Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2026-27)

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi Rebecca and Rik,
Hope you're well.

I attended Reed Smith’s London Open Day in 2023 and am currently completing my application for the 2026 Open Day. Could you please confirm if reapplying after previous attendance might affect my application in any way?

Thank you very much!

Hi Phoebe, no, we'd still consider your application equally. However, I'd recommend addressing why you'd like to attend again and what you're hoping to learn this time.

 

[Reehan23@]

I am writing about my previous application to Reed Smith for the training contract in 2025. I would be grateful if the firm could consider mitigating circumstances in relation to that application. During the process, I experienced technical issues where the online assessment platform freezing/failing to submit my answers. I also have a disability that affected my ability to complete the assessment on an equal footing, and I did not have appropriate adjustments in place at the time. As a result, I do not believe my application was assessed in a way that fairly reflected my abilities.

I would also like to ask whether the firm could review its policy limiting candidates to three applications. Where an application is affected by technical failure or by the absence of reasonable adjustments for a disability, counting it towards a fixed limit can disadvantage candidates for reasons unrelated to their ability. I would be grateful if the firm could consider introducing a way to exclude attempts affected by verified technical issues or accessibility barriers, and I would welcome the chance to share my experience if that would be helpful. I would also like to know if you could give me some more information on how my experiences and answers could be tailored to Reed Smith.

I look forward to a positive reply from your end.

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hi! Two questions.
1) Rik, could you explain the firm's PSQE, or direct me to somewhere where I could read more about it? Thanks!
2) What typically distinguishes successful candidates? How do they stand out?
Thanks

Hi Kit - Thanks for you message

Our PSQE is fairly unique in that your integration to the firm begins a year before your TC. Alongside studying your SQE prep courses and our additional courses we have work placements. These are part-time roles embedded in the firm (Hollie and Grace are current PSQE in Early careers). This allows you to get comfortable in the office and make connections, join our social and inclusion groups, attend socials and other things.

A successful candidate is someone who really understands the firm, the way it works and its clients and what we do for them. "standing out" is something you don't need to worry about until later on (such as an assessment centre) at the early stages we want to see good research, and an understanding of the fundamental skill sets required of a trainee.

 

[supernovna]

Hi, has RS started sending out invitation to send written responses?

 

[singingcanary46]

Good morning,

I’m really interested to hear more about the SQE programme at the firm.

As I understand you’re placed with business support teams through the year while studying with the College of Legal Practice.

I’m curious what business teams does this include? Is it year round placement, or shorter placements of a few weeks? How much study leave is there for exams?

Many thanks

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

I am writing about my previous application to Reed Smith for the training contract in 2025. I would be grateful if the firm could consider mitigating circumstances in relation to that application. During the process, I experienced technical issues where the online assessment platform freezing/failing to submit my answers. I also have a disability that affected my ability to complete the assessment on an equal footing, and I did not have appropriate adjustments in place at the time. As a result, I do not believe my application was assessed in a way that fairly reflected my abilities.

I would also like to ask whether the firm could review its policy limiting candidates to three applications. Where an application is affected by technical failure or by the absence of reasonable adjustments for a disability, counting it towards a fixed limit can disadvantage candidates for reasons unrelated to their ability. I would be grateful if the firm could consider introducing a way to exclude attempts affected by verified technical issues or accessibility barriers, and I would welcome the chance to share my experience if that would be helpful. I would also like to know if you could give me some more information on how my experiences and answers could be tailored to Reed Smith.

I look forward to a positive reply from your end.

Hi Reehan,
This is a general Q&A so we're not able to talk about specific applications. If you'd like to discuss further, please contact: [email protected]
Kind regards

 

[Grace - Reed Smith]

Good morning,

I’m really interested to hear more about the SQE programme at the firm.

As I understand you’re placed with business support teams through the year while studying with the College of Legal Practice.

I’m curious what business teams does this include? Is it year round placement, or shorter placements of a few weeks? How much study leave is there for exams?

Many thanks

Good morning @singingcanary46

We started our SQE 1 studies with College of Legal Practice on the first week of August and studied full time for one month from August to September. From September till end November, we spend 3 days a week on our SQE studies and 2 days in office with business teams including Early Careers, Responsible Business, Learning and Development, Practice Innovation, Sustainability and Business Development teams of practice/industry groups like Finance and Global Commercial Disputes. This runs for 12 weeks before we go on study leave in December and January for SQE 1. We come back for the month of February and do our SQE 2 studies 4 days while spending 1 day a week in our business placements. We go on study leave for SQE 2 exams from March to May.

I personally have found such a programme extremely beneficial in getting acquainted with the office and meeting people at the firm even before starting my training contract while still having sufficient time to prepare for SQE 1.

Hope this helps!

 

[aspiringsolicitor02]

Hi, I hope you are all having a great day!
I'm a non-law degree graduate, and I wanted to know if this would disadvantage my application in any way.
If yes, what can I do to improve my chances?
Thank you for your time!

 

[Grace - Reed Smith]

Hi, I hope you are all having a great day!
I'm a non-law degree graduate, and I wanted to know if this would disadvantage my application in any way.
If yes, what can I do to improve my chances?
Thank you for your time!

Hi @aspiringsolicitor02,

Applying with a non-law degree does not disadvantage your application in any way! Reed Smith has many current and future trainees who graduated with non-law degrees and undertook the PGDL after, so please do apply!

