At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Graduate Programme and rotate through key departments to build your skills.
- Company: Baker McKenzie, a leading global law firm with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy comprehensive health cover, income protection, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with a commitment to inclusion, diversity, and exceptional career growth.
- Why this job: Gain diverse experience and make meaningful connections while shaping your career.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree in any discipline, strong attention to detail, and team spirit.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The opportunity
Baker McKenzie’s Graduate Programme provides graduates from all academic backgrounds with a valuable opportunity to develop their expertise through six-month rotations in four key departments: Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Legal Project Management (LPM), Procurement, and Process & Quality. This structured programme enables participants to gain insight into diverse business functions, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the Firm and facilitating meaningful connections across departments. Graduates will cultivate transferable skills essential for making informed decisions regarding their career trajectory.
An informal review of your progress and development will be conducted at the midpoint of each rotation. Upon completion of each rotation, a formal evaluation will be undertaken with your assigned mentor and department manager to provide feedback regarding your performance.
Participants begin with an intensive one-week induction designed to familiarize them with the Firm’s processes and policies. At the commencement of each rotation, dedicated departmental training is provided, complemented by daily support from an assigned buddy. The buddy, in collaboration with the department manager, closely monitors progress and guides professional development throughout the programme.
Teams
The Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance team at Baker McKenzie ensures the firm adheres to local AML regulations when onboarding new clients or matters. Their work helps protect the firm from legal, financial, and reputational risks by preventing misuse of its services by money launderers and ensuring business is conducted with reputable clients engaged in legitimate activities using lawful funds.
The Procurement, Strategy and Operations (PSO) team manages the Firm’s purchasing and vendor contracts to ensure goods and services are acquired cost-effectively and efficiently, optimizing the supply chain under the best terms.
The Legal Project Management (LPM) team at Baker McKenzie uses a structured approach to manage complex legal matters, aiming to improve efficiency, control costs, and meet tight deadlines. This global team collaborates with lawyers to plan, manage, and review legal projects, leveraging process design, customized fee reporting, and advanced technology to provide expert support throughout all project phases.
The Process and Quality team ensures Baker McKenzie’s business services run efficiently by supporting service design, quality monitoring, improvement projects, and workforce planning.
Main responsibilities
Anti-Money Laundering
- Research and provide \’Know Your Client\’ details
- Name screen to check for political exposure, sanctions, and adverse media
- Risk assessing clients and matters against factors such as the service to be offered, client entity type, jurisdiction(s) involved, and industries involved
- Research beneficial ownership
- Document collection and verification
Procurement
- Maintain and update the contract\’s database, including validating content and ensuring key data/legal points are tracked
- Assist members of the team with various internal purchasing requests ranging from physical goods to software
- Assist the Senior Specialist and Analyst in maintaining the Procurement Department\’s central knowledge repository in Microsoft OneNote
- Shadow and/or assist the Procurement Analyst with the allocation process of incoming work, enquiries and renewal contracts to specialists based in Belfast, Tampa, Chicago, and Colorado
- Shadow on calls between vendors and specialists and participate in bi-weekly Procurement, Strategy and Operations (PSO) Team Meetings
Legal Project Management
- Design and implement projects to run in the most efficient and coordinated manner, to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget
- Track and manage budget via detailed financial reporting, track timeline and scope through the duration of a project
- Leverage technology to reduce administrative burden, organize project deliverables, and increase efficiency
- Utilize the Firm\’s non-legal resources (e.g., in Service Centers), Business Professionals teams, and innovative approaches to grow profitability
Process and Quality
- Encourage and coach teams to lead and initiate LSS and service improvement projects
- Support service owners and managers in identifying opportunities for improvement in quality, effectiveness, and/or efficiency
- Conduct an unbiased, independent review of important areas and processes of a service
- Provide collaborators with technical tools to identify multiple causes and address solutions
- Contribute to significantly reducing the costs and improving the productivity of our services
- Develop an agile and flexible mindset to opportunities based on quality-related data
- Support the development of reports and dashboards to drive continuous improvement within the services
Skills and experience
- A 2:1 degree in any discipline, must have graduated by September 2026
- A high level of attention to detail and strong time management skills
- Solutions-oriented with an analytical approach
- Proficient in Microsoft packages, specifically Excel
- Excellent verbal and written English communication
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Able to work within a team
- Can show initiative
- Able to be innovative in problem-solving
- Creative thinker
Working at Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie is the world’s leading law firm with offices all over the world. Our Belfast Centre is home to over 400 colleagues in both legal and professional services.
We offer one of the best workplace benefits packages in the business with comprehensive private health cover, income protection, life assurance and a full employee assistance plan. These and a host of other benefits make us one of the most desirable companies to work for in Belfast.
We are committed to promoting inclusion, diversity, and equity for all and are confident we can provide a career as individual and as exceptional as you.
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Graduate Trainee - Contract (2 years) employer: Baker & McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
Contact Detail:
Baker & McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Trainee - Contract (2 years)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to alumni or professionals in your field on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the company culture at Baker McKenzie.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for graduate trainees and practice your answers. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your responses – it’s a game changer!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! Bring examples of your work or projects that highlight your problem-solving abilities. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can contribute to the teams at Baker McKenzie.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities right there, so keep checking back!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Trainee - Contract (2 years)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Graduate Programme. Highlight any relevant projects or roles that showcase your analytical approach and attention to detail.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for the programme and explain why you’re a great fit. Don’t forget to mention specific departments you’re interested in!
Showcase Your Skills: Be sure to highlight your proficiency in Microsoft packages, especially Excel. Mention any experience you have with project management or process improvement, as these are key areas for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people and shows your genuine interest in joining Baker McKenzie!
How to prepare for a job interview at Baker & McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
✨Know the Programme Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Baker McKenzie’s Graduate Programme. Familiarise yourself with the key departments you'll rotate through and the specific responsibilities in each area. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your skills align with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Given the emphasis on analytical thinking in the job description, prepare examples from your academic or work experience where you've successfully solved problems or made decisions based on data. Be ready to discuss how you approach challenges and what tools or methods you use to analyse situations.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Baker McKenzie values teamwork, so come prepared with stories that highlight your ability to collaborate effectively. Think of instances where you’ve worked in a team setting, how you contributed, and what the outcomes were. This will help illustrate your interpersonal skills and your fit within their culture.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of your interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare thoughtful queries about the programme, departmental training, or the evaluation process. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.