Our people define us. In an increasingly complex and challenging business environment, we're responsive to our people's needs.We're focused on attracting and retaining top talent.
We're an international firm. Every day,
our expert teams across Europe, the Middle East and Asia come together
to work on our clients' toughest commercial challenges. Our lawyers
are sector specialists, they're experts in the areas that matter most
to everyone's future, from healthcare and technology to the financial
forces that power our world.
We're reimagining what a career in law
looks like. It's all part of our long-term strategy to become the next
ge neration law firm, for our people and our clients. It means that
when you join our firm, you'll discover so much more than the practice
of law.
About the programme
Qualify as a solicitor and earn while you
learn through our six year, level 7, solicitor apprenticeship programme.
From day one, you'll be immersed in life
at Simmons & Simmons. Four days a week will be spent gaining
practical work experience and one day a week studying with BPP
University. By combining work and study, you'll be able to put want
you learn into practice through a variety of tasks and projects.
Work experience
You'll spend time across multiple practice
groups discovering the innovation we're known for. Your journey will
start with three months in Business Services, getting to know the firm
and our clients. With close support and guidance, you'll go on to
spend 15 months each in three different practice groups. Two will be
legal practice groups and one will be our Solutions
team where you'll look beyond the traditional legal approach and
explore new ways of working for our firm and our clients. In year's
five and six of the programme, you'll rotate around a further four
legal practice groups for six months each, alongside our trainee
solicitors, gaining a broad perspective of the firms work and where
your career might lead. You'll help answer our clients' biggest and
most important questions, because that's exactly what we'll train you
to do.
Study
In years one to four, you'll complete your
LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice. Each term you'll study toward a
different module including English Legal System; Contract Law; Tort
Law; Land Law; One of Dispute Resolution, Property Practice or
Commercial Practice; Public Law, Criminal Law; Company Law; Trusts
Law; Wills and Administration of Estate. Alongside this, you'll focus
on a new legal skill each term. In years five and six you'll study
towards the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE). On successful
completion of the SQE, you will qualify as a solicitor.
Location
We are currently recruiting for
apprentices to join our Bristol office for September 2025.
Eligibility
We want to hear from ambitious future
lawyers, who are ready to leave their mark on the world.
You must be a school/college leaver with
GCSE grades 4 or above, with at least a 6 in Maths and English, plus
A-Level grades at ABB (or equivalent).
Firm culture
Diversity is a huge part of who we are.
Every day we embrace different mindsets, experiences and backgrounds,
continuingly building a law firm where everyone can thrive.
We want everyone to feel welcomed, valued
and heard. All kinds of interests come together here - cricket fans
and chess experts, netball players and evening yoga fans - and our
social groups and sports teams are always looking for like-minded
people. You'll find that in our eight networks too, including the
LGBT+ network, TNOC (our gender network), and EMerge (our race and
ethnicity network). It's a vibrant team, all ready to share in each
other's interests and explore new ones.
Support
You will be supported throughout the
programme by a mentor, buddy, and member of our HR team. In addition,
when working within each practice group you will have a dedicated supervisor.
Your dedicated practice group supervisor
will provide you with guidance and support. They'll monitor your
progress and make sure you're gaining all the skills needed to become
a well-rounded lawyer and business leader of the future.
Your mentor will be a senior lawyer who
will provide additional support throughout the programme. They'll give
you advice and guidance on whatever you need as you move around the
different practice groups and progress through the apprenticeship.
Your buddy will be a junior lawyer,
allocated to you as soon as you accept an offer with us. They will
answer everything you need to know about joining the firm and will be
on hand as you settle into your role.
A member of our HR team will work closely
with you, your practice group supervisors and a dedicated skills coach
at BPP University to ensure you're gaining the right skills and
opportunities throughout your work experience.
In addition to Simmons & Simmons
support, you will have academic support at the BPP University helping
you through your studies.
Benefits
You'll receive a starting salary of
£26,000 per annum which will increase throughout the programme. You
will also be given a £1,500 starting bonus to support you as you get
set up.