Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone,

I'm very excited to be joined by Reed Smith's graduate recruitment team @ReedSmithBecca and @RikPalmer-ReedSmith. The team are live right now to answer your questions.

They will also be joined by three future trainees/SQE interns on Wednesday:

• Christelle Dantziguian
• Abbie Whitlock
• Destiny-Dunn Browne

Please do use this thread to ask any questions you have, whether that's learning more about Reed Smith, the application process, or what the graduate recruitment team looks for.

Thank you!

Jaysen

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And here are the upcoming Reed Smith Deadlines

Vacation Schemes

Winter Vacation Scheme: Apply by 19 December 2025
Spring Vacation Scheme: Apply by 19 December 2025

Open Days

Trainee Solicitor Open Day: Apply by 20 October 2025

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi all! We're exciting to be here to answer your questions about Reed Smith! Today Rik and I will be here, and we'll also be joined by our Future Trainees and SQE students on Wednesday.

 

[t-0147]

Hello all,
I was wondering how much and what parts of the recruitment process for a direct training contract with Reed Smith is online vs in person?
Where can accommodations be made, for those living abroad, for example?
Thank you!

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hello all,
I was wondering how much and what parts of the recruitment process for a direct training contract with Reed Smith is online vs in person?
Where can accommodations be made, for those living abroad, for example?
Thank you!

Hi There, for our Direct TC application the only face-to-face element would be the assessment centre which is the final stage and will be around half a day. For everything else you can complete virtually. With regards to adjustments, due to the nature of the assessments (e.g including group tasks to see how you interact in person), we can't offer an adjustment to an online AC. Our Vacation Scheme process is fully online except the Vac Scheme, so if you need a fully online process we'd recommend applying to the VS

 

[jujulopez]

Hi all,

Do you have any top tips for succeeding in final round interviews? Thanks

 

[Hanzeeb]

I would love to know from the trainees, why Reed Smith, as opposed to other firms, was there anything in particular that drew you to the firm?

Secondly, what would you say the culture is like at the firm, is it quite collaborative and supportive?

Lastly, is there any advice you could give to us candidates applying? I made it to the second stage involving the one way video interview last time and would really appreciate any tips around this!

 

[Tort113]

Hi Becca and Rik,

I'm a penultimate-year law student currently averaging a 2:2 (58%) based on my first-year results, and I don’t have any mitigating circumstances to disclose. I’d like to ask how this might affect my vacation scheme application. Would my application be closed at the academic screening stage, or is there flexibility to consider strong extracurriculars or work experience?

Also, as my second-year summative exams take place after the application deadline, I won’t be able to include those grades. Would Reed Smith be open to considering strong formative results from this year to help support my application?

Thank you!

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi Becca and Rik,

I'm a penultimate-year law student currently averaging a 2:2 (58%) based on my first-year results, and I don’t have any mitigating circumstances to disclose. I’d like to ask how this might affect my vacation scheme application. Would my application be closed at the academic screening stage, or is there flexibility to consider strong extracurriculars or work experience?

Also, as my second-year summative exams take place after the application deadline, I won’t be able to include those grades. Would Reed Smith be open to considering strong formative results from this year to help support my application?

Thank you!

Hi, unfortunately your application would not pass the application stage as you currently don't meet the entry requirements, so I would not recommend applying until the next cycle - if you get a 2.1 or above in your second year then we would consider your application.

 

[Ioannis Trapezountios]

Good morning, so if I had to answer a question in the application stage such as: "How do you think Reed Smith maintains its competitive advantage?" do you think it would be wise for me to use some stats to underpin my thesis such as PEP or firm revenue etc or rather focus on mere explanation without numbers and %? Thank you in advance.

 

[frankk]

May I ask
1. From the recruitment perspective, whether there is any difference between candidates who have self-funded the SQE and those who will be sponsored by the team? I understand that the firm provides centralized SQE trainings and may offer extra support (study, networking etc.) for those sponsored by the firm. Would candidates who already self-funded the SQE be considered differently during recruitment?

2. Is achieving a high mark in SQE something we could highlight in the application? Thank you

 

[just1TCwilldo]

Hello, as I understand, applications are screened on a rolling basis. Are there still spots available for the Winter Scheme? I am keen to apply to the firm but unsure which Vacation Scheme slot I should apply for.

