Training Contract – September 2027

Travers Smith works with clients operating in complex, high-stakes environments. We deliver bespoke, high-impact legal advice through deep expertise, genuine independence, and a culture that brings out the best in our people. Our approach ensures exceptional service and tailored solutions for each unique challenge in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

At the heart of Travers Smith is our room-sharing structure: Trainees and Solicitor Apprentices share rooms directly with Associates and Partners, meaning close contact with senior lawyers, learning by osmosis, and real exposure to quality work. 

From day one, you will be given real responsibility, with a structure designed to support your development every step of the way. We prioritise sustainable workloads for our lawyers, with no chargeable hours' targets, resulting in motivated, fresh, and engaged teams.

Follow us on our Instagram and TikTok accounts for regular information about the firm from our early careers team, trainees and apprentices.

What we look for

At Travers Smith, you’ll be trusted with real responsibility from day one—speaking to clients, joining meetings, and managing your own work, all with plenty of support and guidance. That’s why we look for people who match academic strength with clear-headed judgement and practical sense. 

The Early Careers team at Travers Smith is dedicated to finding the very best future lawyers whether you’re applying as a school leaver, university student, or graduate - who not only meet our high standards of excellence but also share our people-focused values. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who have the ambition, drive, and curiosity to build a successful legal career, and we’re committed to giving you the support and opportunities you need to grow. If you’re keen to challenge yourself intellectually and want to contribute to a collaborative, inclusive firm where you’ll be celebrated for who you are, we’d love to hear from you.

We take law and non-law students, with genuinely no preference for one over the other - over 45% of our trainees have non-law backgrounds.  

Training Programme

Our training sets the standard in the City - and it's built around developing well-rounded, confident lawyers, not just technical specialists.

From Partner-led sessions at the start of every seat to ongoing seminars drawing on real, live matters, you'll learn from people who are genuinely at the top of their field. Our room-sharing model puts you alongside Partners and Associates from day one and is the type of learning that you only pick up from spending considerable time together to help build the soft skills and commercial instincts that will help you thrive as a lawyer. Sitting alongside Associates and Partners, ensures close contact with senior lawyers, learning by osmosis, and genuine exposure to quality work through real client matters.

You will rotate through four different departments over two years, with all our Trainees spending at least six months in Corporate, and another six months within a transactional seat across the Training Contract. This gives you exposure to a variety of legal work across the firm. Collaboration and respect are at the heart of how we work - you are always encouraged to be yourself, take ownership of your development, and build the skills and relationships that will shape your career long-term.

International work is central to what we do, meaning you'll get hands-on exposure to complex, cross-border matters and global clients - not just a front-row seat, but real responsibility, with support always close by.

You'll be part of a non-hierarchical, genuinely collaborative culture where your growth is taken seriously. At Travers Smith, we give you everything you need to build the insight, confidence, and judgement for a career that stands out.

APPLY NOW

Applications close on 16 October 2026 (midday) for Training Contracts beginning in September 2027.

To be eligible to apply, candidates will need to have completed or currently be undertaking the SQE/LPC.

For more information and to apply by 16 October 2026 (midday) visit our website or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

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D&I

We believe that culture drives quality. The richness of our people's perspectives, experiences and identities is what helps us to deliver our best work - diverse thinking, stronger collaboration and a deeper understanding of our clients and communities.

Diversity and inclusion is not just a set of initiatives to us, it's integral to how we grow, lead and deliver excellence. We know that the best advice, the most innovative ideas and the strongest relationships come from teams that reflect a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

By creating an environment where people can be themselves, we ensure that every person has the opportunity, support and confidence to contribute meaningfully to the quality of our work, the best outcomes for our clients and define the future of our firm. Our culture of allyship, visible role models, and genuine respect empowers everyone to bring their authentic selves to work and fulfil their potential.

We back up this commitment with action. Our six professional networks, each led by a partner, provide support, connection, and strategic input across the firm. These networks - REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage), LGBTQ+, Faith Resources, Gender Balance, Enable (focusing on accessibility needs), and the Social Mobility Group - reflect our belief in fostering community, encouraging dialogue, and ensuring everyone’s voice is heard at Travers Smith.