Training Contracts
Birkett Long Solicitors has a long history of providing training opportunities and regularly recruits graduates for training contracts.
Please click here to view a video by Birkett Long on career opportunities in law.
Generally
Our main priority in recruiting trainees is for the long-term. We hope for more than just a two year contract which comes to an end with the trainee moving on; rather, our aim is that we will then have a solicitor committed to Essex and to Birkett Long. We have a high retention rate for our trainees, and a number of them are now partners with the firm.
Whilst our applicants must have a strong academic record , we are also looking for some extra “depth” – well-rounded individuals with interests which will enhance a career in the law. We are a firm which values quality and provides the highest level of client care, and it is therefore important to us to recruit individuals with similar values.
Our recruitment process
We normally recruit our trainees two years in advance. Therefore, for a training contract commencing on 1 September 2010, an application must be made before 31 July 2008 by way of an on-line application form. All applications are then considered and the first round of assessments days is set up. We have five assessment days with six applicants each day. The assessment days take the form of a short introduction “Welcome to Birkett Long”, a workshop, test, interview and tour of the offices with an opportunity to talk to our current trainees. During the day, there is also an opportunity to meet a number of our partners. We are then in a position to decide who should move to the second round of interviews.
The second round takes a completely different format. You will be asked to make a short presentation to a small panel, on a subject selected by you from a list of topics suggested by us, and answer general questions from the panel.
From the thirty applicants at first interview, we recruit three.
We keep in touch with our successful candidates during the intervening two years, receiving regular updates of their progress and development and inviting them to join us for some social functions so that we all know one another a little better when the time comes for the training contract to begin.
Seats
Each trainee will have the opportunity to cover four seats of six months’ duration across the firm, one of which must be a contentious seat. The seats may be based in either of our offices. The first seat is selected by us, wherever possible, on the basis of any stated preference. Once the trainee has joined us, regular discussion takes place regarding the remaining three seats, with trainees having the opportunity to cover their main interests, so far as is possible, during their first three seats, to enable an early decision to be taken as to which discipline the trainee wishes to qualify into. Our seven ”legal” teams and areas of work are:
Commercial Litigation
Commercial Property
Commercial and Corporate Finance
Employment
Residential Property
Family
Personal Tax Trust and Probate
The firm also has a Financial Services Team.
Career development
We hold regular lunches and quarterly business meetings with our trainees to ensure good communication.
We have a Mentoring Scheme in place to provide support and advice about career development to trainees and newly qualified solicitors.
We have a formal career structure in place - from trainee to equity partner. Set criteria are in place which need to be fulfilled to secure an invitation to associate, or subsequently, to partnership level.
Culture
Birkett Long provides a good work/life balance for all employees, including trainees. We are looking for people who can communicate at all levels, are driven by ambition and have a sense of fun. We have an active social committee which organises monthly activities (including theatre trips, ten pin bowling, quizzes etc) for all staff, a charity committee spearheading fundraising for our annual “charity of the year” and, many sporting activities, including cricket, golf, football, tennis and netball.
Our culture is such that we both care for our staff and listen to their suggestions and ideas. Awards are presented to members of staff whose good ideas are implemented.
Start date
Training contracts normally start on or about the 1 September each year. The first week will be spent in induction which provides an introduction to our case management system, policies, procedures and working practices. The process is designed to ensure that staff are eased into our working environment as smoothly as possible.
Training
Birkett Long offers 50% of the LPC fees as a Grant with the remainder (if required) as an interest-free Loan repayable during the term of the training contract.
Trainees - Learning for Tomorrow
These quotes are from trainees at Birkett Long Solicitors. They tell you why they wanted to join the firm and what they feel we have to offer:
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Marc |
Sarah |
Jon |
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"Birkett Long is a swiftly expanding and ambitious firm that takes great pride in nurturing and developing all of its staff. It is very pro-active in its approach to trainees, regularly seeking feedback and providing a support network that ensures any queries are dealt with promptly. The level of responsibility that trainees are encouraged to assume at an early stage and the firm's impressively structured approach to personal and professional development are just a couple of the reasons that I am delighted to be training with Birkett Long. Highly recommended." |
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"If you aspire to work for one of the most well respected and highly esteemed firms in Essex, but want a training contract tailored to suit you as an individual, Birkett Long is the place for you. Birkett Long views its trainees as an investment and, as such, devotes a great deal of time and effort to ensuring that they are given high quality experience in a broad range of legal disciplines during the training contract. A structured support system of mentors, personal and professional development training and regular review meetings, together with a firm wide open door policy provides a supportive environment where trainees are encouraged to take on a high level of responsibility early on and given the opportunity to work alongside expert lawyers to develop their knowledge and skills. This , along with great colleagues and an active social agenda makes for an enjoyable and rewarding training contract and one I would not hesitate to recommend." |
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''Birkett Long offers a unique training contract whereby trainees are encouraged to take on responsibility at an early stage and excel in a structured and supportive environment. The opportunity to work with talented solicitors, an ever increasing clientele from the City, Essex and beyond, whilst appreciating the importance of a healthy work/life balance is something that I have found particularly appealing and rewarding.'' |
Trainee Vacancies
We currently take three trainees each year. The next vacancy will arise in September 2010. Birkett Long Solicitors pays above the Law Society's recommended minimum salary and are interested in attracting applications from 2:1 candidates.
Click here to apply for the 2010 vacancies.
If you have any queries please contact Shirley Tarbin.
Forthcoming events
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10.09.2008
Run 4 Fun 2008
A sponsored 2.5 mile fun run through the Colchest... -
24.09.2008
Companies Act 2006 and the Credit Crunch - Chelmsford
This seminar will provide an overview of those pa...
