Reed Smith LLP - True Picture

No need to Reed between the lines at this Pennsylvanian export, with top-tier shipping and finance work, and a healthy portion of pro bono on the side.

Reed Smith training contract review 2025

The Firm



Much like Coldplay, Beyoncé, and Craig David, Pittsburgh's Reed Smith shot to stardom back in the 2000s, turning transatlantic when it acquired a London firm to set up shop across the pond. Since then, it has evolved into a global practice of 31 offices, focusing on six core practice areas: energy & natural resources, entertainment & media, financial services, healthcare, and life sciences. This is reflected in the firm’s Chambers UK accolades, where it scores top marks in banking & finance, shipping, and insurance, to name a few.

Our interviewees noted that Reed Smith’s range of practices (which are not limited to the six core focus areas) and global reputation were a big selling point. “I attended an open day and spoke to someone in the shipping department,” reminisced one source, “I thought, ‘shipping oh, that’s weird.’ But then I learned all about the supply chain stuff and found it super-interesting.” Ahoy!

“I felt as if the pro bono work spoke to the culture of the firm.”

The firm is known for its pro bono work, which trainees have had a 100% participation rate in for over a decade! Reed Smith assists on a range of pro bono matters – most notably in immigration, children in need, and human trafficking. “I felt as if the pro bono work spoke to the culture of the firm,” one source told us, adding that “it was also listed as one of the best law firms for women.” In terms of diversity, equity & inclusion, we heard that the firm is “striving to go the extra mile” by promoting campus ambassadors at non-Russell Group universities and committing to hosting DEI initiatives and events. More on that later, though.

The Seats



The firm has recently sought assistance from AI to manage seat allocation. Trainees score their preferences from ten to one, with the only mandatory seat being litigation. This was a mixed bag when it came to trainee satisfaction; we heard that some repeatedly received their preferences while others weren’t as lucky. Sounds like AI teething issues though, which will hopefully be ironed out on the next roll-out. There is also the opportunity to go on a secondment at one of three of the firm’s international offices: Paris, Dubai or Singapore. Client secondments are available at a variety of clients such as IKEA. These secondments require an interview with the client or the relationship partner – or sometimes both. (It’s worth it for the potential of free IKEA meatballs, we think!)

One seat you can undertake throughout your training contract is in the energy and natural resources (ENR) team. This was a popular seat amongst our trainees due to “its mix of advisory and regulatory work.” Further, “it’s one of the most applicable seats you can do when it comes to reading The Financial Times, etc.” Because of the firm’s prowess in this area, there are plenty of experts in the field to consult with. Here, typical trainee tasks include proofreading, working on the first drafts of client memos, and contract review. It is a research-heavy seat, but there is also the chance to attend client meetings and presentations. One insider told us, “you get a lot of contact with the partners; they’re happy to give you more associate-level work.” This work tends to be on the more transactional side of the spectrum, so you can gain lots of experience in these types of matters.

“You get a lot of contact with the partners; they’re happy to give you more associate-level work.”

The financial department is split into several subgroups, including restructuring and insolvency, financial regulation, banking and finance, and more. In the private equity space, the group has advised large funds such as Fortress Investment Group, Oak Hill Advisors and Macquarie Investments. In the banking litigation space, the firm recently worked with Bank of New York Mellon on a claim brought by four hedge funds against the Republic of Argentina. Clearly, “everyone in the department knows their way around a fund,” as one newbie put it. Being a trainee in this group means that you will be working on preparing ancillary documents, amending letters and managing DocuSign streams, as well as liaising with local counsel. With time, we were informed that “I was working on several deals by myself with my supervisor giving oversight. When you see a deal through once, you’re able to do it yourself.” Deals in this area tend to start and finish in roughly five to seven weeks.

Shipping is another seat group trainees can sit in, and “if you’re going to do shipping, Reed Smith is the place to do it,” one interviewee quipped. The group is split into dry and wet shipping. Dry shipping – which trainees are much more likely to qualify into – involves matters such as contracts, construction funding and charter agreements, while wet shipping concerns the matters that happen on an actual voyage. The work ranges from mediations, arbitration and charter party reviews, though there is also the chance to assist with research tasks into EU legislation and how this impacts clients. “There is a lot of opportunity to take on responsibility, but there is a safety net there for you,” one newbie shared. A recent matter the firm took on was on behalf of NorthStandard, one of the world’s largest marine liability insurers, where it advised on aspects of a merger with another insurer.

