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Chris Parsons and Paul Lewis “The training, support and development we offer all of our people is designed to make their experience of the firm as valuable and enriching as possible - so is the high value we place on individuality”

Training and development - London

Because of the breadth of our practice, the quality of training we offer distinguishes us from other leading international legal practices.

We are therefore able to provide opportunities for you in all key practice areas and train you to the highest standards. This means you can experience many different areas of law and discover the one that suits you best.

It’s also important to us that from the moment you accept a training contract with us you become part of the firm, and your training and development starts straight away. As a ‘future joiner’ we will:

  • pay your course fees for the GDL and LPC
  • provide maintenance grants
  • invite you to regular get-togethers so you can get to know others in your position
  • give you access to a dedicated section on our website, where you can keep in touch with fellow future joiners
  • pair you up with a mentor, who can offer any advice you need via email or telephone
  • send you regular e-bulletins to keep you up to date with all Herbert Smith’s news

Your first two weeks with the firm are devoted to a full induction to the firm covering:

  • introduction to the firm
  • client care and professional standards
  • finance and business skills
  • IT and networking
  • legal information
  • legal writing and research

During each of the four six-month seats that make up the training contract you’ll be working alongside a partner or associate. They’ll provide work and supervision, encourage you to take the initiative and give you as much responsibility as possible.

We’ll help you to evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes – both informally and through formal reviews with your supervisors. You’ll also be assigned a partner as a mentor who will be on hand to offer confidential advice.

To support the on-the-job training, we also offer a range of courses:

  • influencing skills
  • presentation skills
  • time management
  • business development and conducting business development research
  • developing commercial awareness
  • presentation and personal impact skills
  • the legal market
  • drafting skills
  • a series of trainee workshops - including contract, remedies, jurisdiction and introduction to company accounts

At the beginning of each seat you will also receive an induction to the relevant practice area.