Burges Salmon

Bristol-based and staunchly independent, Burges Salmon is a single-office firm with a complementary London site for meeting clients and hot-desking. The firm has pursued markedly different strategies from arch rivals Osborne Clark and Bond Pearce, working hard to brand itself as a Slaughter and May for outside the City. Burges Salmon is certainly in no hurry to stage a push into the capital and it is the last remaining top commercial firm to hold such a plan. It’s certainly a strategy that seems to be working well for the firm at the moment – it ranks among the UK’s top 50 firms in both revenue and prestige.

Although founded by the titular Edward Burges, in 1841, Burges Salmon didn’t settle on its current handle until 1982. The firm has since grown from its agricultural and landowner base to one which has developed a strong reputation as a commercial firm, with solid corporate, finance, tax and trust, litigation and property practices. In 2008, the firm implemented a strategy to stake growth on specialist practice areas, such as renewable energy, nuclear energy, agriculture and environmental law. Its success will be measured not against large Magic Circle firms, but against strong regional rivals – such as Addleshaw Goddard, Eversheds, Osborne Clarke and Wragge & Co, as well as select City firms, like Macfarlanes – that are comparable in size and quality.

Burges Salmon’s client base is both national and regional, and ranges from government departments to listed PLCs and overseas companies – with particular strength in rail matters. In addition, the firm is seeking out a solid international network and has already established relationships with firms in Qatar and Dubai.

Burges Salmon is one of the leading firms for community involvement, not least because nearly all of its staff are based in and around Bristol. As one of the largest employers in this city, a lot of its lawyers are encouraged to donate some of their time to pro bono work for not-for-profit and charitable organisations. Furthermore, Burges Salmon staff vote annually on a charity to support throughout the year.

Practice numerical tests and verbal tests used by actual employers.

Burges Salmon looks for a balance of academic ability, interpersonal skills, motivation and enthusiasm. Applicants must have achieved a minimum 300/24 points at A-Level and a 2:1 in further studies.

Make the grade and you’ll be invited to an assessment centre, comprising presentations by a partner and trainee, a tour of the offices, a verbal reasoning test and a group exercise. Impress sufficiently and you’ll be called back to the firm for an interview with a recruitment partner and a member of the HR team.

Burges Salmon Graduate Recruitment Info

Contact:
Frances Lambton
Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Advisor
Tel: +44 (0)117 939 2229
Email: frances.lambton@burges-salmon.com

Application Deadlines:
Vacation Placements – 14 January 2014
Training Contract interviews – 31st July 2014

Stats

Partners: 79
Total staff: 641
Trainee intake: 20-25
Trainees retained: 91% (March 2013)

Salary

Bristol
1st year trainee: £33,000
2nd year trainee: £34,000
Newly qualified: £41,000

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Departments

Banking & Finance
Commercial
Corporate
Disputes & Litigation
Employment
Environment & Health & Safety
Pensions & Incentives
Private Client
Real Estate
Regulatory
Tax