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TOP LAW FIRMS for TRAINING CONTRACTS & VACATION SCHEMES 2015-16

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AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Hello Welcome to the AllAboutLaw Top Law Firms for training contracts & vacation schemes 2015-16. This guide has been created by the team at AllAboutLaw.co.uk and showcases the best law firms in the UK for vacation schemes and training contracts. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also full of useful tips, advice and information on first year opportunities, international secondments, commercial awareness, types of law firm and diversity within the legal sector. With special thanks to...

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Contents 06

Top Law Firms 2015-16

Advice

Award Winners

Vacation Schemes Training Contracts First Year Opportunities Diversity Comercial Awareness

Secondments

Types of Law Firm City International National Scottish US

66 67 68 69 70

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

14 22 32 40 52 58

120

Areas of Law

Featured Firms

Contract Criminal Equity & Trusts EU Land Public Tort Alternative Dispute Resolution Banking & Finance Commercial Construction Corporate Employment Financial Markets Intellectual Property Litigation Private Client Private Equity Reputation Management Shipping Law Sports & Media Tax TMT White Collar Crime

74 75 76 77 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 118

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Why? We firmly believe that an aspiring solicitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision to apply to a law firm should be based on more than just a hunch. Before sending off an application, you should know what working for a firm is really like. Who better to ask than the people who have been there and done it already? Our rankings are based on feedback from

solicitors alike. For the firm, vacation schemes

current trainees and recent vacation scheme

provide an insight into the pool of talented

students, who were asked to rate their firm,

law students out there; for the student,

their training and their overall experience.

vacation schemes provide a real insight to

The guide gives equal attention to both

life as a solicitor at a particular firm. This is a

training contracts and vacation schemes.

unique guide that allows aspiring solicitors

This is because vacation schemes are just

to compare the best vacation schemes and

as important for law firms and budding

training contracts in the same place!

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

How? Our rankings are a result of employee satisfaction surveys: one survey for training contracts, another survey for vacation schemes. The training contract surveys were

were decided by a student panel. Law firms

completed anonymously by first year

submitted a nomination form for each award

trainees, second year trainees and first year

and these were assessed by our panel.

NQs. The vacation scheme surveys were completed by first year trainees who had

The members of the judging panel were:

previously completed a vacation scheme with the firm, or former vacation scheme

Martin Partington, author of An

students who have been offered a training

Introduction to the English Legal System,

contract with the firm, but are yet to start.

published by Oxford University Press.

Each survey inquired about a variety of topics,

Max Harris, Committee chair of

including job satisfaction, training, skills

the Junior Lawyers’ Division of The

development, career progression, company

Law Society of England & Wales.

culture, level of responsibility given, team

Michael Eddowes, Head of Business

relationship and work-life balance. We then

Development at LawWorks.

meticulously calculated each firm’s average

Ross Attfield, future trainee

score and percentage for each category.

solicitor, Clyde & Co.

Three of the awards were decided by an

Amandeep Bains, future trainee

expert judging panel. Two awards, including

solicitor, Slaughter and May.

Best Use of Social Media in a Trainee &

Aaron Marchant, future

Vacation Scheme Recruitment Campaign,

trainee solicitor, Ashurst.

Thank You We’d like to say a huge thank you to the following contributors for making this year’s Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16 guide possible: our sponsor, Freshfields; our fantastic expert judging panel; and everyone at the law firms who took part in this year’s rankings.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

VS - Vacation Scheme TC - Training Contract

93%

87%

NATIONAL

93%

82%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

86%

86% US

84%

80%

NATIONAL

88%

85%

NATIONAL

87% CITY/INTERNATIONAL

74%

88%

92%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

86%

NATIONAL

76%

88%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

84% NATIONAL

91%

88%

82% NATIONAL

92%

74% US

90%

NATIONAL

86%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

92%

85%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

95%

83%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

81% NATIONAL

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

78%

90%

67%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

NATIONAL

81% CITY/INTERNATIONAL

89%

86%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

83%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

89%

82%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

92%

86%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

74% CITY/INTERNATIONAL

93%

68%

NATIONAL

81%

86%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

91%

88%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

77% NATIONAL

90%

85%

NATIONAL

70%

73%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

89%

84%

NATIONAL

90%

88%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

85%

84%

NATIONAL

95%

82%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

91%

90%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

79%

74%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

82%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

88%

83% US

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Top Law Firm for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16 VS

91%

88%

NATIONAL

83%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

96%

81% US

88%

83%

84%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

84%

94%

88%

85% US

84%

NATIONAL

89%

81%

80%

90%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

84%

NATIONAL

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

84%

82%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

77%

81%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

82%

78%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

95%

83% NATIONAL

87%

CITY/INTERNATIONAL

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

AWARD WINNERS Top Law Firm for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Best Training Contract

Best Vacation Scheme

Best Training Contract

Best Vacation Scheme

INTERNATIONAL OR CITY FIRM

Best Training Contract NATIONAL FIRM

Best Training Contract US FIRM

Best Training TRAINING CONTRACT

INTERNATIONAL OR CITY FIRM

Best Vacation Scheme NATIONAL FIRM

Best Vacation Scheme US FIRM

Best Training VACATION SCHEME

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Best Opportunities for Career Progression

TRAINING CONTRACT

VACATION SCHEME

Best for Job Satisfaction

TRAINING CONTRACT

VACATION SCHEME

Best Level of Support TRAINING CONTRACT

Best Level of Support VACATION SCHEME

Best Opportunities for Skills Development

TRAINING CONTRACT

VACATION SCHEME

Best Company Culture

The Diversity & Inclusion Award

Best Law Firm for International Opportunities

Best Trainee & Vacation Scheme Recruitment Website

Best Use of Social Media in a Trainee & Vacation Scheme Recruitment Campaign

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Michael, a lawyer in one of our Corporate groups

How many lawyers do you see? At Slaughter and May we train each of our lawyers to be a multi-specialist, equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters that at other firms would be handled by a number of different lawyers. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pigeonhole our people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we think that the broader the training and experience, the better the lawyer. Our lawyers have a varied and interesting workload and ample opportunities to develop close relationships with clients and become their trusted advisers.

We have built a reputation for delivering innovative solutions to difficult problems. This has been earned because each of our lawyers advises on broad legal areas, combining experience gained on one type of transaction to solve problems in another. We welcome applicants from all academic disciplines who achieve strong 2:1 results or the equivalent. To find out more, you can apply for one of our Open Days, Work Experience Schemes or Workshops. For more information about a legal career with a difference, visit slaughterandmay/joinus

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Advice

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Vacation Schemes Training Contracts First Year Opportunities Diversity Comercial Awareness International Secondments

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

14 22 32 40 52 58

Vacation Schemes

•

What are vacation schemes and why are they important?

•

How do I get through the application process?

•

How do I impress on a vacation scheme?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the people that make the firm, so getting an insight into their professional lives and day-to-day work challenges was invaluable. Harvey Kaye, Trainee Solicitor, Ashurst

Supported by 17

What is a Vacation Scheme? A vacation scheme is a period of work experience with a law firm. Typically they run for one or two weeks, although they can be longer. Vacation schemes aren’t just a work experience opportunity; many law firms will use them as a way of hunting down potential training contract recruits.

A two-way process... Vacation schemes are not just a two-week

students to get a real appreciation for a firm,

jolly. Through a combination of talks, hands-

its culture and the kind of people who work

on work experience, lunches and ‘after

there. Importantly, vacation schemes are

hours’ events, the firms will be using

crucial in finding out whether a career in law

the schemes to get to know each of

is right for you, and if so, which type of firm

the individuals. Recruiters will assess

will suit you best. They look great on your

how they fit into the firm and if they’re

CV, demonstrating your commitment to a

impressed, offer them a training contract.

legal career and that law firms are willing to

These placements are the best way for

hire you (even if it is only for a week or two).

When do vacation schemes take place? Firms tend to organise their schemes over

before, or indeed after, this date.

the summer break in a series of two or

Typically, a vacation scheme will consist

four week structured vacation schemes,

of a mixture of work experience, skills

although it’s not uncommon for firms to

training and presentations to offer an

have winter and Easter vacation schemes

in-depth insight into what the firm does.

as well. The big deadline for vacation

Some firms in London will pay anything

scheme applications is 31 January, although

up to £400 per week plus expenses

many law firms close their applications

(nearer £200 per week outside London).

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

What will firms be looking for during a vacation scheme? Many firms will take this as an opportunity

Firms are looking for people who will fit into

to assess your potential as a trainee. You will

the firm socially, as well as academically.

work alongside trainees and solicitors on

Alongside work experience and training, it is

real client matters, learn about the different

likely there will also be a strong social aspect

practice areas within the firm and get to

to the vacation scheme. This is a great time

know many of the people who work there.

for making friends and contacts, so make

You will have the opportunity to demonstrate

sure you work the room and make the most

your suitability for a training contract with the

of the opportunity: find out more about

firm by demonstrating your appetite for work,

the firm and your colleagues, as well as

responsibility and your business acumen.

getting your face known among the crowd.

Ultimately, the way you interact with other people and use your skills in a working environment is far more revealing than a paper-based application. For this reason, recruiters will be assessing you throughout your placement.

How important is a vacation scheme? In the aspiring lawyers’ community there

schemes and has recruited on average

is naturally a large focus on acquiring

98% of trainees from its vacation schemes

training contracts, because they are

over the past three years. Slaughter &

seen as a sure bet to gain full-time

May, however, recruits on average 29% of

employment. However, vacation schemes

its trainees from its vacation schemes.

are increasingly being utilised by firms

AllAboutLaw’s annual research report

to scout out potential candidates for

found that 80% of aspiring lawyers believe a

training contracts. So to answer the

vacation scheme will improve their chance

question, they’re just as important!

of securing a training contract at that firm,

2015 saw the number of trainees recruited

and 49% that it will improve their chance at

from vacation schemes steadily rise to

other firms. In summary, a vacation scheme

40%, up from 35% in 2014 and the previous

can lead directly to a training contract or

32% in 2013. Policy on trainee intake varies

indirectly aid you on your way to getting one.

from firm to firm, however. For example,

That’s not to say if you don’t have one you

Nabarro has a long-standing policy of trying

wont get a training contract, but it will be an

to take all of its trainees from its vacation

advantage and look good on any application.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Vacation Scheme Application Tips 1. Showcase your experience and skills

what criteria did you use and why do you

Whether you’ve joined the law society and

the application questions with standardised

taken part in mooting, or managed to bag yourself some legal work experience, you should make it explicit how this helped you develop and which areas of law it got you interested in. Mention it on both your CV and cover letter. Also, don’t forget to show off your transferable skills; writing law essays and doing loads of exams means you have great time management, research, analytical and communication skills! Once you’ve drafted your CV and cover letter, get them checked over by a careers adviser at your university. It’s their job and they’ve helped thousands of students

believe that our law firm meets those criteria?’ If you’re planning to respond to answers, please let us stop you there. Standardised responses stick out like a sore thumb and recruiters won’t even bother to read through a generic application, so don’t be afraid to show some personality!

4. The interview… Once you’ve nailed the application form and online tests, you’re more than likely to have an interview. Interviews reveal you as the person behind the application and give you a chance to meet the people you will be working for. Be prepared for questions

before you get jobs and internships.

such as ‘Why a career in law?’ and ‘Why a

2. Quality, not quantity

it’s essential you know your CV and cover

Send off five or six high quality applications

about the experiences you mentioned.

rather than 30 or 40 that are lacking that personal touch. The recruiters at law firms look at vacation scheme applications every year and certainly know the difference between a good, bad and unbelievably ugly application. Our research shows that those who research the firm and commit a lot of time

vacation scheme with this firm?’. Additionally, letter back-to-front, for when you’re asked With competency based questions (so questions such as ‘Tell us about a time you handled a difficult situation’) don’t be afraid to mention experiences from a part-time or weekend job. Not everything has to be related to legal work experience and, rest assured, the people asking the question will have had part-time or weekend

to applications are usually more successful.

jobs too – it’s part of working life! It will

3. Don’t be generic

how you deal with difficult situations.

still show your hardworking nature and

Vacation scheme applications ask a set of response based questions, such as ‘When choosing vacation schemes to apply to,

allaboutlaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Vacation Scheme Do’s and Dont’s A vacation scheme is your opportunity to impress. Many law firms recruit their trainees from their vacation scheme intake, so it’s vital you perform well and make a good impression. In all likelihood, the firm will be assessing you from the moment you enter the office on the first day, right through to the after-hours social events.

1. DO research the firm Being clued up about the firm you’re at will allow you to ask in depth questions. This will show that you are enthusiastic and can use your own initiative!

2. DON’T sit on the bench Make an effort to get involved. Students that are reluctant to help out trainees and associates or lack enthusiasm are unlikely to be taken on...

3. DO be confident, but not over-confident Firms will want to see that you can hold your own, but they do not want to be confronted with students who think they know it all already. They are looking for aptitude, but also a willingness to learn.

4. DON’T act inappropriately Using the placement as an opportunity to scout out the local talent and get ‘crunk’ is not the way to impress a future employer; this is not the sort of sociability that firms want to see.

5. DO keep it professional Professionalism always comes first. Keep composed, polite and respectful at all times.

6. DON’T forget to enjoy yourself Interact with your colleagues, get stuck in and try to squeeze as much out of the placement as you can. You want to demonstrate how confident and comfortable you are within the law firm’s working environment, so that they can picture you as an integral member of the team in the future.

allaboutlaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Summary Vacation schemes are periods of work experience offered by law firms. They can take place in either the winter, Easter or summer holidays and usually last for two or three weeks.

Two birds, one scheme shaped stone Vacation schemes are designed to give students an insight into working in law and the culture of that specific firm, but also act as an opportunity for employers to assess your potential for a training contract.

The deadline For summer schemes usually the 31 January, but always check the deadline of each individual firm on AllAboutLaw.co.uk as it can vary.

Always quality, over quantity When making applications make sure to do your research, showcase your experience and transferable skills, and then go through it with a fine toothcomb for mistakes. Fewer, high quality, applications are always preferable to numerous of generic applications; don’t be afraid to let a little personality show, because standard answers are unlikely to excite anyone.

Stats On average 40% of training contracts are offered following a vacation scheme. However, this can be higher and at some firms up to 98% of trainees are recruited from vacation schemes.

Keep confident and professional To impress potential employers you need to display both confidence and a willingness to learn. Make sure to get fully involved in what’s going on around you, whether that’s a work task or a social event. Don’t go too bonkers though, because it’s essential to stay professional: polite, respectful and composed.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

ADVICE

An Interview with... Harvey Kaye

Contributed by

A former vacation schemer and current trainee at Ashurst How did you find out about the

mock client pitch, which we performed

vacation scheme at Ashurst?

in teams. There was a lot of competition and nervousness about, but our group

I spoke to friends who had applied to City

pitched a very creative idea, which paid

law firms about each firm they had applied

dividends when we were awarded the

to, discussing what they enjoyed or didn’t

“best presentation of the day” award!

enjoy during the vacation scheme. When

The most valuable experience was

I was applying, Ashurst was merging with

talking to people. It’s the people that

an Australian firm, Blake Dawson, which

make the firm, so getting an insight

had a large presence throughout Asia. I

into their professional lives and day-to-

studied languages at University – Spanish

day work challenges was invaluable.

and Mandarin Chinese - and want to use my language skills in my everyday working life. What did the application process involve?

Would you recommend doing a vacation scheme with an international firm to other students?

The process involves a written task and

Plenty of people like the idea of working at

interview with a member of graduate

an international law firm, but the fast pace

recruitment. The form is of cover letter

and high demands places on lawyers due to

format and asks why you wish to do

the international nature of the firm can be

law and, of course, why at Ashurst.

daunting. However, those who want exposure to a wide range of top quality work, with a

How was the vacation scheme structured?

plethora of opportunities to work on huge multi-jurisdictional deals, should definitely

I sat in two different departments undertaking trainee tasks. The work gave me an insight into the tasks I would do as a trainee. For example, while in Real Estate, I had a go at breaking out some leasehold agreements and performed a research task in relation to building a bridge over a canal!

consider applying to an international firm. What piece of advice would you give to any wannabe vac schemers?

Enjoy yourself and make an impression. Essentially, just being open and taking each day as it comes is the best approach.

What were your most memorable and

Speak to everyone you can and just

valuable experiences at Ashurst?

enjoy the fact you’ve been invited to be there, because this means the firm

There was a mini presentation and a

sees you as a potential candidate!

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Training Contracts

•

What is a training contract and what are my chances of getting one?

•

When do I apply for a training contract?

•

How do I get through the training contract application process?

A training contract is only the beginning to an exciting career in law. Research long and hard before applying; the process is as much about finding which firm is right for you, as it is finding a firm who wants you. Sofia Gymer, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

What is a Training Contract? It’s never too early to start thinking about your future. If you aspire to be a solicitor, that means thinking about training contracts. The change in the Graduate Recruitment Code means that law firms can now offer training contracts to law students from the first day of second year, so application preparation needs to start long before that… So, what is it? A training contract is a two-year placement

areas of law involve disputes between

that is undertaken by trainee solicitors

parties that result in court cases while

after they finish their year long Legal

non-contentious law does not involve

Practice Course (LPC). The final step

the courts or focus on conflicts.

before qualification, it can be likened to an apprenticeship: an opportunity

During the training contract, trainees undertake a Professional Skills Course

to put all your academic knowledge

(PSC) that will enable them to become fully

to vocational use. Trainees spend two

qualified solicitors. This is split into three

years getting a practical legal education

core modules: advocacy and communication

overseen by senior solicitors in a law firm.

skills; client care and professional

During the training contract, trainees

standards; and financial and business

progress through at least three areas of

skills. In addition to the core modules,

practice at the law firm, usually four at

trainee solicitors will need to undertake

larger law firms. These periods are known

around 24 hours of elective modules.

as ‘seats’ and give trainees the chance to sample different spheres of law in order to decide which area they want to qualify in. Trainees must complete a contentious and non-contentious seat. Contentious

Successful completion of a training contract does not necessarily guarantee a job offer, although the majority of trainee solicitors do stay on at the firms where they completed their training contract.

Will I get paid? Don’t worry, trainee solicitors do receive a salary. Trainees will without exception

the City ranging from £30,000 to £40,000. Law firms, particularly the larger ones,

receive the minimum working wage,

often offer to cover the cost of the LPC

however many trainee solicitors receive

and/or GDL tuition fees, with some even

more than this, with starting salaries in

providing support for living costs.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

What are my chances of getting a training contract? Finding a training contract is by no means

forms or, better still, ring up the HR

easy; there are far more applicants than there

department and explain your circumstances.

are training contracts. Thousands miss out

You could widen your net and try high

every year and re-apply the following year. It

street firms and medium-sized firms. Many

should come as no surprise then that there

of them won’t advertise opportunities, so

is fierce competition for training contracts,

you’ll need to get in touch with them.

especially for those at the large London firms.

On the up-side… The economic tribulations of the past years took their toll on the legal market, but it

Getting plenty of work experience is very important, as is networking to find out about opportunities. You’ll need to develop a strong sense of commercial awareness and, in short, do everything you can to impress law firms.

looks like things are on the up! Rebounding from a low of 4,874 traineeships, SRA statistics show the number of training contracts available has jumped by 4% from 5,290 in 2012 to 5,512 in 2013, and then a little more to 5,514 in 2014. This figure still falls short of the 5,809 traineeships recorded before the financial crisis, but this is all good news.

Can I get a training contract with a 2:2? It’s not impossible to get a training contract with a 2:2, but it makes things a

It’s important to start your preparation early: research law firms, get some work experience over the summer and get involved with extra-curricular activities at university. You never know, it might just clinch you a training contract.

lot harder. People with 2:1s and first class degrees struggle to get training contracts, having a 2:2 will add yet another hurdle. Many firms specify that a 2:1 is the minimum requirement for their trainee positions. Some simply won’t allow people with 2:2s to continue with the online application. It sounds harsh, but it’s the reality. If you have genuine extenuating circumstances as to why you got a 2:2 or a third, then do mention this on application

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

When should I apply for a training contract? Timetables will vary, depending on the type of firm that you are aiming for. Large City and national firms tend to all have their training contract deadlines at the same time: 31 July. There are exceptions though, so make sure you check for each individual firm.

Law students Currently, law students can apply from their second year (or third year if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a four year course) onwards. However, following the recent changes to the Graduate Recruitment Code, from 2016 onwards law firms will be able to offer training contracts to law undergrads from September 1 of their second year, meaning

How late is too late? When you should start applying for training contracts will depend on when applications open. The earlier, the better, particularly with applications which are open from November to July. This is because a lot of firms assess applications on a rolling basis, so places on schemes may fill up before the official deadline. Starting earlier will also give you more time to spend tailoring your application to each firm and for improving your application technique. You can see where you go wrong in early applications and seek help if you are receiving a string of outright rejections.

that first years will be able to apply. The training contracts you can to apply to will depend on when they start: most of the larger firms will recruit two years in advance, but smaller, regional law firms might only recruit a year in advance.

Non-law students Non-law students tend to start applying for training contracts in their final year or during their law conversion course â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Some firms will have specific training contracts for non-law candidates, which might have a different deadline from the training contract for law students.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Training Contract application process Getting a training contract is simple,

2. Do your research

right? Erm… not really! If you want to secure a training contract and become a

Before you even consider filling out your

top solicitor, you’ll need to do a lot more

application form, you need to research

than just send a generic CV around!

every firm you intend to apply to. Check out

The training contract application process

each firm’s profile on AllAboutLaw.co.uk

has a series of core stages – and you

and explore their graduate recruitment

need to nail every stage. Here’s a step-by-

website. You should have already

step guide to the application process:

attended law fairs and open days to find out more about each firm. Ideally, you might also have done a vacation scheme

1. Be selective

with one or two of your target firms.

It’s impossible to apply to every law firm

factor. If you want to work in the City, you

in the country. You could try, but you

need to find out which firms are based in

probably wouldn’t have time to eat or sleep.

London. If you want to work in another city

Therefore, it’s a good idea to identify a small

like Bristol, Manchester or Leeds, you need

number of firms that you want to work for.

to find out what regional firms are located in

Each application needs to be crafted

Understandably, location is a crucial

that area. Furthermore, if you’d like to work

individually, with serious care and attention

abroad at some point, it’d be useful to find

put into each one. We recommended

out which firms have international offices.

you identify between five and ten dream

Each firm has a different culture and

employers and concentrate your efforts

atmosphere and you need to know which

on making those applications the best they

ones will match your personality. For

possibly can be. If you try to apply for too

instance, do you want to work for a traditional

many firms, you risk spreading yourself

firm or a modern firm? Or do you want to

too thin; and if you apply for just one

work somewhere with excellent opportunities

firm, you risk putting all your eggs in one

for getting involved with pro bono work?

basket. It’s all about getting the balance! First, you need to decide which kind of

Finally, it’s important to think about long-term career prospects. It’s all about

law firms you want to apply to: do you want

identifying employers with world-class

to specialise in commercial law or criminal

training programmes and the best

law? Do you want to work for a Magic Circle

opportunities for career progression. It’s

firm or a Silver Circle firm? Do you want

important to bear in mind that the route

to work for a City firm or a regional firm?

to becoming a partner will be significantly

Make sure you’re applying to firms that

faster in high-street and regional firms, where

are right for you by researching them.

there is less competition for the top jobs.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

3. Make your applications

Be confident in your own ability. They

Take your time over each application,

they didn’t think you had what it takes.

treat each one as an individual project

Be calm, collected, patient and decisive

and make sure your answers fulfil what

when answering the questions that

each specific firm is looking for.

are being thrown in your direction.

