Careers

We are different from other law firms in the way we think, work and behave. Global in our outlook and curious by nature, we are often the first to recognize changes in the market and respond with new and better ways to serve clients.

Today the global business community is more interconnected than ever before, and clients need us to work across traditional practice, sector and market lines to mitigate risk and maximize opportunity. Our integrated solutions, underpinned by deep expertise and innovative technology, represent a new frontier for legal advice.

For 10 consecutive years we have been named the world's strongest law firm brand by Acritas. This is because we don’t stand still — striving to be the best in all we do and thinking bigger, faster and further on behalf of clients. We know the value of our people in sustaining this success and so we're committed to offering the platform to nurture this talent.

We want individuals who can combine an impressive academic track record with excellent technical skills. Personal qualities matter — we look for engaged global citizens, critical thinkers and problem solvers. These qualities mean you can make connections across traditional practice, sector and market lines, and can process information, finding connections in complex situations to offer real insight and foresight to clients. Importantly, we want people who thrive in diverse teams where friendship is valued.

We actively promote a culture of learning within the Firm, as employees are encouraged to expand their knowledge and expertise throughout their careers – this culture of learning is underpinned by our comprehensive Development Framework.

Our world-class learning programs will help you develop as far and as fast as your talents and drive will take you, be it at entry, associate or partner level. We have over 15 global milestone training programs, attended by over 400 lawyers each year, aimed at supporting you through your career, including:

• Partner Leadership Program - A 12-month program tailored to the needs of our leaders
• New Partner Program - A program to aid your transition to the manager role
• Mid Level and Senior Associate Training Program - Regional associate courses designed to strengthen networks and build relationships with colleagues
• Lateral Partners - A program that encourages partners to inspire, coach and mentor

Our commitment to excellence also explains why more of our lawyers are included as leading lawyers in the Chambers Global Guide to the World's Best Lawyers than any other Global 20 law firm.

Our Development Framework outlines the skills and personal qualities you need to be successful when working here. This framework informs how we recruit, develop and manage our talent, with specific paths set our for attorneys, business services roles and secretaries. It also gives you a comprehensive overview of what high performance looks like in the Firm. This living document offers a clear roadmap to success, and we'll be there every step of the way to help you fulfil your potential. We have a deep understanding of the culture of business the world over and are able to bring the talent and experience needed to help you be successful. Harvard Business School has selected the framework as one of its best practice case studies on talent management.

Overseas relationships are the building blocks of our global business and the seamless way in which we work with clients. We will support your career aspirations by offering access to formal mobility programs where possible. These programs give you the chance to travel to other countries, engage with global clients, and develop your networks.

Most formal programs are designed for our lawyers, but we have many examples of Business Services employees who have carved out a career in multiple jurisdictions with the Firm.

We award International Clerkships to law students and recent graduates interested in exploring a career in law. Recipients typically work with lawyers from two different countries over a 12-week period.

The program offers you the chance to compare legal practice in two distinctive legal jurisdictions, become familiar with a legal culture different from your own and see our international practice from the inside.

An International Clerkship is only available if you wish to apply for a permanent work contract. Clerks are selected on the basis of their legal ability, interest in pursuing an international practice and their ability to speak English, as well as the working languages of the locations where they will work (if other than English).

Candidates typically need at least two years' formal legal training prior to their clerkship. Candidates in the US may qualify if they have completed two years in an ABA-approved law school JD curriculum by the time their clerkship  is set to finish. Each clerkship comes with an attractive salary and travel expenses.

Candidates interested in this opportunity need to complete a letter of application, include a full CV (including university exam results), two letters of reference from law professors or other appropriate persons qualified to evaluate your work, and a detailed statement of the educational value to you of an International Clerkship

Application deadlines

September: Argentine, Brazilian, Chilean and Colombian candidates
November: US candidates
January: All other candidates

Across the Firm, we offer opportunities for law students and graduates to work alongside our global network of lawyers through various programs and work schemes. At Baker McKenzie, everyone has a vital role to play and everyone’s voice is important. We pride ourselves on nurturing one high-performing team and are committed to the development of our people. We invite you to explore offices and practices that are of interest you.

View our United States Summer Associate Program

View our Canada Student Program

Every year we provide a number of scholarships to our associates for full-time graduate legal study outside their home jurisdictions, usually in a college or university near one of our offices. These prestigious awards are open to individuals who have been with us for at least two years and the program of study must include the completion of a graduate law degree (LLM, MCL, or similar degree). Each scholarship is awarded for a minimum of 12 months of study.

The Associate Training Program (ATP) is our flagship mobility program, having been established over 30 years ago. Hundreds of associates have participated in this program to date.

The ATP provides our associates with an excellent opportunity for development through active participation in the daily working life of the host office and being exposed to a wide range of clients and matters to enhance their on-the-job learning. ATP participants will also benefit from all the training and development opportunities offered by their hosts and we actively encourage them, wherever possible, to take LL.M courses, external Executive Education programs or similar programs available in the host jurisdiction.

The program is open to associates who have been with us for at least two years and choice of location may be influenced by - but will not be dependent upon - an associate's interest in a country, ability to speak another language, the business need of one of our clients or the need of one of our practice groups.