Bird & Bird LLP

About Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird is an international law firm with a long-established reputation underpinned by deep client and industry knowledge, for providing advice to clients operating at the forefront of their sectors, including: aviation & defence, automotive, communications, electronics, energy & utilities, financial services, food & beverage, healthcare, information technology, life sciences, media and sports. We are proud to be working with some of the world’s most innovative and technologically advanced companies each of which depend on legal advice to meet their business objectives.

The firm is ambitious and we manage to combine a resilient business approach with a hugely supportive attitude to our employees. We are proud of our friendly, stimulating environment where individuals are able to develop first class legal, business and interpersonal skills. We have an open and collegiate culture reflected in our strong retention and assistant involvement. The firm is structured with a strong international perspective to our culture-integrated teams working for crossborder clients together with a range of international sport and social activities enable this.

At Bird & Bird, we have a genuine commitment to acting as a responsible employer and also as a proactive member of our local and wider international communities. We have a full programme of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and policies in place, which fall under three broad areas: People, Community and Environment.

Who we recruit

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 (we look for excellent A levels and a strong 2.1), 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.

Our training contract

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.

Trainees spend six months in four of the following practice areas: corporate, commercial, employment, banking, aviation, tax, intellectual property, dispute resolution and real estate.

Trainees are also encouraged to join the number of sports teams at the firm and to attend various social events.