Timothy Goodwin
I have always felt part of a team at Bird & Bird, right from the outset. The firm has a very positive culture where you feel that your contributions are valued and appreciated. I have been really impressed with the quality of work I have been given, it hasn’t been endless pagination and photocopying, but instead it has meant I have worked on a whole range of matters from being involved with multi-million dollar M&A deals to drafting race discrimination claims.
That’s not to say that you work without supervision. Throughout my training contract my supervisors have always taken the time to give solid feedback and let me know where my strengths and weaknesses lie. And it doesn’t stop there – whilst always busy, associates and partners across the firm always take time to help you understand the legal issues you are involved in and offer you their advice and support.
Bird & Bird has a strong commitment to training and developing each new intake. All trainees attend a range of superb and hugely varied in-house training seminars, along with additional external training sessions.
There is a real focus on your development as an individual. Apart from there being no mandatory seats, the Graduate Recruitment team make every effort to ensure that you get the seats you ask for. In addition, the firm offers a variety of other options during the training contract, including secondments to clients and to the firm’s international offices.
There will always be late nights working in the City, but they are the exception and not the rule at Bird & Bird. There are multiple CSR initiatives trainees can be involved in – from legal advice centres to charity fundraising. In addition, the firm has a strong sports and social scene, which includes a variety of sports teams (football, rugby, softball, etc.), through Christmas and summer parties, to the usual Friday drinks. These all provide perfect opportunities to mix and socialise with the other trainees, and more generally with your colleagues from across the firm.
Bird & Bird’s calibre is apparent from the impressive clients, quality of the deals and caseload you are involved with. The firm’s strong reputation in its core practice areas attracts some of the very best lawyers, so you really are learning from experts in their field.
Emma Drake
When I was looking for a training contract Bird & Bird stood out as a firm with a great reputation, offering trainees an excellent range of seat options across its areas of legal practice. Like many trainees at the firm, I took part in the three week summer placement scheme which gave me the chance to really get to know the firm and its culture. I immediately felt at ease at the firm, and since the start of my training contract have been impressed with the level of responsibility and quality of work I have been given. It really isn’t a struggle to come into the office every morning when you are working with world-leading clients!
One thing that really stands out about the training contract at Bird & Bird is that there are no compulsory seats. No training contract is the same, as the Graduate Recruitment team meet regularly with each trainee throughout the two years to offer guidance and find out which areas you have a particular interest in. It is rare that anyone ends up in a seat they did not have on their wish list. The firm is also good at providing flexibility for those trainees whose preferences change during their contract, and also offer secondment opportunities with clients and the firm’s international offices
I am now coming towards the end of my second seat which is with the firm’s Intellectual Property team, having been in Employment for my first seat. Trainees are seen as an invaluable part of every matter and client team. I have gained great experience so far, having had the opportunity to attend court, take part in meetings with expert witnesses and with counsel, draft letters, witness statements and contract clauses and even run my own matters.
Since joining the firm, I have been involved in sports activities and pro bono work outside office hours. I am now the captain of the Bird & Bird ladies’ football team, and as well as playing in a weekly league we take part in the firm’s annual Inter-Office football tournament, which was this year held in Helsinki. On the pro bono side, so far, I have given legal advice at the South Westminster Legal Advice centre, assisted in a pro bono trial and coordinated advice for a non-profit language school. There really are plenty of opportunities to get involved across a wide-range of legal, educational and local community initiatives the firm is involved with both locally and with wider international scope.