Bristows Graduate Recruitment

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TRAINING CONTRACT

Each year we ask up to ten graduates to join our team. We're extremely selective because we're looking for the people who will be our future partners. As part of such a select and high-calibre intake we'll give you real responsibility earlier than you might expect.

During the two years' training, you'll spend time in each of our main departments, developing your skills and knowledge. You'll also work closely with our partners, which is guaranteed to speed up the learning process.

We offer a mixture of 3 and 6 month seats, so trainees will typically undertake 5 or 6 seats during their training contract and one of these seats is guaranteed to be within our IP Litigation department. Other departments trainees may sit in are corporate, real estate, commercial disputes, EU and competition, commercial IP/IT and regulatory. 

Part of this training may also involve a secondment to the UK in-house legal department of one of our leading multinational clients. With the international spread of our clients, the probability of overseas travel is high, especially on qualification.

We don't just look for super-bright graduates - personality is important too. This is a friendly firm and we want people who will be able to contribute to the atmosphere and will enjoy being part of a supportive culture.

All of our future trainees receive sponsorship through the GDL and LPC, and we generally require them to attend BPP in London for these courses so they can get to know other trainees in the intake. Sponsorship includes tuition fees as well as a generous maintenance grant of £8,000 for each of the GDL and LPC.

Our annual salaries as of September 2018 are:

£38,000 1st year trainee  £41,000 2nd year trainee

Trainees who remain with the firm on qualification currently receive an annual starting salary of £63,000.

We interview twice a year. Interviews are generally held during February/March with a closing date for applications of 31 January; and during August/September with a closing date of 31 July.  Candidates considered for an interview in February are usually in their 3rd or final year or have already graduated.  We begin considering applications for February interviews in January.  Please apply early to give us time to consider your application. All application forms are reviewed by our graduate recruitment team and a selection of applicants then are put forward for a short video interview.  These are reviewed by partners who will select candidates for the next interview stage. The first interview is conducted by a partner and a senior associate. Successful candidates will then be invited back to a final interview conducted by two partners. Candidates will also be asked to undertake a written exercise.