Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP - True Picture

BCLP training contract review 2025

The Firm

It would be hard to cast your eyes along London’s skyline without spotting a building that BCLP had a hand in. So much so, in fact, that as one trainee put it: “A lot of what lawyers do is invisible, but when I walk to work, I can see at least several buildings that I have worked on different agreements for, which is crazy to think.” Lawyers at BCLP are most certainly no shrinking violets – we heard partners at the firm are consistently drafted in for comments on real estate issues for large publications like the Telegraph. It makes sense too, considering their reputation within the field, retaining top-tier rankings in Chambers UK for real estate, litigation, and planning. The firm also boasts strong rankings for its non-contentious real estate work, alongside commercial contracts and corporate/M&A. If that wasn’t enough for you, all of that comes on top of a top nationwide ranking in rail.

“A lot of what lawyers do is invisible, but when I walk to work, I can see at least several buildings that I have worked on different agreements for…”

BCLP is a long way from merely a UK footprint, however, with 31 offices worldwide, only three of which are in the UK – London, Manchester and Southampton. The bulk of trainees start their TC in the London office, with the firm taking on roughly 20 trainees per year. BCLP has recently appointed charismatic emerging talent partner Payam Yoseflavi, who likens the trainee experience at the firm to that of a “top-level football academy,” due to the extensive training programme the firm offers. Yoseflavi also adds that the firm is keen to “constantly look and assess how we do in inclusivity, DEI and training. We want to be on the forefront of this and cater to the needs of young lawyers.” The firm introduced Solicitor Apprenticeships back in 2015, with the firm’s first apprentices now beginning to qualify. In their final two years, apprentices will complete the TC (in the same seat rotation format) alongside the trainees.

The Seats

Before each seat begins, the firm circulates a booklet detailing what each department does and what sort of work you can expect to be given. There is then a form for trainees to list their five seat preferences, along with an option to make a ‘wish list’ of three seats. London has the most options to choose from; however, those based in Manchester can still apply to undertake a seat in London if there is something they would particularly like to do. There are no compulsory seats, but we heard most trainees end up completing a seat in real estate due to the size of the department. As one source explained: “There is a trainee seat fair, with a three-hour-long talk and partners do presentations, so the process is very good.”“I have always got my preferences,” another added, “so I’ve always been happy, and I think most others have been too.”

“…on the email sign-off it doesn’t even say the trainee part, just lawyer. I’m just a girl!”

Trainees repeatedly highlighted that BCLP offers plenty of secondments, both client and international. Apparently, three or four different client secondments are on offer, but we were told that ad hoc ones can pop up too: “I don’t think it is spoken about enough externally how many are on offer. From speaking to partners, clients seem like they’re always keen to have someone to assist for a bit,” one interviewee told us. One BCLPer who had completed a secondment told us: “It was such a good experience, I learnt so much. It was daunting though. On the email sign-off it doesn’t even say the trainee part, just lawyer. I’m just a girl!” Internationally, trainees had previously jet off to Brussels, Hong Kong or Abu Dhabi, to name a few places, as well as swapping between the UK offices if need be.

Unsurprisingly, trainees were quick to highlight real estate as one of the more popular seat destinations. Those we spoke to flagged that if you list it as a preference, you are more likely to get it.Real estate is split into four different sub-teams – “it is a bit of a beast!” – and trainees are taken on department-wide, with the opportunity to collaborate across sub-teams. Because a lot of the work is sufficiently high-profile, sources were quick to boast that they had a hand in a number of newsworthy developments. Indeed, the firm’s client list includes the likes of the Crown Estate and Oxford Properties. Trainees in the seat can expect to be contacting clients with fee updates, managing work streams and drafting ancillary documents. Overall, trainees were very happy with their experience in real estate, telling us: “The level of responsibility and the deals I have been able to get involved in have just been so cool. Sometimes I was the only trainee negotiating.” One insider recounted an instance “where I got to lead a call with the other party’s counsel – which were other massive law firms – as the associate and partner were busy. They both told me they trusted me to run it and it gave me an experience that trainees at other firms may not get.” Not too shabby!

