Shearman Sterling llp | training contract | vacation scheme

• Shearman & Sterling LLP

  One of the oldest law firms in the US, Shearman & Sterling has grown over the years into a global entity with 20 offices in top commercial cities and a total staff strength of over 2000.

  The UK practice was set-up in 1972; Shearman was one of the first firms to embark on global expansion. The London office currently has staff of approximately 250.

• • Off the Record

  • Focus

  • Requirements

  • Training Contract

  • Vacation Scheme

  • Rewards

  • Apply

  Shearman & Sterling has a well-established practice in the UK and the remuneration package is among the best in the City, having undergone an increase in 2008, at a time when most firms have frozen salaries or had very miniscule increases. Another plus is a lack of targeted billing hours, which means slogging it out at peak times and leaving at a reasonable hour at other times.

  This, of course will depend on which department you’re assigned to; the corporate and finance units, by nature of the work involved are where you would have a longer day as compared to, say property or litigation (they’ll have their own peaks).

  The firm looks to retain talent with several schemes: mid-career breaks, full-circle appraisals and more organic growth with internal transfers and promotions.

  In the UK, the firm concentrates on European Corporate (M&A; US Capital Markets), Project Development & Finance; European Finance (acquisition, leverage and structured); Property; Arbitration and Litigation; Antitrust/competition; Tax; Employment; Financial Institutions  & Advisory.  Prominent clients include Citibank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Credit Suisse, Nokia, Siemens, etc.

  Aspiring candidates should have earned a minimum AAB at A-level (or international equivalent), and a 2:1 degree. Other attributes are intelligence, clarity of thought, good communication skills, positive attitude, believe in team-work and have a fair knowledge of current-day business activities.

  Training Contracts are apportioned into four six-month seats; two seats will be from the firm’s core sectors (European Finance, European Corporate, or Project Development and Finance). One seat can also be completed overseas in offices such as: New York, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong or Singapore.

  Training begins with an induction programme where trainees will meet and interact with partners, associates and support staff to learn about the firm’s history and work, efficient work and time management, professional and technical skills in documentation, research, communication and client services.

  All trainees will be assigned an individual mentor to provide additional informal support through the training contract. Formal training continues throughout the training contract with sessions organised on a number of different levels: firm wide, practice group specific and trainee focussed. These provide a broad range of opportunities for the trainees to learn and develop their skills, learning from the expertise of both in-house and external presenters.

  For those not completing a contentious seat, trainees attend a two week course in Litigation to comply with Law Society rules and participate in pro bono cases.

  A Summer Scheme with a duration of two weeks is conducted each year. There are three batches with a total intake of up to 30 participants. The programmes are conducted between June and July.

  During the two weeks, trainees will be introduced to the firm and its core areas of practice, and the work that trainees are expected to complete, providing a real-life insight into working life at the firm. Participants will be placed in one department  for the two weeks where they will get hands-on experience completing tasks to assist those in the department. 

  Each participant is assigned a partner contact, supervisor and mentor, ensuring they have access to a diverse range of work. At the end of two weeks, a formal review session is held with a partner and graduate recruitment  to give the participants feedback on their performance and discuss potential future opportunities. .

  GDL & LPC tuition fees are paid in full, and a maintenance allowance of £7,000 per annum is paid. Trainees are paid £39,000 in the first year rising to £40,500 in the second year. 

  For those interested in applying for a training contract or summer scheme with Shearman & Sterling, forms can be accessed via the graduate website: http://ukgraduates.shearman.com

  Summer scheme applications can be submitted between 1 December & 28 February. Training contract applications are accepted between 1 January and 30 June.  

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