Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has launched a training contract in Myanmar.
The firm opened in the East Asian country at the end of 2015 and is already looking to recruit one trainee to practise English and Welsh law in the jurisdiction, starting in September 2017.
The candidate must speak fluent Burmese and have passed the Legal Practice Course. The deadline for applications is 30 June.
A BLP spokesperson told Lawyer 2B that the opportunity is suited to Burmese potential ‘repats’ who have studied abroad but who want to return home to pursue opportunities in the new Myanmar.
The firm envisions that the successful candidate would also complete seats in London and potentially other offices over the course of the training contract to get full exposure to the firm, but would work in Myanmar on qualification.
Chris Hughes, the head of BLP’s Myanmar office, said: “This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious grad who wants to get in on the ground floor of a changing Myanmar. It’s currently forecast to be the fastest growing economy in the world and we’re investing in our team for the long term.”
The firm is the first to offer a training contract in Myanmar, though others have offered English and Welsh training in other jurisdictions. In 2014, Clifford Chance launched a Middle East graduate scheme that sees trainees split their time between London and Dubai. Allen & Overy will take trainees in its Middle Eastern offices from this year.