Another seat available to budding trainees is asset management. Given BCLP’s broader focus, work in the seat revolves around dealing with the full life cycle of a property, from leases and refurbishments through to its sale. As a trainee in the department, typical responsibilities include learning how to draft leases and licences, as well as sale and purchase agreements. We heard that the teams in Manchester and London sometimes work together, with the group in London often instructing the group in Manchester on matters. We heard that because of the heavy drafting elements of the seat “it can be a bit monotonous and repetitive”; however, the general consensus was that it is a good seat to get your drafting up to scratch.

For those wanting to venture a little further from the real estate core, BCLP’s commercial disputes practice makes room for newbies to see all stages of the litigious process. Sources in the seat flagged that partners and associates are keen to give trainees the first go on documents before marking them up. Trainees are also entrusted to deal with case management and are often heavily relied on by associates. If a case goes to trial, there is the chance for trainees to attend court, “which is really cool.” We were also informed the seat requires a lot of time spent on disclosure: “Disclosure isn’t one of the most exciting things,” one trainee told us, “but it is one you have to do, and this seat is a good opportunity to really learn what you’re working on and get into the weeds of the documents.” In one recent case, the firm represented Legal & General in a high-profile claim against natural resources company Glencore.

If you’re after big responsibility early on, corporate/M&A was a popular choice amongst our interviewees. Whether it’s by taking a first stab at documents or a support function on a multimillion-pound deal, there is plenty of opportunity to take on responsibility. In one of the firm’s meatier recent mergers, BCLP advised Lumen Technologies on the proposed sale of their EMEA business to Colt Technology Services at a whopping $1.8 billion. In lower to mid-market private transactions, sources told us, there is often only one trainee on the deal team. Typical trainee work in the seat can include SPAs, purchase and sale agreements, project management and drafting ancillary documents, as well as taking board minutes and project management. We were also told that there is plenty of client contact in a corporate seat: “You are very much the one liaising with them,” one trainee explained, “but there is a good variation in the department, like public acquisition work, private equity, etc, so it just depends on who you work with.”

Trainee Life

When asked about the culture, bright-eyed interviewees were sure to highlight that BCLP’s friendly reputation more than lived up to expectations. When asked to expand, one trainee told us: “I always evaluate these things on whether I would socialise with these people outside of work. Here, I would, and I do.” One interviewee also theorised that “if you look at the cohorts, there is a definite personality in the people they hire. There is a big emphasis on interpersonal skills and being bubbly. That’s something all the trainees have in common. You don’t need to have exceptionally good grades or have gone to a Russell Group.”

“I always evaluate these things on if I would socialise with these people outside of work, here I would, and I do.”

According to the current crop of trainees, partners made a real effort to get involved in their personal development: “The senior partners make a real effort to talk to you,” said one trainee. “One even came up to me from a different department which had a crossover with mine and explained that there was some work coming up that I could get involved in. They didn’t have to do that.” In fact, when it came to getting to know the partners, what better an opportunity for a London trainee than at the ‘beat the board’ quiz? The event consists of teams going against board members, all in the name of charity.  In Manchester, they stepped it up a notch for their ten-year anniversary and hosted a “huge party in central” with fairground rides and dancing. The Christmas party was also a very memorable event for trainees, one telling us that they are “literally counting down the days until the next one.” BCLP also offers other events“less centred around drinking” such as Eid celebrations. So there really is something for everyone.

Trainees were unanimous that DEI is taken very seriously at BCLP. “There is a big, heavy drive for social mobility, and a lot of people are from diverse backgrounds,” one commented. The firm has set up a number of affinity groups firm-wide, such as the Southeast Asian lawyers’ group, and is actively involved in annual Pride events and national Student Pride as well as going into schools.

