BCLP launches new summer placement and training opportunities

Students in the dual degree program will benefit from the unique opportunity to work in BCLP’s London office, the firm’s largest, followed by its fastest growing office – Paris – where BCLP has more than tripled in size as part of a focused growth strategy. Building on the success of BCLP’s strategic plan, students will experience how a fully integrated global law firm delivers legal services across multiple international jurisdictions, while at the same time collaborating to anticipate emerging needs for clients. As such, students of this new European program will be eligible to apply for a four-week summer vacation scheme at BCLP’s London office following their second year at Queen Mary.  If successful, there is the opportunity of a further eight-week secondment in BCLP’s Paris office after the third year of study at Paris 1.

For those who want to pursue a career in law, students can then apply and be assessed for a training contract based at either our London or Paris offices towards the end of the summer placement in Paris (at the end of the student’s third year of study in Paris).

The successful applicants will also be supported by BCLP as they complete the required post-degree professional training, qualifying either as a solicitor in England and Wales or as an avocat in France.

The window for applications will open in September 2022 and close on 15 January 2023.

The program is led by Chloe Muir, head of emerging talent, EMEAA, BCLP.

UK Partner In Charge Segun Osuntokun, said: “We’re thrilled that we are able to offer the students this unique experience across our two European offices with a pathway to potentially securing a training contract across our London or Paris office. In an increasingly global world the legal experience they will gain through exposure of working internationally and the breadth of legal practices within BCLP will stand them in good stead for a long and successful career in law.”

Paris Co-Partner In Charge Olivier Mesmin, added: “This opportunity also reflects the increasing needs of our clients to have lawyers who, not only advise on legal matters, but understand different business cultures and the exposure to both during their training is a unique opportunity for them.”

How the program works

Summer placements for students during the Queen Mary and Paris 1 double degree in English and French Law

Training Contract options for students after the Queen Mary and Paris 1 double degree in English and French Law

Dr. Matthieu Burnay, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Global Law and Co-Director International, School of Law, Queen Mary University of London said: “We are very excited to be working with BCLP’s London and Paris teams to offer students on the Double Degree program we run with Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne a unique opportunity for work experience in different cities as they study.  We are always aiming to build global mind-sets in our students and now, in addition to studying both English and French law through their degree, they can experience first-hand what legal practice is like in the London and Paris offices of a global firm – plus they will have the opportunity to then apply for a training contract in either country.”

Dr. Nigel Spencer, Director, Hub for Professional Practice, School of Law, Queen Mary University of London added: “At Queen Mary we are always aiming to build practical experience into our degrees, and to help our students to understand their breadth of career options.  With the international English and French Law degree we run with Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, it’s great that we can partner with BCLP to offer students the option of developing a career path either in London or Paris, depending how they see their next career step.  The placements in each City will allow the students experiences of working in different legal systems, practice areas and with international clients.”

Professor Edouard Treppoz, Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne commented: “ We are thrilled to offer to our students of the Double Degree between Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and Queen Mary University of London a rich and unique program of internship.  Being able to study in two different legal systems, our students will now also have the opportunity to work in different cities, enriching their global understanding of law. We are proud of this fruitful collaboration between academics and practitioners with one clear goal: to ensure that our students are ready to be the best.”