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Eversheds Sutherland
Global commercial law firm with a substantial UK office network and strengths in employment, real estate, corporate transactions, construction and disputes.
About Eversheds Sutherland
Eversheds Sutherland provides commercial legal advice across corporate transactions, finance, employment, real estate, disputes and regulation. Its UK presence spans London and major regional centres, connecting local market knowledge with an international practice.
The breadth of its work allows lawyers to support clients through acquisitions, operational change, property development, workforce issues and litigation. Its corporate practice works alongside specialists in employment, competition, tax and other areas, while its disputes teams handle commercial, financial and property matters. For applicants, the combination offers scope to explore several areas of commercial law before choosing a qualification department.
The two-year training contract comprises four six-month seats, including at least one contentious seat. Seat availability depends on the office, with opportunities to experience different teams and apply for client or international secondments.
Training combines practical responsibility with supervision and feedback. Moving between departments helps trainees develop legal skills while understanding how different teams contribute to a client’s wider commercial objectives.
Published maintenance grants for the PGDL and SQE are £17,000 for London and £12,000 outside London. Non-law graduates receive support for the conversion course before progressing to SQE preparation. Scottish applicants follow the separate qualification route applicable to their training location.
Practice areas & rankings
Eversheds Sutherland has 115 ranked departments in Chambers UK 2027. Its London Band 1 rankings include Employment: Employer: Industrial Relations and Real Estate Litigation. Corporate/M&A transactions worth £100 million to £800 million and contentious construction are ranked Band 2.
At the ITR Europe Tax Awards 2026, the firm won Europe Tax Law Firm of the Year, UK Tax Litigation Law Firm of the Year, Italy Indirect Tax Law Firm of the Year and Impact Deal of the Year for W&I Insurance.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 for Employment: Employer: Industrial Relations in London in Chambers UK 2027, Eversheds Sutherland advises on trade union issues, employment disputes and workforce matters. Its work includes the employment aspects of major transactions and issues spanning several jurisdictions. Clients include financial institutions, large corporates and media businesses.
Ranked Band 1 for Real Estate Litigation in London in Chambers UK 2027, the team handles complex property disputes, including telecommunications, rights to light and dilapidations. It also advises on avoiding litigation and assessing risk, helping clients manage the effect of disputes on developments and property investments.
Ranked Band 2 for Corporate/M&A: £100–800 million in London in Chambers UK 2027, the practice advises multinational businesses on acquisitions and other corporate transactions. Its sector experience includes energy, real estate, natural resources and financial services. International work frequently involves Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Ranked Band 2 for Construction: Contentious in London in Chambers UK 2027, the practice forms part of a wider construction and engineering offering. The firm advises across the life of a project, including development, procurement, contracts and financing, alongside the disputes that can arise during delivery.
Awards
Firm of the Year for Energy and Natural ResourcesLegal 500
Recognised for its energy and natural resources practice.
European Managing Partner of the YearThe Lawyer European Awards 2024
Awarded to chief executive Helen Thomas.
Three accolades for the Paris officePalmarès du Droit Awards 2024
The firm's Paris office took three awards at the 2024 ceremony.
Named in the FT Innovative Lawyers reportsFinancial Times 2025
Listed in both the Europe and North America reports in 2025.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Apply online through the graduate recruitment portal. The 2027 UK vacation scheme closes on 1 December 2026 at 11:59pm. The portal separately lists a 2029 training contract application for internal applicants. Edinburgh’s 2029 training contract applications are scheduled to open on 1 March 2027.
Only one application is permitted per academic year. Check the programme and office carefully before submitting, particularly where a separate jurisdiction or internal route applies.
The form requests qualifications, languages and relevant work experience. Contextual recruitment information helps the firm assess academic achievements alongside educational and personal circumstances.
Use your experience to demonstrate your contribution, the decisions you made and the outcome. Connect your interest in the firm to specific work or clients, then explain why that work appeals to you. Examples from employment, volunteering and university responsibilities can provide evidence of judgement, initiative and collaboration.
Eversheds Sutherland: quick answers
How much does Eversheds Sutherland pay trainees?
Eversheds Sutherland pays first-year trainees £50,000, rising to £55,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Eversheds Sutherland earn £120,000.
When is the Eversheds Sutherland vacation scheme deadline?
Eversheds Sutherland's vacation scheme applications close on 1 Dec 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 Eversheds Sutherland take on?
Eversheds Sutherland takes on around 50 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Eversheds Sutherland use in its applications?
After applications close, candidates are asked to complete an online critical thinking test. The published guidance does not identify a provider or pass mark. Practise distinguishing facts from assumptions, assessing arguments and deciding whether conclusions follow from the information supplied. Read each question carefully and avoid relying on outside knowledge where the task requires you to use only the passage. Work through practice questions under timed conditions, then review why your incorrect answers were wrong. This will help you identify recurring habits, such as drawing conclusions that go beyond the evidence.
What grades do you need to apply to Eversheds Sutherland?
To apply to Eversheds Sutherland you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Eversheds Sutherland asks for 128 UCAS. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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