Training Contract Overview

Training Contract Overview

Overview

At Travers Smith, real responsibility starts from day one.

You will be speaking to clients, joining meetings, and managing your own work -  all with the support and guidance of experienced lawyers around you. We look for people who combine academic strength with clear-headed judgement and practical sense; who are determined, communicative, and quick-thinking; and who bring a positive, down-to-earth attitude to their work.

Our training is hands-on from the outset. Through our room-sharing structure, Trainees sit directly alongside Associates and Partners, ensuring close contact with senior lawyers, learning by osmosis, and genuine exposure to quality work - not just from a distance.

You will rotate through four different departments over two years, with all of 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. Throughout, 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.

Non-Law Students

Non-law students must do the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL/GDL). This runs from September to May each year and our course provider is BPP in London. We pay all course fees for the PGDL and a maintenance grant of £13,500 (paid over three instalments). All students must complete the SQE 1 and 2 and our firm specific Essentials to Practice course (EFP). This runs from September to August each year and our course provider is BPP in Holborn, London. We pay all course fees for the SQE (including exam costs) and a maintenance grant of £20,000 (paid over four instalments).

Law Students

Law students must complete the SQE 1 and 2 and our firm specific Essentials to Practice course (EFP). This runs from September to August each year and our course provider is BPP in Holborn, London. We pay all course fees for the SQE (including exam costs) and a maintenance grant of £20,000 (paid over four instalments).

Training

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. 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. Throughout it all, 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 actually stands out.

Culture

Every firm claims their culture is unique - at Travers Smith, ours truly is. No chargeable hours targets, a distinctive room-sharing model, and a genuinely close-knit environment mean people here look out for each other in ways that go beyond the usual firm talk. We pair top-tier legal work with real investment in your wellbeing and growth, including a flexible, market-leading benefits package you can shape around your own life. Our award-winning, fully subsidised café, Braithwaites, keeps the whole firm connected over good food - because the best conversations don't always happen in meeting rooms. Diversity and inclusion aren't performative here; we celebrate what makes you different, backed by meaningful networks and genuine allyship across the firm. You'll also have real opportunities to do work that matters, whether that's pro bono advice, charity partnerships, or contributing to causes like climate action and social mobility.

Trainees are given real responsibility from an early stage and are genuinely valued as members of the team. I have had the benefit of working with mentors who are leaders in their respective fields, and who are consistently willing to find time in their very busy schedules to answering questions and explaining things to juniors.

Cadi Hutchings - Associate

Salaries

£55,000
£60,000
£130,000
(basic) and discretionary bonus
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