Bristol Direct Training Contract 2029

Burges Salmon LLP; West of England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Burges Salmon LLP in Bristol invites applications for its Training Contract 2029 (Direct Process — Bristol). Our six-seat training programme offers broad, high-quality experience across practice areas and meaningful work for leading clients from day one.

You will develop sector-specific knowledge in energy, financial services, housing, infrastructure, transport and technology, supported by a collaborative culture that values wellbeing and professional development.

Job description

Training Contract 2029 (Direct Process — Bristol)

At Burges Salmon, we don't just offer a training contract, we offer a launchpad for a career at a firm built on the pillars of exceptional client work, deep sector expertise, a genuinely collaborative culture, and a real commitment to your personal and professional development. Voted RollOnFriday 'Best Law Firm to Work at 2026' for the fifth year in a row, we're a firm where ambition and wellbeing go hand in hand.

Our six-seat training programme gives you broad, high-quality experience across our legal practices. You'll work on meaningful matters for leading clients, gain insight into our sector-focused approach, and develop strong technical foundations from day one.

Gain Real Sector-Specific Knowledge

At Burges Salmon, we are recognised for our strength across key sectors including energy and utilities, financial services, housing, infrastructure, transport, and technology. As a trainee, you'll gain high-level, sector-specific knowledge by working on live matters alongside specialists who advise some of the UK's most significant organisations. You'll develop an understanding of how commercial, regulatory, and legal issues intersect within specific industries, giving you a genuine head start in building the kind of sectoral insight that defines the best lawyers.

A Culture That Supports You

You'll be supported by collaborative, approachable people who are invested in your development, in a culture that values quality, ambition, and shared success. Burges Salmon is a firm where wellbeing, balance, and belonging are not just words, they shape how we work. Based in Bristol, you'll build your career in a city known for its quality of life, while working on matters of national and international significance.

Application Process

Important Information

• Please ensure you submit your application before 6pm (BST) on Monday 21 June 2027 to be considered.
• If you are invited to an Assessment Centre, you will need to be available to attend the Bristol office on either 21st or 22nd July 2027 — candidates select their places on a first come, first served basis. The assessment centres take place in person at the Bristol office on the above dates only, we are unable to be flexible with this. We recommend that you keep these dates free in the event that you are invited to attend an assessment centre. If you can't attend on these dates, we won't be able to progress your application.

The Application

• Once you submit your application form, you'll receive an email inviting you to complete two online assessments.
• Your application will not be considered until both assessments are completed, so please allow enough time before the deadline.

Stage 1: Emerging Talent Assessment

• Online and untimed (approx. 45 minutes).
• Simulates realistic workplace scenarios.
• Assesses decision‑making, behaviours, and preferences.
• No legal knowledge required.

Stage 2: Critical Reasoning Assessment

• Timed online test (approx. 45 minutes), completed after Stage 1.
• Measures critical thinking and evidence‑based judgement.
• Focuses on evaluating arguments, assumptions, and conclusions.
• Based on reasoning ability, not prior knowledge.

If you require any adjustments or have any accessibility requirements to complete these, please get in touch with Jess McGee at [email protected] or Grace Elliott at [email protected].

What We Offer You

You will be earning from day one. Your salary will increase each year as you become more experienced:

Training Contract Interviews

• Successful applicants after the assessment centres will be invited back for a training contract interview in August 2027 (dates to be confirmed).
• If we decide we're right for each other, you'll be offered a training contract based in our Bristol office commencing in September 2029.

Wishing you the best of luck with your application!

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage individuals with disabilities, long‑term health conditions, or impairments to apply for our roles. We regularly implement adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all candidates effectively.

We invite you to disclose any disability, long‑term health condition, or impairment so that we can provide tailored support during your application. We can make bespoke adjustments to assessments, interviews, and other stages to ensure you have an equal opportunity to excel in our recruitment process.

Applicants with a disability who meet our minimum scoring criteria will be offered a place at one of our assessment centres.

An example of an adjustment we can provide at an assessment centre is additional time to complete the written exercise.

For further discussion on potential adjustments, please contact Grace Elliott at [email protected].

Application Eligibility

Please be advised that you are eligible to apply for only one training contract process at a time within a recruitment cycle.

We recruit two years in advance so you can apply for a training contract from the second (or penultimate if you are studying a four‑year course) year of a qualifying law degree or the final year of a non‑law degree. We also welcome applicants that have graduated or are changing careers.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].

Deadline to apply: 6pm (BST) 21 June 2027.