Sector experts,|leading specialists

<p>Pursuing a career in law seemed like a natural choice after studying history at university, as the skill set required was largely similar. Being analytical, detail-oriented and the ability to summarise large quantities of information were skills I was good at and enjoyed using in my degree, and I knew I would need these same skills as a solicitor.</p> <p>I was attracted to Bristows because of their cutting edge work and respected client base. In a world that’s becoming increasingly reliant on technology, the firm’s tech and life sciences focus indicated to me that Bristows was at the forefront of innovation and helping their clients achieve the same, and I was excited to get involved in such work. I was able to visit the firm twice before I applied – first for a diversity event run by Aspiring Solicitors and second for a pre-application talk. Everyone I met was friendly and had distinct personalities – no two people were alike. From this, I got the sense that Bristows was a diverse and inclusive firm that would support me throughout my career.</p> <p>The recruitment process was relatively straightforward as aside from the initial video interview, there are only two interviews and a written exercise. This was refreshing after having done multiple psychometric tests and assessment centers at other firms. I liked the firm’s emphasis on face-to-face interviews, as I felt like my interviewers really wanted to get to know me as a person in addition to assessing my abilities. The interviews were admittedly challenging at times, but I walked away satisfied that I’d been given the opportunity to present my best self. I was able to start the GDL soon after receiving my training contract offer, which again was challenging at times but manageable, and I enjoyed sharing the experience with some of my future trainee colleagues.</p> <p>My first seat in commercial IP/IT has been really interesting so far as the team is divided into IP, IT and data protection, so I’ve been able to sample a range of work from all three areas. There have been some late nights but these are the exception rather than the rule, and overall everyone is very appreciative of the work you do. Although I’ve only been here a few months, the firm is very social and each intake is small so you get to know everyone quickly. I look forward to my next seat in Brands.</p>

<p>I enjoyed studying biochemistry at university but knew that laboratory life was not for me. I worked on several projects alongside my degree, including a magazine about the science behind beauty products and a mobile app, which piqued my interest in intellectual property. After graduating I worked as a policy advisor to the Government Chief Scientific Advisor, and particularly enjoyed projects on health, emerging technology, and data. I knew I wanted to continue working in this space, and Bristows stood out to me as having a sector focus that matched my interest.</p> <p>I applied for the summer workshop and came away feeling Bristows would be a great fit for me given the IP work and friendly culture (and the snacks). The training contract application process was straightforward and the interviews felt more like discussions rather than a grilling. The reality at Bristows very much matches the sense I got before joining: the people are approachable regardless of seniority, the work is interesting and challenging, and the small trainee intake makes for a supportive and social experience. I am currently in Patent Litigation and look forward to experiencing a mixture of contentious and non-contentious seats in the rest of my first year.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Despite really enjoying my degree in Chemistry, I was pretty sure that I was not cut out for a career in the lab and this left me confused over what steps to take after University. During the summer before my masters I spent nine weeks working for a bank; I enjoyed the commercial and client-facing sides of the job but I found myself missing my studies too. After attending the STEM open day at Bristows I realised that work as an IP lawyer would enable me to still be involved in the life sciences sector while also allowing me to work with clients and apply what I had learnt in a commercial context.</p> <p>Once I had decided to pursue law, there was no question that I would not apply to Bristows – they are a leading firm in intellectual property and both the life sciences and technology sectors. Plus, I had seen for myself that they were a very open and friendly firm who valued people with a science background.</p> <p>Before applying, I first attended the Winter Workshop which is a two-day workshop where I was able to learn more about the firm and different areas of law, such as competition and real estate, which were new to me. After the Workshop we were invited to apply for the Bristows training contract by writing a short letter to the firm explaining why we would like to be considered. The training contract interview process then involves two separate interviews where partners will find out more about your background and personality while also testing your critical thinking skills. Although I was nervous, everyone involved went out of their way to put me at easy and help me perform to the best of my abilities.</p> <p>Once you have received a training contract offer you must complete the GDL (graduate diploma in law) and LPC (legal practice course) which are both a year long. Despite being initially sceptical, I really enjoyed my time studying these courses. It was refreshing, after four years of Chemistry, to be learning about a whole new area. I found the skills I had developed during my degree were invaluable when studying the GDL as good answers required you to be both analytical and methodical. Since starting my training contract I have used the skills and knowledge I gained from the GDL, LPC and my degree as my work ranges from in-depth scientific research to drafting contracts for technology firms. It’s great coming into work now the office has re-opened and there have been some really fun team socials, including a recent team trip to play shuffle board. I would highly recommend applying to Bristows as they offer the opportunity to work on challenging projects with well-known clients while also encouraging you to grow as a person and develop your own skills and interests, both inside and outside of work.</p>