“If you’re going to do shipping, Reed Smith is the place to do it.”

Pro bono, which is encouraged at the firm and compulsory for trainees, allows newbies to get involved in a whole other range of areas. The work can be flexible around deadlines and is usually “an hour or two here and there.” There is even the option to do an entire seat in the pro bono team! The work ranges from PIP claims to ad hoc queries, and this seat is also a chance to work with colleagues in other offices if the work is international.

Trainee Life



The culture of the firm is “very hard-working, but underpinned by a good sense of humour,” one insider explained. “I did several vacation schemes and got a few offers,” confessed another, “but I picked Reed Smith because I felt it had a genuine commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion, as well as an open culture. At other firms, it’s way less common to have senior people come and speak to you, and trainees feel like they’re in competition with one another. It’s the complete opposite here.” The firm lacks the “typical old law firm culture,” we were told, instead opting to foster a forthcoming, genuine environment. There are plenty of DEI initiatives to get involved in and a wide range of issues are covered; the firm hosts several social mobility, learning difficulty, and mental health days, as well as events for Southeast Asian culture and Eid. Overall, the consensus amongst interviewees was that the firm is making an impact in creating a diverse and inclusive atmosphere.

“I picked Reed Smith because I felt it had a genuine commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion, as well as an open culture."

The firm has also moved to its new office in Blossom Yard near Spitalfields which we heard has further fostered the social culture: “I remember in the first week, we had the firm social, department social and qualifier social!” The new office benefits from increased communal spaces and even an outdoor terrace which is a great place to sip on your morning coffee. Conveniently, you can fetch this from the new coffee bar. There is even a new Pilates and yoga studio, so you can say goodbye to your ClassPass membership! The current hybrid working policy is to come in on a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, so the other two days are up for you to decide whether you want to work from home or stay in the office. Hours vary with most of our interviewees reportedly working an average pattern of 9am to 7pm, though our survey respondents averaged 37 hours a week, which is lower than the market average. Some seats may require longer days than others, but supervisors do try to accommodate any after-work plans you may have.

“The supervisors are great at never overwhelming you. They all remember what it was like to be a trainee and take the time to explain things to you.”

Training was also a notable Reed Smith strength. The firm offers two levels of training: whole cohort intake training, which you do alongside your training contract, as well as training for each new seat. Some trainees will share an office with their supervisor, whereas others can sit next to them in the open-plan office space. “All the supervisors do it because they have qualities which make them good, like patience… I don’t know anyone who hasn’t had a good relationship with their supervisor,” relayed one source. Another added, “the supervisors are great at never overwhelming you. They all remember what it was like to be a trainee and take the time to explain things to you.” This is complemented by your mid- and end-of-seat appraisals, which allow you to receive more formal feedback.

The qualification process at the firm is explained to trainees at the tail end of their third seat. There is an element of competition, as some seats – like media and entertainment, ENR, or corporate – can be harder to bag than others. To apply for a position, you must submit your CV and cover letter, which will then be followed by a partner interview; our interviewees seemed very keen to stay on, if possible! Reed Smith did not disclose its trainee retention rates this year.

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  • Vacation scheme deadline: 6 January 2025

Reed Smith receives around 2,000 online applications a year. The process is CV-blind to allow students to get their foot in the door. HR told us that it's a plus when a student has undertaken proactive work with volunteering groups or societies (but it doesn’t have to be legal-related). Candidates can expect to do a psychometric test so the firm can grasp an initial understanding of their strengths. The next stage consists of a video interview. Applications will be screened on a rolling basis. Roughly 70 candidates progress to the assessment day. 

Vacation schemes  

Reed Smith runs one-week vacation schemes, one in spring and another in summer. The schemes last for around a week, with applicants sitting in one department during that time. HR confirmed that they like to give people a choice of where they want to sit. The main purpose of the vacation schemes is for the firm to get to know applicants: it wants to know how applicants work and how they work with other vac schemers and others across the firm.  

