A-level
During the selection process for Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts, you may be asked why you chose your A-level (or equivalent) subjects, so be prepared to talk about your reasons. If you’re thinking about pursuing a career as a commercial lawyer, you may wish to choose subjects at A-level that will give you transferable skills that can be applied to a career in commercial law. For example, studying history will develop your analytical skills, while studying economics will develop your commercial awareness. However, it is important that you enjoy the subjects that you are studying, and you will likely perform better if you are passionate about the subject.
A-level grades form part of the selection criteria for many firms. At Baker McKenzie, we do not have minimum A-level grade requirements. We do however look for strong performance at undergraduate degree level (2:1 or above). We use a contextualised recruitment system to understand each candidate’s achievements in the context in which they have been gained. So even if you fall slightly short of our qualifying criteria, if you demonstrate great potential, you will still be considered. We also take mitigating circumstances into account.
Planning to study law at university?
In the UK, the qualifying law degree is called the LLB
While completing this qualification, you’ll cover core modules such as Contract Law and Tort, which are essential for any future Commercial Lawyer. At university, the LLB can be combined with other subjects. If you also study a language, for example, you may have the opportunity to spend time abroad – ideal if you want to pursue an international career in law.
What's next?
You don’t have to study law at university to become a Commercial Lawyer
However, at Baker McKenzie we’re looking for consistently high academic performance throughout your degree (though we do take mitigating circumstances into account, along with any other contextual information).
We encourage you to study a subject that will build transferable skills and qualities, but that you’ll also enjoy and excel at.
If you complete a non-law degree, some law firms will require you to convert your degree through the Post Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL). However, at Baker McKenzie, we do not require our non-law future trainees to complete the PGDL. Instead, upon graduating, you would complete your Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) with BARBRI. To supplement your knowledge you will complete a 4 week course called Foundations, which gives non-law students an overview of the common law system and gets them up to speed on the language used in the English & Welsh legal system. If you secure a Training Contract with us, the Firm will support you, pay your course fees and provide a maintenance grant to help with your living costs.
What’s next?
Law undergraduate – first year
Most universities have an active student law society which you should consider joining. They’ll work very closely with City law firms like us, inviting us onto campus to run workshops, seminars and social events. As a first-year law student, you’re likely to find yourself exposed to a range of such legal careers events. But you still need to be proactive in researching the opportunities available to you.
Many universities will hold an annual law fair which will be attended by a range of law firms. Our top tips for making the most of these days are:
- Do your research beforehand
- Prepare some good questions
- Speak to as many firms as you can
Your university careers service will be able to provide you with a wealth of information and guidance. Find out which law firms are coming onto campus as they usually run career-related skills sessions, such as commercial awareness, advocacy and negotiation skills. These are a great way to learn essential skills and find out more about the kind of work that a commercial lawyer does.
Increasingly, law firms are running programmes specifically for first years, so make sure you apply for Open Days, Insight Scheme, workshops and any other work experience schemes that are available. Attending such informal networking and vocational skills events will provide a fantastic opportunity to meet a range of people and learn more about a career as a commercial lawyer.
Baker McKenzie offers a two-day First Year Insight Scheme that provides an invaluable view into life as a commercial lawyer.
What’s next?
Law undergraduate – penultimate year
Now is the time for you to really start thinking about what you want from your future career as a commercial lawyer. You should be thinking about the type of firm you want to work for and the type of work you’re interested in. You’ll need to knuckle down, do your research, meet as many firms as possible on campus and start the application process for Vacation Schemes.
Vacation Schemes will provide you with an excellent opportunity to spend time in a firm finding out what life as a commercial lawyer involves. You’ll experience the working culture of the firm, meet a range of people and, most importantly, find out if it’s the right firm for you. Baker McKenzie runs a Summer Vacation Scheme for which Penultimate Year students are eligible to apply. The three-week scheme comprises two seats, giving you an opportunity to experience two of our key practice areas.
Just as importantly, you should visit law fairs, speak to your careers advisor, engage with the student law society at your university and attend firm presentations and drop-in sessions. The majority of firms will conduct interviews for Vacation Schemes, so it’s worth speaking with your careers service or attending employer workshops on interviews and Assessment Centres.
Now is also the time to start applying for Training Contracts. Again, make sure you do your research as a Training Contract is a big commitment. Open Days will also be useful as they can give you a real feel for the culture of a firm. Be sure to promote your overall employability at these events – tell firms about your work experience, part-time employment, committee membership, involvement in sports teams and voluntary work. These will all strengthen your application.
What’s next?
Law undergraduate – final year
This is the big one. If you haven’t yet secured a Training Contract, now is the time to get one. Applying to law firms – combined with your finals – can be time consuming. But if you take the time to do them well it will be worth it. So attend any workshops on application skills, go to open days, network, speak to recruiters and generally find out as much as you can about firms before making your application.
A number of firms offer Vacation Schemes for final-year law students, while others will offer Open Days. You should do your research around the opportunities available to you and whether you’re eligible to apply. Baker McKenzie offers a three-week scheme for Final Year students during the Spring.
We also offer a series of Open Days for which final-year students are eligible to apply. The day consists of presentations, workshops and opportunities to network with Trainee Solicitors, Associates, Partners and Graduate Recruiters. They’re a fantastic way to find out more about the work of a commercial lawyer and the culture of a global law firm.
If you’ve decided to pursue a career as a commercial lawyer, you’ll need to complete an extra year of study after your undergraduate degree, through the Solicitors Qualifying Exam SQE. Our chosen provider BARBRI, are based in London but you will study remotely so you can be based anywhere.
What’s next?
