Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons has been committed to social mobility for over a decade, with our award-winning initiative, the Young Talent Programme celebrating its ten-year anniversary this year. Developed in collaboration with Frederick Bremer School, in Walthamstow, London, the programme is designed to raise students’ aspirations through a series of ongoing, longer term initiatives that provide access to the legal profession and wider work opportunities. 

The school has an above average percentage of free school meal recipients with 33% of students eligible, and we work in collaboration with PRIME to collect diversity data and track the progress of students on our Young Talent Programme.

We support each cohort for seven years, during which they return to the firm every year to participate in a range of activities including work experience; skills sessions; paid internships; and group mentoring. Thirteen students have also been awarded the Simmons & Simmons bursary to assist them through university.

In recent years, we have celebrated huge milestones for our Young Talent Programme. We now have over 100 students on the programme. Our first permanent hire from Cohort 1 of the programme joined the firm’s HR department in 2018 and our first trainee hire from Cohort 2 joined in September 2021. A further member of Cohort 2 started their career in our M&BD team last summer.  The programme was also awarded for “CSR Innovation” at the Legal Innovation Awards 2020. 

‘Before joining the Young Talent Programme in 2012, I didn’t have access to role models or family contacts working within the professional sector. Nor, had I even considered having a career in the legal sector as a possibility. The impact the programme has had on my career, personal and professional development is immeasurable. Now, I’m in the privileged position to be able to pass on the baton and demystify legal careers for the next generation, whilst supporting Simmons & Simmons in widening access to those from all socio-economic backgrounds.’ – Graduate Recruitment Advisor, Cohort 1 Alum