Graduate Recruitment London Trainees
INTRODUCTION Bingham s London team of more than 50 leading finance, litigation and corporate lawyers is dedicated to providing a seamless and responsive service to the firm s international financial institution clients. Our London office capabilities have been carefully shaped to meet the complex needs of a demanding client base. Through practical experience and in-depth study of the legal and business issues facing these clients, the firm s London lawyers provide counsel in an intelligent, forceful and focused way. We have more than 1,100 lawyers in 13 locations in the US, Europe and Asia. TRAINING PROGRAMME We recruit at least two trainee solicitors each year. The training contract currently consists of four six-month seats, rotating between the following practice areas: financial restructuring, finance, litigation, corporate, financial regulatory, competition and tax. Trainees may also have the opportunity of a seat in our Hong Kong office. The intimate nature of our London office means you will benefit from a bespoke training programme with a high level of partner involvement. You will assume responsibilities from day one. YOUR DEVELOPMENT Bingham s training programme includes in-house seminars covering specific areas of law as well as practical skills and the fostering of commercial awareness. Your time with us begins with an induction course that introduces you to the firm s main departments where you will be given an overview of our office and accounting procedures. There are then regular lectures and work sessions throughout the year that are designed specifically for trainees. You will also have regular meetings with our graduate recruitment partner where you can discuss your progress and any other issues. COMMUNITY AND PRO BONO Helping those in need is an integral part of life at Bingham. In 2008 we launched the Bingham Reading Scheme, whereby volunteers provide literacy support to children at a local school. Other community programmes in London include our Backpack Project, which enables underprivileged children to be fully equipped with uniforms, stationery and other items for the start of the new school year, and our annual Giving Tree, which provides children at a chosen charity with gifts of their choice for Christmas. Through LawWorks, an independent charity which supports, promotes and encourages a commitment to pro bono work across the solicitors profession, Bingham has been involved in various pro bono matters, including providing assistance to charities such as youth groups, sports teams and environmental organisations.
OUR CLIENTS Bingham s London client base includes many of the world s largest insurance companies, pension funds, investment banks, hedge funds, distressed debt investors, international agencies, governments and multinational corporate groups. OUR PRACTICES Financial Restructuring Widely recognised as one of the world s top-tier financial restructuring firms, we have played a leading role representing creditors in numerous high-profile, precedent-setting workouts and restructurings throughout Europe. Our Financial Restructuring Group, which includes recognised leaders in the profession, is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Europe and has also been awarded a top-tier ranking by PLC in its Restructuring and Insolvency Handbook for five consecutive years. London Finance Often at the centre of today s most high-profile and innovative transactions, our top-tier, multidisciplinary finance team advises on financings, workouts and restructurings throughout Europe. Our London debt finance lawyers also have in-depth experience in structuring, negotiating and documenting substantial and complex credit arrangements. Securities and Financial Institutions Litigation Our lawyers focus on representing international financial institutions in high-value disputes. Clients benefit from working hand-in-hand with senior litigation lawyers who have extensive experience advancing clients interests before the High Court, the Court of Appeal and other tribunals. Corporate and Funds Bingham s London team principally advises on special situation investments, innovative methods of listing financial vehicles on London s stock exchanges and high-end corporate work, including public/private M&A and takeovers, private equity, equity capital markets, debt capital markets and strategic corporate advice. Financial Regulatory Our team advises on all aspects of the UK financial services regulatory framework. We are recognised as a market leader in Financial Services Authority (FSA) investigations and enforcement proceedings, with a particular focus on retail markets. Our partners have held senior posts in enforcement at the FSA and are well-placed to advise on the emerging policies of the regulator as well as its specific requirements. EU/UK Competition Our competition law practice advises on the full range of competition law services across Europe, representing clients before the European Commission and other EU institutions, the Office of Fair Trading, the Competition Commission and the Competition Appeal Tribunal, as well as litigating before the European and UK courts. Tax The London tax practice advises on all aspects of direct and indirect UK taxation, with a focus on representing financial institutions in restructurings and reorganisations, M&A, capital market issuances, funds, securities and derivatives. We also provide stand-alone tax consultancy services and advise on tax audits, enquiries and litigation.
WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR? We are looking for high-quality candidates who have an exceptional academic record combined with evidence of extracurricular achievement. Prospective trainees will show initiative, be solution-driven and seek to be part of a challenging, yet friendly, environment. YOUR BENEFITS The current salary for first year trainees is 40,000, rising to 45,000 in the second year of training (as at 1 September 2011). On qualification, the salary is currently 100,000. In addition, we offer private health insurance, travel insurance, long-term disability insurance, season ticket loan, life assurance, a critical illness scheme and subsidised gym membership. A discretionary bonus is also payable. SPONSORSHIP AND AWARDS On acceptance of our offer for a training contract, we will provide LPC and PgDL fees and a maintenance grant of 8,000 per year. APPLICATION PROCESS After an initial screening meeting with our Human Resources Department, you will have the opportunity to gain insight into our core practices by meeting with a number of our London partners, supervisors and other key personnel, who will conduct interviews over a half-day period. Our formal interview process takes place during August/September. Our application deadline for law students and non-law students is 31 July 2012 for training contracts commencing September 2014. Please apply via www.cvmailuk.com. CONTACT US If you have any questions or require further information, please visit our website at www.bingham.com/londontrainees or contact our Graduate Recruitment team at graduaterecruitment@bingham.com or +44.20.7661.5300. WHERE TO FIND US Bingham McCutchen (London) LLP 41 Lothbury London EC2R 7HF +44.20.7661.5300 www.bingham.com
life as a trainee At Bingham, we offer exceptional career opportunities through our training programme. We work with sophisticated financial institution clients on highprofile and often precedent-setting cases in which you would play an active role. The work is fast-paced, interesting and often fun. Vance Chapman Graduate Recruitment Partner Although everyone at Bingham works hard, there is a very friendly, collegial and supportive atmosphere. The London office is not hierarchical and there is an open-door policy. I have felt able to go to senior colleagues and partners for advice and have very good relationships with the junior lawyers. Hannah Wright Second-Year Trainee As a trainee here, you learn through practice and take on responsibility quickly. In my very first week, I became involved in a high-profile financial restructuring case, which I now appreciate was typical of the cutting-edge work Bingham does. Your supervisor will guide you so you can operate at a level equivalent to a junior associate at many other law firms. Gordon Davidson Second-Year Trainee The high level of responsibility and integration afforded throughout my training contract made the transition into being a qualified lawyer much easier. I was able to gradually develop and build upon skills throughout my training contract, being exposed to more responsibility and client contact as I moved through my seats, and that progress is continuing now that I have qualified. Fiona Huntriss Second-Year Litigation Associate
Boston Frankfurt Hartford Hong Kong London Los Angeles New York Orange County San Francisco Santa Monica Silicon Valley Tokyo Washington bingham.com Bingham McCutchen 2011 Bingham McCutchen LLP One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110-1726 Attorney Advertising To communicate with us regarding protection of your personal information or to subscribe or unsubscribe to some or all of Bingham McCutchen LLP s electronic and mail communications, notify our privacy administrator at privacyus@bingham.com or privacyuk@bingham.com (privacy policy available at www.bingham.com/privacy.aspx). We can be reached by mail (ATT: Privacy Administrator) in the US at One Federal Street, Boston, MA 02110-1726 or at 41 Lothbury, London EC2R 7HF, UK, or at 866.749.3064 (US) or +08 (08) 234.4626 (international). Bingham McCutchen (London) LLP, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (registered number: 00328388), is the legal entity which operates in the UK as Bingham. A list of the names of its partners and their qualification is open for inspection at the address above. All partners of Bingham McCutchen (London) LLP are either solicitors or registered foreign lawyers. Bingham McCutchen LLP, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership, is the legal entity which operates in Hong Kong as Bingham McCutchen LLP. A list of the names of its partners in the Hong Kong office and their qualifications is open for inspection at the address above. Bingham McCutchen LLP is registered with the Hong Kong Law Society as a Foreign Law Firm and does not advise on Hong Kong law. Bingham McCutchen LLP operates in Hong Kong in formal association with Roome Puhar, a Hong Kong partnership which does advise on Hong Kong law. This communication is being circulated to Bingham McCutchen LLP s clients and friends. It is not intended to provide legal advice addressed to a particular situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.