4. Expect some rejection

7. Receive a job offer or rejection letter

Every year around 30,000 people apply

wouldn’t have brought you this far if

for law training contracts in the UK and

Hopefully, if you’ve done everything right

only around 5,000 jobs are actually up

and impressed the interviewer, you will get

for grabs. Competition is fierce and you

a job offer. If so, then congratulations!

may receive some rejection letters. Don’t

If you receive a rejection letter, don’t fret.

be disheartened! Even the very best

Lots of people unfortunately fall at the

candidates are unlikely to get an interview

final hurdle. You will be disappointed,

for every application they make.

but it’s important to treat this as a learning experience. Analyse where you might have gone wrong and make

5. Get a positive reply

some notes, so when you get another interview you are better prepared.

Hopefully, if you’ve got a strong academic background, you’ve done some work experience and you’ve submitted a strong application form, some firms will recognise your potential and offer you an interview. Some firms will interview you over the phone, others will invite you to an assessment day and some prefer a face-to-face interview. Some firms might even do all three!

6. Get a second interview If you survive your first-round interview and impress the firm with your ambition, determination and commercial awareness, you will be offered a second interview. This is the final stage of the assessment process, so there’s every chance that it’s going to be intense. Expect to be grilled!

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Summary Training contracts are a two-year placement at a law firm undertaken by trainee solicitors after the LPC. They usually consist of four six-month seats in a range of departments within the firm. During the training contract, trainees undertake a Professional Skills Course (PSC) that will enable them to become fully qualified solicitors.

Deadline? For large firms you’ll need to apply two years in advance, taking into account the year long LPC. The deadline for training contracts is 31 July for most large firms, but you should check AllAboutLaw.co.uk for each firm that you’re apply to.

Research It is essential that you research firms before applying. This not only enables you to complete a far better application, but it allows you to decide which firms are best for you. Consider their areas of specialism, structure, location, the type of firm and career prospects.

Be the early bird A lot of firms review training contract applications on a rolling basis, so the places on some schemes may get filled before the deadline. It’s better to start early and receive rejections and feedback that will help you with your future applications. To give yourself the best chance, start and submit early!

Always quality over quantity In order to give yourself time to craft quality, individually tailored applications for each firm, we recommend you don’t apply for more than ten. Make sure you showcase your academic achievement, knowledge about the firm, legal work experience and top-notch commercial awareness.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

A Day in the Life of... Charlotte Lesbirel A second-seat trainee at White & Case LLP 9.00am

to the client by the end of the week, so I

We have weekly training in bank finance

head back to my desk and start drafting.

on a variety of topics, so I head down to this morning’s session on CP documents.

12.45pm

The training, led by two associates, was

The head of bank finance is taking a few of

aimed specifically at trainees today, and

the trainees out to lunch today to discuss

was a good chance for us to discuss the

how we are finding our seats. We head to a

various issues which can arise when

nearby restaurant and discuss the work we’ve

chasing down CPs during a deal.

all been doing, but mainly enjoy swapping stories on the ‘It’s a Knockout!’ team building

10.00am

activity from our team retreat last week!

I tend to check through my emails on my BlackBerry when I wake up in the

2.00pm

morning, which gives me a chance to flag

Lunch was a little longer than usual today,

tasks and manage my workload for the

so I’m back at my desk to continue drafting

day. I catch up on my emails again after

the user guide. A couple of emails come in

training and respond to those that can be

from our French team, so I call my colleague

dealt with quickly before my meeting.

in the Paris office. This is to discuss a French share pledge agreement we are working

10.30am

on together as part of a post-closing

We closed a deal last week and I have

security package. We are due to sign this

been asked to create a user guide to help

week, so I email the client with an update

the client understand the key terms of the

and information on the signing process.

loan agreement. The senior associate in the deal team and I grab a coffee and sit

3.00pm

down to discuss the main points I should

We receive comments back from lender’s

highlight for the client. I’ve had the chance

counsel on some accession documents we

to draft a couple of these earlier in my

have drafted for a Serbian deal we have been

seat, but this guide is a bit trickier due

working on. Having closed this deal a couple

to the technical covenants in the loan

of months ago, we are now in the process

agreement. We’re aiming to get this out

of acceding group companies to the loan

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

agreement. I discuss the comments with the

8.30pm

associate in the team and we speak to our

I’ve finished drafting the content of the

Serbian counsel on a few local law points

user guide and take some time to review

before responding with our comments.

this. I mark up a few changes to be made and drop these off with our document

4.00pm

production team to be turned overnight.

I get a coffee from Taylor Street Baristas

I make a note in my calendar to check

with another trainee and then head back

the changes first thing tomorrow and put

to my desk. It’s not always possible to take

some time in the diary to sit down and

the time out, but popping across the road

discuss the draft with the associate.

to grab a cuppa is a good way to catch up with friends and have a quick break from your desk. Once back, I send some emails to the banks on the Serbian deal to chase for confirmations that we have satisfied the ‘know your client’ checks, then get back to drafting the user guide.

5.30pm I receive a query from our client on hedging requirements and ability to choose interest periods under their loan agreement, so check these provisions and summarise the requirements in an email for them. We also discuss the progress of the French share pledge, and confirm the final account details needed before execution versions of the pledge are prepared by lender’s French counsel, ready for signing.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

First Years •

Is first year too early to make a start on my career?

•

What organised events are open to first years?

•

What type of work experience should I be looking for?

First year is an ideal time to get involved in as much as you can, not only because the experience looks amazing on applications but because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll meet so many like-minded people. Sofia Gymer, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

What should I be doing in the first year of my law degree? Starting university can be challenging enough, so things like networking and looking for work experience might well be the last thing you want to be thinking about. But if you want a career in law, it really is fundamental to start it all early. So what should you be doing in your first year? Keep on top of your work This may sound silly, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crucial. Try to get into the habit of keeping on top of your assignments, preparation for seminars and all of your reading. This will make it the exam period much more straightforward, and you want to be hitting those high grades.

Get your head in the game Your tutors will no doubt have you reading vast amounts from numerous textbooks, but every now and then have a read of the newspapers. This is the basis for commercial awareness. Keeping up to date on current legal, business and political news is not only good for your own personal knowledge, but also for your overall legal understanding: the law is ever changing, so stay on top of it! The Financial Times is a great resource and should be on the reading list for any budding lawyer.

Attend law fairs & other events Law fairs and events such as law firm open

Join the law society at your university This is one of the most important things you can do during your first year. Your Law Society should be providing you with extra-curricular activities as well as guidance on making your work experience and vacation scheme applications.

Vacation schemes You should start researching law firms and asking about any work experience opportunities available right from the off. An increasing number of firms are offering vacation schemes to first year students. Always remember: first appearances and attitude count, and if you are offered a work experience placement they may invite you back or even to a training contract interview if you meet their expectations. Remember that your degree does come first though, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take on

days are organised by universities and

more than you can manage... Lots of

firms. These are invaluable opportunities to

experience is practically worthless if you

hear about postgraduate and professional

do not have a degree to show for it!

courses, as well as to network with lawyers.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Law fairs We’re going to quash this once and for

application process. They are also great

all: law fairs aren’t just a chance to bag

places to hone your networking skills.

an armful of freebies (although that is

Don’t underestimate the value of personal

a perk). They’re an excellent chance to

contact with law firm representatives. It’s

meet potential employers face-to-face, so

a great way to get an insight into life in

you should be taking full advantage!

What are law fairs? They take place, usually, in universities and conference halls. Law firms, barristers’ chambers and other organisations set up stands and bring representatives along, who will talk to you about their organisation what opportunities they have for students and graduates. Law fairs offer you valuable face-toface time with graduate recruiters. It’s a great chance to find out more about the different law firms and chambers, their culture, and the possible direction you want your own career to take. There will be plenty of company literature to aid your research and, yes, some will be handing out freebies to lure you over to their stall. Aside from stalls, there might also be talks, presentations and CV workshops, which are also certainly worth attending.

the industry, to ask any questions you may have, to learn more about their company culture and find out what they expect in a job application. Meeting a representative will give you a better sense of whether the law firm/ chambers/company is right for you and, of course, it’s also a chance to find out more about the training contracts, mini pupillages, or vacation schemes they offer. You could even try and wangle yourself some cheeky work experience. You don’t ask, you don’t get. Also, keep an open mind; don’t just make a beeline to the big name law firm/ chambers. While you’ll obviously have a “hit list” of stalls you want to visit, it’s definitely worth checking out other organisations that you might not have previously considered. So ditch the freebies and focus on mingling with the representatives. Who knows what pearls of career wisdom they might throw your way?

Why should I go? Put it this way: why wouldn’t you go? Law fairs are a great way of getting familiar with the different employers in your chosen industry. Students who use law fairs effectively are likely to have a higher success rate getting through to the later stages of the training contract and vacation scheme

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Law open days It’s not often that you get a chance to have a nosey around top law firms, particularly if you are a first year student. There are firms, however, who do open their doors to first years through insight days or workshops. These open days can be super competitive and some firms even require students to take online tests in addition to submitting a written application in order to win a place. What is a law open day? Open days can last up to two days. Students usually get the chance to meet employees, have a look around the firm, watch presentations and participate in workshops. They are designed to give you an insight into the firm’s work and culture, as well as information about starting your legal career. There are usually a strict number of places. After all, law firms don’t want hundreds of students crawling all over their offices. Places are usually allocated on the strength of application forms or on a first-come, first-served basis.

What should I do to impress on an open day? Put on your best suit, brown-nose everyone you see, and hyperventilate if you don’t get face-to-face time with a partner? Of course not. Don’t fret too much about open days; firms don’t expect to hire straight from them. Rather, it’s your chance to find out as much as you can about the firm, their practice areas, and life as a lawyer. Make sure you listen carefully, ask plenty of questions and chat to people on the day. If it helps, you might want to think up some questions to ask different types of employees (e.g. trainees, associates, graduate recruiters, partners) beforehand. It’s also worth reading up on the firm, so you can ask about things you can’t easily learn from their website. Otherwise, get stuck in, look engaged and, most importantly, enjoy yourself! It’s a great opportunity to sniff out your options and decide which firms are the right fit for you.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Work experience ideas So many students make the mistake of

Representation Unit are always looking for

thinking work experience isn’t important

volunteers to help out and provide advice

early on. But, the reality is that in the

for those who need it. This is similar to

current legal climate you need to do

working in a student law clinic, but you

all you can to make yourself stand out

will receive formal training and have to

from everyone else. Your career begins

opportunity to network with the trainers.

on your first day at university, so that means getting out there, networking, and building up your CV and experience.

What work experience can a first year get? The problem for first years is that many mini pupillages and vacation schemes are only available to students in their second year or above. However, this is steadily changing. You’ll need to think slightly outside of the box and try to get plenty of prior experience, so that when you do apply for mini pupillages or vacation schemes in your second year you can demonstrate your dedication to a career in the law.

Pro bono work Does your university run a law clinic or street law project? Pro bono work offers a great chance to develop legal skills as well as confidence, plus it’s voluntary. You will (under the supervision of a tutor) be helping people who need legal advice but can’t afford it. Street law enables students

Shadow a police officer Police stations offer students the chance to shadow an officer for a shift. This is a good opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes, especially if you are interested in pursuing a career in criminal law. It’s great to take the luxury, while you can, to explore all aspects of the justice system.

In-house legal teams Do not forget that large companies have in-house legal teams too. When you are sending speculative work experience letters to local solicitors, why not send a few to the legal departments of big companies? It’s great to amass a variety of work experience so that you can start to figure out which type of legal organisation you want to work for and in what area of law. Networking during your work experience is crucial. Not only will contacts help your career, but they might be able to recommend other avenues for work experience if you ask them nicely.

to go into schools or visit young offenders and teach them about a legal topic relevant to them. This will help you to develop you ability to explain complex ideas clearly, a skills pertinent to your future career. The Citizens Advice Bureau and Free

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Summary The change in the Graduate Recruitment Code means it’s becoming ever more important for first years to get stuck in when it comes to legal work experience and considering which career path they want to pursue. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities available!

Join your university law society Designed to cater for law students, they’ll hold regular networking events, skills workshops and may even organise moots in which you can develop your debating and research skills.

Attend law fairs Although typically geared more toward second and third years, it will allow you to get an idea of which firms are out there and what they do. Attending is a good experience and shows graduate recruiters that you’re motivated, pro-active and passionate about your future career.

Attend law insight days This will be an introduction to a firm, its culture, trainees, associates and partners and allow you to attend the firm’s offices for a few days! It all counts as legal work experience and is often considered the first rung on the metaphorical ladder that is a career with that firm. Be chatty, professional and show a willingness to learn!

Vacation schemes Some firms offer vacation schemes to first years. First year schemes provide more of an introduction to the firm. Flick to our vacation schemes section for further info.

Pro bono & other experience Be creative with your work experience ideas! A vacation scheme isn’t the be all and end all. Take the initiative to set up a pro bono project or hunt down work experience with inhouse legal teams shadowing a legal professional – it will pay dividends when it comes to the application process and in helping you establish where your interests lie!

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ASSETS Explore a range of financial and professional services career paths at

AllAboutFinanceCareers.com AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Diversity â&#x20AC;˘

What is meant by diversity and why is it important?

â&#x20AC;˘

How diverse is the current talent pool?

â&#x20AC;˘

What is being done to improve diversity?

Being a diverse business makes us a stronger business and one that is better placed to serve our clients, our people and our communities. Justine Thompson, Senior Inclusion and Diversity Manager, Baker & McKenzie

Supported by 43

What is meant by diversity? Diversity in the working world is all about combating discrimination in employment and promoting equality. Related to human rights law, it spans across all areas of working life, from recruitment and dismissal procedures to the treatment of individuals and minority groups in the workplace. In the employment law context, The Equality Act 2010 outlines the framework of legislation to protect and enforce equality in the UK. All companies, including law firms, are obligated to adhere to equal employment guidelines, and the majority of modern law firms are now actively working on improving and promoting their diversity policies. Aspects of diversity include: •

Disability

•

Age

•

Sex

•

Sexual orientation

•

Race

•

Religion and belief

•

Gender reassignment

•

Social mobility

•

Marriage and civil partnership

•

Pregnancy and maternity

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Diversity in the talent pool The AllAboutLaw.co.uk Law Careers Market Annual Research Report 2014 extracted data from 11,000 vacation scheme applications that were submitted in 2014 via the cvmailUK online application system by aspiring lawyers (either law or non-law students). It gives a taste of how diversity currently shapes up in the talent pool of young law applicants:

MALE - 46%

FEMALE - 54%

26-30 - 5% 31-40 - 2%

16-20 - 38%

21-25 - 56%

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

PREFER NOT TO SAY - 9%

INTERNATIONAL - 12%

PRIVATE - 29%

STATE - 50%

WHITE (IRISH) - 2% MIXED - 4%

PREFER NOT TO SAY - 4%

BLACK - 5% CHINESE - 6%

WHITE (BRITISH) - 53%

LESBIAN - <1% BISEXUAL - 1% PREFER NOT TO SAY - 8%

ASIAN - 12%

WHITE (OTHER) - 13%

HETROSEXUAL - 89%

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

GAY - 2%

What kind of support is out there? Support networks

Scholarships

As the industry becomes more diverse, so

Financing a career in the law is an expensive

does the range of support networks that exist

venture. With the cost of undertaking the LPC

within it. A number of representative groups

and BPTC in London exceeding £10,000, not

are established within the legal sector. Here

to mention living costs, you may find yourself

are just a few that collaborate with the SRA

pulling your hair out wondering how you’re

and Law Society:

going to fund your dream career.

The Black Solicitors’ Network (BSN) works

legal industry is so diverse given how much

towards “equality of access, retention and

it costs to make it! Well, that’s where law

promotion of black solicitors within the

diversity scholarships come in. There are

sector”.

loads of funding opportunities out there for

You may even be wondering how the

minorities, such as ethnic minorities and The Lawyers with Disabilities Division (LDD)

people with disabilities, and for those from

is “committed to promoting equality of

less affluent backgrounds.

opportunity for people with disabilities – whether they are solicitors, would-be

There are a number of financial options out there. Here are just a few:

solicitors or clients”. The Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme Interlaw is an inter-organisational forum for

(DAS) aims to increase social diversity by

lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)

supporting those from disadvantaged

networks, and was established “in response

backgrounds. LPC scholarships are awarded

to a need for an organisation to address

to those who are from a non-fee paying

LGBT in the London legal sector”.

school, were eligible for free school meals and was the first generation in their family to

The Association of Women Solicitors is

go to university.

now part of the Law Society’s new Women Lawyers Division, which “supports and

The Law Society will also consider those

advises all women solicitors, no matter their

who have been disadvantaged as a result of

area of practice, and includes LPC graduates,

their cultural background, health problems,

all women on the roll, women on a career

disability, gender, sexuality, race or religion.

and even retirees”.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

The Snowden Trust support students with physical or sensory disabilities. They might not pay for the entirety of your LPC or BPTC fees, but they will help you out with computer equipment, additional accommodation, travel costs and mobility equipment. The Kalisher Trust ensures that talented and motivated aspiring barristers, who can demonstrate financial need receive awards to fund the BPTC. Leonard Sainer graduated from UCL and was a top City solicitor before his death in 1991. The foundation set up in his memory awards final year LLB or LLM students at UCL who are about to undertake the LPC or BPTC and intend to practise away from the large City firms and are able to show financial need or instances of hardship. Of course, there are plenty of funding opportunities out there. Additionally, even though they may not offer funding options, organisations such as the Black Solicitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Network have great networking opportunities for students. Funding opportunities are out there but you just have to sniff them out. Like a police dog. Yep, a police dog.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

The rise of the apprenticeship: a case study There are a lot of legal apprenticeships

Annette Sheridan, Global Chief HR Officer

out there. Recently, Mayer Brown has

at Mayer Brown, said: “The calibre of

become the first City law firm to embrace

applicants who put themselves forward

the University of Law’s (ULaw) exciting

for this apprenticeship was extremely

new legal apprenticeship scheme – and

high, therefore we decided to offer a

it’s likely that others will follow suit! The

legal apprenticeship to two people.”

programme is designed for those who want to pursue a legal career, but do not want

“I am delighted to welcome our inaugural

to, or cannot, commit to full time study.

apprentices — Rosie and David — to the firm and I look forward to watching their

From 7th September 2015, the firm

progress as they develop their future

welcomed Rosie Ahmadi and David Elikwu

careers. The Articled Apprenticeship gives

to its ranks, as they embark upon the

talented people like them, who have

innovative six-year ‘Articled Apprenticeship’

decided against full-time study, a credible

programme. This game-changing

alternative to qualification as a solicitor.”

development is reflective of the widely held desire to increase, and increase access

Apprentices will begin on a starting salary

to, diverse talent within the profession.

of £18,000, which will increase as they become more qualified and contribute

Employed by Mayer Brown, the students

increasingly to the work of the firm.

study part-time at ULaw’s Bloomsbury

Although open for all to apply, due to the

campus while working at the firm. The

academic challenge of the programme and

programme is structured as a four-year

workload, Mayer Brown looks for candidates

part-time LLB Hons Law Degree followed

with AAB at ‘A’ level (or equivalent) and, of

by the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and

course, A-C in GCSE Maths and English.

the Professional Skills Course (PSC), which will be completed in the final two years. The apprentices will spend the first 12-18 months rotating within Mayer Brown’s Business Services departments (including Risk and Compliance, Legal Training and the Information Centre) in order to gain in depth knowledge of how the firm operates. Only then will they transfer to its legal departments.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

An Interview With... Justine Thompson Senior Inclusion & Diversity Manager at Baker & McKenzie Why is diversity important to Baker & McKenzie?

talent as possible. In support of this, we are long-standing members of a variety of initiatives which focus on reaching and

Diversity is fundamental to the success of

attracting diverse talent, including:

Baker & McKenzie. We believe that being a diverse business makes us a stronger

DiversCity: a law firm initiative focusing

business and one that is better placed

on ensuring the legal profession is

to serve our clients, our people and our

accessible to LGBT graduates

communities. From having the first female

City Law for Ethnic Minorities

global chair, to the first Latin American

Prime: a law firm initiative which aims

global chair, to last year appointing a senior

to provide fair access to quality work

equity partner in a full time Diversity &

experience within the legal profession

Inclusion role and becoming Contextual Recruitment Pioneers; we often take the lead

In 2015, we were among the first employers

on diversity initiatives in the profession.

in any industry to become contextual recruitment pioneers as part of Rare

What type of initiatives does Baker & McKenzie have in place to open up access to applicants from less privileged backgrounds (e.g. grants for working class applicants, equal opportunities, state school work experience placements, etc.)?

Recruitmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Contextual Recruitment Scheme. From 1 October 2015, all candidates applying to us for a training contract or vacation scheme will be given the opportunity to provide additional data which will help to put their achievements into the context of socio-economic circumstances. The dawn of contextual recruitment provides us with the opportunity to view talent through a new

In recent years we have developed a

lens and, we hope, to identifying candidates

particular focus on attracting and hiring

we may not previously have considered.

diverse talent through our trainee recruitment process. We are committed to ensuring opportunities within the firm are accessible to as broad a range of

How is Baker & McKenzie working towards an environment in which female,

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

BAME and LGBTQ applicants are equally represented?

inclusive environment within Baker & McKenzie’s London office also makes for a vibrant and exciting place to work.

On joining the firm as a trainee or vacation student, you will have an opportunity to get actively involved in a range of diversity initiatives - and to shape our agenda. In London, we have six diversity focus groups (LGBT & Allies, Wellbeing, Women, Social Mobility, Ethnicity and Agility). Our focus groups provide a forum for all staff and help to inform and drive our approach to inclusion and diversity, enhancing the working environment we provide for our people.

Has Baker & McKenzie become more diverse in recent years? We are proud that our approach to inclusion and diversity has been recognised by a number or organisations. In 2014 we were highlighted as Social Mobility Business Compact Champions. In 2015 we ranked 6th in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index (the highest ranking ever achieved by a law firm) and received a Managing Partners’ Forum award for our work to increase ethnic diversity at all levels within our London office. Diversity is critical for the success of any organisation, but the diverse and

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Summary What? Diversity in the working world is all about combating discrimination in employment and promoting equality, the eradication of glass-ceilings and prejudice in the workplace.

Aspects of diversity Disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, social mobility, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity.

Why? Under human rights law all humans should have equal opportunities regardless of their differences. Additionally, having a work force which represents its clients is essential to a law firm being able to offer relevant advice.

Scholarships These offer financial support to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. They are extremely competitive, just like most things in law, but definitely worth exploring.

Apprenticeships Many of the top law firms are now introducing apprenticeship schemes to encourage social mobility within the legal sector. These offer an opportunity to work and get paid while you study.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Stop searching, start discovering Access the content of 200 law textbooks from Oxford University Press online ‘simply unrivalled...it’s a law library on your laptop’ Tony Townsend, LLB student, King’s College London

www.oxfordlawtrove.com AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Commercial Awareness

•

What is meant by commercial awareness?

•

What do firms expect in terms of commercial awareness?

•

How do I become commercially aware?

Commercial awareness is an important attribute which can make the difference between becoming and not becoming a lawyer. Paul Harris, Co-Founder, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

Supported by 55

What is comercial awareness? Commercial awareness can be simply defined as staying up-to-date on daily happenings and developments in the business and commercial world. A significant portion of law today

optimal use of resources at hand. Solicitors provide their clients with advice and legal assistance on matters governed by economic, social and political spheres. How a government rules and creates

revolves around business and commerce

laws is as important as the demand and

in the marketplace, between cities, regions

supply of various products and services, or

and even contenents. Commercial

societal developments such as education,

awareness is, therefore, one of the

public welfare and employment. Thus,

key requirements that a good and

lawyers must have a firm understanding

competent solicitor needs to master.

of these contexts for their advice to

Commercial awareness is not a static concept; it is dynamic and constantly

have any reliability and relevancy. In general terms, commercial awareness

changing. The flexibility to adapt and adopt

involves knowing about the current deals,

changing commercial acumen is the hallmark

transactions and issues in the business world.

of any brilliant solicitor or top-rated law firm.