Reed Smith’s HR team said the vacation scheme aims to provide work that’s fun and slightly different. And, according to their trainees, they did not disappoint: “The vacation scheme was a bit challenging, but I got lots out of it as it didn't have a competitive atmosphere and was more cohesive.”  

Reed Smith does not accept direct applications for training contracts and instead makes offers to those who have completed the vacation scheme and made a good impression. 

Open days  

Reed Smith also holds open days in September and November. The firm hosts both a face-to-face open day as well as online sessions to ensure they are accessible to those unable to attend in person. These sessions focus on factors such as culture; diversity and inclusion; the SQE process; and application advice for the training contract journey. Open days are not a part of the vacation scheme application journey, but the HR team recommends that prospective candidates attend them to better understand the firm and its culture, as well as its subsequent recruitment process. 

Trainee profile  

Sources told us that the firm does look at factors beyond academic ability. Whilst academics are important, the firm is focused on helping trainees become well-rounded lawyers. This means it is looking for people with commercial awareness and the ability to be innovative in their thinking and approach. Reed Smith is also looking for people who are inclusive. 

Reed Smith works closely with over 15 non-Russell Group universities through society sponsorships and bespoke events, partnering with social mobility groups to host or participate in events. The firm has many networks promoting diversity and inclusivity such as a multicultural network, LGBTQ+ network (also known as PRISM), disability network and more. 

First-Year Scheme 

Last year, the firm introduced a brand-new scheme for first-year law students, second-year non-law students and those in the second year of a four-year course. 

This is a three-day programme of workshops, shadowing and networking at the offices in London. Following this, applicants are paired with a mentor at the firm who will be on hand to answer any questions they may have about life at Reed Smith. Graduate recruitment stay in touch to let them know about applications for upcoming schemes. 

The first-year scheme is part of the firm's diversity, equity and inclusion mission. 

It is open to students from groups under-represented in law. This includes students who are: 

• Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic; and/or 

• educated in a state school non-selective comprehensive; and/or 

• a refugee; and/or 

• from a low-income household; and/or 

• were eligible for free school meals from a state school non-selective comprehensive; and/or 

• have spent more than three months in local authority care; and/or 

• disabled and/or who have long-term health conditions; and/or 

• identify as LGBTQ+. 

 This paid scheme includes: 

• a three-day insight programme, held in person during summer;

• mentoring;

• workshops and case study sessions; and

• the opportunity to be fast-tracked through the Vacation Scheme application process in 2023/24.

 

Reed Smith LLP

Broadgate Tower,
20 Primrose Street,
London,
EC2A 2RS
Website www.reedsmith.com

Firm profile




We are dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients.

Main areas of work




Our practice groups include: commercial disputes, energy and natural resources, entertainment and media, finance, real estate and transportation. Our lawyers work with some of the most innovative organisations in the world — from multi-billion dollar Silicon Valley giants to national banks. We have even represented some of the biggest pop stars on the planet. 

Training opportunities




Ambitious and entrepreneurial graduates are rewarded at Reed Smith with a training programme that is supportive, challenging and exciting, offering unparalleled client and international secondments. Our unique culture, which allows trainees to turn passions into careers, is one of the reasons our lawyers remain with us for such a long time, moving seats, jobs roles and even countries, but sticking with the firm.

During our Professional SQE Programme, our Future Trainees study for the SQE examinations and work part time at Reed Smith during placement periods. This concurrent studying and working allows them to complete an applied Masters-level Professional Project related to the work they are doing, and have the opportunity to gain a solid foundation in business skills and the elements of an innovative and “O Shaped” lawyer.

We recruit our future Trainees through our Vacation Schemes only. During this round of recruitment, we will be looking for candidates that wish to start their Training Contract (Qualifying Work Experience) in 2026 or 2027. 

Vacation placements




Our Spring and Summer vacation schemes offer students the opportunity to gain an insight into life at Reed Smith, as well as providing a solid account of the type of work encountered as a trainee. Applications will close on 6th January 2025 at 5pm.

