Jennifer Bird
Despite my surname, my first contact with Bird & Bird came from completing a three week summer placement scheme, which gave a real insight into what it would be like to train at the firm. We were able to work on various aspects of client matters and speak with a cross-section of employees whilst undertaking the student project – a presentation in which we had to win a pitch where Bird & Bird was our potential client. The blend of a friendly environment and challenging work meant that it was an easy decision to make when I was later offered a training contract.
Once I had accepted my offer I was given access to the Future Trainee extranet site which explained the training process in a digestible form and was easy to reference when I needed it. The site also updated us on social events and allowed for future trainees to communicate their activities in the lead up to starting at the firm, including a message board with enviable pictures uploaded by those lucky enough to be travelling.
Prior to starting, I was invited to attend several social and sporting events held by the firm. One of the highlights was the Christmas party for current and future trainees, where we were put into teams and competed in a light-hearted general knowledge quiz. This was a brilliant opportunity to meet with others in my intake but also allowed us to get to know other fee earners in a relaxed setting.
Bird & Bird also runs a ‘buddy’ scheme for future joiners. Everyone is assigned a trainee in the year above who helps with integrating into life at the firm. My buddy was always contactable by email and happy to answer my questions about the firm and my experiences on the LPC. I was even treated to lunch, which was much appreciated on the run up to the mocks during my LPC year, as my buddy offered words of encouragement and advice from a first-hand perspective.
Having now started, I find that the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere has continued with everyone from support staff to partners, interested in getting to know me as a person and ensuring that I’m settling in. Although I cannot say that I started on my first day without nerves, I definitely felt more relaxed knowing that I would recognise numerous friendly faces and could ask even the most basic of questions without embarrassment.
Stephanie Hodgson
I secured a training contract with Bird & Bird during my law degree, following a three week vacation scheme with the firm in summer 2007.
As soon as I arrived at the firm for my interview, I was struck by how welcoming the graduate recruitment team were. They chatted easily with everyone, and I found myself most at ease throughout Bird & Bird’s assessment day including the interviews. I was very pleasantly surprised that what the firm says about valuing personality and being a friendly and down to earth firm, seemed to be entirely accurate.
When I received a letter a few weeks later inviting me to participate in a summer scheme at the firm, I was thrilled to accept. I spent three weeks in the banking department, where I was made to feel part of the team and involved in real work; a pleasant relief after hearing horror stories of summer students stuck at the photocopier for three weeks! Work aside, I was also invited to numerous drinks and lunches with partners, associates and trainees, all of which added to my integration within the firm. I also played cricket (which I was truly useless at, but no one seemed to mind at all!) in Regents Park each week, which much to my initial scepticism, I loved.
When offered a training contract with the firm, it was an easy decision for me to accept. In the two years since my acceptance and joining, the graduate recruitment team kept in close contact, often just for a catch up. I received regular invites to yet more social events, which were a great way to get to know the other future trainees and employees of the firm. Additionally, since accepting I had access to the Bird & Bird extranet site for future trainees, enabling me to keep up to date on news and events within the firm, and was allocated a ‘buddy’, who was a current trainee and a very useful contact within the firm to ask all those questions I wanted answered, but didn’t want to ask.
All of the above meant that I felt valued and supported before I had even started at Bird & Bird, and I arrived for my first day of work with eager anticipation and free of nerves, having already established so many relationships within the firm.
Lucy Johnson
I applied to Bird & Bird for a place in its summer scheme during my second year of university. My interest in Sports Law, and the great reports I had heard about the firm, prompted my application. Before my interview, I was prepared for the worst following the usual horror stories from friends who had already attended interviews at other firms. However, I was pleasantly surprised on interview day - I would even go as far as to say it was quite fun! It was much more focused on getting to know you and assessing your personality, rather than testing you on your law modules.
As a result, I was delighted to be offered a place in the Real Estate department, where it became immediately apparent how friendly and helpful everyone was. As I became completely immersed in the work the associates and partners were involved in, it was obvious just and how much time Bird & Bird invests in its trainees and summer students.
Bird & Bird really prides itself on its culture and you quickly become aware why. During my three weeks, I played cricket, softball and football for the firm and through this I met a huge range of people, from trainees to partners. The support and friendliness I had already found within the Real Estate department, was apparent across the firm and I found myself feeling really welcome.
I was delighted to to receive an offer of a training contract from Bird & Bird, as I knew my decision was made at the end of my summer scheme. Following acceptance, I attended numerous social occasions such as the Christmas trainee parties, which helped to provide some friendly faces in advance of my joining.
At the beginning of my LPC, I was then assigned a buddy from the year above. She took me out for lunch and gave me a real insight into what being a trainee was like. This support network has helped make the transition from LPC to working life, astonishingly easy and I am currently enjoying settling into the firm.
Dania Rifaat
After attending the assessment day at Bird & Bird, I began to realise how much they stand out from the crowd. Everyone was so friendly and approachable, and the assessment day was, believe it or not, quite good fun!
The vacation scheme I did here was different from other experiences I had had, as I got a real feel for the firm’s open and friendly culture. All of the summer scheme students were made to feel like they were a part of the firm, and we got to know a real mix of people by interviewing members of the firm for a presentation we prepared.
Following the vacation scheme, the firm stayed in contact with me throughout my LPC, and I got to meet my future colleagues at various events. I had a ‘buddy’ from the intake of trainees above mine, who was really helpful in giving me an idea of what working at the firm would be like. It’s also really great to have someone you can go to with any questions, no matter how big or small!
Since starting at the firm, I’m happy to report that I’m meeting more and more people, and have been made to feel very welcome. My first month has been full of new experiences and it’s good to feel supported by the other trainees and departmental team alike. When I started, I felt like I was returning to a firm I was already a part of, rather than facing something totally unknown. This has made a huge impact on how quickly I’ve settled in, and been able to get on with the job at hand.
Luisa Zukowski
Initially, choosing and applying to a law firm for a training contract seemed overwhelming, particularly as I studied Neuroscience at university and therefore had limited knowledge about the whole application process.
When I discussed the prospects of a legal career with peers and tutors at university, I found that people were generally surprised that I had made a connection between science and law. Driven to research a legal career path, I found that many scientists did in fact become lawyers, particularly within the IP practice area. I researched firms with a strong reputation for IP and wherever I looked, I came across Bird & Bird. Having been attracted to the firm initially because of its IP practice, I then found that the firm was international, has depth across many sectors and practice areas, offered a work life balance and generally had a reputation for being an excellent place to work.
The assessment day for the vacation scheme confirmed everything that I had read about the firm. The day itself was the most enjoyable of any other vacation scheme or training contract interview that I attended. It was clear to me that the firm not only recruited technically competent people but also placed great emphasis on personality and individuality.
The three week vacation scheme was a great insight into the firm. I was fully integrated from the start and was given interesting work to do. The tasks set on the scheme promoted exposure to the entire firm from the CEO to the support staff. I was also invited to numerous social events and was made to feel welcome by everyone. When I was offered a training contract I didn’t think twice about accepting.
From day one, the graduate recruitment team take an interest in each future trainee as an individual. This is reflected by the the firm’s decision not to stipulate LPC electives or training seats, allowing each trainee to develop their own interests and career. I received support throughout the GDL and the LPC and have no doubt that this will continue throughout my training contract.