Fieldfisher has launched its first ever training contract scheme in Birmingham, set to commence in September 2017.

Birmingham, Rotunda, Bull Ring

The London-headquartered firm merged with Birmingham-based Hill Hofstetter in November 2016, establishing the firm in the city for the first time.

Now it is looking to recruit either one or two trainees for next autumn, meaning that applicants will need to have already passed the LPC and be ready to start in September. The application process includes verbal reasoning and inductive reasoning tests and the deadline for the scheme will close on 15 April.

Trainees will have the chance to rotate between four practice areas, with employment, real estate, dispute resolution and corporate on offer in Birmingham. However, “nothing is set in stone yet” according to Fieldfisher recruitment advisor Mathieu Pinto Cardoso, who told Lawyer 2B: “While the majority of the work for the trainees will be in Birmingham, there is always the opportunity for cross office work and the chance for international work”.

While the firm has not revealed details of how much trainees will be paid, Cardoso told Lawyer 2B that it is “looking to ensure that our salary is competitive in the Birmingham market.”

Chris Hill, Fieldfisher’s managing partner in Birmingham said: “This is the first trainee scheme since we merged with Fieldfisher. We are delighted to offer this opportunity and know that our new trainees will benefit from working across our European network and international clients.”

London firms launching regional training contracts is becoming a trend. Last August, Hogan Lovells recruited its first set of trainees in Birmingham, while only last week Berwin Leighton Paisner revealed that it is to take on trainees in Manchester.