Career path
Finding the perfect place to work is closer than you think
Reach your destination by a different path
Unlike many law firms, we don’t believe in making graduates work at associate level for many years before considering promotion to counsel or partnership. At Shearman & Sterling, our career path has a more structured approach with clearly defined roles and job levels from trainee solicitor to counsel/partner. It’s a merit-based approach, particularly in the area of remuneration – which we think is fairer.
Aspirational stages, one clear goal
Join us and your career will be on the up from the moment you arrive, with six career stages within your reach:
- Trainee
- Associate
- Mid-level associate
- Senior associate
- Counsel
- Partner
A framework that works
We recognise that to succeed in a law firm a lawyer needs not only excellent legal and technical ability but also a wide range of business, leadership and management skills. That’s why we’ve introduced a competency framework to set out the firm’s expectations at the various levels.
Throughout your career at Shearman & Sterling, you’ll be assessed on core competencies appropriate to your level. As with the promotion from trainee to associate, each stage of your development should be a natural progression and challenge you appropriately. Crucially, the more you put in, the more you’ll get out.
