Bevan Brittan LLP is a leading national law firm dedicated to public services: Organisation in the public, private and third sectors that commission, provide, procure, fund and regulate.  The firm operates out of three offices in Birmingham, Bristol and London, servicing clients nationally. If you want to work on matters that affect people the length and breadth of the country then this is the place for you. Considered a public services powerhouse, the firm has a band 1 Chambers rating for Clinical Negligence, Health, Local Government, Professional Discipline and Social Housing and boasts several industry experts including Joanne Easterbrook, Iain Miller, Bethan Evans,  and Joanna Lloyd. If public service is your passion and you want to learn from the very best then look no further than Bevan Brittan.

The firm employs more than 260 employees, including lawyers, partners, trainees and paralegals.  Notable clients include the NHSLA, SRA, Local Government Association, and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

If you want a training contract that delivers excellent quality of work and gives you the opportunity to be involved in live matters from your very first seat, then Bevan Brittan is the firm for you. The firm will look to involve you on important matters from day one; you could be drafting instructions to Counsel, reviewing medical records and given client exposure from your very first seat.

The training contract comprises four seats, of six month each. Trainees work under the close supervision of a partner or senior solicitor. All trainees attend an induction programme conducted in Bristol, which includes training on the firm’s systems, introductions to the firm's support services and an opportunity to network and socialise with the other trainees, lawyers and partners across the firm.

Each trainee has a mid-seat and end of seat appraisal with their supervisor. Formal training covers the PSC, department-specific training, business development and training in finance and risk. There is an excellent buddy system for the day-to-day queries which you may not want to ask your supervisor about.

There is an active social calendar at each of our offices. Departments arrange regular team training days and there is a social committee in each office arranging a variety of activities including football and netball tournaments, quiz nights and summer parties -you will not be bored as a trainee at BB.

In addition – and we think importantly - we are recognised as a friendly firm with an open plan office and approachable partners, scoring 93% in this year's Lex 100 'Friendly Firm' category -  high praise indeed! 

Summer vacation placement programmes are offered in all three office locations. The programme runs for two weeks during which interns will work in two different practice areas, attend an interview with a partner and undertake a group exercise. The scheme provides candidates an excellent opportunity to meet with solicitors and current trainees to get an insight into the firm’s work and culture.

During the vacation scheme you will be given real work on live files, giving you ample opportunity to demonstrate your skills and impress your supervisor and more importantly the client. In most cases there will be the opportunity for you to receive feedback on your performance so you can continually improve.  It is not all work however, the legal teams you sit with make an effort to get to know you and there are plenty of opportunities to socialise during the placement to get to know people in a less formal setting.

There are no apprenticeships available at Bevan Brittan

•  A competitive starting salary (including London weighting where appropriate)
• 25 days annual paid holiday, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days unpaid leave
• Full Funding of the GDL and LPC course where appropriate (unfortunately we are unable to offer retrospective reimbursement)
• A £5,000 maintenance bursary for candidates who are still studying full time
• Contributory Pension
• Private Medical Insurance
• Permanent health insurance/income protection
• A range of voluntary benefits including season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and the bike to work scheme
• An onsite fitness suite in our Bristol office

As a professional national law firm, we are looking for strong academic achievement from applicants. A 2:1 at degree level is our expectation but the degree does not have to be in law.

However, we recognise that not everyone has a degree so we also welcome applicants who can demonstrate at least three years relevant, strong, commercial experience.

Other attributes desired include teamwork, initiative and motivation, intuitive, analytical and creative thinking; updated knowledge of commercial and business trends; and customer service focus.

Applications for training contracts and vacations placements should be submitted through the online system at https://www.bevanbrittan.com/trainees/registration. Vacation scheme applications must be submitted by 28 February and for training contracts by 31 July.

For more detail on becoming a trainee solicitor, head over to the Law sector now!