SJ Berwin LLP is a pan-European law firm and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 1982 by four partners with the objective of Providing outstanding legal advice in a dynamic and "different" environment. The firm’s growth has been fast and furious, and in less than 20 years it has achieved Top 20 City Firm status.

Much of SJ Berwin’s work is international, and clients range from major multinational business Corporations and financial institutions to high net-worth individuals. As a result, the firm has established a strong reputation in corporate finance.

With offices in London, Brussels, Madrid, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Milan and Turin, the firm has over 500 fee-earners and 170 partners.

Main areas of work

SJ Berwin was created and continues to thrive as a leading-edge legal services business, focusing on the European and international marketplace. Our clients are sophisticated buyers of legal services, principally entrepreneurial companies and financial institutions, whom we advise on a comprehensive range of services including: corporate finance, commercial, real estate, finance, reconstruction and insolvency, financial services, litigation, employment and pensions. competition, and
Departments often work together to provide business solutions for our clients.

The training environment

The two-year training contract is divided into four six-month seats. As over 50% of the firm’s fee-earners work in the corporate division, trainees can expect to spend at least half of their training contract there (including finance). Trainees may also choose to take a Corporate or EU seat in one of the firms European offices. Trainees are given early reponsibility and are supported throughout the training contract. All trainees are assigned to a supervising partner and have regular informal update meetings to assess their progress.