We are BCLP — with more than 1,275 lawyers across 30 offices in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America, we are a global law firm that is built on the foundations of thinking differently.
Who We Are
Curious and unbound by tradition, we’re shaking up the legal space with our ground-breaking thought leadership, market-leading solutions and collaborative culture. We’re a distinctly modern law firm that was built to evolve beyond more archaic structures. And as a fully integrated international team, we provide clients with clear, connected legal advice across time zones.
The world is changing, and we need bold and inquisitive minds to help us build the future of our firm. We’re at the leading edge of legal technology and innovation, pushing ahead and forging a bold new path in law. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo, you’ll have the freedom to explore new ideas and the space to grow while drawing inspiration from a diverse range of people, perspectives and interactions.
Plus, you'll be doing interesting, varied and impactful work as part of a supportive, globally connected team from day one.
Join BCLP, a firm to be proud of, a place to belong.
Recruitment Process
The process for training contract and vacation scheme applications is the same. We ask that you submit an online application form (please go to our Apply section to access this form). During the application form you will be asked to answer questions regarding your career motivation, why you have the skills to be a good solicitor, why you wish to work here and questions that demonstrate your commercial awareness and robustness.
We will then ask you to complete our online test. This test is bespoke to BCLP and based on the key skills and strengths that make a successful trainee solicitor at BCLP. The test is a strengths based assessment and will contain a number of scenario based questions, testing candidate’s situational judgement and critical reasoning, as well as verbal reasoning. It is not timed but we suggest setting aside 45 minutes to complete it. There is no need to prepare for the test, as this is bespoke to BCLP and largely scenario based but we would suggest reflecting on the questions and taking your time to consider your responses and the stakeholders involved in the various scenarios.
If you are successful at this stage, we will then invite you for a first stage interview with a member of the Emerging Talent team.
The final stage of the process is an assessment centre. The assessment will typically run from 09.30 until 15:00 and will include a case study and presentation exercise followed by a group based exercise. You will be assessed by a mixture of partners, senior associates and members of HR.
If you are applying for a training contract in Manchester, you are not eligible to apply for a vacation scheme in London. The application process for the Manchester Training Contract is the same as above.
You can apply for a Vacation Scheme in conjunction with a Training Contract in Hong Kong. To apply, we ask that you complete an online application form and if you are successful, you will be asked to complete a 30 minute interview with a member of the Emerging Talent team. This interview will via video conference. During the scheme, there will be further assessment as well as a partner interview.
What can I expect for the interview?
This interview will last around 30 to 40 minutes and shall evaluate your career motivation, legal excellence (this just means we want to understand the processes surrounding the way you work), commercial awareness and how you build relationships.
What can I expect for the case study and presentation
You will be given a candidate brief explaining the task on which you will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to assimilate the information given to you and create a 10 minute presentation. The brief will consist of all of the necessary information you will need to create the presentation. After the presentation, there will be a Q&A session with the assessors on your presentation.
What is a group exercise?
You will be given a candidate brief relevant to all parties in the exercise, and relevant information for yourself only. You will be given 10 minutes to read through the information before entering into a group discussion with the other candidates in the group for 45 minutes to reach a decision on the matters presented to you in the brief.
What happens after the assessment centre?
If you are successful at the assessment centre and are applying for a vacation scheme, we will then offer you a place. During the scheme you will have the opportunity to have a final round training contract interview which will last for 60 minutes and will be with two Partners. If you applying for a training contract directly, your final stage interview will be on the same day as your assessment centre.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are steadfast in our commitment to making BCLP a diverse and inclusive firm — a place to belong. We believe that diversity enriches the quality and fabric of our culture and makes us a stronger, better firm. We strive every day to create an inclusive workplace where every individual can be themselves and contribute meaningfully to the firm’s success.
The strategy comprises of seven key areas of focus: Disability, Family & Carers, Gender Representation, LGBTQ*, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Social Inclusion, and Race & Ethnicity.
Everyone has mental health, just the same as we all have physical health, but your mental health can affect the way that you think, feel and behave.
Although mental health problems are very common (affecting 1 in 4 people), there are still misconceptions around people with mental health problems. This is why we need to be more open with each other and talk about our mental health. In the majority of cases, by receiving early intervention and support, the impact of a mental health condition can be reduced.
At BCLP, we want to support our staff as much as possible with their mental health.
We have a longstanding commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of our people. Our approach is driven by a UK-wide Mental Health Network. Since forming in 2017, the network has galvanised the input and views of those at all levels in the firm, informing our approach across four key areas: Awareness and education, destigmatising mental health, equipping our people and supporting those affected by a mental health issue.
Benefits
Some of our benefits include the following:
- Life assurance
- Employee assistance programme
- Income protection
- Pension with company contributions
- Private healthcare
- Gym membership
- On-site GP
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced parental leave
- Plus many more
Culture and Values
A core part of our firm's vision is to provide a better place to work than our competitors; this is not limited to the firm's culture, but also includes the best work, client, career opportunities and development. Central to that is the quality of our training and commitment to continuous learning.
The Emerging Talent team, alongside your supervisors will provide guidance and input into your seat allocations. Before each seat change, they will meet with their partner mentor and a member of the Emerging Talent team, to discuss your future ambitions and which seat options best meet those goals. We work hard to match seat preferences with the needs of the business.
Our Trainees benefit from receiving in-depth department training at the beginning and during each seat, which will give them the legal know-how to succeed in their department. Support from a dedicated training team and can expect to receive 232 hours of training by the time you are a qualified lawyer.
When approaching qualification, we will meet with trainees several times during the qualification process to talk through the direction that they want to go in, the options open to you and to understand what you are looking for from their career. We work hard at ensuring that trainees stay within the firm, placing them in areas of work in which the trainee wishes to pursue a career. Our intention is to be open with you, and to try to ensure, ultimately, that you stay with us beyond the training contract.
