The firm has a long established pedigree and is particularly recognised for its specialist practices.

Winckworth Sherwood is an exciting, diverse and growing business. Joining our team will see you work with some of the UK’s most interesting clients.

In the last year alone we have:

• Worked on corporate transactions valued at over £3 billion
• Advised our developer and social housing clients on over £1.6 billion of residential sales and over £1 billion of refinancings
• Advised on HS2 which will see the development of over 330 miles of railway network with an expected £59 billion benefit to the wider economy

A if that wasn’t enough, we are also involved in the transformation of Battersea Power Station and act for the majority of London’s major housing associations who together own assets of over £17.3 billion.

However, it’s not all about big numbers and high-profile projects; the real success of our business comes from the ability of our teams to provide fantastic service and create long-lasting relationships.

Main areas of practice

Corporate and commercial: We advise on corporate, mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and JVs, commercial arrangements, outsourcing and procurement, corporate finance and capital markets, funds and IP, IT contracts and data protection.

Employment and partnership: We provide contentious and non contentious advice covering financial, insurance, retail, hotel, media, publishing, real estate and educational establishments. We also advise senior executives and on partnership disputes, as well as specialist non-contentious partnership advice.

Infrastructure projects: We specialise in private legislation promoting projects of major strategic importance. We also advise central and local government bodies, developers and operators on infrastructure planning, development, construction, procurement, structuring and finance.

Not for profit: We advise a large number of educational and affordable housing operators, charitable and religious organisations and cultural and leisure services providers, delivering a full range of legal expertise.

Private wealth and tax: We advise high net worth individuals, families, senior executives, private trustees and executors on a full range of private legal matters, including complex residential property solutions, tax and succession issues, pre-marital advice, divorce and family.

Real estate and planning: We work for many of the leading national residential and commercial developers, national house builders, investors and fund managers. This includes commercial real estate and regeneration, planning, development, corporate finance, funds, tax, construction, asset management and property litigation capability.

Trainee profile

• You will enjoy the challenge of analytical thinking and possess a keen eye for detail
• You relish the challenge of solving intricate legal puzzles
• You enjoy the process of conducting legal research and unearthing legal precedents
• Thrive on continuous development and enjoy keeping up to date with legal developments
• As an aspiring solicitor, communication is key. Whether it's drafting legal documents, presenting arguments, or liaising with clients, your communication skills are clear, concise, and persuasive
• The modern lawyer needs to be a team player so the role will require that you thrive in a team environment, drawing strength from collective knowledge and fostering positive relationships with colleagues
• The legal world moves fast, and you can keep up! Your ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines is a testament to your organizational skills
• Innovative problem solver: challenges excite rather than intimidate you. You approach problems with creativity, finding innovative solutions that set you apart in the legal arena.

We are not holding a vacation scheme this year. 

Trainees will be placed in four departments in six-month placements. We encourage early responsibility and substantial client interaction. You will usually sit with a partner or associate and may be given the opportunity to manage your own files, subject to suitable supervision.

We have a well developed in-house training and development programme which draws upon the expertise of partners, associates and guest professionals. As well as legal training, we also provide business skills training such as presentation skills, project management, networking and client development.

We have now moved to the SQE route but still accept applications from those who have already started or completed their GDL and LPC.

We take great pride in creating an environment that is inclusive for all. We believe in creating opportunities for everyone to develop and progress their careers in a way which is right for them.

Our firmwide EDI Network comprises over 25 colleagues from across the business all focused on ensuring we are an inclusive, diverse and psychologically safe environment. With sponsorship and involvement from the firm’s leadership, the Network’s activities range from creating sub-networks around specific areas such as LGBTQ+ and disability, through to facilitating awareness raising talks and training on unconscious bias, allyship, disability and social equality.

We also understand that for many, a career in law is not the obvious choice and we work with a number of organisations to open up opportunities in the legal sector where the barriers to entry might seem insurmountable. Below are a few such organisations we are proud to support.

The firm sponsors SQE courses with tailored content at The University of Law.

We also pay for the SQE1 and SQE2 exams.

• Real estate
• Parliamentary
• Planning
• Social housing
• Corporate & commercial
• Property litigation
• Commercial litigation
• Construction
• Employment
• Ecclesiastical
• Education
• Family
• Private client
• Tax
• Commercial real estate & licensing

• Niche

• London
• Oxford
• Manchester

• Aspiring Solicitors
• Diversity Access Scheme - Law Society
• Pathways to Law
• Social Mobility Foundation
• Sutton Trust