Bristows LLP

Overview

Bristows is an independent, European‑headquartered law firm with a long heritage in technology and life sciences law (founded 1837). The firm combines deep technical expertise (many lawyers with science/engineering backgrounds) with full‑service capabilities across transactions, disputes and regulatory work, and is especially known for IP, technology, life sciences and brands work. Bristows refuses to operate to billing targets, emphasises quality and client‑focused outcomes, and operates from strategically placed offices in London (headquarters), Brussels and Dublin while coordinating cross‑border teams for international matters.

• Headquarters: London, 100 Victoria Embankment
• Founded: 1837
• Lawyers: 300+ (employees; London HQ home to over 300 professionals)
• Trainees: 10
• Offices: 3

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Technology & Digital
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• Intellectual Property
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Corporate & M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Competition & Antitrust
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Real Estate
• Tax
• Employment
• Charities & Not-for-Profit
• Media & Entertainment

Geographic Focus: European‑headquartered with offices in London, Brussels (opened May 2018) and Dublin (opened 2023). The firm leads and coordinates international transactions and disputes from these hubs, advising clients in more than 72 countries and collaborating with lawyers in over 106 jurisdictions. Approximately 60% of income over recent years has come from overseas clients; around 30% of partners hold qualifications in jurisdictions outside England & Wales and many lawyers speak multiple languages.

Training Contract

Two‑year training contract. The firm guarantees IP experience and a guaranteed six‑month seat in the Patent Litigation practice within the two years. Trainees rotate through a mix of litigation, transactional and advisory seats to gain breadth across the firm's IP, technology and life sciences work. Bristows typically recruits two years in advance for cohorts (e.g., recruiting for the 2026 joiners).

• Starting Salary: Year 1: £48,000; Year 2: £52,000
• NQ Salary: £95,000
• Trainee Intake: 10
• Qualification Rate: 90% (latest trainee retention rate, published figure).
• Academic Requirements: Minimum A‑level requirement: No minimum; Minimum degree requirement: No minimum. The firm accepts applicants from all degree disciplines and values technical/science backgrounds as well as non‑law graduates.
• Application Deadline: 2 January 2026

Seat Options

• Patent Litigation
• IP Litigation
• Commercial & IP Transactions
• IT & Digital Projects
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Life Sciences Regulatory
• Trade Mark, Designs & Copyright
• Corporate & Financing
• Employment & Immigration
• Real Estate
• Tax
• Competition & Antitrust
• Regulatory & Advisory
• IT Disputes
• UPC / Unified Patent Court practice

Sponsorship

PGDL/PGDL grant: £10,000 (published figure).

SQE Support

SQE grant: £11,000 (published figure).

International Opportunities

Chances of secondment abroad: 0% (published figure).

Client Secondments

44% chance of client secondment (published figure); the firm offers client secondments as part of development opportunities.

Mentorship

Trainees are supported by designated supervisors and managers, with an emphasis on accessible partner guidance and peer support. The firm runs buddy schemes and trainee networks across cohorts and encourages mentoring and close supervision within seats.

Apply on the Bristows LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Bristows LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Intellectual curiosity and technical curiosity
• Commercial awareness
• Attention to detail and academic rigour
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Communication and client service skills
• Resilience and ability to manage high‑quality, technical work
• Practical problem solving and commercial judgement

Evidence Signals

• Demonstrable interest in technology, life sciences or IP (projects, modules, internships or research)
• Technical/science/engineering background or demonstrable technical literacy
• Commercial or transactional experience (internships, M&A/commercial placements)
• Pro bono or community engagement (mentoring, outreach programmes)
• Participation in sector events, publications or relevant workshops (e.g., IP or AI workshops)

