Travers Smith
A Silver Circle firm known for private equity, funds, and corporate work
About Travers Smith
Travers Smith was founded in 1810 and has grown into one of the most respected independent City firms without ever merging. With approximately 370 lawyers across its London and Paris offices, the firm advises national and multinational companies on complex corporate and commercial matters. Revenue in 2023/24 was £215 million with profit per equity partner of £1.3 million.
The firm focuses on three core areas: transactions, disputes and investigations, and complex advisory matters. It is particularly known for its alternative asset management, private equity, funds, and financial services practices. Clients include some of the world's largest investment banks, asset managers, and private equity houses.
Travers Smith recruits up to 40 trainees per intake, with two intakes per year. The training contract involves four six-month seat rotations. All trainees spend at least one rotation in a corporate department and one in a contentious seat, either dispute resolution or employment. The other two seats are chosen from a broad range of departments including finance, funds, commercial, competition, and real estate. One seat is available in the Paris office. The firm funds all SQE and PGDL fees via BPP and provides a £20,000 maintenance grant during the SQE preparation year. All trainees sit with partners and associates through the firm's room-sharing system, a deliberately non-hierarchical approach that gives trainees direct access to senior lawyers from day one.
Practice areas & rankings
Travers Smith won UK Pro Bono Initiative at the Legal 500 ESG Awards 2025 for its racial justice work with JUSTICE, comprising over 3,500 hours from 70 lawyers. The firm also won the Tax Adviser Award at The Drawdown Awards 2025 and was awarded the Chairman's Cup at the 2025-26 Clean City Awards, becoming the first organisation to win this award in consecutive years in the event's 32-year history.
Private equity and corporate M&A
The is Travers Smith's defining practice. The firm is consistently ranked among the leading practices for mid-market and upper mid-market private equity work in the UK, advising sponsors, management teams, and portfolio companies on buyouts, exits, and secondary transactions. The corporate team advises on domestic and cross-border M&A across all sectors.
Funds and alternative asset management
One of the strongest funds practices outside the Magic Circle, advising on the formation and structuring of private equity, real estate, infrastructure, credit, and hedge funds. The firm's alternative asset management practice is considered one of its key differentiators versus other Silver Circle firms.
Finance
A leading finance practice covering leveraged finance, debt finance, restructuring and insolvency, and derivatives and structured products. The finance team works closely with the private equity practice on acquisition financings and portfolio company matters.
Disputes and investigations
A top-tier contentious practice covering corporate and commercial disputes, financial markets disputes, civil fraud, arbitration, and regulatory investigations. The firm has a strong track record in high-value, strategically significant cases.
Employment and incentives
A well-regarded employment and incentives practice advising on senior executive matters, incentive arrangements, and employment disputes for financial services and private equity clients.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Travers Smith's application process is described as "refreshingly straightforward: just an online form, including a cover letter and details of your grades and experience — no psychometric tests or unlikely heroics required." The application consists of an online form with CV-style information, a cover letter, and answers to short questions. The cover letter should be no more than one side of A4. No CV upload or psychometric tests are required. Applications are not reviewed on a rolling basis and all applications are considered after the deadline. The cover letter is the most important part of the application. It should explain clearly why commercial law, why Travers Smith specifically, and what your background and experiences demonstrate about your suitability. There are two routes to a training contract at Travers Smith: the Summer Vacation Scheme and the Direct Training Contract process. The firm explicitly states that both routes offer the same chance of securing a training contract.
How to answer why youTravers Smith: quick answers
How much does Travers Smith pay trainees?
Travers Smith pays first-year trainees £55,000, rising to £60,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Travers Smith earn £130,000.
When is the Travers Smith vacation scheme deadline?
Travers Smith's vacation scheme applications close on 15 Jan for the 2026/27 cycle. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Travers Smith take on?
Travers Smith takes on around ±40 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Travers Smith?
To apply to Travers Smith you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Travers Smith asks for AAB. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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