Simons Muirhead Burton
Overview
Simons Muirhead Burton (SMB) is a London-based full-service law firm with deep roots in civil liberties and criminal work that has grown into a multi-specialism practice particularly well known for media, reputation management, crime & regulatory, corporate/commercial and specialist entertainment, music and sports work. The firm houses the Death Penalty Project, works on high-profile cross-border litigation and transactional matters, and is a long-standing member of the LAWorld network which it uses to deliver cross-border advice. SMB positions itself as a client-focused, collaborative firm operating from the West End/Soho with a strong record of directory recognition across a number of practice areas.
- Headquarters: London, Soho / West End
- Offices: 1
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Corporate & M&A
- Commercial Contracts
- Banking & Finance
- Insolvency & Restructuring
- Real Estate
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Media & Entertainment
- Data Protection & Privacy
- Technology & Digital
- Intellectual Property
- Sports Law
- Criminal Law
- White Collar Crime
- Employment
- Immigration
- Family Law
- Retail & Consumer
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Fraud & Investigations
- Professional Negligence
Geographic Focus: Based in London (West End/Soho) the firm acts for UK clients and a wide range of international clients. SMB handles cross-border transactional and litigation work, participates in the LAWorld global network, and its pro bono Death Penalty Project operates across some 30 countries; the firm routinely advises on matters involving Europe, the US, Africa and other jurisdictions.
Training Contract
SMB offers a conventional training contract route with qualifying work experience described as being gained in an 'open and diverse environment' with early client exposure and partner supervision. The careers pages state one intake of trainees each year (commencing in October) and that the firm recruits trainees in advance.
- Application Deadline: 31 march 2026
Programmes & Schemes
SMB runs a summer vacation scheme (an insight into life as a trainee) which provides work experience and insight into the firm's practice groups and training contract pipeline.
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Deadline: 31 March 2026
Notable Matters
SMB advised John Gore Productions on its investment into production company Deep Fusion Films. The matter involved corporate/commercial advice to an established media client on a strategic investment into a production business.
Corporate & M&A
SMB advised the majority shareholders of long-standing client Exile Group on the sale of a minority stake to private equity firm Bridgepoint. The work encompassed negotiation and transaction management for shareholder/vendor-side corporate disposal.
Corporate & M&A
SMB’s corporate team advised the Winklevoss Capital Fund (Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss) on a $4.5m investment into Real Bedford FC, providing transactional and commercial advice on the investment structure.
Corporate & M&A
SMB acted for the founders of employee benefits specialists Drewberry Limited on their sale to global insurance group Brown & Brown, advising on the sale process and documentation.
Corporate & M&A
SMB represented award-winning archaeologist and broadcaster Professor Catrine Jarman in a high-profile Misuse of Private Information (privacy) claim, achieving a successful resolution for the client.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
SMB secured a landmark Tribunal ruling for the Government of the Bahamas on the power to regulate Freeport; the case was significant enough that the Tribunal’s Partial Award was made public due to its national and international importance.
Public Law
SMB obtained judgment in favour of long-standing client Mohammed Arif in a discrimination claim in Birmingham County Court, concluding proceedings against local association officers.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
What Simons Muirhead Burton Looks For
Key Competencies
- Commercial awareness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Resilience and commitment
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- Strong client-service orientation
- Attention to detail
- Free-thinking and initiative
Evidence Signals
- Relevant sector experience (media, technology, music, sport, real estate)
- Pro bono or civic engagement (e.g., human rights work)
- Commercial or transactional experience or internships
- Practical/legal work experience (paralegal, vacation scheme, mini-pupillage)
- Language skills or cross-border experience (useful for Anglo-French team or international work)
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Firm states it ensures a living wage for all staff, including contract cleaners
- Pro bono opportunities and involvement (including working with the Death Penalty Project)
- Charity of the Year programme and active fundraising (Young Epilepsy in 2026)
- Partnerships with arts and education bodies (e.g., The BRIT School) and in-kind support for students/alumni
- Membership/participation in international networks (LAWorld) and related cross-border opportunities
- Opportunities for hands-on work and early responsibility for junior lawyers
Wellbeing
The firm states it seeks to 'facilitate health and wellness' and develop the workplace for staff wellbeing; it runs staff fundraising/volunteering activities and provides pro bono engagement opportunities.
Awards & Recognition
- Legal 500 — multiple rankings across practice areas (Legal 500 citations visible on firm pages; Tier 1 listings include Crime: general; Media: Theatre, publishing and other media; Reputation management)
- Chambers and Partners — firm and individual rankings and quotes (Chambers logos and citations shown on site)
- UK Top Tier Firms (2026) — logo displayed on site
- Cyber Essentials certification (badge displayed on site)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
SMB commits to measuring success by social and environmental impact, operates a living wage policy for all staff (including contract cleaners), supports pro bono legal programmes and publishes SRA Diversity Survey results (2025). The firm is a signatory to The Law Society Pro Bono Charter.
- The Death Penalty Project (founded at SMB) — in-house pro bono legal action charity
- Bernie Simons Essay Competition (student outreach and work experience)
- Voices in the Middle / Kids in the Middle regional partnership
- Charity of the Year programme (annual firm fundraising focus; 2026: Young Epilepsy)
- Signatory to The Law Society Pro Bono Charter
- SRA Diversity Survey 2025 (firm publishes results link)
- Partnership with The BRIT School (financial support, in‑kind activity and pro bono legal advice)
Pro Bono
SMB has a long history of pro bono work; it founded and houses The Death Penalty Project, which provides free legal representation to death row prisoners and vulnerable prisoners across some 30 countries. The firm encourages all staff to donate time and expertise, advises charities and social enterprises on a pro bono basis, and supports trusteeship and board service by partners for charities.
Innovation
SMB publishes focused, sector-specific insight on emerging tech and regulation (AI, proptech) and provides interactive guidance (proptech video guide). The firm engages on innovation topics through international network events (LAWorld) and thought leadership, but the site does not list proprietary legal‑tech platforms or named internal tools.
- Proptech interactive video guide (Tech, IP & Digital Rights team)
- Firm insight content and articles on AI regulation and compliance (insights series)
- Engagement on innovation and legal tech topics within LAWorld network sessions (panels on AI adoption and member innovation)
Quick Application Angles
- Reference the firm’s long-standing human rights and pro bono heritage (the Death Penalty Project) to demonstrate commitment to public interest and client-focused motivation.
- Show sector-specific commercial awareness in media, music or sport — cite SMB’s recent client work (e.g., advising John Gore Productions, work for film/TV clients, and music partnerships) to demonstrate fit with the firm's client base.
- Highlight experience or interest in cross-border work and networks — mention LAWorld membership or international dispute/transaction exposure where relevant.
- Emphasise willingness to take responsibility and examples of substantive client-facing work (paralegal, internships or vacation-scheme experiences), since the firm gives early responsibility to junior lawyers.
Apply to Simons Muirhead Burton with Confidence
Use YourLegalLadder's AI-powered TC Application Copilot to decode Simons Muirhead Burton's questions and generate firm-specific, evidence-backed outlines.
Start Your Application Free