Early Careers in Law
Whether you’re starting to think about a career in law or you’re a law graduate looking for a training contract, our programmes are designed to develop future lawyers at Barcan+Kirby.
About Barcan+Kirby
We are a mid-sized law firm based in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, with a reputation for providing high quality, common sense advice. We specialise in a comprehensive range of legal services for both individuals and businesses within the South West and nationwide, from family law to dispute resolution and commercial law.
As well as offering excellent training opportunities and opportunities to develop, we pride ourselves on a culture of respect and understanding. We look after our people and nurture their talent.
Our careers programmes
Work experience
If you are aged 15 – 17 and considering a career in law, work experience at Barcan+Kirby is the perfect way to experience life at a mid-sized law firm and what being a solicitor is really like. During the one-week placement, you will gain experience in all the areas of law we cover, from family law to commercial property, giving you a real taste of our areas of expertise.
Summer Vacation Programme
If you are in your second or final year of a law degree, studying for your Graduate Diploma in Law, the Legal Practice Course or SQE and are looking to gain hands-on legal experience, our virtual Summer Vacation Day is the perfect opportunity.
As well as experiencing the various areas of law we specialise in, you will have your own mentor and get to complete real work on real cases.
Training contracts
Once you have completed and passed your degree (and GDL if relevant) and your LPC or SQE, you can train as a solicitor with us. We offer up to four candidates the role of Trainee Solicitor every year.
Our law training contracts give budding solicitors an advanced level of responsibility from day one, and you become integral members of our firm, undertaking real work in four seats which rotate every six months.
Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme
This six-and-a-half-year programme is for aspiring solicitors who don’t have a university degree. It provides exposure to a range of live cases, allowing you to gain invaluable experience in one department. You will also receive one-to-one mentoring from senior colleagues and a supportive team.
Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme
The Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme prepares apprentices for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE 1 and SQE 2); the new route to qualifying as a Solicitor.
All Graduate vacancies will be advertised on our vacancies page and social media pages as soon as they are released.
Further information
We post details of all our early careers programmes here on our website and across our social media pages once they go live, so make sure you follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.
If you have any questions about early careers at Barcan+Kirby, please don’t hesitate to contact our Recruitment team.