But places will (for now) only be open to staff up North
International law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has revealed plans to introduce training contracts in its Manchester office.
Having launched its Manchester hub back in August 2014, BLP has today confirmed that training contract applications “will open shortly”, with successful applicants kicking off their legal careers from September 2017 onwards.
But wannabe lawyers take note. The outfit has stated that it will only accept applications from “Manchester-based BLP employees” for now. However Legal Cheek understands that trainee positions could be opened up to external applicants as early as next year.
Details regarding how many training contracts will be up for grabs and, perhaps more importantly, what they will pay, remain unknown. Mark Grayson — who is head of BLP’s Manchester operation — only revealed that remuneration would be “competitive”.
According to Legal Cheek’s Most List, firms such as DLA Piper, Addleshaw Goddard, Eversheds Sutherland, Irwin Mitchell and DWF all offer their first-year Manchester cohorts around £26,000, rising to as much as £40,000 upon qualification.
Continuing, Grayson said:
The new trainee scheme is part of BLP’s commitment to offering long-term career progression for our employees and developing their talent. Working in the largest legal market outside of London here in Manchester, our trainees will be a huge asset to the wider firm.
BLP — which offers around 45 London-based training contracts annually — scored highly in Legal Cheek’s 2016 Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey. As well as landing A ratings for training, quality of work, canteen, partner approachability, and social life, the firm bagged a coveted A* for peer support.
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