Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2026-27)

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

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.

Hi there - Our scheme is designed to be hands on. Whilst we will hope to match you to areas of interest, our primary goal is to assess your work in order to determine suitability for a training contract. For that reason it is unlikely we will be asking you to publish on behalf of Reed Smith. however, once a trainee, opportunities will arise to get involved with things like this

 

[digvijay]

Hi there - Our scheme is designed to be hands on. Whilst we will hope to match you to areas of interest, our primary goal is to assess your work in order to determine suitability for a training contract. For that reason it is unlikely we will be asking you to publish on behalf of Reed Smith. however, once a trainee, opportunities will arise to get involved with things like this

Thank you! Looking forward to the opportunity

 

[aspex]

Hi everyone! A few more questions:

1. If invited to the 3rd stage (written application form), how long are you given to complete the form?
2. For the work experience section in the online application form, what is the maximum number of experiences that we should mention in the work experience section? I have 10 experiences I could mention. Would that be too many?

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

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

No - our full process is outlined on our website: https://www.reedsmith.com/join-us/united-kingdom/early-careers/ but the high potential legal test is the next stage in our process. Invites will start being sent early next month.

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Hi everyone! A few more questions:

1. If invited to the 3rd stage (written application form), how long are you given to complete the form?
2. For the work experience section in the online application form, what is the maximum number of experiences that we should mention in the work experience section? I have 10 experiences I could mention. Would that be too many?

You'll be given one week.
The work experience section is on our initial application form rather than the written stage. We don't have a limit - 10 is fine if you feel they are all relevant and you can link specific skills you gained and how they link back to the Trainee role at RS.
We recommend combining virtual experiences and open days into one entry rather than individual ones.

 

[Aej007]

Hi!
Thank you so much for your time.
I applied to the trainee solicitor open day last week, but have just realised that you only accept 1 application per cycle. I would rather apply to the vacation scheme - do I just email you saying I would like to withdraw my application for the open day? Thanks so much - Anna.

 

[Aej007]

Also when on the vac scheme application it asks about work experience, would being the president / a committee member of university societies count?

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Hi!
Thank you so much for your time.
I applied to the trainee solicitor open day last week, but have just realised that you only accept 1 application per cycle. I would rather apply to the vacation scheme - do I just email you saying I would like to withdraw my application for the open day? Thanks so much - Anna.

Hi there - The open day isn't included in this rule. Its job applications that are restricted

 

[RikPalmer-ReedSmith]

Also when on the vac scheme application it asks about work experience, would being the president / a committee member of university societies count?

Yes, all relevant experience can be included