Baker & McKenzie LLP

About us

Baker & McKenzie defined the global law firm in the 20th century, and we are redefining it to meet the challenges of the global economy in the 21st .

We bring to matters the instinctively global perspective and deep market knowledge and insights of more than 3,750 locally admitted lawyers in 69 offices worldwide. We have a distinctive global way of thinking, working and behaving - "fluency" - across borders, issues and practices.

We understand the challenges of the global economy because we have been at the forefront of its evolution. Since 1949, we have advised leading corporations on the issues of today's integrated world market. We have cultivated the culture, commercial pragmatism and technical and interpersonal skills required to deliver world-class service tailored to the preferences of world-class clients worldwide.

Ours is a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities. We have the deep roots and knowledge of the language and culture of business required to address the nuances of local markets worldwide. And our culture of friendship and broad scope of practice enable us to navigate complexity across issues, practices and borders with ease.

Our requirements

The firm strives to enable trainees to be the best they can be. We are looking for trainees who are stimulated by intellectual challenge. 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 that will help them stand out from the crowd.

Training and development

The firm's future trainees study towards their LPC at The College of Law's new centre in Moorgate. The course allows the firm to provide more focused training, support and social contact during the LPC year.

Our training contract comprises four six-month seats, which include a corporate and a contentious seat, usually within our highly regarded Dispute Resolution department. There is also the possibility of a secondment to one of our overseas offices or with a client. Trainees have recently been seconded to our Hong Kong, Sydney, Moscow, and Amsterdam offices. Our training programme starts with a highly interactive and practical induction programme, which focuses on key skills including practical problem-solving, interviewing, presenting and the application of information technology. The firm's training programme includes seminars and workshops on key legal topics for each practice area. We run the professional skills course in-house, two modules of which are undertaken at the start of your training contract.

Opportunities

We are looking to recruit 38 trainees in March 2014 and September 2014. We run a three-week London summer placement scheme and a 6- to 12-week international placement programme for students who are in either their penultimate year of undergraduate studies, or the second year of a four-year degree. We also run three open days through the year and these are open to all potential candidates.

Salary and benefits

For the GDL and LPC, we pay your course fees and a maintenance grant towards living expenses. The grant is currently £6,000 for the GDL and £8,000 for the 7 month fast track LPC.

We offer a comprehensive salary, paying in the upper quartile of City law firms. Starting salary is £38,000 plus you receive a one-off bonus of £3,000 to help with student debts and the costs associated with settling into a new job in London. Our competitive benefits package for trainees includes:

• Life insurance
• Permanent health insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Group personal pension plan
• Season ticket loans
• Employee health care programmes
• Subsidised gym membership
• Subsidised staff restaurant

Deadlines

The training contract deadline is 31 July for all applicants. The deadline for vacation scheme applications is 31 January. There is no specific deadline for open days and we continue to review applications until all spaces are filled.