Baker McKenzie
Firm profile
With more than 70 offices across over 40 offices Baker McKenzie is one of the world’s largest law firms. We work with our colleagues across the firm’s global network to serve clients and meet their evolving needs, providing tailored advice underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise and enhanced by first-rate market knowledge. Trainee solicitors are a vital part of our network, exposed to the international scope of the firm from the moment they start, with possible overseas secondment opportunities. Recent secondees have spent time in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, New York, Sydney and Melbourne.
Main areas of work
With more than 500 lawyers, our London office is the largest in the Firm and a major City practice in its own right, providing advice on some of the most significant and largest cross-border transactions, complex disputes and investigations, and international advisory matters in the UK and global markets. Lawyers work with their colleagues across the Firm’s global network to serve clients and meet their evolving needs, providing tailored advice underpinned by deep practice and sector expertise and enhanced by first-rate market knowledge.
Through connected thinking and integrated legal solutions, our London team works with colleagues across the globe to help clients achieve their objectives, while mitigating risk.
Training opportunities
The two-year training contract comprises four six-month seats which include a corporate and a contentious seat, usually within our highly regarded dispute resolution department. We also offer the possibility of a secondment abroad or with a client. During each seat you will have formal and informal reviews to discuss your progress and regular meetings to explore subsequent seat preferences. Your training contract commences with a highly interactive and practical induction programme which focuses on key skills including practical problem solving, presenting and the application of information technology. The firm’s training programmes include important components of management and other business skills, as well as seminars and workshops on key legal topics for each practice area. There is a Trainee Solicitor Liaison Committee which acts as a forum for any new ideas or concerns which may occur during the training contract.
Vacation scheme
Our vacation schemes offer the ideal opportunity to experience what it’s like to work for a city-based, global law firm. Each vacation scheme gives you the chance to experience two of our key practice areas. Training is provided throughout to familiarise you with some of our typical transactions and to help you develop key skills. We place great emphasis on involving you in ‘live’ work.
• Spring Vacation Scheme: 7 April – 24 April 2026
Applications Open - 1st October 2025
Applications Close - 1st December 2025
• Summer Vacation Schemes: 15 June – 3 July 2026
Applications Open - 1st October 2025
Applications Close - 1st January 2026
Other benefits
Bonus scheme, gym membership/subsidy, life assurance, pension scheme with company contributions, private healthcare/dental, GP services, season ticket loan, subsidised restaurant vouchers, cycle to work scheme, childcare vouchers.
Open days and first-year opportunities
Open days: We have tailored our Open Days to you by focusing on the different things that matter to you.
Tuesday 7 October: Employability Open Day
Monday 20 October: Pride at Baker McKenzie
Tuesday 28 October: Black Heritage Open Day
Thursday 30 October: Opportunity Open Day
Monday 3 November: Non-Russell Group Open Day
Monday 10 November: Women’s Open Day
Thursday 13 November: General Open Day
First Year Insight Schemes:
We offer fifteen places to spend two days in the firm on 6th and 7th May 2026. There will be a number of skills sessions and each student will spend a day in a department of their choice.
Applications open 1 October 2025
Applications close 1 February 2026