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hi all,

Do you have any top tips for succeeding in final round interviews? Thanks

Hi There - During our final round, our interviews are designed to test more technical skills (These aren't legal skills though, so non-law can succeed just as well). For these interviews I would try to look at a few legal docs, such as your phone contract, and try and challenge yourself with some difficult questions. With more traditional interviews about yourself, my advice is to make sure to answer as yourself. Don't give answers you think we want to hear (as these can come across disingenuous). Instead, make sure you are professional and clear but that the answer is specific to you and your passion in law. Always make sure to bring your answer back to the question asked and go in with as much knowledge of the firm as you can find.

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Good morning, so if I had to answer a question in the application stage such as: "How do you think Reed Smith maintains its competitive advantage?" do you think it would be wise for me to use some stats to underpin my thesis such as PEP or firm revenue etc or rather focus on mere explanation without numbers and %? Thank you in advance.

Hi, this isn't a question that we have on our application form this year (applications are launched so feel free to take a look at the questions). But generally candidates can include stats to support their answers, but I would recommend using the most space for your own thoughts and arguments, rather than wasting too much word count repeating firm stats. One or two works well if it's relevant though.

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

May I ask
1. From the recruitment perspective, whether there is any difference between candidates who have self-funded the SQE and those who will be sponsored by the team? I understand that the firm provides centralized SQE trainings and may offer extra support (study, networking etc.) for those sponsored by the firm. Would candidates who already self-funded the SQE be considered differently during recruitment?

2. Is achieving a high mark in SQE something we could highlight in the application? Thank you

Candidates who have self-funded wouldn't be considered differently. Sometimes passing both elements can be an advantage as we occasionally have earlier start dates to fill, which we'd need candidates to have completed SQE to take.
We will ask you if you have completed SQE and for your grades so we will be able to see that and consider it. Otherwise I would focus your word count on elements that aren't otherwise covered in the grades section.

 

[T]

Hello Reed Smith,

Good morning and thanks for your time.

Please could you confirm whether there is a preference for my work experience to be written in a particular way: either in prose or through bullet points? As I am aware that some firms have a preference, I thought it would be worth clarifying this, in order for my work experience section to be received in the best possible way by the firm.

Many thanks!

 

[mudendmaria]

Hello Becca & Rik,

I am interested in Reed Smith Direct TC, I’m aware it opens May 2026. I have already completed a vac scheme and currently working as a paralegal. What are some practical steps I can take from now till the opening date to ensure I can submit a successful application and secure a training contract ? Many thanks.

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

I would love to know from the trainees, why Reed Smith, as opposed to other firms, was there anything in particular that drew you to the firm?

Secondly, what would you say the culture is like at the firm, is it quite collaborative and supportive?

Lastly, is there any advice you could give to us candidates applying? I made it to the second stage involving the one way video interview last time and would really appreciate any tips around this!

Hi there - We don't have any Trainees on today but I can share some info from the conversations I've had. I know they like the responsibility level they are given from the start. They also like the range of work we receive. A big part of choosing a firm would be the alignment with the practice/Industry groups. Our SQE training is also fairly unique and offers earlier access to the firm.

With regards to the culture, we are proudly non-hierarchical and are in constant review and improvement to be as collaborative as possible, not just in the practice groups but as in the firm as a whole.

Finally, if you’ve previously reached the online stage and weren’t successful, please don’t be discouraged. You’ll have received a feedback report from our online test—take time to review this and focus on areas for improvement. For the video interview stage, we often see candidates worry about things that don’t impact our decisions, such as moving too much or having a messy background. Instead, focus on the content of your answers and how you communicate them. You’re able to pause and plan your response, so before you press record, ask yourself: “Am I actually answering the question I was asked?”

 

[Shubby]

Hello,
I am currently in my penultimate year of studying biomedical sciences. I achieved a first on all modules with a commendation from the exam board in the previous years, and currently on track to graduate with a first or a very high 2:1. I had good GCSEs, but I fell short with my Alevels. Is an application like mine, one you would consider?

Thank you!

NB: I am also a mature student

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hello, as I understand, applications are screened on a rolling basis. Are there still spots available for the Winter Scheme? I am keen to apply to the firm but unsure which Vacation Scheme slot I should apply for.

Hi There - Whilst we do review the applications as they arrive we are not going to allocate the spaces on Vacation schemes until we have reviewed them all, so please don't worry.

 

[T.E.R.]

Hi there!
In your trainee cohorts, do you ever have "older" trainees? I'm a career changer and just completed my LL.M. but I am not the typical fresh out of university graduate. I have a ton of work experience. Thank you!