On a scheme, students will experience one or two practice areas of their choice. Alongside their seats, students will also have the opportunity to attend various sessions to improve their legal and business skills. These include a pro bono exercise and a variety of workshops, covering topics such as cultural intelligence, presentation skills, and business development. These sessions, alongside feedback from the seats and a final interview, allow the Graduate Recruitment Team to assess suitability for becoming a Reed Smith Trainee. Additionally, throughout the vacation scheme, the attendees will get to experience the real culture of our firm through informal, relaxed socials alongside our trainees.

Other benefits




In addition to a competitive salary (£50,000 moving to £55,000 in year 2), our trainee solicitor benefits package includes: 25 days’ annual holiday, cycle to work scheme, subsidised cafeteria, discounted gym membership, permanent health insurance, dental insurance, season ticket loan and much more.

Open days and first-year opportunities




Our Open Days will be great opportunities to get to know the firm. This year we will be hosting in person open days in our London and Leeds offices as well as a virtual Open Day. Dates and deadlines can be found at: https://reedsmith.app.candidats.io/roles

The First-Year Scheme will take place in summer2025, and will involve a three-day programme of workshops, shadowing and networking at our London offices. Applications are open until 10th February 2025.  

University law careers fairs 2024/2025



We will be hosting and attending a mix of events in partnership with universities and societies, as well as through partners such as Legal Cheek, All About Law, Bright Network, LawCareers.net and Aspiring Solicitors.

Diversity, inclusion and wellbeing




At Reed Smith, we are passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. We value our people regardless of their race, gender, sexual identity, religion, background, age, or where they were born. Everyone matters here. Through inclusion, we encourage stronger performance, collaboration, teamwork and innovation in all we do.

As leaders in driving the progress of diversity and inclusion, we have a unique approach: unlike traditional diversity programs, ours is focused on inclusion. We want everyone to be included, at every level. Our inclusion culture also makes commercial sense. By focusing on how all our diverse individuals can feel included, we increase their engagement, opportunities, and involvement. We boost their chances of promotion and compensation. And this supports our recruitment of the best people – from all kinds of backgrounds and will all kinds of experience – who bring us the best results. 

Our internal networks:
Multicultural Network (MCN) – promotes cultural diversity within the firm, with a focus on attracting, recruiting, and promoting individuals from multicultural and ethnic minority backgrounds.

LEADRS (Looking for Excellence and Advancement of Persons with Disabilities at Reed Smith) – supports and enhances the professional and personal development of those with all types of disabilities, both mental and physical. It helps us show that jobs for people with disabilities are both available and achievable at the top of the legal profession.

PRISM (Pride, Respect and Inclusion Simply Matter) – champions inclusion for LGBT+ individuals, and acts as a forum for socialising, mentoring and networking in our firm and the wider LGBT+ community.

WINRS (Women’s network) – a growing global community dedicated to enhancing our workplace to more effectively develop, reward, engage, and attract women in the legal profession. 

This Firm's Rankings in
UK Guide, 2024

Ranked Departments

    • Banking & Finance: Fund Finance (Band 1)
    • Banking & Finance: Lenders: Mid-Market (Band 3)
    • Commercial and Corporate Litigation (Band 4)
    • Construction: Non-contentious (Band 5)
    • Corporate/M&A: £100-800 million (Band 4)
    • Employment: Employer (Band 3)
    • Information Technology & Outsourcing (Band 4)
    • Intellectual Property (Band 4)
    • Pensions (Band 5)
    • Real Estate: £150 million and above (Band 5)
    • Asset Finance: Aviation Finance (Band 3)
    • Asset Finance: Shipping Finance (Band 2)
    • Banking Litigation (Band 4)
    • Capital Markets: Securitisation (Band 4)
    • Commodities: Derivatives & Energy Trading (Band 1)
    • Commodities: Physicals (Band 1)
    • Commodities: Trade Finance (Band 2)
    • Data Protection & Information Law (Band 3)
    • Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory (Band 4)
    • Insurance: Mainly Policyholders (Band 1)
    • International Arbitration: Commercial Arbitration (Band 5)
    • International Arbitration: Investor-State Arbitration (Band 3)
    • Media & Entertainment: Film & Television (Band 3)
    • Media & Entertainment: Games, Interactive Entertainment & Social Media (Band 2)
    • Media & Entertainment: Music (Band 3)
    • Real Estate Finance (Band 6)
    • Shipping (Band 1)

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