<p>Having studied Biology at the University of Bath, I began my career working within the pharmaceutical industry. After working in sales and marketing roles for three years I decided to make the leap into law. At the time this felt like a daunting change but I was ready for a new challenge. As businesses face both opportunities and uncertainties, the legal profession is adapting in parallel and I was excited to be intellectually stimulated and working at the cutting edge of scientific advancements. Having a science background has equipped me with many valuable transferable skills, such as analytical thinking, attention to detail and time management. Familiarity with scientific concepts has boosted my confidence when assisting on matters within my first seat, patent litigation.</p> <p>Bristows has provided me with the opportunity to work with like-minded individuals and experts within the field of IP. When applying for training contracts, I admired Bristows’ genuine commitment to embracing diversity and individual personalities. Within this inclusive culture, you are encouraged to bring your true self to work, with differences valued as strengths.</p> <p>I applied directly to Bristows for a training contract. My fellow trainees have spoken highly of the workshops and open days, but it is certainly not a pre-requisite to have attended these. The application process was more straightforward than others, with an initial video interview followed by two face-to-face interviews. The questions were intellectual and required me to think outside the box. However, I did not feel they were an attempt to catch me out, rather a chance to explore my thought process. Refreshingly, my interviewers were also interested in my hobbies outside of work. Overall it was a very personable experience, with friendly small talk and even snacks provided in the interview room!</p> <p>Since commencing my training contract I have enjoyed working with a wide variety of people on several very different matters, from pharmaceutical innovation to technology. As each intake is small, I have had ample opportunity to connect with my fellow trainees and we have developed a genuine friendship and invaluable support network.</p>

<p>I studied Natural Sciences at university with the intention of undertaking the GDL and pursuing a career in law with a particular interest in intellectual property. I was keen on pursuing a career that allowed me to combine my love for the analytical side of science alongside the creativity of the law.</p> <p>Applying to Bristows was a no-brainer for me. Its leading reputation in the life sciences and technology industries is unrivalled. I attended the summer workshop and after experiencing the firm’s unique working culture, it cemented my impression that Bristows was where I wanted to train.</p> <p>Bristows’ approach to “keeping things simple” was reflected in the application process, it was the most streamlined I’d been through. I found both my interviews a nice balance of personal and technical questions but what stood out most was feeling like the firm was interested in getting to know me as an individual.</p> <p>My first few months here have exceeded my expectations –in a short period of time I’ve learned an immense amount and had the opportunity to take responsibility for my own matters. I’ve found everyone (from partners to fellow trainees) to be friendly, supportive and invested in my training and development. I’ve made some life-long friends and can firmly say I enjoy coming to work every day.</p> <p>I look forward to the rest of my training contract and being exposed to a wide range of IP-focused work.</p>

<p>I joined Bristows after studying law and working in-house for four years, two as a paralegal and two as a privacy analyst. Bristows stood out for its Tier 1 data protection and technology practice as well as its unique culture. I keep pinching myself at how lucky I am to have landed at a firm where everyone is invested in creating a friendly work environment. This combined with the fantastic quality of work is the golden ticket.</p> <p>I chose law because I’ve always enjoyed getting stuck into the detail of something and helping to unravel complex problems. It’s incredibly satisfying when you conduct research and find a piece of information that gets the team closer to a solution. After working in-house I wanted to go into private practice to be closer to the cutting edge problem solving rather than being in a compliance and review role.</p> <p>I remember the first interview feeling almost too relaxed. We ended up on a tangent talking about non- alcoholic beer brands and I genuinely thought I’d blown my chances until they called me back in for a second round. The interviews are a combination of technical and cultural fit questions but they’re always looking to see if you’d be the kind of person they’d enjoy sharing an office with.</p> <p>I’ve been in the commercial, technology & copyright disputes team for my first seat and have really enjoyed the balance of research, drafting and review work. I haven’t been drowning in bundling as you might expect. As a trainee you’re encouraged to really engage with the detail which is really rewarding when the team leans on your knowledge for support. Furthermore, you’re always surrounded by incredibly bright colleagues which really ups your game.</p>

