Your training contract

“As the firm’s Trainee Training Principal, I’m responsible for ensuring that we fulfil our responsibilities to trainees with regard to technical legal training, pastoral care and the wider training process, while ensuring you are continuously developing appropriate skills and experience.

To be a premier law firm, we need to attract and retain the best people, and to develop them faster than our competitors. We want to help our lawyers be the best they can be – and that means investing in the training to support them.

We take a relatively small number of trainees each year, which means we have the time and resources to focus on delivering the most appropriate training to suit your needs. That includes hands-on training, through our approach to giving you early responsibility and experience of high quality work and blue-chip clients, as well as secondment opportunities.

Your training contract starts with the two-week induction programme, which is geared towards enabling you to start making an immediate contribution to the firm. As a trainee, you will spend time in four of our key practice areas, including a seat in our Corporate department. The Graduate Recruitment and Development team will discuss your interest in particular departments with you, while liaising with partners across the firm to meet our business needs. The team and I will keep in close contact, supporting you as you progress throughout your training contract.”

Monica Kurnatowska, Partner, Trainee Training Principal

At Baker & McKenzie, we strongly believe that the quality of our firm is defined by the quality of our people. It is why we invest so much in recruiting the best and then providing the best possible training to enable you to multiply your potential.

Your training contract will typically take two years to complete, comprising four six-month seats in four different practice areas. On joining your first department, you’ll be allocated a supervisor, who not only acts as a work provider, but as a mentor during your seat. In addition, each department has a trainee partner who is responsible for overseeing your progress, while ensuring you are continuously developing appropriate skills and experience.

Our Induction Programme comprises two parts. The initial two-week programme is designed to:
•    welcome you to the firm
•    provide an overview of the firm’s structure, culture and procedures
•    support you with some of the key day-to-day skills you will need.

Part Two of the Induction Programme is spread over the time in your department. It comprises supplementary training on some essential skills such as managing your time and effective communication.

After your Induction Programme, further tailored technical and skills training is provided throughout your training contract and ensures that you meet the requirements of the Law Society’s Professional Skills Course, as required by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority.

Most of your training will be delivered by Baker & McKenzie lawyers, often partners, ensuring that you benefit from the latest hands-on advice and experience.