Apply to our Training Contract

Graduates onwards (including those due to Graduate in summer 2026) are eligible to apply to our Direct Training Contract route.

This vacancy is open to those available to start a GDL (if applicable) or SQE course in August 2026, or who have fully or partially completed SQE. We particularly welcome applications from those who have passed SQE2, as we have a limited number of vacancies for our March 2027 Training Contract.

Applicants can apply to one Reed Smith Early Careers vacancy per academic year. Therefore if you have previously applied for the 2026 Vacation Scheme, you will not be eligible to apply. Please note that, due to the nature of our assessments, we we are only able to accept applications from candidates available to attend an in-person assessment day if selected.

For those not eligible to apply or unable to attend in-person assessments, applications for our 2027 Vacation Schemes will open in September.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply ahead of the deadline.

Application Process

Please note that we have changed our application process for this cycle, and do not have any initial application questions. The process is as follows:

1. Candidates submit an initial application form, detailing personal details, education and work experience.

2. Eligible candidates are invited to take our online High Potential Legal test and video interview.

3. Successful candidates are invited to submit answers to application questions.

4. Applications are viewed holistically, with candidates education, test results and written submissions all taken into account.

5. Successful candidates are invited to an Assessment Centre.

Application deadline:
Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at 16:00 (UTC)
(i) Times are displayed in your local time zone