Why Train at BWB

You will begin to experience all of the unique qualities of a career at BWB from the moment you are given your training contract. We keep in touch and you will be invited to trainee and a number of BWB social events before you start your contract. We expect you to have client contact from the very beginning of your career and empower you to do so. You will be an important member of your department and you are asked to become involved in supporting one of our client facing cross departmental teams - health & social care, education, environment or trade & membership bodies/competition team.

BWB offers clients you can commit to, incredibly interesting and demanding work and colleagues who enjoy that environment and are committed to BWB (but have a life as well).

We do all of this within a well run and profitable firm best described by Chambers UK as "City firm with a conscience".

Trainee Seats

During the two years of the training contract our trainees undertake 2 six months seats in the first year and 3 four month seats in the second year.

All trainees do seats in Charity and Dispute Resolution. Other training seats are allocated following consultation to ensure that consideration is given to their preferred career path as well as to our needs. But we aim to give each trainee a balanced experience in several areas of practice. Other seats available are Immigration, Company Commercial, Employment and Property. We organise this by offering a series of "flight paths" of seats for trainees, with each path having a current trainee who can advise on its pros and cons. However we consult with you and so far every trainee has been able to undertake their first or second choice flight path.

Trainees each have a seat supervisor during each seat who will make sure the trainee has relevant and varied work and provide training as necessary. There are interim and final appraisals during each seat where the supervisor will give feedback on the trainee’s performance and set objectives for the next stage

What we are Looking For

BWB has a unique profile. We want to attract the best possible potential commercial lawyers who understand the work we undertake, the clients we work for and who are committed to our ethos.

We are not looking for the person who for whatever reason has failed to get the big-firm training contract they really want.

We expect an applicant to have a sound academic background (a minimum 2.1 degree is required) plus an ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Most important we want an applicant who is positively looking to join a firm with our work mix and approach. We are also looking for candidates with interests outside work which we would expect to be maintained if not developed.

Financial Assistance

We currently pay first year trainees £32,000, second year trainees £34,000 and newly qualified solicitors £46,500. All of these salaries are reviewed annually.

We will provide financial support to the value of £6,000 for LPC course fees which must commence after the offer has been accepted. We will also give similar support for GDL, but this is discretionary and subject to budget availability.

We also pay interest on loans taken out during either or both of these courses from the signing of the training contract to the contract end.

Career Progression at BWB

BWB has a clear and transparent career structure which is integrated into the annual appraisal process. You will qualify as a solicitor on £46,500.

You will be considered for promotion to an Associate after three years (minimum salary £59,500) and a Senior Associate after five years (minimum salary £72,000). The structure continues to fixed share and then equity partner.

Half of our equity partners began as trainees at BWB

What they say About Us

A City firm with a conscience,” BWB manages to do good for society in a variety of sectors and offers a personal, hands-on training experience.
Chambers