Why secure a summer placement? Have a look below at what the people who've actually been through it have to say.

Click on the logo below to complete our application form.

Ben Hughes was a summer student and is now a second year Trainee

Before switching to a law career, I worked in technology for eight years in London, Sydney and Beijing. This background meant I knew I wanted legal work experience at a firm with a technology and communications focus. Bird & Bird includes these sectors in its specialities and was high on my list. The firm’s international offices and expansion into mainland China also attracted me. In terms of ethos, I knew anecdotally that the firm actively promotes a healthy working environment. This was another important pull-factor and I was very pleased to secure a vacation placement.

The placement itself turned out to be very enjoyable. I spent three weeks in the commercial department, sitting with both a fee-earner and first-year trainee. This provided a good insight into both the life of a trainee and an opportunity to discover the legal work needed on very large and high-profile IT contracts. Other tasks I performed were varied and stimulating and did not include photocopying! They ranged from finding out who owns Greenland to writing an article on competition law. Probably the most enviable was when I prepared a dossier for the firm’s Media and Sports Group on Malcolm Glazer’s takeover of Manchester United.

Outside our departmental work, throughout the three weeks we worked in teams on our summer student project – the creation of a short video. This turned out to be both highly entertaining and a great way to meet people around the firm. The project ended with the video being shown to partners. They found it very amusing to watch their colleagues on camera!

There were also plenty of social opportunities on offer. Two notable highlights were a very relaxed cricket match in Regents Park on a glorious summer’s evening and the annual departmental barbeque where the steaks were enormous!

Overall, I found people at Bird & Bird to be focused, intelligent and friendly. Having worked in a variety of office cultures during my career, I was impressed by a genuine, collegiate and professional atmosphere. This produces excellent results and I would therefore recommend Bird & Bird’s vacation scheme to other students.

Ewan Grist was a summer student and is now an Associate

There is only so much that brochures and websites can tell you about a law firm and that’s why vacation schemes are important. During those valuable few weeks, you can find out so much more about a firm, not just in relation to their work and clients, but also the atmosphere and type of people they are looking for.

Ultimately, you’ll find out if it is somewhere you would be happy to see yourself further down the road. For me, Bird & Bird just felt right!

Summer vacation scheme 2009

Our summer vacation scheme is designed to provide an insight into the life of a modern, forward thinking commercial law firm - the people, the environment and the different aspects of our practice.

Over a six week period through June and July, we take on 20 students for 2 three-week placements for which a weekly salary of £275.00 is paid. During the placement students will work in one of the following departments, ideally of your choosing: Banking, Commercial, Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Employment, IP, Real Estate.

All students will receive a structured induction and training programme over the three weeks allowing you to integrate easily into the firm's life, improve your working skills and help you get the most from us. You will become actively involved in your department and the work it carries out, attend in-house seminars and have the opportunity to meet members of the firm at every level.

The scheme is open to second year law students, final year non-law students and graduates.

You can apply for our 2009 summer vacation scheme from 1st October 2008. Please apply on line by accessing www.cvmailuk.com/twobirds or our website www.twobirds.com/graduates. The deadline for applications is 31st January 2009. We will be holding Insight and Selection days in February 2009. The days will be organised as follows:

• Exercises to assess candidates abilities in key areas
• A presentation about Bird & Bird given by a Partner
  

Successful candidates from the Insight and Selection days will be offered a place on one of the two schemes we are running during June and July 2009.

It is important to note that the Insight and Selection day is part of the selection process. If you are unable to attend one of the Insight and Selection days, unfortunately you will not be considered for the scheme.

Which law fairs to meet us at

We will be participating at several law fairs from October to December 2008 and would be delighted to see you at your local fair.

Click on the logo below to complete our application form for the 2009 summer placement scheme, from 1st October 2008.