At Bowmans, our graduate recruitment team recognise the spark ignited by knowing your why – it’s the catalyst that drives us, too. As a pan-African purpose- and value-driven firm, with a reputation for excellence, our culture of collaboration is not simply about adding people together, it is about multiplying their potential for the benefit of our clients.
We are the how to your why because we understand the value of knowing.
Our graduate recruitment team offers a variety of programmes at our respective offices to give graduates access to on-the-job training and mentorship; experience and exposure to various areas of law; and the ability to interact with our highly competent professionals. If you participate in one of our graduate recruitment programmes, you can develop your professional experience and form lasting relationships.
You are a graduate with purpose, and we are a firm with vision – aligned in our pursuit to give those who place their trust in us the confidence to build a better tomorrow.
It only takes one step.
Our Application Process
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Mauris vitae egestas non suscipit pellentesque blandit. Imperdiet tempus diam lobortis ut amet ultricies. Leo commodo semper pharetra sit eleifend sit ac. Faucibus interdum euismod quisque ut habitant sed pretium.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Mauris vitae egestas non suscipit pellentesque blandit. Imperdiet tempus diam lobortis ut amet ultricies. Leo commodo semper pharetra sit eleifend sit ac. Faucibus interdum euismod quisque ut habitant sed pretium.
One of our greatest strengths is our culture, which is friendly and informal and offers you the freedom to mould your own success within a supportive environment.
Our firm is not simply a place of work; it is also the place where professional experience is developed and lasting relationships are formed. In working with us you will get access to:
- Specialist expertise.
- High performance culture.
- Exposure to top quality work.
- Experience across four rotations.
- Personal and professional growth.
Bowmans Articles: Candidate Attorney Programme
We offer a comprehensive two-year programme for you, as a candidate attorney, to serve your articles with us. Participants are exposed to high-level corporate law under the guidance of industry leaders, coupled with countless training opportunities.
Bowmans Break: Vacation Work Programme
Our vacation programme provides an opportunity for you to meet us and get a glimpse of the day-to-day activities of an attorney practising in a leading law firm.
All you need to do is create your profile and enrol to complete one (or more) of the activities on offer click here.
Bowmans Bursary Programme
We offer bursaries to students with excellent matric results hoping to study law and exceptional university students currently studying law. To submit your online application please click here to apply. The online platform generates your profile and allows for you to include a motivation for your application. Matric scholars: please attach your Grade 11 final results as well as your latest Grade 12 results. Matriculants: please upload a copy of your National Senior Certificate. Tertiary students: please upload a copy your comprehensive university transcript, Matric Certificate, Identity Document and a marked legal assignment.
- We look for students studying towards B.Com Law, BA Law or LLB degrees.
- Our lawyers are team players. They are committed to excellence and deliver high quality service. Most importantly, they possess a passion for the law. So, we look for well-rounded people with a high level of academic achievement and commercial awareness.
- Applications must be submitted online from 1 July 2023 until 31 December 2024.
- The graduate recruitment team and selected partners of the firm will screen your application to assess your eligibility.
- If your online application is successful, we will invite you to our two-day selection programme. Over these two days, you will have a number of opportunities to prove yourself as an individual and within a group setting.
A Word from the Graduates
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Mauris vitae egestas non suscipit pellentesque blandit. Imperdiet tempus diam lobortis ut amet ultricies. Leo commodo semper pharetra sit eleifend sit ac. Faucibus interdum euismod quisque ut habitant sed pretium.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Mauris vitae egestas non suscipit pellentesque blandit. Imperdiet tempus diam lobortis ut amet ultricies. Leo commodo semper pharetra sit eleifend sit ac. Faucibus interdum euismod quisque ut habitant sed pretium.
Our Programmes
We provide graduate recruitment opportunities for pupils in our Kenyan and Mauritian offices; for candidate legal practitioners in our South African offices; for interns in our Tanzanian office; and for learner legal practitioners in our Zambian office.
In addition, our Virtual Experience Programme specialising in Kenyan and South African law is accessible to all aspiring lawyers internationally. It provides an
opportunity for anyone to participate in some of the tasks we would normally assign to students on-site. This online self-paced programme requires no prior experience and is designed to provide a sneak peek into the world of corporate law at Bowmans. Create a profile and enrol to complete one (or more) of the five modules on offer here.
See below for detailed information on the programmes offered by our Kenyan and South African practices. Please submit an enquiry to the relevant office using the Contact Us functionality for further information about our graduate programmes in Mauritius, Tanzania and Zambia.
In Kenya, we offer pupillage and virtual experience programmes. In working with us, you will get access to:
- On-the-job training and mentorship from our specialist lawyers.
- The chance to work on top-quality legal matters.
- Our high-performance culture.
- Experience and exposure to various practice areas as a result of rotations.
- The ability to interact with our highly competent team.
Virtual Work Experience Programme
Our virtual experience programme enables you to participate in some of the tasks we would normally assign to students on site. This online self-paced programme requires no prior experience and is designed to grant you a sneak peek into the world of corporate law at Bowmans. There are five modules for you to work through. Complete all of them and move a step closer to identifying whether a career in corporate law is for you and possibly your preferred area of law. On completion, you will be awarded a certificate that you can add to your resume and social media profiles.
We look for lawyers aspiring to complete their training as Kenyan advocates - well-rounded people with a high level of academic achievement and commercial awareness. To be considered for a pupillage position, applicants must:
- have a KCSE Certificate (or equivalent) and be able to demonstrate strong academic achievement.
- have an LLB student qualification (upper second-class honours and above).
- be admitted to the Advocate Training Programme at the Kenya School of Law.
- be outgoing, curious, ambitious and commercially minded with a passion to succeed as a lawyer in a top law firm in Africa.
- 2026 Pupillage Applications
The application window for the 2026 intake has now closed.
The selection process, involving interviews and written assessments, is underway.
We look forward to welcoming a new batch of pupils and continuing our tradition of nurturing the next generation of legal professionals.
- Pupillage Programme
2027 Pupillage applications: we are now accepting applications. Apply by clicking here.
Submit your application by 31 March 2026. The selection process, including interviews and written assessments, will commence in May 2026.
We look forward to welcoming a new batch of pupils and continuing our tradition of nurturing the next generation of legal professionals.
- Virtual Work Experience Programme
Click here to create a profile and enrol to complete one (or more) of the activities on offer.
OUR PEOPLE
Shalin Ledwaba
Head of Talent Acquisition
PABALLO LETHALE
Graduate Development Manager
REATILE MOLEFE
Graduate Recruitment Consultant
Palesa Thulare
Graduate Administrator
Our People
Shalin Ledwaba
Head of Talent Acquisition
KASHEER SINGH
Graduate Recruitment Manager
PABALLO MOTSOANE
Graduate Development Consultant
REATILE MOLEFE
Graduate Recruitment Administrator
Keep up to date on the latest news
Our specialist practitioners share their knowledge and insights into a range of legal issues through various public speaking engagements, publications and media interactions. Subscribe to our legal updates to keep abreast of new developments.