Simons Muirhead Burton

Overview

Simons Muirhead Burton is a London-based specialist law firm with a strong market reputation in media, crime and TMT-related matters. The firm is recognised for its top-ranked Media & Communications Disputes team and for strengths across crime, reputation management and media/entertainment work. It combines litigation and advisory capabilities with public interest and pro bono work (including a visible relationship with the Death Penalty Project) and positions itself as a dynamic, entrepreneurial practice focused on high-quality client work. The firm recruits trainees and runs an annual summer vacation scheme as part of its early careers pipeline.

• Headquarters: London

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Media & Entertainment
• Corporate & M&A
• Criminal Law
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Immigration
• Family Law
• Real Estate
• Technology & Digital
• Intellectual Property
• Sports Law
• Public Law
• Fraud & Investigations
• White Collar Crime

Geographic Focus: A London-centred practice with the firm’s rankings and major client work concentrated in London. The firm acts for UK media and entertainment organisations and has international reach through network memberships and work for broadcasters, publishers, production companies and online/streaming platforms.

Training Contract

The firm offers a training contract with one intake each year (trainees typically commence in October). SMB recruits up to two years in advance of the intake. Trainees gain qualifying work experience through seats in core departments; the firm notes that available practice areas for trainees may change and there is no guarantee of placement in any particular department. Application for trainee roles uses a firm application form which must be submitted by email.

• Trainee Intake: One intake per year (commencing in October); the firm recruits up to two years in advance of the intake.
• Academic Requirements: Applications from both law and non-law graduates are welcome. Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate they have passed the LPC or SQE 1 & 2 to an appropriate standard and be able to obtain the right to work. The firm expects a consistently high level of academic and personal achievement, independent thinking and a desire for excellence.
• Application Deadline: 2026-03-31

Seat Options

• Media & Entertainment
• Corporate & M&A
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Family Law
• Criminal Law
• Public Law

Sponsorship

Financial support of up to £7,500 for SQE 1 & 2 (see sqe_support). For candidates completing the LPC the firm offers up to £6,000 towards costs (the PSC will be paid in addition). Fees are reimbursed in two tranches during years one and two of the training contract.

SQE Support

The firm will provide financial support of up to £7,500 for successful completion of SQE 1 & 2 and examination fees. Fees will be reimbursed in two tranches during years one and two of the training contract.

Apply on the Simons Muirhead Burton website →

Programmes & Schemes

What Simons Muirhead Burton Looks For

Key Competencies

• Positive attitude
• Strong communication skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Business awareness / commercial awareness
• Strong academic performance
• Independent thinking
• Motivation, conscientiousness and commitment

Evidence Signals

• High academic results and consistent academic performance
• Passed the LPC or SQE 1 & 2 (to an appropriate standard)
• Relevant work experience (especially in media, litigation or commercial contexts)
• Demonstrable interest in the firm and its practice areas
• Ability to obtain the right to work in the UK

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Financial support of up to £7,500 for successful completion of SQE 1 & 2 and exam fees (reimbursed in two tranches during years one and two of the training contract)
• Up to £6,000 towards LPC fees for LPC candidates (the PSC will be paid in addition)
• Vacation-scheme travel expenses covered to/from London and daily travel within Zones 1-9 for the duration of the scheme
• Hybrid office / work from home arrangement for at least some London roles
• Confidential consideration for additional financial assistance requests to enable participation in the vacation scheme
• PSC fees paid (for LPC route)

Wellbeing

The firm asks candidates to contact them if they have a disability and require adjustments during the recruitment process; requests will be treated confidentially. No detailed wellbeing programmes are listed on the careers pages provided.

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: multiple Tier 1 practice areas (including Crime: general; Media: Theatre, publishing and other media; Reputation management) (rankings data available)
• Chambers & Partners: recognised rankings (2026 logos and ranking references displayed on firm pages)
• UK Top Tier Firms recognition (image/logo shown on site)
• Cyber Essentials certification (logo displayed on site)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to recruiting candidates of the highest calibre and from as diverse a range as possible.

Pro Bono

The firm is engaged with The Death Penalty Project (link prominent on site) and trainees may have the opportunity to gain experience in Death Penalty Project matters; the firm emphasises social responsibility and pro bono engagement.

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Highlight specific media-law interest and experience (defamation, privacy, IP, pre-publication clearance) and reference the firms top-ranked Media & Communications Disputes credentials when applying.
• Use the firms required application form (do not send a CV or cover letter) for vacation scheme and trainee applications and meet the published deadline (applications open 1 November and close 31 March).
• Mention the firms involvement with the Death Penalty Project and any relevant public-interest or human-rights experience if applicable to your application.
• If qualifying via SQE, cite that the firm funds up to £7,500 towards SQE 1 & 2 (and LPC candidates up to £6,000 plus PSC) to demonstrate alignment between your qualification route and the firms support offerings.
• For later-stage roles (e.g., media litigation), tailor applications to show both media-specific litigation experience and broader commercial/insolvency litigation competence, as the team handles both media and commercial disputes.