Direct Training Contract
The final step to becoming a lawyer
Experience four key practice areas over the course of two years and enjoy all the support you need to qualify as a Solicitor in England & Wales.
What our Training Contract involves
A Training Contract gives you the chance to experience four of our key practice areas for six months each.
Our rotation policy ensures you experience different areas of law, including contentious law and, because corporate work is at the heart of our Firm, you’ll also complete a transactional seat.
The programme begins with a one-week induction, but you’ll be exposed to live work and make a real contribution right from the start. Throughout your Training Contract, you’ll be able to call on the personal and professional support of both our Graduate Recruitment & Development and Leadership & Learning teams.
What you’ll be doing
During each seat, you’ll get department-specific training and be assigned a supervisor who’ll mentor you and provide you with your daily workload. Specifics of your work will vary from department to department, but you can expect to be:
- Researching for client pitches or projects
- Liaising directly with clients
- Writing articles and blog posts
- Sitting in on client meetings
- Preparing agreements, deeds, contracts and other legal documents
Every department has a Trainee Partner who will oversee your progress and ensure you are continually developing the appropriate skills and experience.
Midway through each seat, there’ll be an informal review of your progress and development. At the end of each seat, a Trainee Partner will conduct a more formal evaluation, giving you feedback on your progress. As you grow in experience, you’ll take on more and more responsibility.
Secondments
All Trainee Solicitors have the opportunity to apply for a three-to-six month secondment at one of our international offices, or with one of our clients’ in-house legal teams.
Qualification
At the start of your final seat, there will be a briefing session with the Graduate Recruitment & Development team, which will outline the qualification process. This is followed by a one-to-one meeting with the Training Principal, who will discuss your preferences and provide guidance.
Key dates
01/02/2026
Applications open
01/04/2026
Applications close
FAQs
Penultimate and final-year students, and graduates in any degree discipline.
Our Training Contracts are two years.
You should have, or be on track for, a 2:1 or above. We use a contextualised recruitment system, which enables us to consider those with real potential who fall slightly short of our criteria.
Our salary for first year trainees is £56,000, with an increase in the second year.
At the Baker McKenzie office in London, near Liverpool Street Station.
Applications open 1st February 2026. Applications close 1st April 2026.
Why join our Direct Training Contract?
Baker McKenzie Training Contracts are your chance to step up and stand out at a leading global firm. With support at every stage, chance to explore different seats as and join social groups and networks, this is your opportunity to see where your hard work and passion can take you.