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary Year 1: £48,000
• Trainee salary Year 2: £52,000
• Newly Qualified (NQ) salary: £95,000
• PGDL/PGDL grant: £10,000
• SQE grant: £11,000
• Private Medical Insurance
• Healthcare cash plan
• Life assurance
• Health screening
• Group pension scheme
• Pension guidance 1:1s
• Travel insurance
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gym discounts
• Travel loan / season ticket support
• Sports teams and social activities
• Inclusion networks
• 24/7 counselling service and Mental Health First Aiders
• Monthly meditation sessions and monthly Pilates classes
• Wellbeing Champions and Mindful Business Charter membership
• Relocation payment and getting started grant for apprentices (funding options)

Wellbeing

Comprehensive mental health and wellbeing programme including Mental Health First Aiders, 24/7 counselling, Wellbeing Champions, monthly meditation, Pilates classes, membership of the Mindful Business Charter and access to Peppy and KareHero for family/parental/carer support.

Awards & Recognition

• Competition Team of the Year – The Lawyer Awards 2017 (advising Google vs Streetmap)
• TMT Team of the Year – Legal Business Awards 2017 (advising Samsung in Unwired Planet litigation)
• Chambers: multiple UK and FinTech rankings (2026 citations across technology, IP, data protection and TMT)
• Legal 500: multiple Tier‑1 rankings including Data Protection, IT & Telecoms and Life Sciences (2025–2026)
• Firm listed with 14 current top tier rankings and awards (firm profile)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Firm runs an annual Inclusion plan devised by the Inclusion Group, reports progress at the AGM and works with external partners to widen access to legal careers (Aspiring Solicitors, PRIME, Social Mobility Foundation).

• Disability & Neurodivergence Network (launched May 2025)
• Lyda Network (race, ethnicity and culture network)
• Families & Carers Network (created June 2020)
• Women's Network (launched during Women's History Month 2020)
• The Turing Network (LGBT+ & allies)
• Inclusion Group (reports to partnership; meets every two months)
• Signatory to the Law Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Charter
• Partnerships with Aspiring Solicitors and PRIME initiative
• Social Mobility Foundations Aspiring Professionals Programme involvement

Pro Bono

Active pro bono practice advising charities and public bodies (examples: Virtual Development UK on data protection and negligence issues; Royal Theatrical Support Trust on governance; Optometry Giving Sight on privacy/data protection; Amnesty International on data protection compliance). Bristows is a legal partner of Advocates for International Development (A4ID) and runs community volunteering and mentoring (including the Joe Sako Summer Workshop).

Innovation

Bristows invests in sector‑specific legal innovation and knowledge sharing rather than promoting a single proprietary legal tool. The firm runs a dedicated AI Committee, hosts an annual Tech Summit, and publishes practical guides, podcasts and thematic intelligence (e.g., Irides, SnippsITs) aimed at helping clients and lawyers navigate AI, data and technology risks. Many lawyers have STEM backgrounds and the firm positions itself to advise on technically complex projects including generative AI, datasets and AI regulatory compliance.

• AI Committee (firm‑wide group to coordinate AI legal work)
• Bristows Tech Summit (annual event, recordings available)
• Safety Net hub (online safety resources)
• Inquisitive Minds blog and podcast series
• Bristows SnippsITs and Irides Weekly Update (litigation/patent intelligence series)
• Guides on AI/EU AI Act, Generative AI integration and policies

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise a genuine interest in IP, technology or life sciences — reference Bristows’ guaranteed six‑month Patent Litigation seat and its long history in technology law (since drafting the first telegraph patent agreements).
• Reference sector content the firm produces (Biotech Review, Tech Summit, AI guides or an Inquisitive Minds article) to demonstrate commercial and technical engagement with the practice areas you’re targeting.
• Highlight examples of teamwork and client‑facing responsibility (e.g., project or placement work) — Bristows values early responsibility and measurable contribution in a collaborative environment.
• If you have a STEM or technical background, make that explicit and explain how it helps you engage with legal/technical problems — many lawyers at Bristows come from science/engineering disciplines.
• Mention the firm’s approach to quality over billable targets and how that aligns with your preference for deep technical work and long‑term client relationships.