Simmons & Simmons

An international law firm that is recruiting trainee solicitors in London and Bristol for 2027.

About Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons is an international law firm that advises businesses. Legal Cheek lists its focus sectors as healthcare and life sciences, financial institutions, technology, media and telecoms, asset management and investment funds, and energy, natural resources, infrastructure and construction.

It was founded in 1896 by brothers Percy and Edward Simmons, says Legal Cheek, which reports over 1,300 lawyers in 22 offices in 16 countries. Its UK offices are in London (Ropemaker Street, in the City, its largest) and Bristol (Finzels Reach). The network also includes Germany, Dubai, Hong Kong, Ireland, Singapore and the Netherlands.

The graduate page does not set out formal values. It says the firm helps clients answer big questions and helps businesses 'innovate, cut complexity and build a more equal and sustainable world', and describes being 'part of something big' across the network. For its apprentices, it says it looks for four qualities: Insight, Excellence, Impact and Ownership. These are the firm's own words.

Early careers has several routes. The two-year training contract has four six-month seats in different practice areas, supported by a training programme called Compass, in London or Bristol. To get a training contract for September 2029 or March 2030 you must first complete a vacation scheme. Two-week summer schemes run in London (28 June to 9 July 2027, 500 pounds a week) and Bristol (14 to 25 June 2027, 450 pounds a week), and there is an AI Internship (5 to 16 April 2027, 500 pounds a week), a two-day spring insight scheme, and an Evolve placement year in London. Schemes are open to students and graduates of any degree. The 'internal training contract' in the listing we first found is simply the firm's own name for this two-year programme.

The six-year solicitor apprenticeship starts in September 2027 in London or Bristol. Apprentices work four days a week and study one day with BPP University for a law degree and then the SQE exams. Pay is 32,000 pounds in London or 29,000 pounds in Bristol plus a 1,500 pound starting bonus, and the firm pays tuition and exam fees. School leavers need GCSE grade 4 or above, including 6 in maths and English, and ABB at A-level; the page gives inconsistent opening dates, so check the site (as at 2026, closing 15 January 2027 for London and 5 February 2027 for Bristol). Legal Cheek's trainee accounts say the cohort is close and partners are approachable, with an average day of roughly 9am to 8pm and three office days a week; trainee pay there is 56,000 pounds in London and 52,000 pounds in Bristol in year one. The firm also lists nine staff networks.

What they do

• {'desc': 'Two years, four six-month seats, London or Bristol, with the Compass training programme.', 'title': 'Training contract'}
• {'desc': 'Two-week placements in 2027 for students and graduates of any degree.', 'title': 'Vacation schemes and AI internship'}
• {'desc': 'Six years from September 2027, four days work and one day study with BPP.', 'title': 'Solicitor apprenticeship'}
• {'desc': 'A year in London from September 2027 that can lead to a training contract.', 'title': 'Evolve placement year'}

Key facts

• Founded 1896 by Percy and Edward Simmons (Legal Cheek)
• UK offices in London and Bristol
• Apprenticeship pay 32,000 pounds London and 29,000 pounds Bristol, plus 1,500 pound bonus (as at 2026)
• Training contract needs a vacation scheme first; schemes pay 450 to 500 pounds a week
• Apprenticeship needs 6 in GCSE maths and English and ABB at A-level

Website: www.simmons-simmons.com