Solicitor Apprenticeship (school leaver) - September 2025 - Simmons & Simmons

Application deadline: 15 February 2025

Our solicitor apprenticeship programme runs in London and Bristol. We are recruiting for solicitor apprentices to join our London and Bristol offices in September 2025. 

Applications open from 1 December 2024 – 15 February 2025.

Want to step beyond the doors of our international firm? Our open days are a good place to start. During the day you’ll meet our team, hear more about the solicitor apprenticeship and receive tips for applying.

We will be hosting solicitor apprenticeship open days on 15 January 2025 in London and on 22 January 2025 in Bristol.

What we’re looking for

We want to hear from ambitious future lawyers, who are ready to leave their mark. Throughout the assessment process we will look for:

Analytical minds: Clients rely on us to solve their most complex legal problems. We’ll be checking if you pay attention to details. And if you can use logical reasoning skills to find solutions.

Adaptive collaborators: We look for evidence that you can communicate well and develop trusting relationships with colleagues and clients, no matter their background. Can you adapt your approach to new situations?

Resilient achievers: Project management is a critical skill for Simmons’ lawyers. We want to see that you’re committed to delivering what needs to be done and that you can overcome setbacks.

Business thinkers: We’re on the lookout for people who are interested in how businesses operate and the challenges they face. Show us that you’re able to think independently and can come up with creative ideas for improvements and solutions.

School/College leavers require GCSE grades 4 or above with at least a 6 in Maths and English, plus A-Level grades at ABB (or equivalent).

Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £26,000 per annum in Bristol or £28,000 per annum in London which will be reviewed annually throughout the programme. You will also be given a £1,500 starting bonus to support you as you get set up.

We will cover all of your tuition and exam fees.

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 groups (two legal practice groups plus our Solutions team). In year’s five and six of the programme, you’ll rotate around 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.

Study

In years one to four, you’ll complete your LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice. Each term you’ll study toward a different law module and focus on a new legal skill. 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 at the end of the programme.

A culture of inclusion

What makes a law firm a great place to work? We think it’s about the quality of work, and the impact and outcomes we can make on the future of our people, our clients, society and the planet.  

Simmons & Simmons is a firm full of ambition. Of thinking differently. Of taking action, and delivering smarter solutions.

Where dynamic minds come together, working with premium clients, to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges.

An international melting pot of ambitious and talented individuals, with different perspectives and experiences, united in helping to shape a better future for our people, clients, society and the planet.

We’re a firm where you can be free to be you. Where inherent curiosity leads to positive enquiry, challenge and question; where a commitment to continuous learning enables you to deliver quality work for our clients and make an impact on the world.

We champion innovation and excellence, driving professional challenge and personal growth. We power success through trust, respect, integrity and an unwavering commitment to quality.

In a complex, demanding world, Simmons is where dynamic minds come together to create a better future.

Diversity will always be a huge part of who we are. So, every day, we embrace different mindsets, experiences and backgrounds, and keep building a law firm where everyone can thrive. 

We want everyone to feel welcomed, valued and heard. We know that by embracing people with different mindsets, experiences and backgrounds, we’ll build a law firm where everyone can thrive. All kinds of interests come together here – cricket fans and avid readers, netball players and football 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 LGBTQ+ network, TNOC (our gender network), and EMerge (our race and ethnicity network). It’s a vibrant team, wherever you are, all ready to share in each other’s interests and explore new ones.