In particular, lawyers must be able to put into

Clients expect their lawyers to have

perspective how their legal advice will affect

in-depth knowledge of how a business is

the workings of commerce around the world

run, what the key factors for profitability

in general and for their client in particular.

and growth are, and how best to make

Commercial awareness: what do firms expect? To demonstrate commercial awareness

and be able to apply it to real world

you need to show an understanding of

scenarios. What happens if there is an

business. You are not expected to know

economic downturn? How might it affect

everything about it, but you should at least

our clients, and how can we continue to

show that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done your research. Firms will expect candidates to know the answer to questions such as: where are our

keep them satisfied? Which departments are likely get busier and which are not? And, perhaps most importantly, when are

offices? What are our main practice areas and

things likely to pick up again? You arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

specialities? How are we doing financially?

expected to know the definitive answer to

For which deals and clients are we engaged?

most of these questions, but you should

Candidates need to take that information

be able to discuss them intelligently.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Say, for example, that a client wants

slowdown and that corporate clients are

to sue a supplier for £1,000. We could go

likely to wait and see how things go there

ahead and do that, of course, but what if the

before deciding to set up businesses. A

supplier was about to go bankrupt, or the

number of law firms have set up offices

court fees were to amount to £2,000? What if

in Dubai recently and may provide more

maintaining the relationship might be more

competition for the limited work that

important in the long term than litigation

is available, so there may not be much

now? What if, worst of all, the other side has

need for more lawyers at present.

invested all its money with Bernie Madoff? Clients expect us to know the law

I would also enjoy working in litigation, which could become busier in a slowdown

and will assume we do. These days,

as clients seek to recover unpaid monies

however, we also need to be able

from others and as companies resort to

to ‘add value’: to build a relationship

litigation to protect their interests.”

and demonstrate that we understand their business and its complexities. Candidates need to understand what is important and relevant to the

This ‘perfect’ candidate shows awareness of both our business and the current marketplace. You do not need to walk in to an

client, rather than merely what the law

interview and immediately start talking

is; what’s the answer to their problem?

about what you would do if a client wanted

How can they do what they want to do?

to sue someone, or explaining the causes of

If, in an interview, you are asked

the recession in Greece. You do, however,

why you want to work for us, this

need to be prepared to deal with that if you

would be a near-perfect answer:

are asked. So read our website, work out

“I am keen to gain international experience, working in your Dubai office for example because I would enjoy the corporate work

who we compete with, read the business press, and get copies of industry magazines. Speak to your lawyer friends, watch

done there [give reasons and/or examples,

the news, and try to keep abreast of

link it to your work experience if you can].”

any relevant developments. A practical,

Then, as the conversation develops: “I

pragmatic approach is the best way to

am aware, however, that the Gulf is being

demonstrate commercial awareness.

affected in many ways by the global

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

How do I improve my commercial awareness? Almost everyone is commercially aware to an extent. The challenge comes when you need to put two and two together and identify which knowledge is relevant and then apply what you know to problem situations. Here’s some places to search for your own commercial awareness… Work experience Any work experience in a company or organisation will have enhanced your commercial awareness in some way. What did you learn about the company? How were the needs of clients or customers met? How did the organisation market itself? Was there any legislation impacting on the delivery of its goods or services? If you are intending on a career in law it is important to gain as much legal-related work experience as possible, whether it be a paid vacation placement run by a large law firm or work experience at a high street firm. Experiencing life in a law firm like this should give you a good insight into the workings of a firm and some appreciation of how it operates as a business.

Extra-curricuar activities Did you manage a student society? Did you have to publicise any events or deal with

How can I improve my commercial awareness? The obvious source is reading resources such as The Financial Times or The Telegraph. If these seem a little dry at first, target the business areas of their websites or try setting up e-alerts. This way you will have the main headlines sent to your email inbox with the option of clicking through to the full-length article. Try watching the news regularly. Some people find it easier to understand and remember information which is delivered in an audio-visual away. If you are applying to a particular firm or sector, look at the websites and mission statements of the firm and their competitors. Before going to an interview research the company’s current activities, any publications they have recently released, relevant press articles and what their current deals are. A good way of gaining an insight into

budgets and cost considerations? How did

the company is to look at the company’s

you attract new members? You should take a

annual report if it’s publicly available.

step back and look at your various activities

This will be introduced with a statement

with a business mind. The more you question

from the chairman who will talk about

actions and their motivations, the more you

the past financial year and the company’s

will become comfortable with noticing and

future ambitions, and will also include all

discussing their commercial implications.

the financial data you need to get a good understanding of how the company is doing.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Summary Commercial awareness is, in short, staying up-to-date on daily happenings and developments in the business and commercial world. All law firms look for trainee candidates to display a degree of commercial awareness, there’s no way to wing it in the interview or take a shortcut; you’re either commercially aware or you’re not.

Research the firm Find out the type of work that the firm you’re applying to/interviewing at does and what the recent developments in their business have been. Find out where their offices are and find out who their clients are. Check the firm’s website, AllAboutLaw.co.uk, LinkedIn, Facebook – leave no stone unturned in your quest to find out what makes them tick!

Read, read, read Reading newspapers such as The Financial Times and The Telegraph, as well as checking BBC News will put you well on your way to having a general awareness of what’s going on in the world.

Work experience or work Work experience (not just legal work experience either) is the most practical way to better your commercial awareness. Any experience provides an insight into how a business runs and the things that can affect its prosperity.

Extra-curricular activities Running a student society, sports team, or even just being a member of one is likely to give you some exposure to the processes behind organsising events, budgeting and other logisitics.

Take your time Every successful lawyer is commercially aware but it certainly doesn’t happen overnight. Lawyers have to put effort in to remain commercially aware. Think about how the law firm functions as a business and how the social, economic and political domains it operates in effect it.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Secondments •

What is a secondment?

•

What is the difference between a client secondment and an international secondment?

•

What are the benefits of a secondment?

It was invaluable to learn about the work we do in the rest of Asia, increase my network within the firm and have an incredible weekend in Shanghai! Gabby Griggs, former secondee in Singapore, Shearman & Sterling

What is a secondment? There are two main types of secondments in the field of law, which are both very different to each other.

Client Secondments Client secondments are a period of time,

International secondments are,

usually six months (or one ‘seat’ of a training

understandably, only available to trainees

contract), where a trainee solicitor joins the

who manage to land a training contract

in-house team of one of their firms clients. For

with a large City or International firm. They

large City and Magic Circle firms, trainees can

are a great way to learn about different

go on secondments to other large corporations,

markets, different clients and different

such as banks. Alternatively, client secondments

ways of doing business. They offer trainee

can also be carried out at Premier League

solicitors the opportunity to visit another city

football clubs and nationwide charities.

and experience difference cultures, while

Trainee lawyers relish the opportunities that client secondments offer. Trainees are

developing their legal skills. If you’re going to work at an international

often given more responsibility and may

firm for the rest of your career, learning

find themselves managing a project and

about these early on is a great way to get

negotiating with clients. This may seem

ahead. It also shows the firm that you’re

like a big step up from the everyday tasks

motivated, have a proactive attitude and are

of a trainee, but the best way to learn how

willing to adapt. It also provides you with

to swim is by diving in at the deep end

the opportunity to work with a range of

(metaphorically speaking!). Crucially, you’ll

other lawyers, from partners to associates,

develop legal skills and your own confidence,

developing your network and knowledge.

as well as building upon your knowledge

International secondments may also allow

of business and the issues facing the firm’s

you to dip your toe into various areas of law,

clients – a key weapon in any lawyer’s arsenal,

as opposed to just one in a standard seat in

as client care and understanding becomes a

your home office. In short, they enhance your

number one priority for all firms.

professional growth.

International Secondments

more of a commitment to undertake than a

So, with all this information on client

client secondment; spending time away from

secondments in mind, what is an

friends and family in another country can be

international secondment? “Is it a period of a

emotional. However, firms do their utmost to

training contract where you transfer to one of

make sure that you settle in comfortably to

the firm’s international offices?” Spot on!

your temporary home.

Of course, international secondments are

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Benefits of a secondment Greater responsibility

working environment will not only be more

While on a client secondment, trainees are

scenery, but it will also demonstrate to your

often given more responsibility than they

firm your eagerness to try new things. Get

would normally be given at a firm. Trainees

involved with clients and the international

can find themselves managing an entire

work of the firm and show your commitment

project on their own, which may seem

to your career!

daunting at first, but will really help you

exciting because it will be a change of

as an associate, senior associate or partner,

Don’t just take our word for it...

you’ll be managing other solicitors, delegating

We spoken to a few trainee solicitors who

work and seeing a project through to its

have been on secondment before, and they

end. If you can show your firm that you’ve

had great things to say.

successfully tried and tested these skills, your

Lorenco Lopes-Sabino, now an associate at

career progression may speed up slightly.

Slaughter and May, said that an international

develop as a solicitor. Later in your career

Development of skills & knowledge

secondment “is an excellent opportunity to experience living and working in a different environment and jurisdiction. It is also a

“With great responsibility comes great

great opportunity to grow professionally.”

development of skills.” That’s how the

Sophie Owens from Bond Dickinson

quote goes, right? No? Oh. Regardless, with

underwent a client secondment at a major

secondments providing trainee solicitors with

insurance company and explained that

greater responsibility, this comes hand-in-

“during a client secondment you can establish

hand with a development of legal skills. A

relationships with and really understand

client secondment will provide you with in-

what our clients are looking for from their

depth knowledge of how a specific business

legal advisors”.

operates and the challenges they face on

Gabby Griggs from Sherman & Sterling sums

a daily basis. An international secondment

things up perfectly. “Secondments are a lot of

will allow you to develop your knowledge of

fun. You work hard and get great experience

different global markets and the legal issues

during the week, then travel to exciting places

surrounding them.

on the weekends.”

A different working environment They say variety is the spice of life, and secondments can be used as an opportunity to travel to a new location in the UK or to an office in another part of the world. A different

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Summary What? A secondment is the opportunity to spend the seat of your training contract either in an office abroad or in-house with a client of the firm you are training at.

Variety is the spice of life A secondment gives you the chance to train in a different environment. Particularly, if this is abroad you will get the chance to broaden your cultural horizons as well as your legal ones.

Intellectual challenge A different location means different challenges. Particularly if this is an international secondment itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely that you will get the chance to work on multi jurisdictional cases, which will be exceptionally good experience.

A commitment Spending time away from friends and family in another country or region can be emotional. However, firms do their utmost to make sure that you settle in comfortably to your temporary home.

More responsibility Trainees are often given more responsibility and often more client facing work. This may seem daunting, but it is greatly advantageous in the long run as you will develop faster as a solicitor.

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Top Employers

BECOME THE LAWYER YOU WANT TO BE. Fantastic opportunities. Daily updates. Latest news.

facebook.com/AllAboutLaw

@AllAboutLaw

Law jobs, courses & advice. All good. All in one place. AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Types of law firm

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City International National Scottish US

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66 67 68 69 70

City Law Firms

London calling! City firms are amongst some of the world’s leading law firms. Most likely to be based in the thick of the City of London and also tend to have offices that span across the world.

These firms have turnovers of millions of

slower at first due to the size of these firms

pounds each year and work with some

and the exceptional lawyers that work for

of biggest and most influential clients

them. However, as you gain experience

around, including FTSE 100 members.

and network in the City, the opportunities

The majority of City law firms will be ‘full

that will be available to you will be vast.

service firms’, which means they have

As part of the City lifestyle you can expect

departments and specialist lawyers to

to have long working hours. You may

cover all possible cases and legal issues.

have to work at weekends at times if the

You’ll find departments that handle

requirements for a particular case demand

niche specialist areas, as well as huge

it. There are very good pay-scales to go along

coverage in areas such as corporate law,

with an exciting, fast pace to the work.

commercial law and banking and finance

Many City law firms will provide funding and

law. International client portfolios are

some financial support for maintenance for

increasingly important in this type of firm

the GDL (Graduate Diploma in Law – the

and so cross-jurisdictional issues will often

conversion course for non-law students)

feature as part of a City lawyer’s caseload.

and the LPC (Legal Practice Course) if you

Among the City firms you will find the

secure your training contract with them.

prestigious so-called Magic Circle and

The competition is extremely

Silver Circle firms. These are ranked

fierce; therefore, you need to show

as the top law firms in the UK.

outstanding potential and capabilities

If you work for a City law firm, it’s possible

and some top-notch commercial

your career progression could be slightly

awareness to get a foot in the door.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

International Law Firms

International firms have multiple offices worldwide. If you work for one of these firms you can expect the bulk of your caseload to involve transnational work.

Like their name suggests, international firms

interests of many global businesses as part

span the globe and operate from multiple

of their client portfolios. Although lawyers are

offices worldwide. If you choose to work in an

able to work for an international firm without

international firm you can expect the bulk of

any additional language skills, knowledge

your caseload to involve transnational work,

of languages other than English is a definite

which is both challenging and rewarding.

advantage in the workplace. If you are fluent

You’ll start off in a UK office as a trainee, but

in more than one language, you could prove

it is likely that there will be the chance for an

to be a great asset to the firm and even

international secondment. This means you

receive more responsibility at an earlier

will be able to spend one seat in one of the

stage. Non-law students studying languages

firm’s offices abroad, allowing you to develop

who then go on to complete the GDL and

your skills while soaking up the culture of

LPC would be considered highly desirable.

another country or picking up the language.

Being a fast learner, open-minded and

Similarly, an exciting feature of career

a lateral thinker will be qualities of a

progression at an international firm is the

successful lawyer working at an international

potential for frequent and varied travel, and

firm. Lawyers will have to think on their

the opportunity to work in offices abroad.

feet as they face cases stemmed in legal

However, owing to individual demands,

systems across the world — each case

deadlines for cases and differences in

will involve a steep learning curve that

time zones, long hours are typical.

serves to keep them at the top of the

International firms often represent the legal

international scope of today’s legal market.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

National Law Firms

Opportunities in the legal sector in the UK are in no way restricted to London alone. National firms have a very well-developed network of offices in various regions in the UK and preferred-partner tie-ups overseas.

They mostly cover general practice and

Work in a national law firm doesn’t

commercial law cases. A regional firm’s

necessarily mean that you will be restricted

expertise and business is confined to one

to the office either; you may have to visit

or two regional hubs. Their work focus is

clients based in other parts of the country

a mixture of domestic general practice

fairly regularly to conduct face-to-face

and commercial work for locally based

consultations and interviews or watch

companies and individual clients. Many

a public inquiry. In comparison to the

national firms still offer a full service.

gigantic City and international firms, life at

The majority of clients for national firms

a national firm or at smaller scale offices

are UK based. This could be a good option

can also potentially offer a chance for more

if you’re keen to combine a successful legal

responsibility in cases at an earlier stage

career with staying in a certain area of the

in your career. Though your salary may

UK. Cities such as Manchester, Liverpool,

not quite reach the heights of that with a

Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, and Birmingham,

City, US or international firm, national and

as well as Edinburgh and Glasgow in

regional firms still offer good packages

Scotland, are popular hubs outside of

and a desirable work-life balance.

London for national law firm offices.

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Scottish Law Firms

Law firms specialising in Scots law (Scotland’s own law) are spread across various regions in Scotland, with Glasgow and Edinburgh being particular hubs for Scottish legal practices.

Lawyers at these firms handle any local,

part-time basis over an extended period.

national, or even international legal

In order to undergo a traineeship with a

issues for their clients who are based in

Scottish firm, you must have the correct

Scotland. A few Scottish firms offer a full

qualifications in Scots law: an LLB in

service and have select specialist areas

Scots Law followed by the Diploma in

of law. Firms such as DWF and DLA Piper

Professional Legal Practice. Qualified

also have offices in some Scottish cities.

lawyers in other jurisdictions must

If you undertake a traineeship with a Scottish

complete the relevant transfer tests in

firm, you will be qualifying into practice in

order to requalify in Scottish practice.

Scots law upon qualification. The firms offer

The competition for traineeships in

two-year traineeships with seat rotations

Scotland remains as competitive as in

around different departments. The Law

the rest of the UK. According to the Law

Society for Scotland is also promoting

Society for Scotland, in 2012 there were 472

so-called ‘flexible traineeships’ in which

registered traineeships. Salaries for trainee

a trainee works at more than one firm or

solicitors in Scotland are competitive.

organisation across the two years, or on a

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

US Law Firms

As the name suggests, these law firms have been established in the United States and are primarily based there, with offshoots in the UK and other EU countries.

US firms’ UK offices will mostly be based in

the work to be extremely fast-paced with

London, falling in with the big City players

some long hours depending on client

of the legal sector. The kind of work these

demands. You can experience work on cases

firms focus on is, as such, mostly in high-end

at various different stages in the process,

corporate and commercial practice. Some are

and enjoy the buzzing City lifestyle. The

quite niche in their specialisms; others are

highest remuneration packages make this

full service across their worldwide offices.

type of firm a very attractive destination for

A training contract with a US firm will in

trainee solicitors (employees are paid on

essence be no different to a training contract

scales according to their US rates, and the UK

with a UK firm if completed in a London

salaries equate to that). In some instances

office. They are still based on the UK Law

they may also cover your GDL and LPC fees.

Society process, and London programmes are

The annual intake of new candidates for

run very much with relevance to the London

the UK offices of US law firms tends to be

office. You’ll complete four or six seats over

considerably smaller compared to that of

the two years in exactly the same way.

the UK firms. The high salaries and small

Though the focus will not be on the US,

intake make these training contracts quite

work for these firms will still involve plenty

exclusive. The competition is tough, and

of exposure to international clients, and so

you’ll need to have a good balance of

you will gain an excellent understanding

strong academics, work experience and

of English law whilst developing a

commercial awareness to be in the running

sense of working in a global market.

for opportunities with these firms.

As with the City law firms, you can expect

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Summary City Big London firms which are often also international. Salaries are often extremely high, however this is balanced by long working hours and slower career progression due to size and fierce competition.

International These firms have offices worldwide, providing greater opportunity for travel. Cases are often transnational meaning long working hours due to different time zones and travel time. Knowledge of another language is a large advantage in this type of firm.

National Offices only in the UK and typically involve domestic general practice and commercial law cases. There is greater opportunity for face-to-face client contact, more responsibility earlier on. Lawyers will likely have a better work-life balance but a slightly lower salary.

Scottish Based in Scotland and specialise in Scots law. To practice in one of these firms lawyers will need an LLB Scots law and a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. The work involved handling local, national and international issues for Scottish clients. Competitive salary.

US Based in the US, but have UK offices that are usually in London. Work involved high-end corporation and commercial cases involving international clients. Hours are long but the salaries are high. Due to their small intake competition for entry to these firms is fierce.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Areas of Law

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Contract Criminal Equity/Trusts EU Land Public Tort Alternative Dispute Resolution Banking & Finance Commercial Construction Corporate Employment Financial Markets Intellectual Property Litigation Private Client Private Equity Reputation Management Shipping Law Sports & Media Tax TMT White Collar Crime

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74 75 76 77 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 100 102 104 106 108 110 112 114 118

Contract CORE

Big cat territory.. Corporate lawyers are an elite group in legal practice. If you work in this area of law, no doors will be closed to you. The practice of corporate law involves general corporate matters, such as the incorporation of companies, directors’ and shareholders’ rights, articles of association, board meetings, secretarial matters and the public listing or delisting of companies. No two corporate transactions or deals are the same. The differences can depend upon several factors, such as the type of industry, whether it involves single or multimarket businesses, and the size of the companies involved. Clients in this area range from multinational corporations, investment banks and privately-held companies, to small and medium scale businesses,

A corporate lawyer needs to have strong communication and negotiation skills, an excellent academic background, the ability to think ‘out-of-the-box’, exceptional analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail. Teamwork is an essential feature of most corporate transactions. You will work with groups of professionals who share a common objective and therefore your interpersonal and people management skills should be top-notch. A good corporate lawyer is ambitious, thrives on challenges and relentlessly chases their goals. If you want to make big money then corporate law is for you. However, before you do think about committing to this area law, you should know that it is very competitive, you may well be working insane hours, and often be under immense pressure.

regulatory bodies and governments.

What makes a good corporate lawyer? To thrive in corporate law, you will need to develop an exemplary knowledge of business law, current trends and legislative and regulatory developments. Furthermore, you will need to build up a familiarity with corporate and business law in other jurisdictions where your clients have operations or are looking to invest.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Criminal CORE

And they say crime doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay... Criminal law covers everything; from small misdemeanours to big heinous crimes, fraud and white-collar crime. It can also involve international relations and multiple jurisdictional rules, particularly concerning issues such as extradition, money-laundering, cross-border crimes and terrorism. Typically, work is of a contentious nature.

will involve piles of paperwork and a huge amount of research. Much of the activity in dealing with cases can involve: liaising with peers and judicial authorities from other jurisdictions; taking care of extradition claims; or dealing with the fallout of delinquency or criminal negligence. Ancillary tasks might well include: following the money trail; battling with corruption and bureaucracy; monopolies and restrictive trade practices; and running

What does criminal law involve?

through copious amounts of documentation.

Criminal law covers some of the most serious issues in society, such as murder, rape or

What makes a good criminal lawyer?

robbery. Opportunities are available in

You should be street-smart, quick thinking and

both private and public practice. In private practice, you can work as a defence lawyer for those accused of criminal offences. In public practice, you will be working for either the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or for the Public Defender Service (PDS). Criminal lawyers will usually work on the case from the beginning to the end. This usually involves: the filing of a case; investigation; visiting police stations and prisons; taking witness statements; going through medical reports; liaising with court personnel, the police department and probation officers; filing pleas and motions before the presiding court; and conducting the eventual trial, if that part is not being performed by a barrister. Post sentencing, you might work on appeals at higher judicial levels. This

have a thorough understanding of criminal law, procedures and the judicial system. Communication and negotiation skills are key, alongside the ability to deal with a variety of people. You will need to get accustomed to handling large volumes of work, long and unconventional hours and performing well under pressure while retaining meticulous attention to detail. Clients a criminal lawyer will deal with may be dangerous, mentally unstable, drug addicts, or chronic offenders, so it is crucial you can set aside personal prejudices and judgment and take an objective and clinical approach in handling clients. Crime, by its very nature, carries a lot of notoriety and ill-will, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for a lawyer to maintain absolute discretion. Honesty and trustworthiness are of paramount importance.

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Equity & Trusts CORE

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just not fair... Equity essentially means fairness. Our legal system is based on these rules and this area of law gave birth to the law of trusts. Trust law is a set of rules that have been established to regulate situations where one person places trust in another person to look after their affairs. This includes the way that charities are run or the way that money left to somebody in a will is governed.

Why is it important? What does it involve? Equity stretches across all areas of law. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an incredibly important part of the legal system, but the majority of people working in this area of law will be dealing with the various intricacies of trust law. If you specialise in equity and trusts, you may find yourself

possessions or money may have changed hands several times before anyone notices a problem. Consequently, unravelling these issues can be a complex process and you will often need to digest vast amounts of information and follow long paper trails. Disputes often arise between partners who are looking to separate, especially regarding property. These scenarios are at the heart of trust law and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not unusual for your work to be intertwined with family law or other areas of law. You will need to be versatile and able to react to changing circumstances in a constantly evolving area of law. If you have a passion for understanding complex relationships, you are happy dealing with people often going through difficult periods in their lives, and are prepared to work long hours, then equity and trust could be for you.

making sure charities are correctly spending donated funds or resolving conflicts between families. It may often involve dealing with the affairs of people who are no longer around and therefore you will need to be sensitive to the situation of your clients. This applies whether you are a paralegal, a solicitor, a barrister or a legal clerk.