<p>I studied Law at university which led me to undertake work experience that confirmed I wanted to pursue a legal career. However, in considering what kind of firm I wanted to join and complete my training contract with, it was important for me to find a place that I suited, both in terms of interests and the working environment.</p> <p>I chose to apply to Bristows’ spring workshop as I was drawn to their reputation in IP having enjoyed studying it at university. The guaranteed IP focus during a training contract at Bristows appealed to me, but during the workshop I realised Bristows had so much more to offer as a full service firm. Many firms advertise themselves as having an open work culture, but I definitely experienced the friendly nature of Bristows during the workshop. I was surprised at how easy it was to speak to people across the whole firm, and that people remembered me from the workshop when I went through the interview process, and even now – two years later on my training contract!</p> <p>The interviews I had at Bristows were really enjoyable and I could tell that the firm was interested in me as a person rather than just what I could do for them. This has been reflected in how I have found my time at Bristows so far. I have felt welcome and included as well as been given a number of engaging tasks, all within my first few months. Bristows’ events returned just in time for the start of my training contract so it has been great to socialise in person with people at the firm, and this has only confirmed to me that I made the right choice in joining Bristows.</p>

<p>I made the transition to law having studied biochemistry for my undergraduate degree in Canada and worked full-time in a structural biology lab. Although I really enjoyed learning scientific concepts and applying my knowledge of biochemistry to solve problems, I learned that I needed a career that was people-facing and involved extensive teamwork and collaboration. The switch to law has given me the opportunity to apply the problem-solving aspects that I loved about biochemistry to a career that emphasises collaboration and communication. I still have a passion for science, so I wanted to explore the possibility of joining a firm with a strong IP practice. Bristows stood out as not only a top-tier firm for IP, but also as having a sector focus on technology and life sciences across all its practice areas. This meant that I could explore different areas of law over the course of my training contract, while constantly acting for clients in sectors that interest me.</p> <p>Although the interview was challenging, it was challenging in a good way. My interviewers had clearly taken the time to extensively read through my CV and my application, and this was reflected in that many of their questions were tailored to my past experiences and areas that I had indicated I was passionate about. I was asked about past coursework and work experiences that were relevant to my application , so I was comfortable during the interview discussing subject areas that I was personally interested in. I did not know anyone at Bristows before joining, but it was clear from reading reviews and the experiences of others online before my interview that the culture at Bristows was quite different to other top firms in London. The firm’s approach is extremely progressive, and there is a great emphasis on work/life balance and an understanding that people need to have a life outside of work to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. I really like the size of the intake group as well , with 10 new trainees coming in each year. This really gives you an opportunity to connect with everyone in your intake group. The culture of the firm is known to be supportive and friendly, and so far I have certainly found this to be the case, which has really helped my transition into a new career.</p> <p>As a trainee in the corporate department, you are given a very diverse variety of tasks. This means that for the first couple of months there is a steep learning curve as you are constantly being taught tasks for the first time. These types of tasks include legal research, managing all the documents required for a transaction, and drafting documents such as board minutes. The partners and associates have ensured that I’ve had plenty of interactions with clients and their counsel, both by email and on Teams calls. Trainees are trusted with a lot of responsibility, which is very rewarding and  definitely would not be the case at many firms in London! My favourite part of being a trainee so far is seeing how partners interact with clients and negotiate important transactions on their behalf.</p>

<p>As someone with a strong interest in intellectual property law and a personal emphasis on seeking out positive and collaborative professional environments, Bristows was a natural first choice. The firm’s leading IP practice means that the clients and issues being taken on as a legal professional are dynamic, thought-provoking and have significance in the development of law and practice in this area.</p> <p>I completed my BA LLB in South Africa and my LLM in intellectual property law at the University of Edinburgh. I spent a couple of years working in Geneva at an international trade law think tank and the World Intellectual Property Organisation before deciding to embark on the road to qualification. I was excited to complete my qualification in a world-leading jurisdiction and in a top-class specialised firm.</p> <p>From its recruitment process to the training experience, Bristows is very human-focused, and it delivers on its promise of a friendly, approachable and inclusive workplace culture every day. Along with the breadth of cutting-edge matters the firm engages with, this sets Bristows apart in a very meaningful way.</p>