graduate recruitment programme (GRP)

You may be asking what kind of future could I build if I joined Bowman Gilfillan? At Bowman Gilfillan we look for LLB Graduates with the four fundamentals grit, drive, depth and passion.

who are we

We’re ambitious, aiming to be the leading firm in Africa. This strategic drive into the rest of Africa presents exciting challenges and professional growth opportunities. We are unsurpassed in the make-up of our client-base and the nature of work we do. One of our greatest strengths is that Bowman Gilfillan’s culture is congenial and informal.

For those who work at Bowman Gilfillan it is not simply their place of work, it is also the place where professional experience is developed and lasting relationships are formed.

personal development programme

The transition from student to professional life can be challenging: new rules, a new culture and new expectations. As a Candidate Attorney (CA) at Bowman Gilfillan, you will take part in a Personal Development Programme that supports you and equips you with the skills to face the challenges of being a young professional – from professional etiquette, personality in the workplace, work-life balance and getting the most out of your career.

Of course your legal training is critical. You will move through different areas of the firm’s practice in six-month rotations. Corporate department training prepares you for practice, and covers taking instructions, drafting opinions and contracts, corporate entities and tax. Comprising weekly lectures over ten months, the informal and interactive course serves as a forum where you can discuss work with your fellow CAs.

You will also take part in an eight-week litigation skills training module, presented by our Litigation department directors over one-hour sessions. Covering insolvency litigation as well as the practical and strategic aspects of Magistrates’ and High Court, the module is designed to give you access to our senior practitioners’ wealth of experience prior to the attorney’s admission exams. Should you choose to practice litigation, this module will give you the confidence to tackle real-life litigation and dispute resolution from the outset. In our Cape Town offices, you will be trained in Maritime & Transport.

For CAs and associates in the Employment Law department, there is an opportunity every week to research, prepare and present a topic for discussion – usually on a recent development in the law. These meetings are as inclusive as possible, and encourage discussion on matters in which people are involved to obtain input and advice from members of the department.

vacation programme

The goal of our vacation programme, which is run for a period of two weeks in both the summer and winter vacations, is to introduce law students to the firm, its lawyers and practice, with as realistic an experience in a major law firm as possible.  We put a lot of effort into involving students in our legal work. 

Students will be exposed to a series of talks and discussions.  Opportunities exist for both the vacation student and the firm to learn more about each other, through working together and social events which are organized.  Posters advertising the vacation programme will appear on campus. 

The summer programme is usually in December/January and the winter programme is usually in June/July. It is advisable to have at least 1 year's academic results to be eligible for consideration.