Break it down for me a little bit! Sometimes, trust law matters can be very complicated, and often

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EU CORE

28 members, one legal system... EU law, or European Union law, is a system of law that is specific to the 28 members of the European Union. This system overrules the national law of each member country if there is a conflict between the national law and the EU law.

Why is it important? What does it involve? EU law relates to a wide range of different matters; from agriculture to competition law. As the European Union grew in size, the idea was to create a level playing field and harmonise the laws across the Union regarding certain matters, mostly trade. This is a relatively new area of law, which only started to develop in the latter half of the 20th century. EU law is important because it ensures that the populations of the member states are treated, and treat others, equally. There is often a large amount of paper work involved in this area of law, especially if the case has been brought to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). In order for a matter to be admissible to the ECJ, all domestic remedies must have been exhausted, which means the case must have already been considered in

and delegation. You may also find yourself working on disputes involving other national law systems and languages, which will make matters super complex and multifaceted. In this area of law, you will either be working for, or against, the state. There are a large number of government lawyers who are required to protect the interests of the state, whilst a number of other lawyers work for private individuals and companies to make sure that member states do not surpass the powers they are given. You might even find yourself in Luxembourg at some point working at the European Court of Justice (ECJ). This is the highest court in Europe and makes binding decisions for all countries in the EU.

Break it down for me a little bit! If you are interested in international law, then EU law will offer you plenty of scope for career development. Additional language skills can be useful, especially if you work at the ECJ or on cross border disputes. You can use pretty much any language during a court hearing in the ECJ (Klingon probably isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t allowed though). However, you should be aware that all the deliberations of the court are in French.

the highest court in the country. Often these cases can be huge and involve large numbers of people, so will require lots or organisation

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Land CORE

The lie of the land... Land law, as the name suggests, is the set of rules that govern the land and anything attached to it, such as trees or buildings, or anything in it, e.g. treasure or oil. People who work in this area of law have the task of fighting or defending disputes over land matters, such as rights of way and boundary issues. These cases may involve matters which involve landowners, private individuals or the state.

Why is it important? What does it involve? Almost everyone will have to deal with some elements of land law at least once in their life, whether you buy a house, walk up and

years old. Research is a key part of this area of law. Furthermore, you will frequently be required to draft legal documents and liaise with the land registry, other lawyers and law firms that are sometimes located on the other side of the country, or even the world.

Break it down for me a little bit! Land law has evolved significantly over hundreds of years. Working in this area of law can be particularly interesting and stimulating. Although the remuneration is not as high as you might expect in corporate or commercial law, it can still be lucrative; especially when you consider the high value people place on land. After all, a manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house is his castle!

knock on someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s door or decide to cut down a neighbours overhanging tree. A great deal of the work of a lawyer specialising in this area involves going through deeds, agreements and the land registry records to see if you can decipher who owns what and what rights people may or may not have over pieces of land. You will need to have excellent attention to detail and highly-motivated to be able to concentrate on long paper trails and deal with the often unclear intentions of the individuals involved. Some of the disputes might require you to go back and refer to documents that are hundreds of

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An Interview with... Lauren Marie Doherty

Contributed by

Trainee in the Land Law department at BLP What sort of work do you do in land law?

client, which has enhanced my drafting and communication skills. I am also working

Typical trainee tasks in real estate are

as part of a team on a large corporate sale

likely to include: managing your own

in which our client is selling its freehold

files; drafting and negotiating leases and

interest in the property to then lease back

licences; drafting rent authority letters,

only two floors from the new owner.

rent review memorandums and notices; preparing and filing SDLT Returns, including

How does this seat compare with

communications with the client to obtain

others you have completed?

the necessary information; chasing parties for documents and action steps in line with

In real estate there is always a diverse

tight deadlines; enquiries management

range of work to get involved in. The great

on larger corporate transactions. Some

thing is that you manage your own files,

major deals will use large extranet sites to

from initial client instructions and heads of

set up an enquiries section for all parties

terms, right through until billing the matter.

to raise enquiries (questions) with the

No minute of the day is left unoccupied so

seller. Trainees monitor those enquiries

the need to manage different workstreams

and feedback to the rest of the team on a

and the ability to prioritise tasks are

daily basis; drafting and submitting land

skills a trainee will need to display.

registry applications; undertaking research. Does your work put you in direct What kind of projects have you been

contact with clients?

working on? Do you take on short-term tasks or work on longer-term projects?

I am constantly talking to clients, whether it be negotiating a lease, or calling the client

Trainees play an active part in real estate.

for information. Often it is a lot easier to

I was given my own files to run with

call a client in order to obtain information,

(supervised where necessary) and have

instead of emailing and having to wait for a

worked as part of a team on a range of

reply, which often becomes very impersonal.

different share/asset transactions. The

Fee earners like it if you get ‘stuck in’ and

smaller files allow you to take ownership

contribute where you can – enthusiasm

of your work and build lasting client

is key. For example, only yesterday I was

relationships, while the larger transactions

asked (unexpectedly) to retrieve some deeds

allow you to carry out discrete tasks and

from a client’s office. In the end, the client

work as part of a team. I’m currently drafting

asked me to spend the whole day with them

several leases and licences for a key retail

answering questions in relation to the deal!

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Public CORE

A matter of public interest...

evolved over time but it’s widely regarded

Public law refers to the relationship between

that a combination of the subjection

individuals and the government. In the UK,

theory and subject theory. The subjection

public law is made up of constitutional/

theory suggests that public law governs

administrative law, tax law and criminal law.

the relationship between the person and

Why is Public law important? What does it involve?

the state, and that private law governs relationships of individuals. The subject theory suggests that if a person finds

Public law is important because of

themselves in membership of a public

the unequal relationship between the

body, public law applies. The combination

government and the public. The government

of these two theories results in public law

is the only body that can make decisions

being defined as a field where an actor is an

on the rights of individuals and they must

authority with the power to act unilaterally.

act within the law. A citizen can ask for

If this authority is acting as a public entity,

judicial review if they are unhappy with a

public law applies. Some areas of law do

decision of an authoritative body. Lawyers

not seem to fit into either public or private

who are concerned with public law can

law. For example, employment law falls

specialise in various areas of law including

into both – the employment contract is a

constitutional/administrative law, tax law

private law matter, whereas health and

and criminal law. These areas of law are

safety in the workplace is a public law issue.

slightly different. For example, if you worked in constitutional/administrative law, you could be working alongside the NHS, local council or other governmental bodies. Criminal lawyers work on all aspects of a case including investigation, liaising with police and appeals. There’s usually a lot of paperwork involved with criminal law!

Break it down for me a little bit! There are several theories as to why public law is different to private law. These have

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62% of students are likely to apply to a City firm. ALLABOUTLAW.CO.UK’S THE LAW CAREERS MARKET, ANNUAL REASEARCH REPORT

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Tort CORE

Something aspiring lawyers tort to know about... Torts are wrongs committed by one individual against another individual. Tort law allows individuals to claim against any losses they suffer as a result of anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action. Many of us are familiar with â&#x20AC;&#x153;no win, no feeâ&#x20AC;? personal injury law firms, which are most often associated with this area of law. However, this is just one part of a much wider area of law that covers loads of different types of tort; from slander and trespass, to noise pollution and false imprisonment.

Why is it important? What does it involve?

area will have to work alongside individuals who feel they have suffered a loss. Their task is to ascertain whether there has been a loss, what type of loss it is and convince the court to side with their client. As with all areas of law, it will involve lots of paperwork and an array of support staff are needed; from secretaries and legal executives, to reporters and court interpreters.

Break it down for me a little bit... Tort law sometimes requires you to act quickly. In particular, in slander and libel cases you will be up against the clock to prevent irreparable damage from occurring, rushing to prevent articles from being

Tort law encompasses a range of issues in

published or television programmes from

society and offers a number of different

airing. You may also find yourself working

career opportunities. Essentially, the

on high-profile cases where discretion will

purpose of this area of law is to ensure that

be of paramount importance. Your clients

individuals do not suffer unnecessary loss.

will stretch the entire social spectrum, so

Loss can take a variety of different forms. For

having a knack for getting on with all types of

example, my actions may prevent someone

people will be a great asset. Understanding

from working due to an injury they sustain

and empathy are also essential traits

from them. In this case, the court may

and you will need the ability to convey

decide I need to pay for any losses incurred.

complex matters in an easily accessible

Alternatively, I could say or write something

way. You should also be able to handle

about another person which damages their

large volumes of work, perform well under

reputation (this is called slander when spoken

pressure and work to tight deadlines.

and libel when written) and they may sue me to claim damages against the harm I may have caused. Lawyers working in this

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A Day in the Life of... Gregg Rowan

Contributed by

Partner in Tort Law at Herbert Smith Freehills

After leaving my bicycle in the car park

I specialise in commercial dispute resolution

underneath our building, I head directly

and many of the cases that I work on have

to the barista bar in our canteen to get a

tortious elements. In the recent past, I have

cappuccino. Only then can the day start.

advised on a number of cases where there have been allegations of deceit or negligent

I identify my priorities at the beginning of

misrepresentation/mis-statement. We

the day and try to set aside time where

regularly advise on a wide range of tort issues

interruptions will be kept to a minimum to

such as, most obviously, negligence (e.g.

perform high concentration tasks. I also

professional negligence), but also nuisance,

delegate extensively â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is a very important

trespass and defamation. The defamation

part of my role. Recently I was advised to

cases tend to be particularly interesting!

keep a â&#x20AC;&#x153;not to doâ&#x20AC;? list, which I have done and found to be very helpful. Try it!

My practice is in the energy and infrastructure sectors so I tend to work with

Being a partner involves having overall

large oil and gas, power and aviation clients.

responsibility for the conduct of matters

The cases tend to be high value, complex

and advice to clients, especially on strategic

and very interesting. At the moment, the

issues and the direction of the matters. It

main case that I am working on is for BP and

is quite rare for me now to undertake the

relates to a North Sea oil and gas platform.

primary drafting of documents, such as

Every day throws up new challenges,

letters to the other side and advice notes,

which I find stimulating and is one of the

which I did regularly as an associate and

things that I most enjoy about the role.

miss! More broadly, there is of course a heavy onus on partners to develop and maintain client relationships and to win works. The last point that I would make is that one of the most satisfying parts of the role is developing junior lawyers such as trainees and associates.

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Alternative Dispute Resolution ELECTIVE

Hey, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just talk it through... ADR, or alternative dispute resolution, provides a voluntary alternative to the accepted practice of using the courts to settle civil disputes. The principle forms of ADR are adjudication, arbitration, conciliation and mediation. The best known and most commonly used forms of ADR in the UK are arbitration and mediation, but adjudication is rapidly becoming established as a valued method of settling disputes quickly, fairly and cheaply.

Why is it important? What does it involve? It has become popular in some quarters, in particular amongst lawyers and mediation service providers, to regard conciliation, negotiation and mediation alone as ADR. For these people, a negotiated settlement is an alternative to having a dispute brought to an end by a third party such as an adjudicator, an arbitrator or a judge. This narrow definition ignores the significance of the

rights and interests. Some legal rights are inherent, such as personal safety, whilst other rights arise out of agreements. The difference or dispute is likely to centre on a failure by one person to perform legal duties owed to another which harm the legal interests of that other person. The principal categories of civil dispute involve claims founded in the law of contract, the law of tort which is concerned in particular with accidents and professional negligence, breaches of trust and the redistribution of shared property following the breakup of relationships. Insurance, construction and maritime industries and employers are the most common users of ADR processes. You will be working for a variety of different clients and will need to be a keen listener with the ability to understand the needs of your clients and the desires of the other parties. This will allow you to come to a fair agreement, which achieves the vast majority of the aims of your client.

Break it down for me a little bit...

voluntary aspect of private dispute settlement

If you are a keen negotiator, empathetic

and the role that is played in all forms of

and have the ability to think quickly

ADR processed by experts and professionals

on your feet, then alternative dispute

outside the legal profession. Civil disputes

resolution is something that may well

are disputes between private individuals and

be right for you. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be a

or organisations in regarding differences

lawyer to get involved (although many

surrounding the partiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; respective legal

are) and the rewards can be great.

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A Day in the Life of... Gareth Kagan

Contributed by

Partner, Board Member and Business Group Head for Dispute Resolution at Bond Dickinson

One of the great things about being Business

of the client experience. A partner ensures

Group Head is the opportunity to visit Bond

that clients have the right team for the right

Dickinson’s seven different locations; I enjoy

job, monitoring clarity of advice, the value it

walking the floors and I’m always excited

adds and helping spot trends so clients can

by the breadth and depth of quality work.

avoid disputes happening in the first place. We fully appreciate disputes are disruptive

It’s tempting to deal with ‘urgent’ matters

for our clients, so we start by reviewing the

that flash up on your email, but as a

risks and setting out clear strategies for their

Business Group Head it’s important to

management. Associates tend to be more

step back and take a strategic overview of

involved in the day to day running of cases.

where we want to be in the future. I look after our Dispute Resolution Group of 255

Our lawyers are becoming more and more

legal specialists including 42 partners, one

like project managers. We have strength

of the largest groups in the industry.

and depth and an ability to draw down

Dispute Resolution is a rapidly changing

on significant resources at short notice.

market place and will be a totally different

Project management is a vital skill, so too

environment in five years time. One of my

is negotiation and commercial “nous”.

priorities is to ensure we’re at the forefront

We work for FTSE organisations through

of innovation, whether that’s in IT, funding

to some of the best known brands on

initiatives, how we deliver “more for less”,

the High Street, and no client will thank

or alternative ways of resolving disputes.

us for getting them embroiled in the publicity of a time draining Court case.

When Court is unavoidable a client will

So, it is our job to avoid that process so

always want its lawyers to fight “tooth and

they can focus on their core business.

nail” to get the best result. However, the real success of whether we are doing a good job for the client is keeping them out of Court. A partner’s role is focused on strategic oversight of a case and being at the front

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Banking & Finance ELECTIVE

Money makes the world go round... Nowhere is this popular adage more applicable than practising law in the banking and finance domain. This area of practice covers it all; from providing a loan to an individual, to complex financial deals for big companies. Banking and finance is a global leviathan; its tentacles are spread over multiple jurisdictions and, with new products frequently being offered, this is an area which can only get bigger. A banking and finance lawyer can look forward to long working hours, dealing with tons of paperwork, heaps of travel and getting to grips with the law in multiple jurisdictions.

What is involved in Banking & Finance law? Specialisation is a must; there are too many components for a solicitor to be a general practitioner. Lawyers in this field represent either the borrower or lender, and it’s their job to ensure the correct documentation is completed and clients’ interests are fully covered and protected. Most work is of a transactional nature and solicitors complete their part in the transaction before moving on to the next. A return to a completed transaction becomes necessary if disputes arise, and

this constitutes the contentious element of a banking and finance lawyer’s work. You can specialise in: project, acquisition, asset, property, securitisation, derivatives, capital markets and Islamic finance. Project finance involves making loans for various projects, while acquisition finance focuses on the lending of money to companies to purchase other entities. Asset finance, likewise, focuses on loans, but specifically relates to the purchase or leasing of big-ticket items. Securitisation involves transactions in which a lender offloads its loan portfolio to another company, while derivatives focus on the fixing of currency rates during a transaction. Capital markets is when a borrowing entity issues bonds to investors and Islamic finance involves transactions that comply with Shari’a principles.

What makes a good Banking & Finance lawyer? A lawyer will need to be a good negotiator to act as a mediator between parties and help everyone to reach common terms that are satisfactory to all. A thorough understanding of the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions a transaction involves is essential, as is the ability to analyse and predict future trends and communicate this clearly and concisely to clients.

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A Day in the Life of... Sally Lynch

Contributed by

Trainee Solicitor at Freshfields

I cycle to the office on my Dutch bike (I’m

an email to the transaction team giving an

on secondment in Amsterdam), change my

update on the transaction’s status. At the

trainers for heels and check my emails. I

end of the day, I finish drafting documents

read all my emails to find out if I need to do

and put them in for overnight typing.

anything and to get up to speed on what’s happening with the transaction; senior

I share an office with the English-speaking

team members will expect the trainee to

finance partner. This is great; I get to learn so

know exactly what’s going on. After checking

much every day. It means I get instructions

my emails, I write my ‘to do’ list for the

on the transaction directly from the partner.

day in order of priority. I’ll discuss my list

In both London and Amsterdam, clients

with the lead associate on the transaction

see the trainee as one of the main points of

to make sure I’ve got the priority right.

contact because the trainee tends to send emails circulating documents to all parties.

I tend to send a large number of emails in

Clients will contact the trainee directly if they

the morning that need action, or information,

have a particular query about the documents.

from other people. On a transaction, you’re likely to need daily input from specialist

Compared with other departments, I’ve had

departments, local counsel, your client and

a great deal of responsibility both during

the other side. I draft or update a number of

my time in the banking and restructuring

documents on a daily basis, including legal

and insolvency teams in London, and in the

opinions, funding agreements and security

finance team in Amsterdam. As a trainee,

documents. In the Amsterdam office, the

you’re seen as a key member of the team. For

English-speaking finance team and the

example, on a banking deal you’ll run the CP

Dutch finance team all sit and have lunch

process (under which a number of conditions

together in the restaurant – no ‘law talk’ is

have to be satisfied before a lender will fund)

allowed! After lunch, I’ll handle calls, go to

and will lead calls about the process. As a

meetings, and complete more tasks on my

trainee, your transaction management skills

list. Towards the end of the day, I’ll send

are really put to the test in a finance seat.

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Commercial ELECTIVE

Tricky business... Commercial law disputes deal primarily with contract and/or tort laws. It involves issues that arise in the course of running a business, at any stage of the commercial cycle. Such disputes are brought before courts for legal restitution when other methods of resolution, such as arbitration or mediation, have failed to provide a solution acceptable to all interested parties.

Why is Commercial law important? Commerce is at the core of a democratic society and, in order to be strong economically, it must be attractive to businesses. One way of doing this is to have a strong set of laws and regulations protecting businesses that enter into agreements with others and providing resolutions when things don’t go to plan. Commercial law provides that platform. Most commercial disputes are heard in Commercial Court or in county business courts when the dispute relates to that particular jurisdiction. They can also be brought before the Queen’s Bench or Chancery divisions of the High Court, or the Technology & Construction Court (TCC).

Break it down for me a little bit... A commercial lawyer’s work begins with obtaining necessary instructions and supporting information and documents from the clients. The case is reviewed thoroughly and the important facts and data are picked out. Lawyers then research case law and former precedents and prepare pleadings and arguments. They will arrange for settlement where viable, and present motions and arguments before courts if the case proceeds into litigation. Understanding a client’s needs is an important quality for those involved in commercial law. Other skills and talents required include negotiation, commercial awareness and time and people management. Commercial lawyers need to keep up to speed with the current business and commercial climate, changes and amendments in legislation, and regulations in all jurisdictions. Commercial lawyers are normally required to have a top-class degree, experience of participation in extra-curricular activities, and experience in debating, public speaking and moot court trials.

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An Interview with... Robert Worsfold

Contributed by

Trainee Solicitor in Commercial Law at DWF What kind of work do you do and how has

term work, the bulk of my workload in the

it effected your commercial awareness?

seat has been relatively short-term isolated tasks. More time-consuming work has

Commercial law can be regarded as the

ranged from drafting services agreements

reviewing and drafting of commercial

for the leading UK provider of training

contracts and providing commercial solutions

conference facilities, to running matters

to clients. Reviewing agreements on a daily

for an international supplier of in-flight

basis forces you to consider what drives a

goods, including amending, advising on and

commercial deal. Aspects of an agreement

producing high level reviews of framework

may be critical to one client, such as providing

and goods and services agreements. Smaller,

for a short payment period, asserting

more isolated tasks have included preparing

ownership of intellectual property or

new terms and conditions for clients, and

including a non-solicitation clause, whereas

drafting simple variation agreements

other clients may consider such issues as less

and intellectual property assignments.

crucial to their business. This seat requires an awareness of the commercial priorities of

How does this seat compare to others? Is

each client, together with an appreciation of

there much client content?

the practical implications of the agreement. From my experience, commercial work However, commercial awareness also

requires you to have regular direct client

includes an appreciation of the manner

contact. In order to ensure that the final

and format of presenting back to the client.

agreement reflects the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priorities and

Commercial work often involves producing

concerns, there must be clear and constant

high-level reviews of agreements, where

dialogue with that client. The format of

precise and concise communication is crucial.

that contact is predominantly by email, but

Other clients may prefer a more detailed

the work also includes telephone calls and

analysis/report of the risks involved. Sitting

meetings. Moreover, there is direct client

in commercial has developed my ability

contact when summarising agreements as

to analyse the priorities and concerns of

part of a contract review â&#x20AC;&#x201C; clear and concise

clients and communicate those findings back

client communication is an important

effectively.

aspect of a commercial seat. Commercial is a challenging but thoroughly beneficial

Do you tend to take on short-term tasks

seat. It requires an appreciation of the

or work on longer-term projects?

clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s circumstances and a consideration of the practical and commercial implications

While commercial offers both long and short

of each aspect of the agreement.

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Construction ELECTIVE

Building your law career... Construction law focuses on contentious and non-contentious work. Contentious work involves early dispute resolution through settlements, arbitration, third party mediation or litigation and adjudication. Non-contentious work involves a range of different tasks, from the preparation and negotiation side of building projects and assisting on the procurement of various resources and materials, to advising on environment, insurance and health and safety matters. Projects might also include: infrastructure projects for roads, hospitals, public amenities, prisons and prisons, or industry-specific projects, such as those related to gas production and hydroelectric plant developments. Construction lawyers will work in collaboration with professionals in project finance and property development to see projects through to fruition.

What is involved in Construction law?

due-diligence, conditions-precedent and funding of the project; similarly they must obtain civil and municipal approvals and sanctions from local authorities. They might also monitor the progress of projects through periodic site visits and meetings with stakeholders. On the completion and handover of a project, they assist with registration and tax formalities. Contentious practice occurs when disputes arise at any stage of construction, or after completion. Legal reforms and tighter regulation has ensured that the use of litigation as a means of dispute resolution has been curbed. Thus, all agreements must have distinct provisions on alternative dispute resolution should future issues arise. Arbitration is a mandatory clause in newer contracts.

What is needed to be a good construction lawyer? Skilled at negotiating and drafting procedures, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in large teams. Personal

Construction lawyers negotiate and draft

qualities necessary include creative and

agreements between interested parties,

lateral thought processes, the ability to break

such as property companies, landowners,

down complex structures and concepts into

builders, architects, engineers, contractors

simple facts, and strategic and analytical

and sub-contractors. They collaborate

thinking. Technical knowledge and expertise

with other legal departments in finance

in related professions, such as architecture

and real estate to complete the necessary

or engineering, will always be a great asset.