Non-law undergraduate – first year
Most universities will have an active student law society that you should consider joining. They’ll work very closely with City law firms, inviting them onto campus to hold presentations and run workshops, seminars and social events. Attending informal networking and vocational skills events will provide a fantastic opportunity to meet a range of firms and learn more about a career as a commercial lawyer.
You’re unlikely to have the same immediate exposure to legal careers events as a law student will, so you should be proactive in researching the opportunities available to you.
Many universities will hold an annual law fair which will be attended by a range of law firms. Make the most of the day by doing your research beforehand, preparing good questions and speaking to as many firms as possible.
You should also engage with your university careers service as they can provide you with a wealth of information and guidance. Find out which law firms are coming onto campus – many will run skills sessions related to a legal career, such as commercial awareness, advocacy, negotiation skills and application skills. These are a great way of learning essential skills and finding out more about the kind of work that a commercial lawyer does.
Increasingly, law firms are designing programmes specifically for first years. So make sure you apply for Open Days, Insight Schemes, workshops and any Vacation Schemes or first-year specific work experience schemes that are available.
Baker McKenzie offers a two-day First Year Insight Scheme that provides an invaluable insight into life as a commercial lawyer.
What’s next?
Non-law undergraduate – penultimate year
Now is the time for you to really start thinking about what you want from your future career as a commercial lawyer. You should be considering the type of firm you want to work for and the area of work you’re interested in.
Vacation Schemes will provide you with an excellent opportunity to spend time in a firm finding out what life as a commercial lawyer involves. You’ll experience the culture of the firm first-hand, meet a range of people, discover what the career really entails and, most importantly, find out if it’s the right firm for you.
Before making applications as a non-law student in your penultimate year, you should research whether or not you’re eligible to apply for Vacation Schemes at the particular firm you’re interested in. Baker McKenzie allows students in their penultimate year of study (or second or third year for those on a four-year course) to apply for the Summer Vacation Scheme.
Just as importantly, you should visit law fairs, speak to your careers advisor, engage with the student law society at your university, and attend firm presentations and drop-in sessions. As a non-law student the onus really is on you to get out there and find the information that will help you plan your career.
What’s next?
Non-law undergraduate – final-year
As a final-year non-law student you should take every opportunity available to meet with law firms and find out all you can about being a commercial lawyer. Combined with your finals, making applications can be time consuming. But if you take the time to do them well it will be worth it. So attend any workshops on application skills, and be sure to visit any open days and networking events where you can speak to recruiters. As a general rule, you should find out as much as you can about firms before making your application.
A number of firms offer Vacation Schemes for final-year non-law students, while others will offer Open Days. You should do your research around the opportunities available to you and whether you’re eligible to apply. Baker McKenzie offers a three-week scheme for final-year students during the Spring.
Baker McKenzie also offers a series of Open Days and final-year non-law students are eligible to apply. The day consists of presentations, workshops and opportunities to network with Trainee Solicitors, Associates, Partners and Graduate Recruiters. They’re a fantastic way to find out more about the work of a commercial lawyer and the culture of a global law firm. Your final year is also when you should be applying for Training Contracts and preparing yourself for interviews and Assessment Days.
What’s next?
Postgraduate
It’s not necessary to complete a postgraduate course to become a solicitor in England and Wales. Under the current Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, candidates simply need a degree in any subject (or equivalent qualification), to pass SQE1 and SQE2, complete two years of qualifying work experience, and meet the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s character and suitability requirements.
It is worth noting, though, that some laws firms still expect non-law graduates to complete the PGDL before starting SQE preparation or commencing a Training Contract, so it’s important to check individual firm requirements.
At Baker Mckenzie, If you complete a non-law degree you will not be required to convert your degree through the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL). You will complete your Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) with BARBRI. To supplement your knowledge you will complete a 4 week course called Foundations, which gives non-law students an overview of the common law system and gets them up to speed on the language used in the English & Welsh legal system. If you secure a Training Contract with us, the Firm will support you, pay your course fees and provide a maintenance grant to help with your living costs.
A number of firms offer Vacation Schemes for postgraduate students, while others will offer open days. You should do your research around the opportunities available to you and whether you’re eligible to apply. Baker McKenzie offers a three-week scheme directed at postgraduates during the Spring, though candidates are also welcome to apply for the three-week Summer scheme too.
Baker McKenzie also offers a series of Open Days and postgraduate students are eligible to apply. The day consists of presentations, workshops and opportunities to network with Trainee Solicitors, Associates, Partners and Graduate Recruiters. They’re a fantastic way to find out more about the work of a commercial lawyer and the culture of a global law firm.
What’s next?
The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE)
The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is an independent centralised assessment, introduced in September 2021, which every aspiring solicitor in England and Wales must undergo.
To pass the SQE you must complete both the SQE 1 and SQE2.
Baker McKenzie has partnered with BARBRI as our SQE prep provider.
SQE1: This consists of two Functioning Legal Knowledge (FLK) assessments. LPC graduates are exempt from the SQE1 exam.
We choose to send our students on the 20-week SQE1 prep course. If you are a non-law student, to supplement your knowledge you will complete a 4 week course called Foundations, which gives non-law students an overview of the common law system and gets them up to speed on the language used in the English & Welsh legal system.
SQE2: This is the stage of the practical legal skills assessment. A candidate must pass the SQE1 exam before proceeding with sitting the SQE2 exam, unless they are exempt.
We have chosen the accelerated SQE2 prep course, which is 10 weeks.
In addition you will take part in our 9 week Prep for Practice course which has been designed by the Firm to help build your commercial awareness, client relationship skills and soft skills, to ensure you are fully prepared ahead of your qualifying work experience (Training Contract).
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