Firm bolsters graduate recruitment - graduate jobs

SJ Berwin has named City litigation partner Nicola Bridge as its new co-head of graduate recruitment.

The appointment comes as SJ Berwin kicks off a joint Masters programme with BPP Law School, with the first full week of training taking place this week.

The BPP deal, which was signed last autumn for a two-year period, will see SJ Berwin trainees taught about general business as well as law, in an effort to boost understanding of client requirements.

The additional business and finance modules, which will be taken after the Legal Practice Course during the training contract, will mean trainees will gain a newly-approved Masters in law with business degree from BPP.

Bridge has replaced Laura O'Neill as co-head of graduate recruitment alongside existing co-head, real estate partner Bryan Pickup. O'Neill moved to Greenberg Traurig Maher last month.

Pickup and O'Neill had shared the role since 2007 when they took over from employment partner Hilary O'Connor.

Pickup commented: "Having two partners responsible for graduate recruitment has proved a good system and having two partners from different practice groups adds balance to the process."

SJ Berwin hires around 40 trainees each year.