Bristows

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Technology & Digital
• Intellectual Property
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Corporate & M&A
• Real Estate
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Competition & Antitrust
• Media & Entertainment
• Employment
• Tax

Geographic Focus: UK

Training Contract

Trainees undertake 3 and 6-month seats across five or six different practice areas, with a guaranteed seat in IP Litigation.

• Starting Salary: 1st year trainee - £48,000; 2nd year trainee - £52,000
• Qualification Rate: 90% retention rate in 2023 and 2024.
• Application Deadline: 2 January 2026

SQE Support

All future trainees receive sponsorship through the PGDL if needed and the SQE 1 and SQE 2, with course and exam fees funded by the firm.

International Opportunities

Most trainees go on secondment for a three-month period during the course of the training contract, usually to a UK client's in-house legal department.

Mentorship

Bristows has a mentoring programme for all trainees and associates throughout their careers.

Apply on the Bristows website →

What Bristows Looks For

Key Competencies

• Clever and enjoys engaging their brain
• Takes responsibility and thinks for themselves
• Wants to join in, work as part of a team and contribute to the firm
• Understands this is a people-based business
• Good communication skills
• Passionate about a career in law
• Wants to succeed but not at the expense of their colleagues

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Bristows is a long standing signatory to the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter and works closely with Aspiring Solicitors.

• Disability & Neurodivergence Network
• Lyda Network
• Families & Carers Network
• Women's Network
• The Turing Network
• Inclusion Group
• PRIME initiative
• Aspiring Solicitors partnership

Pro Bono

Bristows advises several organisations free of charge, including charitable and public bodies, and is a legal partner of Advocates for International Development (A4ID).

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Research Bristows and understand their practice areas and culture.
• Prepare for different scenarios during assessment tasks.
• Be yourself and bring your individuality to the firm.
• Tailor your application to show why you've chosen Bristows.
• Use the video interview practice tool to gain confidence.