A training contract at BCLP is “very structured,” with three and six-month check-ins throughout the seats. We also heard that most people tend to sit next to their supervisors in the office, making it easy to have informal catch-ups or ask for help. “I feel completely fine going to my supervisor with anything big or small; it’s a really supportive environment,” one interviewee said. “People are encouraged to come into the office, which is really beneficial to the trainees, as you can turn round and ask someone anything.” Currently, the firm-wide policy is that newbies are expected to be in the office four days a week. If classical music is your thing, BCLP London has a piano in the lobby, which when played, “echoes up all the floors, which is really relaxing.” The Manchester office also benefited from a recent refurbishment, and there is a canteen which offers subsidised breakfast buffets and lunches.

“Even if you are not retained, you will be leaving extremely well trained. Most people will go on to other top firms.”

One of the big pros for training at BCLP is the amount of training that is on offer: “Even if you are not retained, you will be leaving extremely well trained. Most people will go on to other top firms.” At the start of every seat, there are two weeks blocked out for training, and that doesn’t include subsequent academy training as trainees make their way through their training contracts. “The training is exceptional,” noted one trainee, “and they are always asking us if there is anything else we need.” Refresher sessions of all areas of the law are offered, with barristers even coming into the firm to offer insights.

Trainees were also happy with the work-life balance on offer. Average hours can vary between departments, but trainee responses averaged out at around 9am-7pm. “I think that’s just another good thing about BCLP,” said one happy trainee. “There isn’t this culture where you’re expected to work these crazy hours. Everyone here recognises that you have a life, and so do they.” The current salary is competitive, with the firm recently raising its compensation to £50,000 for a first-year trainee in London and £33,000 in Manchester: “I think it is crazy I am paid this much, to be honest,” one interviewee remarked.

The current crop of trainees were keen to highlight just how much they wanted to remain at BCLP on qualification: “Everyone wants to stay on, retention rates have been good recently, and it is not uncommon to meet partners who were born and bred here.” Current trainees tell us there are plenty of opportunities to meet grad rec to discuss where you may hope to qualify, before an interview process. As one trainee told us: “The firm is becoming a lot more transparent about the way things work, and they also do a good job of managing our expectations. So, when the job list comes out there are never any surprises.” The firm did not disclose the number of qualifiers retained this year.

How to get a BCLP training contract

Vacation scheme deadlines: Spring: 13 December 2024 & Summer: 15 January 2025

Training contract deadline: 31 May 2025

Applications

BCLP gets around 2000 applications each year for its 20 training contract places via online forms that detail applicants' knowledge of the firm, reasons for considering a career in law, and general experience. The firm also asks two situational judgement questions on the form to assess candidates' ability to problem solve. The application process is the same for those aiming for a vacation scheme spot and straight-to-training-contract hopefuls.

The Legal Recruitment team screen every application and in 2020, introduced a new online situational judgement test that is bespoke to the firm. Up to 90 candidates are invited to a first stage interview with Junior Associates, with about 45 students making it through to an assessment centre. Assessment centres include a case study involving a presentation, and a final stage skills-based interview.

Vacation scheme

Between 85-90% of BCLP's trainee intake comes in through its vacation schemes. BCLP takes around 24 vac schemers a year, spread across two placements, held in April and June each year.

According to the firm, the two-week vac scheme provides those who are invited "the chance to gain some first-hand experience of life at BCLP and the work we do." Vac schemers are required to get "involved in everything from research and client meetings to court runs and presentations." Previous tasks have involved "advising a charity on how they could help prevent the use of the death penalty in Sri Lanka, and delivering a mock M&A pitch to a client." On top of work experience, the firm tells us that "you'll also get to attend a series of partner-led talks and workshops, have a sit-down lunch with partners and meet regularly with your supervisor." 

Trainee profile

BCLP recruit students and graduates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Targeting over around 50 universities across the UK, the firm recruits a mix of Russell Group, Oxbridge and non-Russell group students from a range of degree disciplines. According to Isabel Elsey, Legal Recruitment Manager, “we value individuals that are proactive, motivated and creative thinkers. Adaptability is a core quality that we look for in our trainees coupled with an ability to maintain resilience.” Mature applicants and career changers are also valued at BCLP for their prior experience. “We have trainees from a range of backgrounds such as Finance, Teaching, Engineering and Construction; all of which are areas that resonate well with our clients and present transferable skills,” Elsey adds.