Stevens & Bolton LLP - True Picture

Stevens & Bolton training contract review 2025 

The Firm 

Despite pulling in top clients, “Stevens & Bolton is proud to not have the intense culture that you might get at other firms.” Instead, sources valued the positive vibes, telling us how there’s real substance behind the firm’s “great, family-like culture.” Even one trainee who was initially wary about working in a single-office firm found that “it’s so lovely having everyone in one office, and you get to know everyone so well.” 

This isn’t to say that things are quiet down in Guildford; the firm has been growing in recent years, and the trainee cohort size has increased to reflect this. In 2023, S&B doubled its intake from five to ten trainees a year. Sources were pleased that this didn’t affect S&B’s signature personal touch, finding that “the only difference has been that it’s nicer to have more of us! There’s a bigger support network of trainees.” What’s more, ten is still cosy enough for trainees to get plenty of direct work with partners. 

“A lot of work is very similar to what City firms are getting.” 

Being just outside London, trainees at S&B found that “a lot of work is very similar to what City firms are getting,” just without the infamous long hours that you might find in the capital. As such, training principal Ian Craig describes the firm as “a thriving independent law firm delivering excellence beyond the City.” Trainees also mentioned that the firm has “really strong rankings in various practice areas, so it’s a win-win across the board.” This is no empty boast, as S&B receives several top rankings from Chambers UK, including corporate/M&A, banking & finance, litigation, information technology and intellectual property. Chambers High Net Worth also considers S&B a national leader in private wealth law. 

The Seats 

First-seat trainees submit a list of their top three seat preferences before starting at the firm, and further seats are allocated based on conversations with HR and the training principal. Most of our interviewees were happy with the process, but noted that “you might not always get what you want,” especially since increased cohort sizes mean that popular seats become slightly more competitive. IP was reportedly one of the more popular seats, as were commercial & IT and corporate which are “bigger teams and take on more trainees than other seats.” Otherwise, trainees must do a corporate, contentious and property-related seat. Occasional client secondments also pop up here and there, but “that’s usually when a client wants someone and you happen to be in the right seat at the right time.” 

“You’re a valued team member.” 

Corporate is the firm’s largest department, and works on “around 90% M&A and 10% corporate advisory.” There’s also a diverse range of clients: for example, the team has advised Surrey-based gin distiller Silent Pool Distillers on its acquisition of a major whisky producer, and AI systems provider BlueBear on its sale to Saab UK. Insiders were grateful for the team’s supportive culture as “there can be a lot of jargon in corporate and the transactions tend to be fast-paced, so it’s really useful to have people to answer your questions.” The level of responsibility was also praised by trainees, as “you’re a valued team member and not just given easy tasks.” Typical responsibilities of a corporate trainee include drafting ancillary documents, emailing clients and reaching out to specialists in departments across the firm to complete due diligence reports. Sources also said that people in the team “try to make sure I’m on one or more deals that I can see through from start to finish, and that’s really helped my understanding of corporate transactions as a whole.” There’s also a new, separate corporate tax seat which allows trainees an insight into a “very technical” practice area, in a team where “senior lawyers are willing to make time to explain things to you.” 

The main takeaway from our interviews with trainees in commercial & IT was the variety of the work. Apparently, there are “five partners, and each manages a distinct area within commercial.” This meant that newbies get to see a range of matters: “You can work on five different things a day, from corporate support work to negotiations and prize giveaways. It keeps things interesting and gives you more options for specialising later.” Drafting was said to be a key part of the seat and, though it can be “quite high pressure, the work is amazing and you really feel like you’re progressing and learning.” Clients in this department include names such as beer company Asahi and Aspects Beauty Company, and the team has also supported car manufacturer Kia with several commercial matters, such as contracts for a training academy in Derby. 

The tax & trusts seat is “basically like private client” as the team helps wealthy individuals manage their finances and estates. Trainees here drafts wills and lasting powers of attorney, so it’s not surprising that one source felt that their time spent in this seat “significantly improved my drafting skills.” Others valued the client contact as “there are plenty of in-person meetings, but I also enjoy working through the numbers to work out the best-case scenario for clients.” The department also collaborates with lawyers over in private wealth disputes when matters become contentious, and trainees can do a separate stint with this team, too. 

Trainees loved the intellectual property group, explaining how “we do contentious and non-contentious work. The department has a really great brand protection discipline and does lots of work with copyright and trade marks.” Recently, the team has advised Brighton & Hove Albion football club on its trademark and brand protection issues, setting up an anti-counterfeiting programme to identify and remove any infringing listings from websites. Trainees explained that the role requires an “understanding of how to draft contentiously while setting the right tone,” and this can include applications and letters to the other side. Newbies also found that the team was especially good at managing workloads as “associates give you work through your supervising partner, but you also get to work directly with other people in the team.”  

“There’s a lot of contact with clients, even from the first month.” 

A seat in construction & engineering offers contentious and transactional work as “there’s a partner for each, and we get to work with both.” The department has worked with clients across a range of sectors, including Octopus Healthcare and the Royal Albert Hall. On the contentious side, trainees handle project management to “make sure we’re keeping up with key dates,” attend meetings with clients and do a bit of research. Non-contentious matters have trainees reviewing ancillary documents and drafting contracts and collateral warranties. Even though large-scale projects come with plenty of matter management for trainees, insiders were pleased that “there’s a lot of contact with clients, even from the first month. I really enjoyed getting straight in there.” 

