Kirsten Hewson

In Scotland and Belfast, the firm also raised its NQ rates to £57,000 and £37,500 respectively. The increases in base salaries are effective from November as part of the firm’s pay review.

Chair Kirsten Hewson said: “At Shoosmiths, we’re known for being a great place to work, with bright, engaged, high-performing teams that deliver excellence for our clients. Cultivating that positive environment starts with ensuring our junior colleagues thrive and excel.

“We are very pleased to offer a salary increase as a part of our holistic approach to developing our lawyers, affirming our dedication to training aspiring solicitors in a culture that’s supportive and ambitious.”

In September, the firm will welcome the first cohort of its Solicitor Apprenticeships programme, an English vocation-based training scheme that offers an alternative route into the legal profession, which will see four individuals qualify as solicitors over a six-year period.

Solicitor Apprenticeships will launch in the Birmingham office, with plans to expand the programme to the firm’s other core offices in subsequent years.

Shoosmiths is also a member of City Century, an award-winning solicitor apprenticeship initiative that develops talent, connecting them to the City of London.