From the firm’s history and core values to unique office perks, here’s everything you need to know about Shoosmiths in five posts from its popular early careers Instagram page
Aspiring lawyers might not immediately think of Instagram as their go-to tool when preparing for the training contract application season. However, this social media platform is no longer the sole domain of celebrities and influencers. Many top law firms have been targeting young students and graduates on their home turf by sharing valuable information through the ‘gram. One such firm is national outfit, Shoosmiths who are connecting with aspiring lawyers through their busy Insta account, @shoosmithsgrads.
With nearly 8,000 followers, @shoosmithsgrads sits comfortably among the most followed early careers accounts in law. The firm’s emerging talent team have uploaded a whopping 1,400+ posts which give budding lawyers a taste of life at this exciting and rapidly expanding firm.
So, with the wealth of golden nuggets the firm is offering to lawyer hopefuls on their Insta, we’ve summarised Shoosmiths in five of their popular Insta posts.
In this introductory Reel, the firm sums up its long and famous history, giving students an insight into how the firm has grown since its foundation. Founded in Northampton in 1845, Shoosmiths still has busy core offices here and Milton Keynes, but in recent years has expanded into major commercial hubs like London, Manchester and Birmingham. Since 2022, the firm has also boasted an international base in Brussels, a city at the centre of commercial legal issues like competition law, compliance and regulation, and data privacy.
This Reel sums up the firm’s core practice areas so aspiring trainees can get a clear idea of the teams they will sit in if they train at Shoosmiths.
This post outlines Shoosmiths’ core values: focusing on what matters, making a difference, delivering together and being ourselves. When applying for vacation placements and training contracts, it’s just as vital to consider a firm’s culture as researching the work they do. Looking into a firm’s values and considering how they align with your own can help you pick the right firm for you.
Shoosmiths refreshed their list of values at the start of 2022 following a series of discussion workshops with employees so applicants can be sure that this post gives an up-to-date and current picture of how Shoosmiths runs today.
Showing clips of the Shoosmiths Birmingham base to a vibey Billie Eilish beat, this Reel gives @shoosmithsgrads Insta followers a taste of the innovative and collaborative designs the firm implements in its offices. This Shoosmiths office has an open plan layout and features flexible, multipurpose spaces along with quiet ‘snug’ areas and soundproofed call pods. The reel shows off the office’s greenery along with striking views of Birmingham’s buzzy business district.
@shoosmithgrads also offers sneak peaks into the firm’s buildings in Leeds, London and Belfast as well as a tour of joyfully colourful comic-book-themed meeting rooms in its Edinburgh base. Be sure to visit the page and see what Shoosmiths looks like near you!
How sweet!
This Instagram story from the firm’s 2023 trainee induction shows some of the quirky perks on offer to Shoosmiths lawyers. The firm’s London office is kitted out with its own selection of traditional pick ‘n’ mix – perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth during a busy workday or making conversation with new colleagues. And is there a better way to really get to know someone other than judging their sweetie choices?
Training contract hopefuls outside of the Capital need not fear, Shoosmiths provides these pick ‘n’ mix stations across the country so there is no shortage of sugar. Although, if you’re looking to train at a firm scoring As and A*s across its Legal Cheek Insider Scorecard, you might find Shoosmiths “sweet enough.”
One of the @shoosmithsgrads most liked posts spotlights Becca Horley, an associate in the serious injury department in their Birmingham office. Becca has her own well-followed Insta page where she shares her brightly coloured office-wear fashion looks and discusses the importance of expressing yourself through clothing. This ties in closely with Shoosmiths’ “being ourselves” value (see above for the firm’s post listing their values!).
Shoosmiths adopts a flexible “dress for your day” policy which empowers lawyers to make their own informed decisions about dress-code depending on their schedule. The outfit which is perfect for an important client meeting might not be practical when working from home and Shoosmiths knows this.
Follow Shoosmiths on Instagram and TikTok.
About Legal Cheek Careers posts.
