- Deadlines:
Training contract to commence 2019: 30/06/2017 Summer work placement: 31/12/2016 Spring work placement: 31/12/2016 Other deadlines
Overview
- Address: 12 New Fetter Lane, London,
EC4A 1JP - Phone: 020 7415 6000
- Fax: 020 7415 6111
- Email: london.graduates@twobirds.com
- Web: londongraduates.twobirds.com
| Vacancies: | 18 |
|---|---|
| Trainees: | 36 |
| Partners: | 280 |
| Staff: | 3000 |
| Work placement: | Yes |
| Number of work placements: | 40 |
| Minimum qualification: | 2.1 degree |
| Start salary: | £38,000 |
| Sponsorship: | GDL/LPC |
Remember to cite LawCareers.Net on your application form if you apply to Bird & Bird.
Application details and method of selection
The application process is the same whether you’re interested in applying for a training contract or a vacation scheme with us, please apply at www.apply4law.com/twobirds.
We hold three vacation schemes each year, one in spring (one week long) and two in the summer (each two weeks long). The spring scheme is predominantly (but not exclusively) aimed at those applicants who are already working or are non-law students.
Please note that although we do accept training contract applications, we advise applicants to apply for a vacation scheme as the majority of our trainees are recruited through our vacation schemes. However we appreciate that not everyone can attend one of our vacation schemes, so in that instance please do apply for a training contract.
We review all applications after the relevant deadline. For our vacation schemes this is 31 December and for training contracts this is 30 June. Applications will open on 1 October each year. Once you have submitted your online application you will be invited to complete an online test. Once we have received your completed test we will review your application form and online test in detail. Successful candidates are invited to the next stage in the process which is a video interview. Selected candidates are then invited to an assessment day.
Panel interview
Presentation
Psychometric testing
Video interview
Firm description and career prospects
Bird & Bird is an international law firm with a long-established reputation underpinned by deep client and industry knowledge, for providing legal advice to clients operating at the forefront of their sectors, including: technology and communications, abiation and defence, automotive, energy and utilities, life sciences and healthcare, financial services, media, entertainment and sport, and retail and consumer. We are proud to be working with some of the world's most innovative and technologically advanced companies each of which depend on cutting-edge legal advice to meet their business objectives. The firm is ambitious and it manages to combine a resilient business approach with a hugely supportive attitude to its employees.
With offices in Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Bratislava, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, The Hague, Hamburg, Helsinki, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, Shanghai, Singapore, Skanderborg, Stockholm, Sydney and Warsaw and close ties with firms in other key centres in Europe, Asia and the United States, the firm is well placed to offer its clients local expertise within a global context. The firm is proud of its friendly, stimulating environment where individuals are able to develop first-class legal, business and interpersonal skills. It has an open and collegiate culture reflected in its strong retention rate and assistant involvement.
The firm is structured with a very strong international perspective to its culture - integrated teams working for cross-border clients as well as a range of international sport and social activities enables this. At Bird & Bird, there is a genuine commitment to acting as a responsible employer and also as a proactive member of its local and wider international communities. The firm has a full programme of corporate social responsibility initiatives and policies in place, which fall under three broad areas, people, community and environment.
To find out what it is like to work at Bird & Bird read the firm's Meet the Lawyer profile.
Sponsorship
Bird & Bird pays successful applicant's GDL/LPC fees and offers a maintenance grant of £5,500 for each study year.
Work placements
Our vacation schemes are designed to provide an insight into the life of a modern forward thinking commercial law firm - the people, the environment and the different aspects of our work.
We hold three vacation schemes each year. One in spring (one week long) and two in summer (each two weeks long). There are 40 positions available across the three schemes. We pay the London living wage.
During the placement students will work in one of the following areas: aviation; banking; corporate, commercial; dispute resolution; employment; intellectual property; and real estate.
All students will receive a structured induction and training programme, allowing you to integrate easily into the firm's life, improve your working skills and help you get the most from us. You will become actively involved in your department and the work it carries out, attend in-house seminars and have the opportunity to meet members of the firm at every level.
Application process
Please apply on line by visiting our website londongraduates.twobirds.com. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2016.
Training contract programme
Our trainees take on responsibility from day one and enjoy varied and challenging work for industry-shaping clients. If you become a trainee with us, you will be given the chance to excel. We run a business skills development programme to provide you with the basic building blocks for your future development within the business of law. The firm is still personal enough for our trainees to make their mark in our friendly, stimulating work place. Trainees will spend six months in four of the following practice areas: aviation; banking; corporate; commercial; dispute resolution; employment; intellectual property; tax and real estate. Trainees are encouraged to join the number of sports teams at the firm and to attend various social events.
We recognise that our lawyers are our most important asset and that is why we recruit strong graduates capable of developing expert legal skills and commercial acumen. A certain level of intelligence and common sense is a prerequisite, but more importantly we look for well-rounded individuals who will fit in. Our trainee solicitors are outgoing, articulate team-players, willing to work hard when called upon and genuinely interested in progressing their careers. We aim to recruit people who will stay with the firm and therefore seek candidates who have a long-term interest in Bird & Bird and the sectors and areas of legal practice we focus on.
Seat options
Commercial, sport, employment, real estate, banking, aviation, dispute resolution, corporate, tax, intellectual property.
Type of practice
Corporate & Commercial
Work areas
Offices
Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Bratislava, Brussels, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, The Hague, Hamburg, Helsinki, Hong Kong, London, Luxemburg, Lyon, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Prague, Rome, Shanghai, Singapore, Skanderborg, Stockholm, Sydney, Warsaw
Probono initiatives
LawWorks, Own It, Prince’s Trust, South Westminster Legal Advice Centre
Diversity access schemes
Aspiring Solicitors, Lawyers in Schools, PRIME, Social Mobility Foundation, Stonewall, The Citizenship Foundation, Windsor Fellowship
Insights
News
Burning Question
Deadlines
Meet the Lawyer
Bird & Bird
- Alex Gest
Alex Gest was attracted to Bird & Bird by the collaborative atmosphere, small trainee intake and great clients. Now an associate, he describes his fulfilling career at this renowned international firm.