S&B’s finance, restructuring & insolvencyteam, otherwise known as FRI, is “all one team, but there’s a natural subdivide of work according to people’s specialisms.” The team is relatively small – and “probably perceived as more hardcore,” one trainee quipped – but still provides “a really solid learning experience” thanks to its structured training. Newbies get to work on both sides of the team, but the split in workload depends on which practice areas are busiest while they’re there. On the restructuring side, trainees got the chance to get involved in pre-pack administrations which “are great as they’re so fast-paced.” Meanwhile, trainees on finance matters manage correspondence and conditions precedents, and some were “encouraged to take the lead” on smaller transactions as they neared the end of the seat. “Those matters were my babies,” said one trainee, who appreciated that “it gives you responsibility and experience speaking to clients.” In fact, you’ll come across plenty of familiar client names during this seat, including Papa John’s, HSBC and Samsung. 

Trainee Life 

“...It’s not all work and no balance.” 

“Even though we’re all working hard during the day and taking time to deliver top-quality work, the firm still makes an effort to put on social events,” a trainee explained. Our interviewees were especially enthusiastic about the Pride party (which included a performance from the firm’s choir group) and S&B’s sports clubs. “Things like that really set the firm apart,” said one trainee, “I think it’s important to feel at home where you’re working, and to have friends you get along with. It’s not all work and no balance.” There are also plenty of CSR-based activities on offer, such as local wildlife conservation work and fundraising events, most of which are “focused on Guildford and helping the community.” Trainees can get involved in some pro bono with the University of Surrey, too, offering legal advice to students with new business ideas. 

Another recurring theme in our interviews was that the firm seems to have lots of young lawyers, so much so that “quite a lot of the partners at the firm are really young, which is refreshing.” However, sources also explained that “there are people who have been here for ages, and the IP team hasn’t lost any people for about ten years! That’s largely down to the culture.” More specifically, insiders were keen to tell us about their experience with “chilled out but brilliant” teams where “people tend to get on really well.” 

Our interviewees found that they could stick to a pretty consistent 9 to 6.30pm workday across their seats. Banking & finance and corporate reportedly came with some longer hours and “the odd late night” when deadlines come up. We heard that IP “probably takes the top spot when it comes to work-life balance, as 5.30pm finishes are very realistic and quite regular.” This meant that trainees were generally satisfied with their salary, which is “pretty good for a firm outside of London. But, even if you do get paid slightly less than City firms, the work-life balance is worth it – you get to live your life!” 

Trainees raved about the recently refurbished office, detailing how “it can be inspiring to work somewhere quite modern. You can tell that they’ve made an effort to make sure we can have a nice office that’s also good for employees’ mental wellbeing.” We also heard that there “must be at least 900 plants, and I like that the new space is so environmentally-conscious.” Craig also highlights how “sustainability is at the heart of the new office design, which caters to the demands of the modern workplace with state-of-the-art hybrid working technology and collaborative spaces.” The hot-desking system received praise from interviewees, too, who found that it allowed them to sit next to and learn from different seniors. 

We also heard that “S&B is great at making sure we have a good set-up at home for hybrid working,” and trainees are expected to be in the office at least twice per week. Craig notes that “we believe that we all benefit from greater flexibility in our lives,” but acknowledges that trainees are still “actively encouraged to be in the office as much as possible, and to coordinate office days with their supervisors so that they can learn from experience and by example.” Supervisors are typically senior lawyers or partners, who may have different working styles and varying levels of superiority, but “the underlying theme is that they’re all approachable. They pick supervisors really well here.”  

Qualification at S&B has traditionally been decided based on informal chats with partners and HR, but interviewees surmised that the process will be more formal in the future as trainee intake sizes have increased. Still, first-years who are part of the first, larger cohort appreciated how “they’ve emphasised to us that they want to retain all trainees.” In 2024, S&B kept five out of six qualifiers. 

How to get a Stevens & Bolton LLP training contract

Vacation scheme deadline (2025): consult firm website from 1 Dec 2024

Training contract deadline (2025): 31 January 2025

Applications and assessments

S&B receives approximately 350 applications for its vac scheme, plus another 500 direct applications for its five available training contracts. HR sources at the firm tell us that they're seeking applications that show “good grammar and language skills, and the ability to communicate concisely.”

The assessment process for a training contract is “straightforward and designed to give each person an opportunity to be themselves and find out about the firm” our HR sources explain. Candidates kick-start the process by completing an online application form. Those who impress through the shortlisting process with HR are invited to complete a Watson Glaser critical reasoning test before attending an interview with one of S&B's partners.

If successful, S&B will sponsor your law school education, and provide you with a maintenance grant of £7,000 per year.

Ideal candidates

Candidates from both law and non-law backgrounds are encouraged to apply. You'll need at least 340 UCAS points (and at least one A at A level) as well as a 2:1 degree or higher – those who are still at university need to be on track to achieve this.

You'll also need to show that you have the right qualities to work at S&B. Recruiters are particularly on the lookout for those who can demonstrate the following: superb communication skills; a team player mentality; adaptability; the ability to manage competing deadlines and projects; drive and ambition; intelligence; attention to detail; business interest; and enthusiasm to be a lawyer and to work for S&B.

Vacation scheme

S&B offers a total of 30 places across its two vacation schemes in the spring each year. Each lasts a week, and participants are paid after they have completed the scheme.

Vac schemers spend their visit in a single department, accompanied by a buddy within the team. They also attend presentations on the firm's practice areas over the course of the week. Within their assigned team, attendees tackle work on live matters. “I was right in the thick of things, not tucked away in a corner,” one of the firm's current trainees recalled. This is supplemented with exercises set by the firm's professional support lawyers – for example, drafting a witness statement. Sources also highlighted that there's ample opportunity to meet partners, ask questions and learn more about working at the firm.