Eversheds Sutherland

A large international law firm with UK offices, trainee solicitors and a long-running solicitor apprenticeship.

About Eversheds Sutherland

Eversheds Sutherland is an international law firm that advises companies on corporate finance, commercial contracts, disputes, employment, pensions and property. A 2026 Legal Cheek report names these as areas where its newly qualified lawyers joined. In everyday terms, its lawyers help businesses with questions such as how to buy another company, what to do when a dispute arises or how to treat staff fairly. Wikipedia describes it as one of the 50 largest law practices in the world.

Wikipedia says Eversheds Sutherland was formed in February 2017 when the UK firm Eversheds combined with the US firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, which dates from 1924. The two stay financially separate. Eversheds itself expanded in 2011 by joining a consortium of Middle East firms. Legal Cheek names London (headquarters), Birmingham and Manchester as its main UK offices (the Birmingham office is moving to Paradise in summer 2027), and a training contract listing was based in Nottingham. Edinburgh also appears in its training contract deadlines.

We could not read the firm's own careers pages, so we have no mission or values in its words. Legal Cheek says trainees describe approachable partners, a supportive peer group and an atmosphere of 'one team', with frequent social events, though trainees say the lack of a trainee social budget limits organised fun. Offices include eco-friendly features such as rooftop gardens with beehives. This is trainee opinion, not the firm's claim.

Legal Cheek's October 2026 report said the firm kept 31 of 38 autumn qualifiers, which is 82 percent. Legal Cheek says the firm offers 50 training contracts.

The training contract and vacation scheme use the same one-day assessment, and you may apply once a year. The Summer Vacation Scheme for 2027 opened for applications on 3 September 2026 and closes on 1 December 2026 (Legal Cheek). A listing dated 2024 asked for ABB at A Level, a 2:1 degree in any subject and a pass at law school. The firm was the first large law firm to run a six-year solicitor apprenticeship, launched in March 2016 (Legal Futures, 2022), with up to 10 apprentices a year at that time. Apprentices were then paid £20,000 in year one, or £23,000 in London. Legal Cheek's undated trainee pay was £50,000 in year one in London and £35,000 outside London, with grants towards law conversion course and SQE costs (the SQE is the exam route to qualify as a solicitor). Check the firm's site for current pay and dates.

What they do

• {'desc': 'Two-year route to qualify, with UK offices outside London.', 'title': 'Training contract'}
• {'desc': '2027 scheme; applications close 1 December 2026.', 'title': 'Summer vacation scheme'}
• {'desc': 'Six-year route including a law degree.', 'title': 'Solicitor apprenticeship'}
• {'desc': 'Advice on deals, people matters, pensions and property.', 'title': 'Corporate, employment and property law'}

Key facts

• Formed in 2017 from Eversheds and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan (Wikipedia)
• Kept 31 of 38 UK autumn 2026 qualifiers (Legal Cheek)
• First large firm to run a solicitor apprenticeship, from March 2016 (Legal Futures)
• 2027 vacation scheme applications close 1 December 2026 (Legal Cheek)
• Training contract listing asked for ABB and a 2:1 (dated 2024)

Website: www.eversheds-sutherland.com