 

[TCEnthusiast]

Hi! I’m a first-year LLB student, I had personal & family issues which resulted in poor A level results but achieved a high mark during my foundation year. Does the firm accept people in my position/people who’ve completed foundation years?

 

[aspex]

Hi everyone! I hope you’re doing well. I had a couple of questions for grad rec:

1. Is the online assessment (High Potential Legal Assessment) an Amberjack test?

2. Is the online assessment timed, and if untimed, is the time spent completing the assessment considered when deciding whether to progress applicants to the next stage?

3. Does the video interview only ask strength-based and motivational questions, or are competency, commercial and situational questions asked as well?

4. Do the strength-based questions in the video interview include competency questions?

Thank you for your time!

Hi Reed Smith! Just had an add-on question: at a legal event someone mentioned that Reed Smith had posted a video explaining the firm's video interview process in more detail and what they were looking for. Do you know where I can find the link to this?

 

[Grace - Reed Smith]

Hi! I’m a first-year LLB student, I had personal & family issues which resulted in poor A level results but achieved a high mark during my foundation year. Does the firm accept people in my position/people who’ve completed foundation years?

Hi @TCEnthusiast,

For both our Open Day and Vacation Scheme, we do not have any minimum A-level requirements. For Open Days, we accept university students from any year group. For Vacation Schemes, applicants should be in their penultimate year of a qualifying law degree or final year of a non-law degree. This makes you currently eligible to apply for our Open Day.

Hope this helps and we look forward to receiving your application!

 

[Finnc890]

Hi there - Lots of things we think make our TC unique to us. The access to our clients and work is a big pull. The things we receive recognition of are our secondments (having won the legal cheek award last year for this) and Pro-bono participation is always 100%.

With learning we want as much of this as possible to be hands on, so we give Trainees experience as much as possible. However, we have at the beginning of every seat vigorous training from our knowledge management lawyers. The great thing about this is that you could have a department you are passionate about and have commercial interest in but less technical knowledge that we can help you thrive in.

Thank you!

 

[Grace - Reed Smith]

Hi Reed Smith! Just had an add-on question: at a legal event someone mentioned that Reed Smith had posted a video explaining the firm's video interview process in more detail and what they were looking for. Do you know where I can find the link to this?

Hi @aspex

Might you be referring to this video done in collaboration between TCLA and Reed Smith previously?

Hope this helps!

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hi, has RS started sending out invitation to send written responses?

We are currently only at the initial stages of the cycle which is the eligibility criteria.

 

[BealMcAlly]

Hi again @RikPalmer-ReedSmith and @ReedSmithBecca

I wanted to ask a follow up question on how candidates can talk about their experiences and use them as good examples when demonstrating their motivations for joining Reed Smith.

As someone working in a creative industry, I find linking my examples to the firm a little tricky because they may not feel relevant to the area of law I am interested in. Would you say as long as the skills are relevant, the example doesn't have to be inherently legal?

I have looked at successful applications and they frequently talk about mooting or law society engagement, and university modules relating to a practice area, which is a little tricky for career changers who have not been in education for almost a decade.

I would love to hear some advice you may have on this.

 

[TCchaser]

Hi @ReedSmithBecca and @RikPalmer-ReedSmith, thank you for your time!

Can we mention mitigating circumstances on our applications that we didn't disclose to our uni? I've only now learnt that I am eligible for MCs (I know I probably should have asked my uni before, but it was a sensitive matter I didn't feel comfortable disclosing at the time). Will firms then verify this with my uni, which means I need to disclose my MCs so my uni has them on record?

 

[digvijay]

Hi @ReedSmithBecca and @RikPalmer-ReedSmith, my name is Digvijay Singh, I am an international applicant to your vacation scheme. I was wondering, if selected in your vacation scheme, during my time with the firm, can I contribute to your firm's Insights or blog on commercial issues that I am interested in, and collaborate on this with perhaps a trainee or a partner?

I am highly interested in writing on commercial issues, and was wondering if this would be possible.

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hi again @RikPalmer-ReedSmith and @ReedSmithBecca

I wanted to ask a follow up question on how candidates can talk about their experiences and use them as good examples when demonstrating their motivations for joining Reed Smith.

As someone working in a creative industry, I find linking my examples to the firm a little tricky because they may not feel relevant to the area of law I am interested in. Would you say as long as the skills are relevant, the example doesn't have to be inherently legal?

I have looked at successful applications and they frequently talk about mooting or law society engagement, and university modules relating to a practice area, which is a little tricky for career changers who have not been in education for almost a decade.

I would love to hear some advice you may have on this.

Hi there - I would say that the link is more about skills than interests. so for example if you worked in an art studio - you could talk about communication, time keeping, team work, etc. For career changers there are some great opportunities out there that are not connected to uni societies. Such as the Aspiring solicitor commercial awareness competition, legal cheek workshop events. these are good ways to break that experience gap

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hi @ReedSmithBecca and @RikPalmer-ReedSmith, thank you for your time!

Can we mention mitigating circumstances on our applications that we didn't disclose to our uni? I've only now learnt that I am eligible for MCs (I know I probably should have asked my uni before, but it was a sensitive matter I didn't feel comfortable disclosing at the time). Will firms then verify this with my uni, which means I need to disclose my MCs so my uni has them on record?

Hi there - With our mitigating circumstances you can add anything and we will review. This doesn't need to have been something you have shared with your university