So much more than law

Our compass programme marks the start of your exposure to life at Simmons & Simmons – and it begins at the same time as your year on the SQE. While you’re at law school, you’ll attend four contact days with the firm. Through these sessions, you’ll learn vital skills that complement your studies. You’ll understand our firm’s structure and clients, and learn the different working styles we’ll expect from you as a trainee and beyond.

Once you’ve completed your SQE, you’ll start your three-week induction. This will be in September for our Bristol intake, and either September or March for our London intake. We want you to thrive with us, so this module sets you up for a smooth transition from student to trainee. You’ll hear from senior leaders. Learn about our sectors. Build your people skills. Now, you’re ready for the big day.

After your induction, you’ll begin your first seat with us – that’s your first six-month rotation within one of our practice areas. Over the two-year programme, you’ll do four seats, each time being placed within a new team. That way, you get a broader perspective of the firm’s work and where your career might lead. We’ll ask you to complete a minimum of one and maximum of two contentious seats and either two or three non-contentious seats.

The world of law isn’t just about what you do inside the office. It’s about understanding how our clients work, and how our broader team works. That’s where secondments come in, with the chance to spend one of your six-month seats with either a client or in one of our international offices. Trainees who take on this opportunity are usually in their second, third or fourth seat. Whenever you do it, there’s a range of opportunities available: from working in financial markets in Dubai, to working in digital business for a client in Canary Wharf. And whatever you take on, you’ll come to understand our clients’ world – and be a better lawyer as a result.

Whatever your seats and whether or not you choose to do a secondment, you’ll keep following the compass programme throughout your two years as a trainee. Alongside your practical work from day-to-day, our compass modules will guide you on your way to becoming a well-rounded and highly competent lawyer. Find out from our trainees what they think of compass.

At the end of your training contract, you’ll officially qualify as a practising lawyer. As a Newly Qualified (NQ) lawyer, you’ll move into the department of your choice, beginning the transition from trainee to associate. And of course, we’ll keep supporting you as you do.

Associate status is the next goal after your training contract, and many of our trainees will find permanent associate roles with us. As a key member of the team, you’ll build on your specialist skills in your area of choice, working on day-to-day client work, business development, and mentoring younger members of your team. Now, you’ll start to aim higher, moving towards supervising associate, managing associate, and even making partner, when you’re ready.