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A Day in the Life of... Laura Arenson

Contributed by

A second seat trainee at Mayer Brown

First, and most importantly, I make myself

of all the facts and legal issues.

a large cup of tea. Then Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll begin to reply to all the emails I have received overnight

I regularly work directly with partners

that did not require a more urgent reply

and clients, as well as experts, witnesses,

to have been sent from my Blackberry.

and legal counsel. For instance, I have attended hearings in court and meetings

There is no average day. As a trainee in

with clients, interviewed witnesses and

the Construction Department you will

even been invited out for dinners and

constantly need to be on your toes and

other social events with clients.

happy to assist with any task at any time. I have been fortunate enough to have been However, to give a snapshot of a day in

given lots of responsibilities on the matters I

the life of a trainee in the Construction

work on. To name just a few, I have drafted

Department, today I began my morning

witness statements, letters of claim and

by continuing with some research on

other legal documents, regularly update

a very niche area of construction law

our clients and my fellow colleagues on our

and discussed the results of my findings

progress on the matter and next steps, and

with the partner on the matter. Around

assist with preparation for upcoming court

midday I joined an associate and partner

hearings, arbitrations or mediations. Further,

in a meeting at a clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. On return,

my involvement on a pro bono matter has

I drafted an attendance note of the

awarded me with fantastic exposure to tasks

meeting. Later in the afternoon I went to

and responsibilities that a trainee typically

the Rolls Building to deliver a claim form

would not have the opportunity to deal with.

to the Technology and Construction Court (TCC). On return to the office, I spent the rest of my day reading documents on a matter I am about to get involved with so that I have a clear understanding

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Corporate ELECTIVE

Big cat territory... Corporate lawyers are an elite group in legal practice. If you work in this area of law, no doors will be closed to you. The practice of corporate law involves general corporate matters, such as the incorporation of companies, directors’ and shareholders’ rights, articles of association, board meetings, secretarial matters and the public listing or delisting of companies. No two corporate transactions or deals are the same. The differences can depend upon several factors, such as the type of industry, whether it involves single or multimarket businesses, and the size of the companies involved. Clients in this area range from multinational corporations, investment banks and privately-held companies, to small and medium scale businesses, regulatory bodies and governments.

What does Corporate law involve? As a corporate lawyer, your portfolio of work will usually involve: acting on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), the restructuring of corporate entities and the hiving-off of unprofitable sections. You might help list clients on stock exchanges across the world, secure finance from private equity players and venture capitalists. Firstly,

you might negotiate and prepare draft documentation in association with your client’s various accountants, financial advisors and managerial representatives. Helping to procure finance, either from banks or private investors, securing guarantees and other assets, might form part of the deal, as will completing due-diligence reports and checking on the status of debts, employees, ownership details and existing liabilities. To top it off, you might finalise the deal with all involved parties, getting necessary approvals through resolutions at board meetings, and completing registration and other formalities wherever necessary. A big portion of work involves dealing with private equity funds and listing clients’ companies on recognised stock exchanges.

What makes a good corporate lawyer? An exemplary knowledge of business law, current trends and legislative and regulatory developments. Furthermore, familiarity with corporate and business law in other jurisdictions where clients have operations or are looking to invest. Strong communication and negotiation skills, ambition, an excellent academic background, the ability to think ‘out-of-the-box’, exceptional analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail.

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An Interview with... Sarah Moir-Porteous

Contributed by

Trainee Solicitor at Shearman & Sterling

In just a few words, could you explain the sort of work you do in corporate law?

How do you deal with the hours?

Contract review, negotiating and drafting

People are very reasonable and so long

ancillary documents, transaction

as you give them notice when you have

management and overseeing

plans you don’t want to miss it’s fine. It is

physical and virtual signings.

also acceptable to work from home if you can, meaning you don’t need to spend

What kind of projects have you been working on so far?

unnecessary evenings in the office. Does your work put you in direct contact with clients?

Acting for buyers and sellers in large (predominantly private) acquisitions.

Yes. I have attended a number of physical

Usually the target will operate in a number

signings. The group is also very social and

of jurisdictions, so we have to work closely

trainees are always invited to client events.

with our foreign offices and local counsel. How does this seat compare with Do you tend to take on short-term tasks

others you have completed?

or work on longer-term projects?

A seat in corporate allows you to really A typical transaction probably lasts two to

get to know your client/the target

three months, but can be a lot longer or

business. It gives you a genuine insight

shorter depending on what the client wants.

into how they operate and allows you to

Public deals tend to take much longer than

focus on what matters to the client.

private deals due to the additional regulation.

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Employment ELECTIVE

and normal retirements, and negotiate

Work it... Employment law covers all matters related to the workplace, whether you work in a small firm or you are a tiny

with employees and/or their unions.

Break it down for me a little bit!

cog in a big corporate wheel. Beginning

Everything to do with the world of

with hiring, it moves through a complete

work including the hiring of resources,

cycle, which can end in cessation of

advertising of jobs, recruitment, new

employment, voluntarily or forced.

joining formalities, remuneration, the

What does Employment law involve?

promotion and movement of employees and the benefits provided, organisation restructuring, voluntary exits and litigation.

Employment law is concerned with an

Non-contentious work will focus on providing

employee and his/her rights and obligations,

advice, drafting, transactional tasks, and

but also deals with the employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights,

dispute resolution through arbitration and

duties and obligations. Into this equation

negotiations. Contentious work will cover

come matters of legislation, statutory

dismissals, breach of contracts, harassment,

authorities, regulations of conduct and the

redundancy/lay-off and discrimination

actual processes through which the law

on the grounds of age, sex, religion and

is administered and followed. Solicitors

disability. A solicitor needs to be agile and

who represent individuals or a group of

adaptable, able to operate in a constantly

employees will work on collecting information

changing environment. They should have

and research, preparing documentation

clear and methodical thought-process, good

(e.g. contracts, claims and pleadings),

reasoning and excellent communication

providing advice to clients and conducting

skills. Employment law involves dealing with

negotiations and settlements on their behalf.

the good, the bad and ugly aspects of human

Employment lawyers representing employers

nature, an employment lawyer will need to

will provide advice to companies and

be friendly, empathetic and professional.

institutions on defence against claims, HR policies covering all aspects of employment, contractual content on remuneration, early

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An Interview with... Chris Tutton

Contributed by

Partner in Employment Law at Irwin Mitchell

What is employment law?

The technical application of employment law is very interesting. I enjoy using

Helping clients make sense of the complex

imagination and lateral thinking to solve

legislation and case law governing the

problems. My role is to help clients

relationship between employees and

make the best decisions in relation to

employers. Employment lawyers typically

their key assets, their employees.

carry out a mixture of contentious work, such as Employment Tribunal litigation,

What qualities or attributes does a

and non-contentious advisory work; it’s a

lawyer need to work in this area of law?

varied and interesting specialism, involving anything from assisting an exiting employee

Strong interpersonal and communication

in negotiating a settlement package to

skills to be able to advise companies and

advising a company on a large scale

individuals in relation to an area of law

redundancy or restructuring project.

which can be extremely complex and highly emotive. It’s important to be practical and

What are some of the daily tasks

commercially minded, to understand clients’

that you come across?

aims in order to advise on the running of their business; to offer practical and

Advising HR directors or in-house Counsel on

appropriately tailored advice rather than

issues such as discrimination and dismissal

an academic break down of the law.

procedures. I’m likely to be working on several pieces of high value litigation, which

How do you handle cases if you feel

may require me to draft applications or

sympathetic to the other side?

witness statements. I work closely with the Corporate, Real Estate and Insolvency teams,

Employers almost always act for a good

so I advise clients on the employment aspects

business reason and only dismiss an

of mergers and acquisitions, and outsourcing.

employee if there was a valid reason to

In Irwin Mitchell’s London office, we work

do so. You feel compassion in certain

mainly for employers. We have a wide

cases, but it is important to bear in mind

range of clients across various sectors but

it’s a business relationship. Take the case

in particular, the property and construction,

of carrying out a redundancy exercise.

financial services and recruitment sectors.

While it is sad for the individuals who lose their employment, the company may

Why did you choose to specialise

not survive without reducing its costs.

in employment law?

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Financial Markets ELECTIVE

2007-08 & All That...

Asset management involves liaising and

After the 2007-08 financial crisis (aka ‘The

advising with clients who have shares in a

Recession’!) the financial markets has become

company, property investments, bonds and

increasingly regulated. As a result, lawyers

foreign exchange products. A LOT of money

specialising in financial markets are now in

is involved in asset management, so lawyers

high demand, while the financial sector gets

need to make sure their clients toe the line

to grips with its transformed world.

while making as much money as possible. Other areas, such as capital markets, will

Why is it important? What does it involve?

see a lawyer act for financial institutions and

Financial markets law is vast and covers asset

changes (remember the post-recession

finance, banking, capital markets, commodity

legislation!) and understanding the clients’

and energy trading, financial services and

position, so having previous transactional

market regulation, funds finance, Islamic

experience and the ability to understand new

finance, private funds, restructuring and

regulation is a huge advantage. Commercial

insolvency, and retail structured products.

awareness, therefore, needs to be top-notch!

Lawyers will need to be clued up on all the

Speaking of regulation, financial services and

complex factors of the finance world, and

market regulation would involve work for

should have a trained eye for detail as well as

brokerage houses, investment exchanges,

a penchant for mathematics. A great financial

investment banks, commodity traders

markets lawyer will look for new approaches

and other financial institutions. A financial

to traditional products and essentially act as a

markets lawyer would advise clients on the

business adviser to their clients, so the ability

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000,

to analyse and predict future market trends

strategic regulatory issues, investigations,

is an absolute must, as is an abundance of

disputes and disciplinary matters, derivatives

communication skills and an ability to convey

and commodity trading and documentation.

complicated information in a straightforward

Working in Islamic finance would involve

manner.

advising Shari’a-compliant financial

corporates, advising them on the regulation

institutions, fund managers, financial advisors

Break it down for me a little bit!

and corporate.

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An Interview with... Emmie Morris

Contributed by

Managing Associate in Banking at Simmons & Simmons. What are the daily tasks you come across?

large team and thrive under the pressure of working towards hard deadlines.

Financial markets incorporate a range of financing work, including banking, real

What attributes does a lawyer need

estate, tax, capital markets, asset finance and

to work in financial markets law?

financial services. My focus is on banking law. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rarely a typical day in a City law firm,

Good analytical skills and understanding

but broadly my work involves drafting facility

of the law and good understanding of the

agreements; advising lenders on commercial

commercial and business needs of their

solutions to lending issues; drafting security

clients. They need to be a team player and

documentation to support the credit for a

often put the team requirements above their

lender; assisting my clients on structuring

own. Due to the deadlines and transactional

a financing transaction; working with my

nature of our work, you need to be able to

trainee on their development, looking at

work under pressure, manage your work

the work they are doing and how I can help

load and have good time management skills.

them moving forward analysing a corporate structure to ensure that the lender obtains

What kind of clients do you work with most?

the best and most suitable security package.

How would you describe your workload?

Why did you choose to specialise

I mostly work for banks, financial institutions

in financial markets law?

and large corporate borrowers. We are on the panel for all UK clearing banks, so

I like the commerciality of the work. You

I am frequently working with the likes of

often work closely with the bank or financial

Barclays Bank PLC, Lloyds and HSBC Bank

institution and develop a close working

plc. I work in transactional banking and so

relationship. The work is exciting; there is a

your workload flow moves with the demands

common desire to work towards setting up

of the transaction. I am frequently on

financing with commercial solutions to legal

the go, particularly in the last few weeks

issues. Work is varied and I frequently work

of a transaction because the work will be

with our international offices on cross border

demanding. If I am not working on deals,

transactions. Any transaction involves several

I will be usually be marketing - this can be

members of the banking team and requires

anything from taking clients to see BeyoncĂŠ,

input from other teams within Simmons (e.g.

a crazy golf competition, heading off to

tax and real estate). I enjoy being part of a

the Ashes, or running a training session.

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Intellectual Property ELECTIVE

Patently the best area of law...

the mid-range and smaller boutique firms that work exclusively on intellectual property

Intellectual property law (commonly known

matters. An IP lawyer’s day-to-day tasks can

as IP) governs the ownership and accessibility

incorporate a wide array of activities, from

of ideas and inventions on tangible and

issuing notices to parties infringing on a

intangible concepts. In an extremely

client’s rights, to trawling through various

competitive world, IP is an integral part of

patent registries in relation to a new product,

business. There are many different ways to

innovation or idea brought forward by a

protect the ownership of ideas, products or

client. If any disputes arise, an intellectual

concepts, but these usually come in the form

property lawyer will be required to initiate

of patents, trademarks or copyrights.

discussions between parties, as well as challenging decisions and rulings that might

Why is intellectual property law important? What does it involve?

go against client’s interests.

Much of an IP lawyer’s activity will involve

IP lawyers get deal with fascinating, yet

providing legal advice on usage, commercial

technically complex, subject-matters.

viability, marketing and distribution

Consequently, it’s important for these

mechanisms, infringement or duplication,

lawyers to be up-to-date with business and

vesting of ownership and usage rights for

innovation trends, and understand and

any product or matter which falls within

appreciate creativity. Drafting expertise is

the ambit of IP. Like most legal areas, IP

essential, since contracts and agreements

also has contentious and non-contentious

are the lifeblood of any IP deal. Lawyers must

components. Most large firms will have

be flexible in their working style and able

separate departments handling IP, I.T. and

to discuss complex situations in a clear and

life sciences, where the maximum amount

concise way.

What makes a good IP lawyer?

of patent, copyright and trademark usage is concentrated. If this is a field you want to specialise in, it may be better to join one of

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A Day in the Life of... Fiona Morris

Contributed by

Trainee Solicitor at Fieldfisher

Depending on whether I’ve mustered up

liaise with colleagues in the department for

the energy to go to the gym, I’ll grab some

guidance who are happy to help with any

porridge from the restaurant. As a non-

queries I have. Sometimes we have to instruct

coffee/non-tea drinker (yes, they exist), I’ll

foreign counsel so I will liaise with them

grab a juice and then check my emails.

for fee estimates, summarise the matter for their consideration and instruct them.

I love that every day is different. I focus on

I enjoy the responsibility I have, as I have

trade marks, but still get to deal with other

a number of pro bono clients that I handle

IP rights. Some days I’ll be analysing third

and largely run the files for myself and seek

party trade mark applications and reporting

supervision when I think it may assist.

to a client whether they should oppose an application; other days I’ll be researching

I work on a variety of matters; with longer-

high profile copyright cases to draft a blog

term IP disputes, the tasks vary depending

post for our department. It’s great dealing

on where the case is up to in the run up

with a variety of clients, from well-known

to trial. Currently, I’m involved in a large

companies with a strong brand presence, to

franchising contract dispute where we

smaller companies who are developing their

have had the first CMC (Case Management

brand. It’s always rewarding to see brands

Conference) and now have to start the task

that are your clients in everyday life. We have

of disclosure. I generally tackle hands-on

departmental training sessions, which keep

project work: preparing draft reports to the

us aware of major updates in the IP field. At

client, analysing client’s registered rights,

lunch I meet with some of the trainees in the

and preparing arguments for an opposition.

firm’s canteen or, as the weather improves,

Sometimes I assist other fee earners with

outside overlooking the river. We are a

research tasks, for example researching:

sociable group so often organise to meet

whether to stay national patent proceedings

up for drinks in the evening if work allows!

pending a decision in on-going European proceedings; whether a client’s film proposal

As my seat is primarily litigation/dispute

would infringe copyright relating to a

based, most work has to be drafted for

previous film; and researching a third party’s

approval by my senior colleagues. I will often

infringing use of a client’s registered mark.

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Litigation ELECTIVE

Undisputedly, a class area of law...

research on relevant laws and case histories, or drafting preliminary motions before the court. Litigators usually work closely with

Litigation, or dispute resolution, involves

colleagues from other departments (e.g.

assistance with any disputes and claims that

banking and finance, corporate, commercial

may arise in the course of any commercial

and real estate) and a whole host of other

transaction or deal. Such matters could arise

support staff. Litigation is subject to frequent

between different companies, or between

changes and developments over a period

companies and individuals. Issues which fall

of time. In the UK, there are growing trends

under litigation can range from contractual

of American style class action suits, protests

matters, banking transactions and fraud,

against the escalating costs of litigation, third

to mergers and acquisitions, regulatory

party funding and a noticeable growth in the

mechanisms or competition, corporate

number of solicitor advocates.

management and restructuring problems.

What makes a good litigator? Why is litigation important? What does it involve?

A litigator requires good communication and negotiation skills. However, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not

Often when people think of litigation, they

so much about arguing cases but making

think of lawyers taking claims to court or

a cogent and reasoned case in favour of

defending claims brought against their

your clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll need to have a

clients. However, due to the cost and

strong academic background and be flexible

damage to business relationships that occur

and creative when it comes to tackling new

during court battles, dispute resolution

challenges. In order to be a good litigator,

is often used. Most top law firms have

you will need a keen sense of commercial

specialist litigation and dispute resolution

awareness, a good command over legal and

departments, while smaller or specialist

technical principles and the ability to present

firms concentrate all their resources on

facts, law and strategies in a reasoned and

litigation. Work as a trainee will begin by

persuasive manner.

preparing documentation, conducting

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A Day in the Life of... Simon Hart

Contributed by

Commercial Litigation Partner at RPC

Grab a coffee, check the FT headlines and

can be very different from being a junior

catch up with team members to discuss

associate. Having a good team around you

projects they are working on. If I am working

and discussing issues across the team is key

for clients in Asia, the morning is likely to

to delivering effectively. Partners are more

involve calls to those clients before they

involved in discussions about recruitment

close for the day. The morning is also a good

and case resourcing. Those issues are at

time for catching up with other partners

the heart of a successful business. Critically,

over issues such as recruitment, business

you need to be replacing cases that settle

development and case resourcing.

or otherwise finish, with new work.

Priorities are primarily client driven. On

On the client facing side there will be projects

larger cases, you have to work out where

relating to all facets of the case load –

you want to be - or don’t want to be - in six

whether that’s disclosure, witness statements

or eight weeks’ time and work backwards

or trial preparation. The degree to which you

from there to assess what the team needs to

are involved in the minutiae depends on the

be doing today (or should have been doing

case and client. However, ultimately, you have

yesterday). For all the complaints about

to manage and lead those work streams. I am

the burden of email, used properly, it can

continually involved in business development,

be an effective tool to help organise and

marketing projects and HR issues for the

communicate. The rule I try to live by – and

department; if you get bright, motivated

often fail to – is to resist the temptation to

people in the right place in the team you are

focus on the easy tasks first. You have to bite

half way to a successful business. The beauty

the bullet; otherwise tedious yet important

of being a litigator is the variety of people

tasks never get the true focus they require.

I meet. Clients vary from London based institutional investors; New York based hedge

As a partner you’re responsible for everything

funds; banks based across Europe and Asia;

that goes out of the door: the advice given

high net worth individuals who are based

and many judgment calls that are made. You

in multiple (often glamorous) countries;

need to be on top of the strategy, as well

corporates from anywhere in the world

as the detail, of a number of cases and that

and individuals from around the corner.

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103

Private Client ELECTIVE

Put simply...

regular management and disbursement of funds, which have been received or earned

Private client lawyers work with individuals

for charitable endeavours. Other activities

and families, providing legal advice on a

include providing investment advice, helping

variety of matters such as investments,

to set up offshore trusts, drafting contracts

taxation, estate management, wills and

and business proposals and handling

testamentary issues. Private clients are

sponsorships. Immense advances in several

usually rich, high net worth individuals or

emerging markets have created a fresh breed

landowners who hold massive amounts of

of millionaires and billionaires across the

properties and other assets. Private client

globe. Consequently, lawyers in this area are

lawyers deal with charities too, from small,

in high demand.

not-for-profit associations to fully-fledged organisations that run like a business and

Break it down for me a little bit!

have immense budgets. The main objective is to provide advice that helps preserve, build

Private client lawyers need excellent people

and maintain wealth and establish trusts.

skills, in order to handle communications, discussions and negotiations articulately and

Why is it important? What does it involve?

efficiently. A comprehensive knowledge of the law and commercial matters when dealing with taxation, inheritance, investments and

Work might be comprised of drafting wills,

trusts is essential. They must have a particular

executing the terms of a will in the instance

aptitude for wading through tons of rules and

of death, and the subsequent disbursement

regulations and be able to structure matters in

of properties and assets. In order to preserve

a manner that is most beneficial to their client;

wealth, application of tax law will be required

saving on costs, while still being compliant

in many cases. When working for charitable

with the law. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advantageous for private

bodies, private client lawyers provide legal

client lawyers to have a good understanding

services for registration, restructuring,

of the foreign markets where clients hold their

creating charters or trust deeds, compliance

assets and funds.

with statutory and local authorities and

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An Interview with... Alexandra Clark

Contributed by

Associate in the Mills & Reeve Private Client team What is private client law all about?

inheritance tax planning; and considering issues of mental capacity and drawing up

Helping clients to structure their affairs

and registering lasting powers of attorney.

to protect their assets and to achieve tax efficiency for the benefit of the next

Why did you choose to specialise

generation. This includes guiding clients

in private client law?

through complicated inheritance tax and capital gains tax regimes, assisting

The intellectual challenge is the most

them to understand the options that

enjoyable aspect for me. Our clients have

are available to them, drafting and

a wide range of aims and priorities and the

advising on Wills and family settlements,

key is in recognising that one size doesn’t

administering estates and trusts and

fit all. It’s rewarding to work closely with

powers of attorney. As people are living

individuals to achieve an outcome that

longer but not always healthier, demand

is tailored to suit their and their family’s

for private client services is increasing.

needs. The law itself is constantly changing and there are a vast number of nuances

What are some of the daily tasks

so it is possible to develop a specialism.

that you come across? What qualities or attributes does a lawyer

The work is varied, but can involve advising

need to work in private client law?

a wide range of clients from trustees of family trusts to individuals on helping

Private client law is complex so a lawyer

them to establish effective, flexible and tax

must be academically up for the challenge.

efficient plans for succession. This includes:

However, the key is translating that technical

analysing clients’ assets and advising on

analysis into genuine advice that is clear,

their likely inheritance tax liability, including

relevant, practical, and tailored to the

advising on the likelihood of securing

client’s circumstances. A lawyer must have

agricultural property relief, business property

excellent client skills, be likeable, friendly and

relief and making use of the surplus cash

empathetic with clients but similarly, resilient

exemption; drafting UK Wills and Codicils;

as it’s not always about delivering good

creating lifetime settlements and deeds of

news! Being able to develop and maintain

appointment and retirement of trustees

relationships is key as often we will act for

(offshore and onshore including deeds

several generations of the same family.

of release/chains of indemnity); advising UK resident and non-domiciled clients on

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105

Private Equity ELECTIVE

It’s like Dragons’ Den...

and negotiate the acquisition and finance documents. They then close the transaction

Private equity is a type of investment

and establish the business and legal structure

where investors’ money is used to buy out

for the new company. When a private equity

businesses. In private equity deals, the

firm or individual wishes to sell a company,

investor buys a controlling stake in the

private equity lawyers negotiate terms for the

business. So next time you’re watching the

acquisition and advise on tax and disclosure.

BBC show, that’s what Peter Jones, Deborah

Private equity lawyers’ work with some very

Meaden and their fellow Dragons are

influential private equity investors and are

striking a deal upon – a controlling share of a

expected to provide sound legal advice on all

business. Private equity firms or individuals

aspects of a deal as well as displaying their

want to increase the value of the company

commercial expertise.

they’re investing in – usually by increasing the profits and growing the business. They then

Break it down for me a little bit!

look to sell the company (or their share of it) after a few years, usually three to seven (this

Private equity lawyers will draw on many of

is known as an ‘exit’).

the skills a ‘normal’ mergers and acquisitions lawyer possesses. However, due to the

Why is it important? What does it involve?

different nature of investing in comparison to merging or acquiring (i.e. keeping the same management rather than replacing them), the

Private equity lawyers help the private equity

exact terms of a deal may be more complex,

firm or individual negotiate the terms on

making the work challenging and interesting.

how they contribute their cash; they act on

Additionally, and for obvious reasons, private

behalf of the private equity firm or individual

equity law overlaps with finance and tax

when it buys and sells investments. The

law and also competition law at different

private equity lawyer has the job of making

stages in the deal. You will need to possess

deals happen and keeping clients in line

an abundance of energy and commercial

with the law. When businesses are being

awareness, and also be pretty handy at

bought or invested in, lawyers’ structure

problem solving.

