Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm.  We advise many of the world’s most dynamic and successful organisations through our 13,200 people in 78 offices in 46 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard.  Our culture encourages this - how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

As a firm, we’re as ambitious as we are welcoming. We’re committed to creating an environment in which people can succeed regardless of where they grew up or the school they went to. We want you to be empowered to help shape the future of our firm – and all of our clients.

We embrace new technology, inspire each of our lawyers with the most challenging and high profile work, and pay much more than just lip service to important issues such as gender, ethnicity and inclusiveness.

The thing that sets us apart from the other City law firms clamouring for your attention is the pride we take in being a global law firm with a personal touch and a friendly approach. We think this will make your career journey all the more enjoyable – and that’s why you should start it here.

Each year, we recruit 33 Trainees. We take the best and brightest talent and turn them into the well-rounded commercial lawyers that make our Firm stand out from the crowd. We do this by giving you the very best technical and skills training, delivered by our own lawyers, often Partners, so you’ll benefit from the latest advice and experience in a Baker McKenzie context.

Your Training Contract will start with a two-week induction programme to equip you with the skills you’ll need to start making an immediate contribution.

You can expect department-specific training and, throughout your Training Contract, you’ll be able to call on the personal and professional support of our Graduate Recruitment and Development team.

During your two-year Training Contract, you’ll spend six months in four key practice areas, referred to as ‘seats’. In each seat you’ll have a supervisor who acts as your work provider and mentor, and a Trainee Partner who is responsible for overseeing your progress.

Our seat rotation policy ensures you experience at least three distinct areas of law, including Contentious Law. A number of departments offer contentious experience, including Dispute Resolution, Employment, Intellectual Property and EU, Competition & Trade.

Transactional work is at the heart of the Firm and all Trainees are required to complete six months in a transactional department during their Training Contract. The Graduate Recruitment and Development team will discuss your interest in particular departments, which is considered in-line with business needs.

Midway through each seat, you’ll have an informal review to discuss your progress and development. At the end of each seat, there’ll be a more formal evaluation with a Trainee Partner who will provide feedback on your progress and experience.

All Trainees have the opportunity to apply for a three-month secondment to one of our international offices. Recent locations include Singapore, New York, Hong Kong, Brussels, Sydney and Johannesburg. Applications are reviewed on an individual basis and in-line with the needs of the business and SRA regulations.

Depending on client needs, we’re also able to offer Trainee secondments to in-house legal teams with a variety of our clients. This will give you the chance to deepen your knowledge and skills, and gain a better understanding of their perspective.

SALARY: Year 1: £48,000, Year 2: £52,000

Our Vacation Schemes offers the ideal opportunity to experience what it’s like to work for a City-based, global law firm.

We offer both Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes. The Spring Scheme runs for two weeks and is open to finalist students and graduates.

The Summer Scheme lasts three weeks and is open to penultimate year students and those in the 2nd or 3rd year of a 4 year degree. Both programmes are open to law and non-law students.

Each Vacation Scheme gives you the chance to experience two of our key practice areas. Training is provided throughout to familiarise you with some of our typical transactions and to help you to develop key skills. We place great emphasis on involving you in ‘live’ work. You will not be doing work purposely created for Interns, but very much completing the work of a Trainee, with all the support you need.

You’ll be an integral part of the team, attending client and department meetings, as well as court hearings. Expect plenty of social events and networking opportunities too with Partners, Associates and Trainees.

There are currently no apprenticeships offered by Baker McKenzie.

Future trainees are given a maintenance grant for CPE/GDL and LPC. CPE/GDL and LPC course fees are also sponsored by the firm. Trainee salaries start at £49,000. Other benefits include: 25 days holiday; a pension scheme; life insurance; private and public healthcare insurance; travel compensation on business trips; season ticket loans; subsidised rates on food and health clubs; and employee referral schemes.

A weekly allowance of £369.25 (reviewed annually) is paid to the vacation scheme students during the course.

To join us, you'll need to have or be on track for at least a 2:1 degree. We use a contextualised recruitment system, so if you show real potential but fall slightly short of our criteria, we'll still consider you.

The firm strives to enable trainees to be the best they can be. They are looking for trainees who are stimulated by intellectual challenge. We're looking for those who have achieved a consistently high level of performance and have an international focus, strong leadership skills, as well as intellect and initiative. Effective communication skills, together with the ability to be creative and practical problem solvers, team players and to have a sense of humour, are qualities which will help them stand out from the crowd.

AllAboutLaw Awards 2018 

Winner - Best Company Culture

Winner - The Diversity and Inclusion Award 

Apply to Baker McKenzie today right... here!