Simmons & Simmons has launched a two-week AI law internship in London in April 2026, open to students and recent graduates.
The programme is the first of its kind in the UK and reflects growing competition among firms to train future lawyers in AI.
Simmons & Simmons has launched what it says is the UK’s first dedicated AI law internship.
The two-week programme, set to start in April 2026, will take eight students into Simmons’ London AI team. Interns will work on "projects shaping the future of AI law and governance, as well as AI enablement and transformation."
Applications open on 15 October and are aimed at undergraduates in their penultimate or final year, as well as postgraduates and graduates. The firm says it is especially aimed at those studying law and STEM subjects - both future lawyers and those with a strong interest in technology.
Top-performing interns could be in line for a future role at Simmons, with the firm keeping opportunities open for "outstanding individuals" on the programme.
Bigger picture
Firms are making moves to show how they are preparing future lawyers for an increasingly tech-driven profession. Simmons' announcement follows Freshfields unveiling a partnership with King’s College London in July, offering future trainees the chance to do an LLM in law and technology at the university's law school.
Simmons is already on the front foot in the legal AI arms race. The firm has developed "Percy", its in-house AI assistant which counts around 90% of fee earners as regular users, and firm leaders have been vocal about the technology’s potential.
Senior partner Julian Taylor recently told The Non-Billable Podcast that in two or three years' time, lawyers will be doing work "very, very differently", and warned that some firms that fail to adapt are unlikely to survive given the speed of change.
What they said
Peter Lee, partner and AI governance lead, said: "Simmons’ new AI internship is a truly unique opportunity; we’re very excited to welcome the next generation of talent in the spring."
Partner and global AI lead Minesh Tanna added: "This is the only dedicated AI internship of its kind in the UK - offering young professionals a rare opportunity to work at the heart of a law firm with world-class expertise in both AI law and governance, and legal technology."
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