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An Interview with... Mia Hatfield

Contributed by

Trainee Solicitor at Weil What private equity actually entail?

How does this seat compare with others you have completed?

Private equity funds are raised by marketing

My first seat was in banking, where I worked

to investors such as pension funds, banks,

on leveraged buyouts and refinancing’s.

insurance companies, companies in general

I’ve really enjoyed the diversity of the

and individuals. These private equity funds

work I’ve undertaken during my training

are usually established for a 10-year period

contract, in particular in private equity

during which the fund will make a number of

where the team works on a wide range of

investments, primarily in unlisted companies

transactions including acquisitions, schemes,

with a view to achieving a high return by

IPOs, re-organisations, ESS schemes and

exiting within the next 5 to 7 years.

general portfolio company management.

What kind of projects have you

Does your work put you in

been working on so far?

direct contact with clients?

During my first month I worked on a wide

Yes, trainees are in contact with clients

range of projects, including a scheme of

from the beginning of their training

arrangement, employee share scheme and

at Weil whether that be through calls,

the recent IPO of DFS. This was particularly

email correspondence or at social

interesting, as I was part of the team working

events. As trainees we are responsible

on the financing for this transaction during

for our own workstreams on each deal

my previous seat in banking, and therefore

and are treated as a valued member

had the opportunity to track the deal from

of the team from the outset.

beginning to end from two perspectives. As a trainee, it is ‘normal’ to work on a number of deals simultaneously, which has

How do you keep your head up when dealing with potentially sensitive matters?

enabled me to gain exposure to a broad cross-section of the team’s work, and work

When dealing with sensitive matters, it is

with a number of different team members.

essential to remain calm and adjust your

Deals can continue for several weeks or

demeanour and attitude to suit that of

months and involve a broad range of trainee

the client. If in doubt, it always helps to

tasks, which can be discrete, for example

discuss the situation with your supervisor

drafting board minutes, or continuous, such

and benefit from their experience!

updating an active documents list which acts as a checklist for the transaction at large.

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Reputation Management ELECTIVE

A rep to protect...

find themselves working with, and advising, the PR teams of their clients. As time is

Being the coolest kid on the block isn’t

critical in managing reputation, long hours

easy. Sure, you have loads of mates, get

and weekend work may be involved, and

invited to all the cool parties and have a very

managing media profiles of corporations

impressive Twitter following. However, your

and high profile individuals includes keeping

reign at the top can all come crashing down

damaging or untrue stories away from the

if your parents reveal that you routinely sing

press. You will be responsible for obtaining

along to Bieber in your room. Businesses and

and defending injunctions and could even be

prominent individuals need to protect their

involved in litigation involving defamation,

brand, no matter the sector in which they

privacy and reporting restrictions. You may

operate.

also find yourself working with national press and media outlets to ensure that their

What does reputation management involve?

journalists don’t break defamation and privacy laws, checking over material before it is published and providing clearance and

Specialising in this area combines expertise

advice to publishers.

from sports and media law, intellectual property law, and commercial law. Reputation is the most easily targeted

What makes a good reputation management lawyer?

asset of a business or brand – consumers can get aggravated and complain via social

A thorough knowledge of defamation and

media, protests can lead to criminal damage

privacy laws, plus loads of commercial

and undercover journalists can infiltrate

awareness about how specific laws will be

organisations. You’ll have to get your head

applicable to your client’s situation. Managing

around defamation, confidentiality and

reputations is often time sensitive - you’ll

privacy laws and advise your client how they

need to stay calm under pressure and be

can utilise this legislation. There’s an element

prepared to work at all hours and be able

of press and media relations involved, and

to react within minutes – the client’s entire

reputation management lawyers will often

business may be on the line!

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A Day in the Life of... Tomm Rudkins

Contributed by

Reputation Management Solicitor at Farrer & Co

I get in around 8.30, check through my emails

stories that our publisher clients are

and catch up on the newspapers just to make

proposing to publish in the next edition of

sure none of our clients have been on the

their magazine, whilst on other occasions we

wrong side of a press sting. Since we also

find ourselves writing or speaking to lawyers

work for a couple of celebrity magazines, to

on the other side of disputes where one of

my embarrassment I also keep up to speed

our clients has been the victim of adverse

with what is going on in the world of celebrity,

publicity. Increasingly these days, clients

devoting myself to the likes of the Sun and

are also the victims of harassment and false

MailOnline. After that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for breakfast

allegations by anonymous Internet users,

before getting on with work properly.

meaning that we have to do investigative work to find out who is responsible. Where

The work our Reputation Management team

clients have been subjected to more sinister

does is frequently deadline driven, meaning

forms of harassment and/or blackmail, then

that it is usually relatively easy to decide

part of our role might involve working with

what to prioritise. When there are court

the police and/or criminal lawyers. Since a

deadlines or clients who are seeking to limit

number of our clients (whether they are high

the damage to their reputation caused (or

net worth individuals, celebrities, sports stars,

about to be caused) by a newspaper, TV or an

charities or companies) have a significant

Internet story, the timeframes for doing the

public profile, the work we do is often high

work are clearly defined. While this means

stakes, which makes it all the more enjoyable.

the workload can be quite intensive, this adds to the interest and makes it easy to

As I mentioned above, because matters

maintain motivation.

involving reputation can affect anyone (especially in the days of the Internet), we

The work we do is very varied but broadly

work for a very diverse range of clients.

speaking we are either seeking to protect

On any given day, we might be advising a

the reputations of our clients or, where our

footballer on stories about his love life, a

publisher clients are concerned, advising

school on press coverage of the actions of a

them in relation to complaints (potential or

teacher and a hedge fund on allegations of

actual). One day it might involve reviewing

tax avoidance.

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Shipping Law ELECTIVE

This might float your boat...

shipping disputes can be contractual breaches, infringement of ownership rights,

Shipping law deals with the movement of

manufacturing defects, insurance and

goods and passengers by sea. It’s actually

reinsurance matters, portage, commissioning

divided into ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ shipping. Wet

and decommissioning of vessels.

shipping refers to incidents or issues which come up during the actual voyage; whereas dry shipping refers to all other matters

What makes a good shipping lawyer?

such as contracts, charter agreements, construction and funding for ships, port and

Lawyers working on admiralty cases should

harbour infrastructure.

have an excellent mastery of contracts, commercial law and tort law. The nature of

What does shipping law involve?

disputes in the shipping sector will mostly involve issues of contractual significance; however, in some instances, there could be a

Most disputes arising out of both wet and

requirement for you to have some industry-

dry shipping law are greatly based on

specific and technical knowledge. People

contract and tort laws. English admiralty

working in support roles will also need to

law is a popular and generally accepted

be well-organised and a background in the

reference, even in overseas jurisdictions.

shipping industry would be a great asset.

Given the pan-global nature of international

They can then apply suitable legal principles

trade, it is inevitable that a majority of

more effectively. Strong logical reasoning,

cases which come before the courts have

a disciplined approach to work, meticulous

plenty of international flavour. Typical ‘wet’

attention to detail, and cogent and creative

disputes that arise are accidents, collisions,

thought processes is necessary. Shipping

loss or destruction of freight at sea, piracy,

lawyers will need an excellent academic

explosions or capture by hostile groups,

record, e.g. a top class degree and good

salvage operations and transgressing into

grades. Proficiency in verbal and written

the territorial waters of other countries

communication, people management and

without approval or prior notice. ‘Dry’

interpersonal skills are essential.

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A Day in the Life of... Richard Alam

Contributed by

Shipping Trainee at HFW on secondment in Shanghai

I check my emails on my Blackberry on the

an associate. I consider strategy and prepare

way to the office. Usually, something comes

documents and correspondence for their

through overnight – either from opponents’

review, on a daily basis. Working closely

lawyers, or assistance from one of our

alongside experienced colleagues is a great

global offices or counsel in London. If there’s

opportunity to learn, and pushes you to

anything urgent, once at my desk I’ll draft a

exceed their expectations. Updating and

reply, which I’ll discuss with senior members

advising clients is a constant process: many

of the team and amend accordingly. If

speak to us three or four times a week, as

nothing urgent has come in, I’ll quickly scan

well as being in email contact. I meet clients

Holmanet, the firms’ intranet, which is useful

regularly in Shanghai; this allows me to

for updates on news within the firm and

develop personal connections and better

notable cases or deals being worked on.

understand their goals.

Frequently, I draft applications and

The work is extremely hands-on in Shanghai

correspondence to the Tribunal or court, as

- that’s what makes it so enjoyable! I’m

well as responding to opponents’ applications

responsible for the day-to-day running of a

or correspondence. Often, I have to review

number of smaller cases, which require me

and carefully check points in the pleadings

to keep myself abreast of all developments

or evidence. I’m also involved with the

and deadlines, take charge of drafting

drafting of pleadings and witness evidence,

correspondence, considering strategy, and

allowing me to influence how clients’ cases

reporting to clients. In larger cases, I research

are presented and developed. As Shanghai

particular points of law or take charge of a

is largely a shipping litigation focused seat,

specific task that is part of a wider exercise

managing disclosure is a common task,

– something valuable in strengthening team

requiring careful consideration of documents.

working skills.

Finally, writing to clients to update them and seek further instruction is a continuous process across the course of a case. In Shanghai I work alongside a partner and

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Sports & Media ELECTIVE

Going for gold...

theatre, books, websites and magazines. Sports lawyers can represent players, clubs,

In this area of law you may be dealing with

sports agents, regulatory associations or

contracts, intellectual property, torts or

sponsorship companies. Sport is seriously

privacy. You might find yourself protecting

big business and you will often have

your clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intellectual property issues,

to work on several areas of law; from

such as copyright violations and trademark

telecommunications, finance and intellectual

infringements, or handle libel, slander issues

property, to negligence and privacy. The

and data privacy matters. This area of law is

working atmosphere in most places where

often considered to be glamorous and high-

media and sport law is practised is very

profile. However, the reality is that, more

informal, modern and friendly but cases

often than not, a sports or media lawyer will

and deals will usually involve huge sums

be concerned with the legal nitty-gritty, rather

of money. Despite this, sports and media

than attending highly publicised events

lawyers tend to receive smaller salaries

and rubbing shoulders with celebrities.

than those who work in large firms where

Nevertheless, it is still a very attractive

corporate, banking and finance rule the roost.

area of law.

What does sports & media law involve?

What makes a good sports & media lawyer? You will need to be commercially savvy,

As a sports and media lawyers provide

outgoing, enthusiastic, and have your

advice on business agreements, contracts of

finger on the pulse. It is vital that you enjoy

performance, financial transactions, litigation

interacting with people and that your

and employee management and benefits.

networking skills are sharp. Much of your

Lawyers will handle cases on defamation,

work may involve hand-holding celebrities

libel, slander, encroachment on privacy,

and other high-profile individuals, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

unsubstantiated allegations or declarations

important to be empathetic and patient.

against individuals. Entertainment law

Having a talent for advocacy will also be a

covers radio, music, television, films, art,

great bonus.

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A Day in the Life of... Christopher Hanson

Contributed by

IPT Partner at DLA Piper

Make a cup of tea (I’m not a coffee-drinker),

and other European film markets, which

check the post (mostly junk-mail) and then

associates are expected to attend.

check-in with the team, so we all know the priorities and action points for the day ahead.

The films with which we get tend to get involved are large international productions

The work we cover mostly involves the

($50 million or more), which originate in the

financing of feature films. Some are large

US. You will know most of them by name -

budget, star driven, Hollywood blockbusters,

think dinosaurs or super-heroes. Many (but

and some are smaller independent films.

not all) of the films will have a UK component,

Whether large budget or small, all films have

and may well also shoot in Europe or Asia.

a fixed start date, by when all the financing

Our global network is a key driver of work

documents need to be in place. Typically

from our clients. On a daily basis, there

we get six weeks to negotiate and close the

will be deals which will involve our other

financing documents - though it can be less.

international offices. At the moment, I’m

The fastest we’ve closed a deal was in three

working with our Amsterdam, Budapest and

days. So in terms of prioritising the workload,

Prague offices on three different films.

it’s usually a case of starting work on the films that go into production first.

Most of our clients are based in Los Angeles - which does mean that the team’s “office

Often I’m asked to use my contacts and

hours” aren’t 9am - 6pm, or anything like

relationships to help pull financing deals

that. Our clients are a mix of the Hollywood

together for our clients, which can involve

Studios (Warner Bros, Paramount Pictures,

introductions to investors, and analysis

Universal Studios, Disney, Sony Pictures) and

of film incentive programmes around the

banks and investors that lend to, or invest in

world. Often we’re business advisors more

the film industry.

than lawyers, in the strict sense. Building relationships with industry players is very important, which is why we encourage our associates to network within the industry, both here, at the Cannes Film Festival

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113

Tax ELECTIVE

There are two certainties in life: death and taxes...

tax during transactions, especially when structuring financial and administrative frameworks in different markets. Tax

Tax law is important to every commercial,

lawyers in the public sector will work for

corporate or personal transaction. Every facet

governmental tax and revenue departments,

of life today involves tax in some respect. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

tax statutory bodies and panels. Their

a big source of revenue for authorities and its

work will include investigating tax evasions,

subject-matter is voluminous and complex.

auditing the tax accounts of companies,

That sounds very boring, but then again so do

prosecuting tax offenders, assisting in

lots of things that are difficult to understand.

interpretation of tax rules and regulations

To be clear, this area of law is often reserved

and defending public authorities against

for the most analytical of aspiring lawyers.

private sector claims. Tax law is a particularly lucrative area for solicitors; good advice can

What does tax law involve?

result in clients saving literally millions of pounds.

Tax law involves contentious and noncontentious work and is a crossover service

What makes a good tax lawyer?

associated with almost all other areas of law practice. More and more clients are

Tax law can be very complex and confusing;

looking for professionals who combine legal

hence a strong background in academic

and accounting expertise to ensure the

excellence is a must. Tax solicitors require

uniformity and quality of advice that they

exceptional skills in analysis, communication

receive. Tax lawyers are required in both

and negotiation. They scrutinize and study

private and public domains. A private sector

business structures and constitutions to

tax practitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workload will cover various

provide clients with the best possible advice.

core areas; normally this involves focusing

Furthermore, the job involves plenty of study

on the best way to structure assets, assisting

and research and tax solicitors need to have

with documentation, negotiating transactions

a close eye for detail. Extra qualifications in

and jockeying the deal to completion. They

accounting will be an added advantage.

will advise clients on the implications of

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An Interview with... Michael Taylor

Contributed by

A second seat trainee at Hogan Lovells In just a few words, could you explain

arises, members of the department will

the sort of work you do in tax law?

generally invite you to client meetings. There is also occasionally the opportunity

There is a great mix of work for trainees

to have direct client contact by email. Which

in the department. While there are a

area of tax law are you most interested in?

lot of discrete, research-oriented tasks,

For me, it would have to be Stamp Duty

there is also the opportunity to draft and

Land Tax. It is an extremely complicated

review the tax sections of prospectuses

and challenging area of tax law but this

and agreements, take part in contentious

is what also makes it very rewarding!

matters to be involved in transfer pricing and assist in the coordination of

How do you keep your head

international tax advice for clients.

up when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with potentially sensitive matters?

What kind of projects have you been working on so far?

The members of the tax department at Hogan Lovells are very helpful in this regard.

Do you tend to take on short-term tasks

There is a very calm and professional

or work on longer-term projects? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a mix

environment, which means that all work is

of both, although the majority are short-

treated with the same professionalism and

term tasks that involve one off pieces

there is never a sense of extreme stress or

of research or administration, such as

anxiety about a particular piece of work.

arranging for the payment of Stamp Duty. There are longer-term tasks, however. For

How does this seat compare with

example, I have been fortunate enough

others you have completed?

to assist in coordinating the European transfer tax advice for one of the biggest

This is my second seat and I have thoroughly

deals ever done by Hogan Lovells.

enjoyed my time in the department. From a trainee perspective, there is a steady stream

Does your work put you in

of work (unlike in my previous seat which was

direct contact with clients?

transactional) that is all extremely interesting. The complexity of tax law in addition to

The nature of the work undertaken by the

the ever-changing legal framework and

department means that trainees do not

increasing media scrutiny means that you

have a huge amount of direct contact with

will always be challenged intellectually,

clients. Although when the opportunity

which is something I really enjoy.

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115

TMT ELECTIVE

Put simply...

and drafting agreements on new business, contractual work for new projects, licensing

Technology, media and telecommunications

and rights distribution. They might assist

law (TMT) deals with the movement of

with advertising, marketing plans and

communications across various different

commercial launches too. Outsourcing is

platforms, whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s television, print, the

not uncommon in TMT, where lawyers will

internet or mobile devices. TMT lawyers are

often be tasked with things like completing

at the fast end of a quickly evolving area of

due diligence checks on the outsourcing

law.

partner, preparing and reviewing draft agreements, protection clauses and the rights

What does TMT law involve?

and obligations of both parties. The biggest attraction of outsourcing is the movement

Legal services in the TMT sector include:

of I.T. functions and technical support to

providing advice on the licensing of

countries where business costs are lower

software and hardware and outsourcing

and a qualified workforce is available at a

arrangements. A lot of work focuses on

cheaper rate. Consequently, TMT lawyers

new media and technology developments,

need to be familiar with business laws and

such as the internet, mobile telephony, data

regulations in several jurisdictions. A TMT

protection and privacy laws, e-commerce

lawyer in e-commerce will focus on providing

issues and fraud prevention. With the rise of

legal advice for clients that are setting up

the internet giants, such as Google, Facebook

websites and online payment systems. Data

and Youtube, TMT is the area of law that

security and the protection of content within

is arguably undergoing the biggest boom.

the website are of paramount importance

The phenomenal growth of the internet and

for these types of organisation. What makes

cutting-edge next-generation technologies

a good TMT lawyer? A TMT lawyer needs

means that work is constantly piling in.

to have knowledge of the technology and media industries and must be up-to-date on

What does a TMT lawyer do?

the latest developments and innovations. A knowledge of industry-specific terminology is

Work of a TMT solicitor will involve advising

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also necessary.

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An Interview with... Alasdair Lamb

Contributed by

Trainee at Olswang What’s the first thing you do when you get

How much do you correspond with senior

into the office?

colleagues and clients on a daily basis?

I usually head straight to the top floor to grab

I’ve had extensive exposure to clients

a coffee before settling down at my desk. I’ll

during this seat, attending client meetings

then check my emails and consult my to do

on a regular basis (sometimes as the sole

list for the day. Next I’ll either start working

legal representative) and also participating

as planned the day before, or re-prioritise

in business development and training

my schedule depending on whether or not

sessions with clients. On certain longer term

any new requests have come in since I last

projects, I’ve had the chance to work closely

checked my emails.

with clients, enabling me to build strong relationships which I hope to maintain after

Could you give us a quick breakdown of

the seat ends.

how you spend the average day in this

I have lots of opportunities to work with a

seat?

range of colleagues, from fellow trainees right up to partners. In general Olswang is

One of the things I like most about the

a very collegiate firm, with even the most

department is that there rarely is an ‘average

senior members being approachable and

day’. My day is very much dependant on the

keen to ensure you get the most out of your

type of transaction that I am involved in and

training contract. I’ll often work directly with

the work that I have been set: anything from

partners – updating them on the progress of

a piece of research on a discrete legal point

longer terms projects or reporting back on

as part of some advisory work to helping to

specific pieces of work they have asked me to

draft contractual documents for a large-

undertake.

scale transaction. Sometimes my diary will be relatively clear, allowing me to get ahead

What sort of responsibilities do you have

with the various tasks I’ve been set, and other

as a trainee in TMT law? Are you tackling

days I’ll have to work around various client

hands-on project work or undertaking

and internal meetings. I’ll often head to lunch

more general research and protocol

with fellow trainees after a morning’s work,

training?

before cracking on in the afternoon and planning for the following day before I leave

Work mainly consists of hands-on project

for the evening.

work and research tasks. Often I’ll be working on a range of matters simultaneously,

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117

whereas at other times it may be that a

of your work. In my opinion the department

larger transaction takes up the majority of

offers an unparalleled opportunity as a

my capacity. Depending on the nature of the

lawyer to really understand what a client

project, my responsibilities as a trainee range

does, and work side by side with them to

from reviewing and drafting transaction

realise their commercial goals.

documents, undertaking research and preparing memos, document management,

How do other areas of law come into this

undertaking due diligence and drafting due

elective?

diligence reports and business development work.

Intellectual property is the area in which I deal with the most in this respect, with

In just a few words, could you explain the

IP being of central importance to a large

sort of work you do in TMT law?

amount of the transactions we are involved in. Other than this I also often have to liaise

At Olswang our TMT department (or MCT –

with colleagues from other departments in

Media, Communications and Technology – as

the firm, such as tax and corporate whilst

we call it) sits within the commercial group.

supporting corporate transactions.

The team advises on a wide range of matters encompassing general commercial contracts

What kind of projects have you been

(alliances and collaborations, consumer

working on so far? Do you tend to take on

contracts, e-commerce, IT, media content and

short-term tasks or work on longer-term

exploitation), outsourcings, data protection

projects?

and privacy, and regulatory issues. The team also undertakes corporate support work, and

I have been involved in a mixture of projects.

acts for a broad range of sectors including

One week I may be working across a range of

broadcasting, betting/gaming, internet and

matters which are all relatively discrete, the

e-commerce and film.

next week I could be spending 100% of my capacity on one large transaction. Both offer

Why did you choose to take this elective? Is

advantages: it’s great to gain exposure to a

technological development something that

range of clients and matters to gain a breadth

interested you outside of law?

of experience, but you can’t beat getting stuck into one deal in order to really understand

I have always been particularly interested

a transaction and learn as much about your

in the media and technology sectors

client as possible.

and was keen to take the opportunity to become involved in these areas from a legal

Does your training put you in direct

perspective. I’ve found that being genuinely

contact with clients?

interested in what your clients do makes a huge difference from what you can get out

118

During this seat I’ve had the opportunity to

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work closely with clients on a regular basis. In particular, during an outsourcing deal I attending and ran client meetings on my own. This was a fantastic opportunity to spend some time with the client, practice a variety of skills and take on a high level of responsibility. I also gained a large amount of client contact whilst assisting with the media rights tender, bidding and evaluation process for a sports global broadcast partnership. I’ve found that the department is keen to give trainees as much client exposure as possible, which is invaluable training ahead of becoming an associate. How does this seat compare with others you have completed?

Overall I have really enjoyed my training contract at Olswang. I’ve also spent time in the tax department and corporate departments, giving me the opportunity to experience a distinct range of work. During my seat in tax, I was sitting in the share schemes team and gained experience of both general tax and employee incentives. My work broadly consisted of discrete advisory work, supporting corporate transactions and restructurings, advising on real estate transactions and implementing employee share scheme plans. Whilst work in tax was more research based, work in corporate involved more drafting of documents, as well as assisting with completion and postcompletion matters and general company secretarial work. Ultimately the seat I’ve enjoyed the most has been this one and I’m happy to say I’ll be qualifying into Olswang’s MCT department in September!

