Trainee Solicitor

Start date: March 2014/September 2014
Salary: £38,000
Location: London

At Baker & McKenzie, we strongly believe that the quality of our firm is defined by the quality of our people. It is why we invest so much in recruiting the best and then providing the best possible training to enable you to multiply your potential.

Your training contract will typically take two years to complete, comprising four six-month seats in four different practice areas. On joining your first department, you'll be allocated a supervisor, who not only acts as a work provider, but as a mentor during your seat. In addition, each department has a trainee partner who is responsible for overseeing your progress, while ensuring you are continuously developing appropriate skills and experience.

Our Induction Programme comprises two parts. The initial two-week programme is designed to:

• welcome you to the firm 
• provide an overview of the firm's structure, culture and procedures 
• support you with some of the key day-to-day skills you will need.

Part Two of the Induction Programme is spread over the time in your department. It comprises supplementary training on some essential skills such as managing your time and effective communication.

After your Induction Programme, further tailored technical and skills training is provided throughout your training contract and ensures that you meet the requirements of the Law Society's Professional Skills Course, as required by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority.

Most of your training will be delivered by Baker & McKenzie lawyers, often partners, ensuring that you benefit from the latest hands-on advice and experience.

The Graduate Recruitment and Development team will work closely with you to understand your interest in particular departments. You will be given the opportunity to express a departmental preference prior to the start of each seat, which we will consider in line with business needs. While we aim to accommodate your preferences, this cannot always be guaranteed.

The seat rotation policy ensures that you benefit from exposure to at least three distinct areas of law, including contentious law, as recommended by the Solicitors' Regulatory Authority. A number of our departments offer contentious experience, including Dispute Resolution, Employment, Intellectual Property and EU, Competition & Trade.  Corporate work is at the heart of the firm. We therefore require each of our trainees to spend six months in our Corporate department.

During each seat you will have an informal mid-seat review to discuss your progress, providing you with an opportunity to reflect on your development. You will also have a more formal end-of-seat evaluation with a trainee partner which involves feedback on your progress, and where you are encouraged to provide feedback on your own experiences.

We will provide you with the best possible training to give you the varied legal and business skills you need to develop your career and become a world-class commercial solicitor.

Our trainee training programme has been designed to:

• Provide you with the technical knowledge and skills you need in each practice area during your training contract 
• Develop and maximise your performance as a trainee solicitor 
• Build on the LPC+ 
• Comply with the Solicitors' Regulation Authority regulations as set out in your training contract

Please complete an application form online here. You will be asked to provide a cover letter outlining your motivation towards Baker & McKenzie and commercial law. We want to get a feel for you as an individual, your achievements, and also to see what knowledge and enthusiasm you have for our business.