Lawyers launch graduate programme - graduate jobs

An expansion by US corporate lawyers Ropes & Gray has prompted the establishment of a formal arrangement to recruit graduates for its London office.

The company said it will begin taking on legal trainees in 2011 through a scheme being organised by joint office leaders Maurice Allen and Mike Goetz, as well as client director Catherine McGonagle.

Ms McGonagle, who runs the London office's client programmes and its "knowledge and learning systems", has been meeting the Law Society and a few universities to try and reach an agreement on the scheme.

Mr Goetz said: "We have undertaken some of the initial legwork but it is a long drawn-out process and it will take a while until the recruitment becomes integral to the firm. Luckily we are able to build on our fantastic reputation in the States in order to make sure we have access to a large talent pool."

Ropes & Gray moved into offices at 5 New Street Square in January 2009.