Experience four key practice areas over the course of two years and enjoy all the support you need to qualify as a Solicitor.
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 two-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.
The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE)
From September 2021, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will introduce a new route to qualification, which will transition the current qualification route of a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Professional Skills Course (PSC) to SQE 1 and SQE 2 exams and two years of Qualifying Work Experience.
There will be a transition period up to December 2032, when the current route to qualification will be completely phased out. Many firms in the sector are currently reviewing how this impacts the recruitment of their trainees so keep an eye out for updates.
Who can apply?
Penultimate and final-year students, and graduates in any degree discipline.
How long is the contract?
Our Training Contracts are two years.
What are the eligibility requirements?
You should have, or be on track for, a 2:1 or above.
Fast Track LPC with the BPP Law School, Holborn, London.
We use a contextualised recruitment system, which enables us to consider those with real potential who fall slightly short of our criteria.
What is the salary?
Our salary for first year trainees is £50,000, with an increase in the second year.
Where are they based?
At the Baker McKenzie offices in London.
When should I apply?
Applications are open from 1st February 2023 – 1st April 2023.
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 which, while it will vary from department to department, will almost certainly include:
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 more formal evaluation will see a Trainee Partner 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.
You can apply for a Training Contract from 1st February 2023 by clicking here.
Your application must be with us by 1st April 2023.
“…we have offices all over the world. I was in contact with Baker McKenzie employees in Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Argentina and getting their feedback and putting that all into one piece of advice for the client. I can’t imagine many other firms that you could do that in, especially this early on, it was really exciting.”
Madeleine Barrow — Associate
There are many ways to launch a career in law with Baker McKenzie. Our Career Planner will help you find the perfect path for you.
