Being Open (Disclosure)
Inclusion and diversity are vital to our success. They create a positive working environment, encourage a greater range of viewpoints, boost our creativity and help us respond more effectively to client needs.
You’ll enjoy the freedom to be yourself at Baker McKenzie, regardless of age, gender, race, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, HIV status and socio-economic background.
We’re one of just a handful of law firms with a dedicated Diversity Partner, and just one of eleven Social Mobility Business Compact Champions in the UK. We were also one of the first two organisations in any industry to become Contextual Recruitment Pioneers and to introduce name-blind recruitment.
“I think the most striking thing about working at Baker McKenzie is their commitment to diversity. It’s something people here are truly passionate about. It’s not just a tick-box exercise.” Bobby Sarkodee-Adoo, Associate.
Way back in 1948, two successful lawyers, Russell Baker & John McKenzie, shared a taxi ride home from work. They shared a vision, to create a truly global law firm, staffed by experienced and talented local lawyers with equal partnership rights. From this meeting, Baker McKenzie was born.
At Baker McKenzie, we are proud to be the first truly global law firm. We believe a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce and better placed to serve our clients and the communities in which we operate.
Ours is a unique working environment that will leave graduates not just amazed, but law-struck. By the type and quality of the work we offer. The breadth of our international opportunities. Our relentless desire to be the most diverse law firm out there. And our friendly and collegiate approach to the way we work.
Stonewall's Top 100 Best Employers - recognised as a top 10 employer in the UK for LGBT+ equality. The Firm was also one of only ten employers to feature in the ‘Top Trans Employer’ listing for a second consecutive year.
Named one of the Best law Firms for Women by Working Mother magazine in collaboration with the ABA Journal.
Recognised as a top 10 employer in the UK for social mobility, in the Social Mobility Employer Index listing.
MyPlus Recruiters' Club Best Disability Speaker / Advocate Award - Adam Dempsey.
Featuring in Business in the Community's Top 100 Employers for Race listing.
Ranking 6th in the 2017 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and being listed as one of 10 Top Trans Employers.
Ranking 11th in the 2017 Social Mobility Employer Index and being named as one of 12 Social Mobility Business Compact Champions.
Featuring in the Lord Mayor's Appeal's mental health campaign, This is Me.
Being Open (Disclosure)
At Baker McKenzie, you'll find the work as interesting as it is impactful. We have a wide variety of practice areas, an impressive range of international opportunities and training that's proven to turn talented graduates into leading lawyers. At Baker McKenzie, we foster an environment that's genuinely collegiate, collaborative and supportive. Our annual graduate intake is 33, which means more visibility from day one, more early responsibility and more opportunity to thrive in our key practice areas.
1st Year Insight Schemes
We offer 1st Year Insight Schemes which are the ideal opportunity to experience what it’s like to work for a City-based, global law firm. Run over two days, the scheme involves a series of interactive workshops, networking opportunities, lawyer shadowing and one-to-one sessions with our Graduate Recruitment and Development team.
Vacation Schemes
Our Vacation Schemes give you the chance to experience life with us over either two or three weeks. You will experience two of our main practice areas, be involved in live transactions, deals and cases and where possible we’ll encourage you to attend internal, departmental and client meetings. Training is provided 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 with our Associates and Partners.
Baker McKenzie Events
Baker McKenzie attends a number of law fairs over the autumn term as well as hosting networking dinners. To find out more information about which events we are attending, please visit http://uk-graduates.bakermckenzie.com/events/.
To apply to attend one of our Baker McKenzie dinners, you must be a current student at the university where the dinner is being held. We look forward to meeting you and hopefully making you feel excited by the opportunities we can offer you.
Training Contract
At Baker McKenzie, you’ll find the work as interesting as it is impactful. We have a wide variety of practice areas, an impressive range of international opportunities and training that’s proven to turn talented graduates into leading lawyers. At Baker McKenzie, we foster an environment that’s genuinely collegiate, collaborative and supportive. Our annual graduate intake is 33, which means more visibility from day one, more early responsibility and more opportunity to thrive in our key practice areas.
Our two-year Training Contract comprises of four six-month seats which include a transactional and a contentious seat. We also offer the possibility of a secondment abroad or with a client. Trainees have spent time in New York, Hong Kong, Dubai and Tokyo. 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 are also numerous diversity and social activities you can get involved in.
If due to your health condition or disability you require any support or adjustments, please do not hesitate to contact our Graduate Recruitment & Development team. Please log in or register to view contact details.
Additional time
Additional time to complete online test, interviews and assessment centres.
Hard copy
We can arrange for a hard copy version of your tests to be completed within the office.
Point of contact
You will have a dedicated point of contact within the Graduate Recruitment team. We will give you a call to discuss the structure of the day and to answer any questions a week or so before your interview.
At Baker McKenzie, we offer a wide range of support that can be adapted to an individual’s needs.
This includes an Employee Assistance Program, occupational health and a dedicated member of the Graduate Recruitment & Development team to support you through each seat rotation. We also have a dedicated Learning & Development team member to provide support in terms of 1:1 coaching.
As a firm, we strive to provide specific adjustments and support to all employees who join Baker McKenzie. Prior to and throughout your employment, we will work closely with the individual to offer support and ensure that any adjustments are already in place prior to start date to ensure a smooth first day and joining process.
Technology support and specialist equipment can be provided for employees.
We also have flexible working arrangements in place, including Agile Working which is very much promoted and encouraged at Baker McKenzie.
There has been the recent introduction of an Expert Allies platform which encourages friendly, emotional support through discussions and meetings. The topics covered include disability, mental wellbeing, social background, agile working, gender and returning to work.
Within our Diversity & Inclusion agenda are a number of focus groups which all employees are encouraged to get involved in. These cover ethnicity, social background, gender, LGBT+, mental health and wellbeing.
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