answer!

 

[matpart]

Hi Paul,

How would you view an applicant who did an LLB for undergraduate studies, but then went on to do a master's in something non-law? I am committed to law and find it interesting, but I would love to take the opportunity of a year out after my LLB to explore something else, perhaps studying IR or becoming properly fluent in Arabic (as I have studied that before) in a course such as Arabic Studies. Would you think of an applicant with an educational history like this as undecided or not motivated enough to do law?