An introduction:
Travers Smith LLP is a corporate law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It advises national and multinational companies in the UK and internationally across a full range of corporate, litigious, and commercial matters. Travers is considered as part of the elite “silver circle” group, though unlike some of its competitors in that grouping (HSF or Ashurst), Travers has preferred to rely on a network of “best friend” offices around the globe, rather than expand its brand internationally.
Having been founded in 1810, the firm is one of the oldest in the City of London, with this age-matched by equal prestige and reputation. Though the firm has been known to be dominated by “blue blood” in the past, Co-head of Graduate Recruitment, Danny Peel has put significant effort into improving the firm’s D&I. The firm is also known for its supportive, friendly culture. When taken in conjunction with the quality of the work on offer, a traineeship at Travers becomes a very tantalising prospect.
Facts about the firm:
- For the 19/20 financial year, the firm’s revenue fell by 1%, to £160.9, due to the pandemic. Though, partners took the brunt of the hit, as PEP (profit per equity partner) fell by 20%, to approximately £1 million.
- With a mere two offices worldwide, Travers is not the place for those expecting a “jet-setting” traineeship. Despite this, cross-border work will almost certainly be on the table.
- Travers Smith has 25 training contracts on offer and typically recruits just over 50% of its trainees through its vacation schemes, per Chambers Student. The firm runs three summer vacation schemes, and one winter vacation scheme, with roughly 15 places up for grabs on each. The application is completed with a CV and covering letter, with no psychometric tests required.
- Due to the pay war sweeping the City, Travers recently raised salaries. Salaries now stand at £47000 for first years, £52500 for second years, and minimum total compensation of £100000 for newly qualified lawyers.
- To get a look-in to the firm, applicants require a minimum of AAB at A-Level and a 2:1 degree, with those from Russell Group institutions typically favoured. Around 1000 individuals apply for a vacation scheme and training contract each year, with roughly 180 on each path invited for an interview. Travers is notable for leaning heavily on moral debates in interviews, rather than vanilla problem-solving questions.
- The firm offers a unique office structure, where one trainee shares a room with one associate, and one partner.
Key practice areas:
Though its seat options are more limited than those on offer elsewhere, Travers holds fantastic prestige across its practice areas. These practice areas include:
- Banking
- Commercial
- Competition
- Corporate
- Corporate recovery
- Employment
- Environmental
- Finance
- Investment funds
- Litigation
- Pensions
- Real estate
- Tax
Notable recent deals:
- Travers Smith has advised the management team of Dreams on its c.£340 million acquisition by Tempur Sealy International, Inc. (Tempur) from Sun Capital Partners, Inc. (Sun Capital). It appears that after a (presumably) crushing closing, those involved will be having “sweet dreams”.
- For those of us with memories of their mobile or flash games, Travers Smith has advised Miniclip (UK) Limited on its acquisition of Supersonic Software Limited and it is subsidiary Appynation Ltd.
- For the rugby fans among us, Travers Smith recently advised the Leicester Tigers on new financing provided by the Department for Digital, Media, Culture & Sport, as part of the government’s Sports Winter Survival Package.
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