Bristol Winter Vacation Scheme 2026

Burges Salmon; West of England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Expense allowance

Job summary

Burges Salmon invites high-calibre students to join a week‑long vacation scheme, embedded in our practice groups to gain sector‑specific insight across energy, financial services, housing, infrastructure, transport and technology. You’ll attend client meetings, participate in skills sessions and see how teams deliver integrated legal advice on live matters.

We support applicants from day one, with potential progression to a training contract commencing in September 2029, subject to performance.

Qualifications

• Stage 1: Emerging Talent Assessment – online untimed (approx. 45 minutes) and Stage 2: Critical Reasoning Assessment – timed online test (approx. 45 minutes).
• Vacation Scheme runs 30 November – 4 December 2026 and leads to a training contract commencing September 2029.

Job description

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. During the scheme, you won't just observe, you'll be embedded within our practice groups and 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.

What You'll Experience

During the week‑long scheme, you'll engage in meaningful, hands‑on work and have the opportunity to:

• Attend client meetings and departmental briefings to see how we deliver advice at the highest level.
• Participate in tailored skills sessions designed to develop your legal and professional capabilities.
• Gain exposure to our cross‑sector approach, understanding how our teams collaborate to deliver integrated solutions for clients.
• Build connections across the firm through social and sports events, immersing yourself in our inclusive and supportive culture — one where people genuinely enjoy working together.

A Culture That Supports You

Burges Salmon is a firm where wellbeing, balance, and belonging are not just words, they shape how we work. We invest in our people from day one, and our vacation scheme reflects that. You'll see a firm where high‑quality work goes hand in hand with a culture of respect, flexibility, and support.

Your Path to a Training Contract

If you impress us during your vacation scheme, you could be invited back for a training contract interview on the final day of the scheme, a significant step towards your legal career with us. If we decide we're right for each other, you'll be offered a training contract commencing in September 2029.

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.
• Vacation Scheme — 30 November – 4 December 2026

What We Offer You

• £450 would be paid to cover expenses.

Disability Confidence Statement

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.

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.