Burges Salmon: Trials Sector-Focused Training Contracts for 2029 Cohort

• Burges Salmon is piloting sector-focused training contracts for its 2029 trainee cohort.
• The new pathways will specialize in the energy and built environment sectors, with one place allocated to each.
• Trainees will still complete a six-seat program but work with sector-specific supervisors.
• This initiative is part of the firm's 2026–31 strategy to enhance sector expertise and attract talent.
• Applications for these specialized roles open on October 30, following the same selection process as traditional contracts.

Fairley articulated that the introduction of sector-focused training contracts aims to cultivate this deep understanding from the very beginning of a lawyer's career.

Burges Salmon has announced a new initiative to introduce sector-focused training contracts, marking a significant development in its approach to legal talent development. The firm plans to pilot these specialized pathways with its 2029 trainee cohort, initially offering two distinct routes: one dedicated to the energy sector and another to the built environment. These new opportunities will run concurrently with the firm's established traditional training contract program.

Trainees selected for these specialized pathways will still undertake Burges Salmon's comprehensive six-seat program, ensuring they gain broad experience across various practice areas. However, a key distinction is that these individuals will collaborate with supervisors who possess specific expertise within their chosen sectors, providing tailored guidance and immersion. Applications for these new positions are scheduled to commence on October 30, aligning with the firm's broader recruitment drive for trainees, and candidates will undergo the same rigorous selection process as those applying for general training contracts.

This strategic move by Burges Salmon is an integral component of its overarching 2026–31 strategy. The firm's long-term objectives include enhancing its sector-specific knowledge base and making substantial investments in the ongoing training and professional development of its legal professionals. This forward-looking approach is designed to attract both new clients seeking specialized expertise and top-tier future legal talent.

Ross Fairley, a senior partner at Burges Salmon, emphasized the rationale behind this innovation, stating that clients operate within dynamic and intricate markets. He highlighted the necessity for legal advisors who not only comprehend the law but also grasp the political, technological, and commercial forces that shape their organizations. Fairley articulated that the introduction of sector-focused training contracts aims to cultivate this deep understanding from the very beginning of a lawyer's career. Alice Bretherton, the firm's chief people officer, further added that this initiative will empower talented individuals to pursue their specific sector interests while still benefiting from the comprehensive legal training, diverse experiences, and robust support system inherent in the firm's existing program.

The introduction of these specialized training contracts by Burges Salmon aligns with a discernible trend across the legal industry, particularly since the implementation of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE framework brought about a relaxation of previous regulations concerning the mandatory content for trainee solicitors, thereby affording firms greater flexibility in structuring their training programs. This shift has enabled numerous firms to innovate and offer more targeted development pathways.

For instance, BCLP pioneered sector-specific routes in financial services and real estate in 2021, while Milbank launched a training contract focused on leveraged finance last year. More recently, Gowling WLG unveiled a real estate training contract, and Simpson Thacher introduced a program centered on private equity. Burges Salmon, according to the 2027 Legal Cheek Firms Most List, typically offers 30 training contracts annually, with applications open for its Bristol and Edinburgh offices. The firm provides competitive remuneration, with first-year trainees in Bristol earning £51,500, increasing to £53,500 in their second year, and reaching £78,000 upon qualification. In Edinburgh, the corresponding salaries are £44,250 for first-year trainees, £46,500 for second-year trainees, and £74,000 for newly qualified solicitors.

Source: Original reporting via Legal Cheek