Simmons & Simmons

Overview

Simmons & Simmons is an international London-headquartered law firm with significant strength in technology, life sciences, financial services and regulatory work. The firm holds multiple Tier 1 rankings across practices including TMT (artificial intelligence and IP/patents), capital markets, tax, investment funds and life sciences and healthcare, reflecting market-leading capability in these sectors. It operates across 23 offices in 15 countries and combines corporate, finance, disputes, regulatory and specialist sector-focused teams to serve global clients, particularly in technology, healthcare and financial services.

Headquarters: London
Offices: 23

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Technology & Digital
Capital Markets
Employment
Fraud & Investigations
Investment Funds
Intellectual Property
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Regulatory & Compliance
Tax
Banking & Finance
Corporate & M&A
Energy & Natural Resources
Infrastructure & Projects
Real Estate
Competition & Antitrust
Insolvency & Restructuring
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Financial Services & Regulation

Geographic Focus: Headquartered in London with a global footprint spanning 23 offices across 15 countries. The firm shows particular coverage in worldwide capital markets, investment fund work and international IP/TMT matters, positioning it to serve multinational corporates and financial institutions out of London.

Training Contract

The firm offers 24 training contracts per year and places emphasis on international and client secondments as part of development.

Starting Salary: Year 1 trainee salary: £54,000; Year 2 trainee salary: £59,000
NQ Salary: £120,000
Trainee Intake: 24
Qualification Rate: 89%
Academic Requirements: Minimum degree requirement: 2:1. Minimum A-level requirement: BBB.
Application Deadline: 15 December 2025

Sponsorship

PGDL/PGDL grant: £13,000.)

SQE Support

SQE grant: £17,500 (financial support for SQE indicated).

International Opportunities

Chances of secondment abroad: 22%.

Client Secondments

Chances of client secondment: 27%.

Apply on the Simmons & Simmons website →

What Simmons & Simmons Looks For

Key Competencies

Commercial awareness
Technical excellence (particularly in technology, life sciences and financial services matters)
Teamwork and peer support
Adaptability and resilience
Interest in legal technology and innovation
International outlook

Evidence Signals

Relevant commercial work experience or internships in TMT, finance or life sciences
Demonstrable commercial awareness (deal/sector knowledge)
Experience of working in teams or leadership roles (evidence of collaboration)
Proven academic performance (minimum 2:1 degree and BBB A-levels where applicable)
Interest or experience in legal tech, coding, data or AI-related projects
International experience or language skills

Benefits & Wellbeing

Trainee salary Year 1: £54,000
Trainee salary Year 2: £59,000
Newly qualified (NQ) salary: £120,000
PGDL/PGDL grant: £13,000
SQE grant: £17,500
Annual leave: 25 days
No annual target hours (no billable/chargeable hours target)

Awards & Recognition

Legal 500: 58 total ranked practice areas; 12 Tier 1 practice areas and multiple Tier 2/3/4/5 rankings (detailed practice-level Tier listings present).
Chambers & Partners: Ranked across multiple departments (Chambers listings include corporate finance, M&A, employment (employer), intellectual property and others).

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Innovation

Trainee/insider ratings give Simmons & Simmons top marks for legal tech (A*/A), indicating a significant investment in technology and digital capability.

Legal tech rated A*/A in insider scores

Quick Application Angles

Reference the firm’s Tier 1 strengths in TMT (including artificial intelligence), IP (patents) and capital markets — explain why those sectors interest you and give a concrete example of sector knowledge or commercial awareness.
Highlight any legal tech or data/AI projects you’ve done — Simmons scores A*/A for legal tech, so practical tech interest or experience will stand out.
Make use of the firm’s financial support offerings in applications (PGDL grant and SQE grant) if relevant to your route — tie this to a clear plan for qualification.
If you have international experience or language skills, emphasise them: the firm operates across 23 offices in 15 countries and ~22% of trainees get overseas secondments.
Demonstrate collaborative examples and client-facing confidence: insider scores show A for peer support and partner approachability, so evidence of teamwork and communication will resonate.