Herbert Smith Training Contract

Training Contracts at Herbert Smith

As a trainee, you will rotate around four seats of six months each, including one seat in litigation, one seat in corporate and a further non contentious seat in either finance or real estate. You can also apply for a specialist seat such as IP, tax, trust, EU and competition, employment, pensions and incentives or our advocacy unit. Alternatively, you can apply to go on secondment to a client or to one of our international offices.

The firm’s wide-ranging training and education programme is structured in two parts, both of which fulfil Law Society requirements and are tailored to the specific business objectives of Herbert Smith; the Professional Skills Course and the Legal Education Programme. In total, trainees can expect to spend some 30 days of on-the-job training sessions during their contract.

The Training

Herbert Smith's training and education programme is structured in two parts, both of which fulfil Law Society requirements and are tailored to the specific business objectives of the firm:

• The Professional Skills Course
• The Legal Education Programme

In total you can expect to spend some 30 days on off-the-job training sessions during your contract.

Professional Skills Course

Herbert Smith's Professional Skills Course (PSC) is a pretty comprehensive and relatively balanced training programme which meets all the Law Society requirements. It is developed to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of skills and procedures relevant to developing yourself into a successful solicitor at Herbert Smith.

The course is spread over your two year training period and is structured to minimise disruption to your office and on-the-job training. The firm offers a limited amount of study leave and provides access to a academic helpline.

You are taught by internal and external lecturers. All of the in-house training is closely monitored and evaluated to ensure it is of the best possible quality. Additionally, language courses can be undertaken whilst you are training with the firm.

Legal Education Programme

This is the first of a series of career-long training programmes. It includes inductions and internal training courses designed to complement your work experience. You are also invited to attend all the training and lectures for qualified fee-earners relevant to your current department or group. Lectures take place regularly and can be given by external academic lecturers and other guest speakers. In addition, you join know-how groups in each of the three main areas of practice to discuss current business and changes in law and procedures. The chart below illustrates how your training fits in with the overall timescale of your contract and your seats.

Herbert Smith training programme

First Seat (1-6 months) Legal Education Programme (LEP)

• Legal Research - tour of library, key research tool e.g. Westlaw
• Legal Research Exercise - use of hard copy and electronic resources, case law, legislation and commentary
• Company Research - resources availability particularly - Companies House Direct database
• Company Research Exercise

Second Seat (7-12 months) LEP

• Induction to new division/ department
• Divisional/ Departmental Education Programme

PSC

• Second seat trainee development centre

Third Seat (13-18 months) LEP

• Induction to new division/ department
• Divisional/ Departmental Education Programme

PSC

• Client care and professional standards element 2.
• Advocacy (This assumes litigation will be your third seat).

Fourth Seat (19-24 months) LEP

• Induction to new department (voluntary if second time in department)
• Divisional/ Departmental Education Programme