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119

White Collar Crime ELECTIVE

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be all white...

to resolve issues before charges are brought and to avoid future liability.

White collar crime is non-violent, and refers to financial crimes such as fraud, bribery,

Break it down for me a little bit...

embezzlement and money laundering, that can be committed by businesses

White collar crime is a term associated

and governments.

with a range of crimes. Fraud boils down to deceiving someone for monetary gain.

What does White Collar Crime law involve?

A common type of fraud is securities fraud. However, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;insider tradingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is where someone with a nugget of confidential inside

Lawyers who specialise in white collar

knowledge about a company trades on that

crime find themselves defending clients

information. Therefore, if an earnings report

through an investigation, including civil

is set to hurt the company and an executive

and criminal litigation. Clients range from

sells their stocks before this is made public,

large corporations and banks, to individuals

this would be securities fraud. Another type

prominent in business and politics. Lawyers

of white collar fraud is where someone or a

need to be in-the-know about regulations

company gains money based on knowingly

affecting these types of organisations, as

false information, such as prospects or

well as having vast and in-depth knowledge

finances. Embezzlement is where money is

surrounding the business operations of

improperly taken from someone whom you

their clients - only then can they come up

owe some type of duty. For example, lawyers

with strategies and resolutions. Lawyers

who improperly use client funds can be

offer their clients top-notch legal advice

guilty of embezzlement. Tax evasion is also

on how to comply with governmental

a common white collar crime. Finally, money

legislation and with investigations carried

laundering is the means of filtering illegally

out by enforcement agencies. They assist

obtained money through transactions to

in resolving critical concerns, which include

make it appear legitimate. Just think about

disclosing potentially jeopardising findings

when Walter White funnels his illegal drug

or waiving privileges. The main aim is always

money through his car wash!

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An Interview with... Fred Kelly

Contributed by

Trainee Solicitor at Dechert What does white collar crime law

Markets Authority (CMA). One partner in

entail? Why did you choose this seat?

our team offered me some sage advice as to how to deal with sensitive cases: don’t

The FBI describes white collar crime as “lying,

read confidential documents on the tube

cheating and stealing.” This pretty much

on the way to work in the morning! So far, I

sums it up. It encompasses a mixture of

have managed to adhere to this guidance.

financial crimes which can be committed by companies or individuals, including bribery

How does this seat compare with others?

and corruption, fraud, money laundering, and insider trading. I was really interested

Trainees typically have to undertake a lot

in the work that Dechert’s white collar crime

more research of black letter law than those

team was involved in. For example, Dechert

in other departments. I have found this to

represents a number of individual traders

be very interesting, particularly as the laws

in relation to the global foreign exchange

and regulatory requirements in the area of

and LIBOR investigations. I had read a lot

white collar crime are constantly changing.

about these cases in the press and was

The nature of the work is very fast paced and

excited about the prospect of working on

so my days have generally been busy from

such high profile and complex matters. In

start to finish. Quite often the team has to

fact, I enjoyed the work so much I ended up

work to tight deadlines, whether preparing

doing a second seat in the department.

clients for interviews with regulators at short notice or drafting pleadings in relation to the

What kind of projects have you

various proceedings our clients are involved

been working on so far?

in. Most of the substantial investigations I have worked on have been ongoing for some

A real highlight was representing an

years. Therefore, you know vaguely know

individual in relation to the global

what you will be working on from day-to-

investigation into the foreign exchange

day. However, there is always an element of

market. I have also been lucky enough

uncertainty as to how each day will pan out.

to work on a wide variety of cases during

For example, it is not uncommon to receive

my time in the department. For example,

requests from various government agencies,

I have also been involved in defending a

such as the SFO, which demand a prompt

number of companies who have been the

(or even immediate) response. This can

subject of investigations by regulators and

mean long days in the office, but I have still

government agencies such as the Serious

found the time to play for Dechert’s cricket

Fraud Office (SFO) and the Competition and

and softball teams during the summer.

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Featured Firms

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Addleshaw Goddard Akin Gump Allen & Overy Ashurst Baker McKenzie Berwin Leighton Paisner Bond Dickinson Bristows Browne Jacobson Burges Salmon CMS Cameron McKenna Dechert Dentons DLA Piper DWF Farrer & Co Fieldfisher Foot Anstey Freshfields Hogan Lovells Holman Fenwick Willan HSF Ince & Co Irwin Mitchell King & Wood Mallesons Latham & Watkins Lewis Silkin

122 124 126 128 130 132 134 136 138 140 142 144 146 148 150 152 154 156 158 160 162 164 166 168 170 172 174

Macfarlanes Mayer Brown Michelmores Mills & Reeve Nabarro Norton Rose Fulbright Olswang Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Melveny & Myers Orrick Osbourne Clarke Pennington Manches PwC Legal Reed Smith Rosenblatt RPC Shearman & Sterling Shoosmiths Sidley Austin Simmons & Simmons Skadden Arps Slaughter and May Taylor Wessing TLT Veale Wasbrough Vizards Weil White & Case Wragge Lawrence

176 178 180 182 184 186 188 190 192 194 196 198 200 202 204 206 208 210 212 214 216 218 220 222 224 226 228

Graham & Co.

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Addleshaw Goddard is a premium business law firm with international reach and an exceptional breadth of services.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,300 STARTING SALARY £25,000 (Manchester/Leeds) £37,000 (London) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 35 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 90

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Addleshaw Goddard LLP Addleshaw Goddard @AGinsight

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

87%

93%

Awards WINNER - Best Vacation Scheme, National Firm FINALIST - Top Law Firm for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes FINALIST - Best Training Contract, National Firm FINALIST - Best Vacation Scheme, National Firm

About Addleshaw Goddard is a leading advisor to FTSE 100 companies, and a market leader across its business divisions – commercial services, corporate, finance and projects, litigation and real estate – as well as in specialist fields such as private capital, and across its chosen sectors: energy, financial services, healthcare, real estate, retail and consumer and transport.

Training Contract During the two-year contract, seats with a qualified solicitor or partner last six months each. Trainees can expect regular, two-way performance reviews. In addition, there are opportunities to spend a seat in one of the firm’s other offices and there are a number of client secondments available. Offered alongside this are respected training courses, a trainee buddy programme and a mentor system.

Vacation Scheme Placement schemes run in offices in London, Leeds, and Manchester, and are a crucial part of recruitment for training contracts. Schemes run for either one or two weeks, and are available in Easter, June and July. All have an application deadline of 31 January 2016, with interviews taking place from early February.

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HELP US GROW AS A TEAM. WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL HELP YOU GROW AS AN INDIVIDUAL. As a fast expanding and innovative law firm, a career with Addleshaw Goddard means more variety, earlier responsibility and greater future opportunities to develop with the firm. Training with us will mean working with top FTSE companies and other leading organisations. With offices in London, Leeds and Manchester, we can offer quality training wherever you want to be based. If you are interested in a training contract with us or a Summer/Easter placement visit: addleshawgoddard.com/graduates

ADDLESHAWGODDARD.COM

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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer &

About

Feld is a leading global law

London is the firm’s main hub for the international practice, where

firm providing a wide range

its strategy is to grow practices that complement core strengths of

of innovative legal services.

the firm. Nearly 60 lawyers arrived from the London, Hong Kong

The firm employs more than

and Frankfurt offices of Bingham McCutchen in late 2014 — the

900 lawyers and advisers

largest — ever lateral move in the legal industry. This resulted in

worldwide and clients range

the significant growth of the office, enhancing the firm’s strength

from corporations and

in financial restructuring, corporate transactions, banking and

financial institutions to foreign

finance, energy, debt and equity capital markets, financial services

governments and individuals.

regulatory, dispute resolution, investment funds (hedge, private

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 170+ (in London) STARTING SALARY £43,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 4 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 8

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

/akin-gump-strausshauer-&-feld-llp @akin_gump

equity, real estate and infrastructure), EU competition and tax.

Training Contract Akin Gump offers an established trainee solicitor programme supported by smart, diverse lawyers. The London office is an exciting and inspiring environment to train as a lawyer, offering up to four trainee places per year. Seats can be tailored to three or six-month durations across the two-year training programme to provide a wide breadth of experience. To thrive in Akin Gump’s fastpaced commercial environment, future work placement participants and trainees need to be on track for a minimum of a 2:1 degree, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, be solution-driven and keen for early responsibility. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2016.

Vacation Scheme Placements take place in the summer and provide an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of trainee work. We introduce participants to our practices and support their exposure to the work the firm does through integration into two practices and tailored development sessions. The deadline for applications is 31 January 2016.

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"Akin Gumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trainee programme offers a strong support system and genuine encouragement from both associates and partners alike. The constant learning environment ensures intellectual stimulation through responsibility, variety and high-profile work. Expectations are high, but so is the appreciation for a good piece of work." - Judith Kesztenbaum, Trainee Solicitor

For further information please call 020 7012 9600 or visit us at www.akingump.com/uk-students

127 akingump.com

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ÂŠ 2015 Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Attorney Advertising.

Akin Gump pursues excellence by anticipating client needs and crafting individual and innovative legal solutions.

Allen & Overy is a pioneering legal practice operating around the world at the frontline of developing business.

About With 45 offices in 32 countries, plus a network of relationship firms in other locations, Allen & Overy is one of the few legal practices that can genuinely claim to be global, covering 99% of the world’s economy.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 5,150 STARTING SALARY £42,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 90 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Allen & Overy Grads Allen & Overy @AllenOveryGrads

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Training Contract The two-year contract uses a combination of three and six month seats, and it is possible to select a guaranteed ‘priority seat’ which means guaranteed experience in a chosen department. The firm’s core areas of expertise are Banking, Corporate and International Capital Markets, and as a trainee you will spend at least twelve months of your training contract gaining experience in at least two of these areas. International and client secondments are available in the second year.

Vacation Scheme Placements take place in winter, spring and summer and provide the opportunity to sit in one or two departments respectively. In addition, there is the chance to participate in a client pitch project with other vacation students, as well as a buddy scheme and social engagements to help students get to know the firm.

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With 28 offices across the world’s leading financial and resource centres, Ashurst offers the scale to attract global mandates. It operates at the cutting edge of the financial, resources and infrastructure, corporate and new economy markets, offering advice which is commercially astute and technically accurate in diverse areas of law including disputes, competition, M&A and finance.

Training Contract Training contracts focus on moving trainees’ minds beyond technical knowledge of the law. They consist of four seats of six months each, designed to broaden trainees’ world view and hone talents. At least one seat will be in a finance practice and trainees are encouraged to join an overseas office or go on a client secondment.

Vacation Scheme Ashurst runs a one-week winter vacation scheme for nonlaw undergraduates, law finalists, graduates and career changers and two two-week vacation schemes during the summer for penultimate-year law undergraduates. The

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 3,300 STARTING SALARY £41,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 40 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

schemes involve a week each in a specific department, as well as formal training through workshops, panel discussions and Q&A sessions. Networking opportunities allow students to meet trainee solicitors as well as more senior members of the firm.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

AshurstGraduates AshurstGraduates

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Baker & McKenzie prides itself on

Training Contract

having a presence in nearly every

Trainees will spend six-month seats in four key practice

financial centre in the world,

areas, managed by a supervisor who acts as a mentor

resulting in offices in nearly 50

and provider, and a trainee partner who overseesv their

countries. It focuses on providing

progress. Trainees will experience at least three distinct

both legal and commercial

areas of law, including contentious law. All trainees will also

knowledge.

be required to spend six months in corporate law during their traineeship. All trainees have the opportunity to apply

KEY STATISTICS

for three-month international secondments.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 700 STARTING SALARY £42,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 30 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 40

Vacation Scheme The spring scheme runs for two weeks and both summer schemes run for three weeks and include two seats. There is strong focus on a ‘live/work’ balance and additional social events to encourage networking.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Baker & McKenzie Baker & McKenzie @bakermckenzie

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

89%

92%

Berwin Leighton Paisner counts

About

12 international offices and

Berwin Leighton Paisner has won Law Firm of the Year eight times

client projects in over 130

since 2004, and been named Legal Week’s best graduate legal

countries. It counts over 50

employer for four consecutive years. As well as experience reaching

Global Fortune 500 or FTSE 100

across more more than 70 legal disciplines, BLP is also leading the

companies and over half of the

market in client-centric innovation. It is ranked in the top five most

world’s top 20 banks among its

innovative law firms in Europe by the Financial Times for delivering

impressive client list..

solutions to its clients.

KEY STATISTICS

Training Contract

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,075 STARTING SALARY £40,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 40-45 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 100

Prior to beginning the contract, trainees will be enrolled in

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Berwin Leighton Paisner Graduates

BLP’s bespoke LLM+. Then they will undertake four seats, each six months in length, with client and international secondments heavily recommended. On average, 85-90% of trainees receive their first or second preference each seat and can expect 232 hours of training by the time they are qualified.

Vacation Scheme BLP runs five schemes a year: one in winter, one in Easter and three in summer. Each takes about 20 students and assigns a trainee buddy to every individual, for shadowing purposes. In addition to real client work, students take part in partner-led talks, workshops, and social events which provide excellent opportunities for networking.

Berwin Leighton Paisner @BLPTrainees

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THE CITY

ANOTHER FIRM’S TRAINEE

THAT HE MAY JUST HAVE BECOME

NEWS

40-45 TRAINING CONTRACTS PER YEAR • APPLICATION DEADLINE 31 JULY 2016 WINTER VACATION SCHEME (DEADLINE 31 OCTOBER 2015) SPRING/SUMMER VACATION SCHEME (DEADLINE 14 FEBRUARY 2016)

EMBARK ON A CAREER IN LAW An innovative law firm that is constantly changing, growing, improving. A culture that attracts brilliant minds and fosters new thinking. Training contracts that have you working straight away on important client matters at every key moment of the deal. BLP is all of this. And more. The ‘more’ is our difference. A difference that is part of every meeting, every client relationship and every decision. It is something that is hard to imagine if you have never spent a day within our walls. Be less predictable. Visit blplaw.com/trainee for more information. AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

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Bond Dickinson, a dynamic UK law firm, provides a comprehensive legal service to its clients in a wide range of legal sectors, across seven cities: Aberdeen, Bristol, Leeds, London, Newcastle, Plymouth and Southampton.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,200+ STARTING SALARY Please visit website TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 25 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

About Following a successful merger in 2013, Bond Dickinson continues to increase its business by growing its presence across the UK, strengthening client relationships, winning new business and investing in more highly skilled and ambitious people. Anyone at the start of their legal career would be joining the firm in a period of expansion and excitement.

Training Contract Bond Dickinson looks for intellectually able, motivated and enthusiastic graduates. Successful applicants will understand the need to provide practical, commercial advice to clients. Trainees will share the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to self-development and teamwork and its desire to provide clients with services that match their highest expectations. Bond Dickinson looks at its trainee recruitment as a longterm investment. Trainees at Bond Dickinson will have an opportunity to spend six months in four Business Groups, gaining a breadth of experience along the way. Bond Dickinson offers fantastic opportunities to develop your legal career in a firm that is going places.

Vacation Scheme

Bond Dickinson LLP

Placements are offered in Easter and the summer

@BondDTrainees

in Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol and Southampton. The

@BondDickinson

experience intends to mirror a mini training contract and so will highlight the work and responsilibility given to our trainees. It is also an opportunity to meet people from around the business.

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Looking for a rewarding training contract? We are proud of our training and development programme. Why? Because more than shouting about it, we deliver on what we promise. When you join us, we look at you as the future associates and partners who will contribute to the growth and success of our firm, whilst developing your own rewarding career.

We’ve worked hard to create a culture that encourages, inspires and challenges. We think you’ll agree. So why not take that first important step in securing your training contract and find out more about what we can offer you? Come and talk to us at one of the many events and open days we host. We’d love to hear from you.

For more information about us and to find out about our next open days, send us an email to: graduates@bonddickinson.com or visit www.trainingcontract.com

What Matters Most

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With a history of over 150 years, Bristows is a Londonbased firm that now claims approximately 250 employees. Despite operating out of a single office, the firm has a significant roster of both domestic and international clients, with the

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

93%

82%

Awards RUNNER UP - Best for Job Satisfaction, Vacation Scheme FINALIST - Best Vacation Scheme, International or City Firm FINALIST - Best Training, Vacation Scheme FINALIST - Best Opportunities for Career Progression, Vacation Scheme FINALIST - Best for Job Satisfaction, Vacation Scheme FINALIST - Best Level of Support, Vacation Scheme

latter creating 80% of revenue.

KEY STATISTICS

Training Contract

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 250 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ36,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 10 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 36

Each year, 10 trainees are taken on for a two-year contract

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Bristows Law Firm Bristows LLP @BristowsGrad

138

that guarantees a seat in the IP Litigation department. Trainees can also experience seats in the core practice areas including real estate, commercial IP and corporate. They also have the opportunity to undertake client secondments for a three month period. During each seat, the trainee will be sitting with a partner or senior associate who is responsible for allocating work and reviewing performance.

Vacation Scheme Instead of week-long vacation schemes, Bristows runs two-day workshops throughout the year. These provide the opportunity to assess both law as a career and Bristows as a firm. During the workshop, attendees will look at case studies, experience presentations from all major departments and take part in networking events.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

OPPORTUNITY

If you’re one of the handful of graduates who join Bristows LLP each year, you’ll be exposed to a world of opportunity right from the start… …opportunity to get involved with top tier work for clients in the most innovative industries. …opportunity to work side-by-side with some of the most respected lawyers in their fields. …opportunity to build your career in an environment where you’ll be stretched but also get plenty of support and encouragement. If we sound like the firm for you and you want to find out more, please visit www.training.bristows.com.

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Training Contract

74% Browne Jacobson is a full service

About

national law firm with offices

Browne Jacobsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive client portfolio ranges from

in Birmingham, Exeter, London,

international blue chip corporates to NHS trusts, public sector

Manchester and Nottingham.

organisations, local authorities and major insurers. Browne

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 788 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ25,000 (Midlands) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 10 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 10

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Browne Jacobson Browne Jacobson LLP @brownejtrainees

Jacobson offers expertise across a number of key private and public sector specialisms including retail, technology, education, health, local and central government, brands, international and insurance.

Training Contract Trainees start with a comprehensive induction programme, a fast track professional skills course and then go on to undertake an extensive internal trainee development programme. They spend four periods of six months in some of the principle areas of the firm, gaining an overview of the practice. Trainees get great training, a friendly and supportive working environment and real career opportunities. They are also given quality work and exposure to clients from early on, but are supported in achieving results and recognised for their contribution. Training contracts are based in Nottingham and Birmingham, although opportunities may arise in our other offices.

Vacation Scheme Browne Jacobson runs a summer vacation scheme where individuals are given the opportunity to undertake real work as well as learn more about the legal departments and the firm through interaction with its partners, lawyers and trainees. Applications must be made by 17 March 2016.

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individuals required

... make your next move exceptional! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for talented law and non-law graduates who are commercially minded and can bring with them enthusiasm, tenacity, commitment and a passion for delivering exceptional client service combined with a flexible and friendly attitude. Apply online at www.brownejacobsoncareers.com. Follow us on Twitter - @brownejtrainees Connect with us on LinkedIn - Browne Jacobson LLP

Read our blog - www.traineetalk.co.uk

Birmingham | Exeter | London | Manchester | Nottingham 0808 178 9064

careers from

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Training Contract

86% With both national and

Training Contract

international clients, including

The two-year contract is divided into six seats of four months

many FTSE 100 companies such as

each. Trainees rotate around different departments for five

the Discovery Channel and Lloyds

seats, offering a breadth of experience. Time is spent in

Banking Group, Burges Salmon

disputes and real estate. The sixth seat will normally take

is a consistently highly ranked

place in the department where the trainee will be placed

commercial law film. The firm also

post-qualification. There is the opportunity to take part in

works with private individuals and

client secondments and work internationally, and the firm has

government departments and has

a strong commitment to Corporate Responsibility.

won many awards for its practice areas and sectors.

Vacation Scheme

KEY STATISTICS

Vacation placements last two weeks each and take place

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 675 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ34,750 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 30 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 40

in two different practice areas and are supervised by a

in April, June and July. Students get to spend a week each qualified lawyer. Alongside this practical experience, there are skills sessions and practice area talks.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Burges Salmon Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Burges Salmon LLP @BurgesSalmonTS

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WHO SAID YOU CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T HAVE IT ALL? High quality client work, collective wisdom. An international outlook, a collaborative approach. A firm with a rich history and a bright future. Breadth of experience, early responsibility. TRAINEE SOLICITORS, BRISTOL www.burges-salmon.com/careers @BurgesSalmonTS Burges Salmon LLP is an Equal Opportunities employer

Firm of the Year 2015: Top 5

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CMS Cameron McKenna is

Training Contract

a global firm of 59 offices,

Training contracts take place in London, Bristol, Aberdeen,

headquartered in the City with

Edinburgh and Glasgow. They last for two years and involve

training locations in London,

four six-month seats in practice areas such as intellectual

Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and

property and EU competition. Trainees will have the chance

Aberdeen. Opportunities abound

to work on high profile cases alongside senior partners, as

for top quality training, global

well as working for six months outside of their ‘home’ office –

secondments and to work with

this could be in London, elsewhere in Europe or further afield.

sector specialists so that your career can thrive in our global elite firm.

Vacation Scheme Each scheme is two weeks long and offers an insight

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 5,500 STARTING SALARY <£40,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 50+ VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60+

into a particular practice area; alongside the practical experience of researching and drafting, candidates will also get to attend client meetings in addition to workshops and presentations designed to develop soft skills and technical knowledge. Students will also be assigned a qualified supervisor and a trainee buddy, and promising vacation schemers will be offered training contracts upon completion of the placement. The firm also offers a first year programme, on which there are 30 places.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

CMS UK Graduates CMS Cameron McKenna @CMSUK_Graduates

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Training Contract

76% Dechert is a global specialist law

About

firm founded in 1875 and has 27

The firm is recognised for its work in practice areas such as arbitration,

offices worldwide, employing over

corporate investigations, anti-corruption, investment funds and life

900 lawyers.

sciences. Dechert is particularly commended for its pro-bono work, and recorded 84,000 hours of pro-bono service in the past year.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2,317 STARTING SALARY £44,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 10-12 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 8-10 per scheme

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

146

Training Contract The firm recruits up to 12 trainees per year. The training contract is two years long and includes up to six seat rotations, allowing trainees to choose a ‘repeat seat’ if they are particularly enjoying an area of practice. Each will be assigned a supervisor, receive mid-seat and end-of-seat appraisals and reviews with a partner responsible for their development.

Vacation Scheme Dechert runs a vacation scheme programme, with students asked where they would prefer to be placed before they attend. During the two weeks, activities can be expected to include research, drafting and meetings, with additional

Dechert LLP

training sessions. As well as this, sports and social events

Dechert LLP @dechertllp

are provided to help foster networking and professional relationships.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Your career starts now Dechert is a global specialist law firm with more than 900 lawyers in 27 offices around the world. Our trainee solicitors do interesting and challenging work for clients ranging from global high-profile entities to those most in need. Each of our lawyers makes a difference. We offer an open and inclusive culture. You will work alongside some of the brightest minds and most dynamic advocates in their fields. Our diverse and collegial environment cultivates learning, creativity, ambition and a passion for the law. Make it happen Learn more about how Dechert can introduce you to a world of opportunity (including our Insight Days, Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts) at dechert.com/careers.

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Training Contract

88% Dentons is a global firm that

FINALIST - Best Training Contract

works within 24 different sectors,

FINALIST - Best Training Contract, International or City Firm

in more than 80 locations

FINALIST - The Diversity & Inclusion Award

worldwide.

About KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 4,506 STARTING SALARY £40,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 20 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 15

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Dentons Dentons @Dentons

The firm builds on the strengths of its foundational firms — Salans, Fraser Milner Casgrain (FMC), SNR Denton and McKenna Long & Aldridge — and serves the local, regional and global needs of private and public clients.

Training Contract The training contract is structured as four six-month seats and allows the possibility of working in an international office or with one of Dentons’ clients. Beginning with an induction and a Professional Skills Course, there is then a lot of independent work for trainees; trainee responsibilities include running parts of cases and meeting with clients. If in London, the experience will include a banking seat, if in Milton Keynes then it will involve a corporate, construction or real estate seat.

Vacation Scheme Vacation schemes are run in July each year, with the London-based scheme solely for law students and the Milton Keynes-based scheme being for both law and nonlaw students. The week-long course consists of department visits, business games and social events, as well as the opportunity to shadow current trainees.

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The Global Elite Law Firm challenging the status quo.* Join Dentons and you will launch your career in a fast-paced, dynamic global firm. Join Dentons and you will have access to the calibre of training, support and practical experience that leads to success. Join Dentons and you will be given all the responsibility you can handle, right from the start. Interested? Learn more and apply at dentons.com/uk-graduates

* Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index 2013 and 2014. ÂŠ 2015 Dentons. Dentons is a global legal practice providing services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. Please see dentons.com for Legal Notices.

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

92%

85%

DLA Piper is a global law firm with

FINALIST - Best Use of Social Media in a Trainee & Vacation

lawyers located in more than 30

Scheme Recruitment Campaign

countries, positioning the firm to help companies with their legal

About

needs anywhere in the world.

DLA Piper provides clients with a range of essential business advice, not just on large scale mergers and acquisitions and banking deals, but on

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 4,506 STARTING SALARY England - £27,000 London - £40,000 Scotland - £24,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 80 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 130

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

dlapiperukgraduates dla-piper-uk-graduates @DLA_Piper_Grads

150

people and employment, commercial dealings, litigation, insurance, real estate, IT, intellectual property and plans for restructuring.

Training Contract Trainees complete four six-month seats and are given an opportunity to express what areas of law they would like to experience during their training contracts. They also have the opportunity to do a seat abroad, or a client secondment. Current international secondments include Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Madrid, Moscow and Sydney.

Vacation Scheme DLA Piper offers approximately 130 placements across its UK offices and uses these to recruit trainees. Participants spend time with two different departments and are fully immersed into life at DLA Piper. Candidates are given real work to develop their legal and wider workplace skills, as well as demonstrate their ability. In addition, they take part in work shadowing, court visits, bespoke presentations, group activities and social events with trainees.

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OPPORTUNITIES DLA Piper offers big opportunities to ambitious graduates – big firm, big clients, big careers.

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Don’t just take our word for it. Find out more at www.dlapipergraduates.co.uk

AmBITIOUS FOCUSED

DLA Piper is a global law firm operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Further details of these entities can be found at www.dlapiper.com AllAboutLaw.co.uk Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16 Copyright © 2012 DLA Piper. All rights reserved. ||AUG12 | 2402976

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DWF is one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest law firms and has an awardwinning reputation for client service excellence and effective operational management. Employing over 2,500 people across 12 locations in the UK & Ireland, the firm has core strengths in insurance, corporate & banking, real estate and litigation.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2,500 STARTING SALARY Competitive TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 48 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

84%

80%

Training Contract Training contracts at DWF are divided into six four-month seats. This gives trainees the opportunity to gain experience across a variety of legal practice areas, they then return to their preferred department for the penultimate seat; enabling eight months of pre-qualification experience. There are also opportunities to complete secondments with key clients, providing an understanding of their businesses and adding value to their teams. Trainees work alongside partners, directors and associates, as well as attending in-house lectures, workshops and the studying for the Professional Skills Course (PSC).

Vacation Scheme DWFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two-week vacation schemes take place over eight of the office locations in both England and Scotland. Students are given the opportunity to experience two different practice areas and will work alongside partners, associates and trainees on live legal matters, as well as attending internal workshops, networking sessions and presentations. There is also a chance to attend social events with current trainees. Support is provided throughout the vacation scheme from a supervisor, trainee buddy and the graduate recruitment team.

DWF LLP Graduate Recruitment DWF @DWF_GoFurther

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

91%

90%

With a century-long history,

WINNER - Top Law Firm for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes

Farrer & Co represents both

WINNER - Best Training Contract, National Firm

businesses and entrepreneurs,

RUNNER UP - Best Training Contract

and private families, individuals

RUNNER UP - Best Vacation Scheme, National Firm

and charitable institutions.

RUNNER UP - Best for Job Satisfaction, Training Contract

It works in a diverse range of

RUNNER UP - Best Level of Support, Vacation Scheme

sectors such as matrimonial law,

FINALIST - Best Training, Training Contract

offshore tax planning, heritage work, and sports law, and works

Training Contract

with many international clients

The two-year contract is divided up into six seats of four

despite being based in London.

months, with the first five chosen from the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13 practice

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 395 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ35,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 8-10 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 30

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

areas and the final seat being the area which the trainee will join upon qualification. It is also ensured that all trainees receive a grounding in litigation, private client, property and commercial law. Additionally, a comprehensive series of workshops and seminars is open to all trainees.

Vacation Scheme Farrer & Co runs three vacation schemes a year, one at Easter and two in the summer. Ten places are available on each. In addition to working in two practice areas on real cases, students will have the chance to participate in question and answer sessions, lunchtime seminars, a tour of the Courts, a group case study and social activities.

Farrer & Co Farrer & Co

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Master your profession

Search for LLM courses and browse law schools at

AllAboutLLMs.com

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

95%

83%

Fieldfisher is a European law

WINNER - Best Vacation Scheme, International or City Firm

firm with market leading

WINNER - Best Opportunities for Career Progression, Vacation Scheme

practices in many of the world’s

WINNER - Best Opportunities for Skills Development, Vacation Scheme

most dynamic commercial hubs.

RUNNER UP - Best Vacation Scheme

KEY STATISTICS

About

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 586 STARTING SALARY £37,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 14 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 20

Clients choose to work with Fieldfisher because we deliver

OPPORTUNITIES

Trainees will experience four six-month seats, after devoting

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

FieldfisherGraduates Fieldfisher @FieldfisherGrad

commercial, pragmatic and innovative solutions through our exceptional legal expertise and experience, on time and on budget. We have more than 400 lawyers working with large businesses and operate in international offices in Brussels, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Paris, London, Munich, Manchester, Silicon Valley and Shanghai.

Training Contract their first two weeks to a Professional Skills Course and a Firm Induction Course. Appraisals are given through informal mid-seat reviews as well as formal end-of-seat reviews and trainees are assigned a ‘buddy’ for additional support. Practice areas available range from finance to Technology to Public & Regulatory.

Vacation Scheme There are two schemes run by Fieldfisher each year (Easter and Summer). With over 80% of training contracts offered to vacation scheme attendees, this is an important start to a career with the firm. The two weeks include real client work and breakfasts with senior management, ensuring students learn about all aspects of the firm.

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157

Foot Anstey is a leading regional

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

88%

85%

FINALIST - Best Training Contract, National Firm

law firm. Through a network of five offices across the South West, it works as one national team offering specialist legal advice and services to regional, national and international clients, both businesses and individuals. The firm prides itself on offering premium services, delivered by recognised experts in their field.

Training Contract Foot Anstey trainees currently undertake four seats of six months across two years. Regular, open communication with supervisors comes as standard. The firm will invest, train and value you. The training programme is designed to provide trainees with lots of exposure to clients and real business issues, as well as to people within the firm who will coach and mentor you so that you can develop your legal and commercial expertise, in an environment that is friendly, supportive and enterprising.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 450 STARTING SALARY Competetive TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 12 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 18

Vacation Scheme Foot Ansteyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer vacation scheme offers a short period of work experience during June, providing a valuable insight into its business and different areas of legal expertise for those interested in applying for the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training contracts. To take part in the vacation scheme, submit your application by 30 April 2016.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Foot Anstey LLP Foot Anstey LLP @FootAnstey @JoinFootAnstey

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A better balance

At Foot Anstey, our award-winning approach to business has helped us build an impressive national and international client base. And our continued growth means our trainees gain exposure to high-profile work with top-quality lawyers. Regular, open communication with your supervisors comes as standard. As does contact with our Managing Partner. All in a working environment thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s both progressive and supportive. Find a better balance. Join us for an exceptional experience and South West quality of life. Visit www.footansteycareers.com AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

88%

86%

Freshfields is a global

WINNER - Best Trainee & Vacation Scheme Recruitment Website

commercial law firm that

WINNER - Best Use of Social Media in a Trainee & Vacation Scheme

advises some of the world’s

Recruitment Campaign

biggest companies on how to grow, strengthen and defend

About

their businesses.

This includes clients such as The Bank of England, Tesco, Sony and

KEY STATISTICS

HSBC. Work will range from advising on mergers and acquisitions to resolving disputes and commercial challenges. Freshfields has

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2,500+ STARTING SALARY £41,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 80 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

seven different practice groups: antitrust, competition and trade;

OPPORTUNITIES

eight areas of law during the two years. Corporate, dispute

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Freshfields Graduates Freshfields @freshfieldsgrad

corporate; dispute resolution; employment, pensions and benefits; finance; real estate; and tax.

Training Contract Flexibility is a key part of the Freshfields training contract. With this in mind, trainees are able to experience up to resolution and finance are the firm’s core practices, so trainees are required to spend at least three months in each of these areas. There is also the opportunity to go on secondment to a client, or to one of the firm’s offices in the US, Asia or Europe. The firm pays the fees and a maintenance grant for both the LPC and the GDL.

Vacation Scheme Freshfields runs a number of vacation schemes over the summer, to give potential trainees a taste of the firm’s work, clients and the challenges faced as a qualified lawyer. Students will undertake a research task, plan and execute a group project, take part in a mock transaction and spend a day doing a project in the local community. There are also a number of programmes open to first year undergraduates.

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Vacation Scheme

90% Hogan Lovells is a top global law firm, which boasts many

RUNNER UP - Best Company Culture

prestigious clients and a team

About

of more than 2,500 lawyers, in

The firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global diversity and wide range of practice areas gives

over 45 offices across Africa,

it a strong reputation for corporate, finance, dispute resolution,

Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin

government regulatory and intellectual property.

America, the Middle East and North America.

KEY STATISTICS

Training Contract The two-year training contract is split into four six-month seats. Trainees will move around four different practice

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2,500 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ41,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES >60 VACATION SCHEME PLACES >70

areas during this time to gain as much experience as

OPPORTUNITIES

Hogan Lovells offer up to 70 places over two summer

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Hogan Lovells Grads UK Hogan Lovells @HoganLovells

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possible: two of the seats will be in its corporate and finance groups, and another in its litigation teams. In the second year of training, there is the opportunity to go on secondment to an international office or to the in-house legal team of a major client.

Vacation Scheme vacation schemes and a winter vacation scheme. Candidates will work alongside partners, associates and trainees for up to three weeks in key practice areas such as corporate, finance and litigation. You will experience the role of a trainee first-hand through drafting documents, attending meetings, doing legal research and where possible, attending court. Hands-on learning will be complemented by tailored workshops, discussions and social events.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

CAREERS IN L AW

The best of all worlds. All in one place. Graduate and undergraduate opportunities At Hogan Lovells, we deliberately hire people with an international outlook: professionals who are resilient and can adapt to new surroundings, respond to cultural nuances, tackle the unpredictable with confidence and take on responsibility. This means that, even as a trainee solicitor, the moment you pick up a telephone, land in a foreign country or begin working on a complex cross-border deal, you will know that you can rely on the people you are working with. This seamlessness is just one of the things that makes Hogan Lovells the best of all worlds for future lawyers, whatever your degree discipline. See what makes us stand out, and apply for one of our many opportunities, by visiting our website.

Winter vacation scheme places (non-law students)

Global offices

Summer vacation scheme places (law students)

Training contracts

100

First-year opportunities (law students)

ÂŁ41k

Starting salary

hoganlovells.com/graduates AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16 graduate.recruitment@hoganlovells.com

163

Holman Fenwick Willan is an

About

international law firm with

The firm’s lawyers work on some of the most complex, high-

over 480 lawyers worldwide

value, international cases across a variety of industry sectors.

and a market-leading

Trainees are offered an environment where they work alongside

reputation for advising

some of the most respected, talented lawyers in their field.

businesses, operating in a number of industry sectors.

Training Contract

These include aviation,

A training contract at HFW consists of four six-month seats

commodities, energy, offshore,

– typically three contentious seats and one transactional

mining, insurance, and

seat, with at least one seat spent outside of London in an

shipping and transport.

international office. Trainees can expect to work on real

KEY STATISTICS

cases, doing often precedent-setting work. Overall, the firm aims to provide trainees with a dynamic, supportive

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 850 STARTING SALARY £36,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 15 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 30

and varied environment in which they are challenged to

OPPORTUNITIES

participants for a training contract. Completing a vacation

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Holman Fenwick Willian LLP @HFW

164

become the best lawyer they can be, and are encouraged to contribute to the success of the global business.

Vacation Scheme HFW vacation schemes are a key part of their recruitment process and the firm actively considers all vacation scheme scheme enables students to experience work first hand, and also provides a valuable insight into the firm’s industry sectors, global reach and culture. Alongside spending time in at least one department of choice, students can expect to attend presentations, social events and a final round partner interview for a training contract.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Every year we recruit 15 Trainee Solicitors to complete a truly international training contract. With HFW, you will: n Spend time working on global projects. n Work alongside some of the most respected and talented lawyers in their specialist fields. n Have the opportunity to complete a six-month secondment in one of our international offices. If you are excited by the prospect of joining an international industry-focused firm, then please visit www.hfw.com/Graduate-Recruitment to find out more. S達o Paulo London Paris Brussels Geneva Piraeus Dubai Shanghai Hong Kong Singapore Melbourne Sydney Perth AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

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Herbert Smith Freehills is the eighth largest law firm in the world and holds a market-leading position in the Asia Pacific, in addition to its offices in Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the US. Clients include major corporations, governments, financial institutions and all types of commercial organisations. HSF is a leader in both corporate and dispute resolution.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 4,773 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ42,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 70 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 100

Training Contract The contract consists of four six-month seats, with likely practice areas being corporate and dispute resolution, finance or real estate. However there are also seats in specialist practice areas such as pensions and incentives, competition and IP. At the beginning of the contract, trainees are inducted by a comprehensive orientation programme, in addition to the support of a supervisor and on-the-job support.

Vacation Scheme HSF runs winter and spring schemes for final year students and graduates, with Summer schemes also open to students in their penultimate year, or in their second year of a four year course if the third is spent abroad. Successful students will then also have the opportunity to spend time at one of the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international offices. Work includes sitting with a partner or associate on real cases, as well as presentations, workshops and social events.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Herbert Smith Freehills Graduates UK Herbert Smith Freehills @HSFGraduatesUK

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BIG HILLS AND BIG DEALS BE A PART OF EVERYTHING

INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE CAREERS IN LAW Setting off with clients on a charity cycle event. Settling in to finish a £1.4bn merger agreement. We’ll give you the chance to make a real impact. And to enjoy the rewards that come with working hard. Don’t just experience everything, be a part of it.

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SEARCH HSF GRADUATE

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Training Contract

67% Established in 1870, Ince & Co has its head office in London and a further ten offices internationally, across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Originally specialising in shipping and insurance, the firm now also advises on aviation, energy, international trade and banking and finance.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 600 STARTING SALARY £36,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES Up to 10 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 10

Training Contract Ince & Co has a relatively unique approach to its contracts, as trainees spend six months each assigned to a partner but are also able to undertake work from anyone in the firm, regardless of practice area. This allows trainees to experience a range of client matters and also enables them to retain their caseload as they move between seats. Ince & Co continue this system for two years after a trainee’s qualification. Trainees are always encouraged to be proactive in sourcing work.

Vacation Scheme Ince & Co runs two intakes of five students each for its vacation scheme, which is a two-week long course at Easter. Students sit with a partner for the duration of the scheme and are assigned a trainee ‘minder’, while also being encouraged to take the initiative to request the work that interests them most.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Ince & Co Ince & Co @Incelaw

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“If you think all law firms are the same, you may be surprised by what we have to offer.”

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

90%

85%

Irwin Mitchell was founded in

FINALIST - Best Vacation Scheme, National Firm

1912 in Sheffield, and is the

FINALIST - Best Opportunities for Skills Development,

20th largest law firm in the UK.

Vacation Scheme

KEY STATISTICS

Recruitment Website

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2,200 STARTING SALARY £25,000 (£36,000 in London) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 50 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 75

About

OPPORTUNITIES

Training Contract

FINALIST - Best Trainee & Vacation Scheme

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Irwin Mitchellt @irwinmitchell @IMGraduates

Irwin Mitchell operates out of 11 offices, including a consulting office in Middlesbrough. As national members of Business in the Community, the firm is committed to corporate social responsibility and has been consistently ranked in the top 10 most diverse law firms for the past 10 years. The Business Legal Services division is the fastest growing area of the firm.

When applying for the training contract, prospective trainees are asked to choose between personal legal services (PLS) and business legal services (BLS). PLS trainees will then undertake three four-month long seats, followed by a yearlong ‘qualification’ seat, where BLS trainees undertake three six-month long seats followed by a six-month ‘qualification’ seat. PLS includes areas such as clinical negligence and travel litigation, while BLS includes areas such as employment, real estate and finance.

Vacation Scheme Irwin Mitchell runs two-week long Legal Work Placements in both June and July. These allow students to work on real case work and get a feel for the firm, with the scheme also working as a vital part of the firm’s recruitment strategy. 80% of training contracts are offered following these placements. Applications close at the end of January; interviews and assessment days take place from January to March.

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

81%

68%

In 2013, King & Wood

About

Mallesons became the first

Operating from 30 locations, it is ranked in the top 25 law

global law firm headquartered

firms in the world and has an impressive client roster, including

in Asia through its merging

Barclays, Coca Cola and O2.

with SJ Berwin.

Training Contract

KEY STATISTICS

The KWM contract is divided up into four seats of six

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,000 STARTING SALARY £40,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 30 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

months each, and trainees will spend two of those in the

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

King & Wood Mallesons King & Wood Mallesons

larger transactional areas of the firm. Trainees are also given the opportunity to look for overseas placements and secondments to clients. Trainees are given comprehensive training in the form of ‘knowledge management’ to chart their development, and practice area training sessions.

Vacation Scheme The firm runs three vacation schemes each year; one in the spring and two in the summer. The former is only for final year law and non-law students and graduates, however penultimate year law students are also able to apply to summer placements. As well as completing daily tasks for a specific department during the scheme, students will also attend workshops and lectures to give to improve their technical knowledge.

@kwmlaw

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A Different Perspective King & Wood Mallesons is a different kind of law firm, offering a fresh perspective to commercial thinking and client experience. What makes us different? Unique connections. Together with our clients, more than 2,700 lawyers in over 30 international offices are connecting businesses to new opportunities through great partnerships and a shared experience.

kwm.com Asia Pacific | Europe | North America | Middle East AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

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Training Contract

70% Latham & Watkins is an

About

international law firm with

The firm operates a unique ‘one-firm’ structure and has no fixed

more than 2,100 lawyers and

headquarters. Associate lawyers are thoroughly represented and

offices located in the world’s

included in the recruitment and training process, as well as the

major financial, business and

management of the firm.

regulatory centres.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 426 STARTING SALARY £45,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 24 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 45

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Latham & Watkins Latham & Watkins @lathamwatkins

Training Contract The Latham & Watkins contract is made up of four seats of six months, with compulsory seats in corporate and finance. For the third or fourth seat there is the opportunity to go on secondment to an overseas office, such as in Dubai, New York, Hong Kong, Paris, Brussels, Moscow or Singapore. In addition to the Professional Skills Course and internal training workshops, the firm also provides formal training through Latham & Watkins Academies that are held in first, third and fifth years post qualification.

Vacation Scheme The firm runs two vacation schemes, one in Easter and one in summer. The schemes are open to law and non-law graduates and undergraduates. Participants will spend a week each in two practice areas and the firm endeavours to take preferences into account when allocating departments. During the scheme, participants are treated as trainees and seated in an office with a supervisor.

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OUR TRAINEES DON’T THINK 9 TO 5 THEY THINK TIME ZONES

There’s a distinction between a job and a career. As a Latham & Watkins trainee, you’ll know the difference. If you’re hard working and enthusiastic, it’s that talent we enjoy nurturing. As an international law

responsibility every step of the way.

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programme visit lw.com/londongraduates

175

Training Contract

70% Lewis Silkin is a commercial

About

law firm with offices in

The firm is renowned for its leading employment practice and

London, Oxford, Cardiff and

for its work in the Communications, Media and Technology

Hong Kong.

sectors. The firm provides services through five departments: employment, reward & immigration; media, brands & technology;

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 330 STARTING SALARY £34,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES Up to 6 VACATION SCHEME PLACES Up to 30 for Spring workshops

corporate; litigation & dispute resolution and real estate & development. Clients range from large multinational corporations and FTSE 100 companies to entrepreneurs. The firm places a high priority on client relationships, excellent technical ability and commercial thinking and is a member of two global Alliances – Ius Laboris and GALA.

Training Contract The training contract consists of four six-month seats

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Lewis Silkin LLP Lewis Silkin @LewisSilkin

working in all of the firm’s five departments, and there is also the opportunity to participate in client secondments. The firm provides a comprehensive induction and training programme and the aim is for trainees to gain a mixture of contentious and non-contentious experience. Trainees will sit with either a partner or managing associate and enjoy responsibility from an early stage.

Vacation Scheme Lewis Silkin offer Spring Workshops in April for up to 30 students and Open Evenings. The workshops last about three days and include a variety of presentations and interactive sessions. They also provide an opportunity to meet a number of trainees and partners.

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84%

of students would prefer to complete a vacation scheme in summer. ALLABOUTLAW.CO.UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE LAW CAREERS MARKET, ANNUAL REASEARCH REPORT

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177

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

89%

86%

Macfarlanes is a leading

FINALIST - Best Opportunities for Career Progression,

City law firm with a

Training Contract

straightforward and independently-minded

About

approach.

The firm brings smart, thoughtful solutions to the complex legal

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 644 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ40,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 30 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 55

challenges faced by its clients around the world. Macfarlanes is recognised for the quality of its work and people, advising clients across the full range of corporate / commercial matters and on their private affairs also.

Training Contract Trainees will spend six months in four different practice areas: typically one seat in corporate and M&A, two seats in either commercial real estate, private client, litigation or tax and then a seat in one of the specialised corporate

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

@Macfarlanesgrad

practice areas. In each seat trainees will share a room with a partner or senior solicitor who will act as a supervisor. There will be both a mid-seat and an end-of-seat review in each practice area to discuss the traineeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development.

Vacation Scheme Vacation schemes take place in both Easter and summer, with each scheme lasting two weeks. Students will draft letters and carry out research on real client issues, as well as taking part in a mock transaction that will span the duration of the scheme. There is also the potential to be taken to client meetings or meet council. On the social side of things, vac schemers should expect many organised events, which could include lunch with partners or softball with the trainees.

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EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTIONAL LAWYERS. WITHOUT EXCEPTIONAL LAWYERS. WITHOUT EXCEPTIONAL EXCEPTION. LAWYERS. EXCEPTION. LAWYERS. WITHOUT

WITHOUT EXCEPTION. EXCEPTION. FOR GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES VISIT

MACFARLANES.COM/CAREERS macfarlanes.com/graduates

FOR GRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES VISIT

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MACFARLANES.COM/CAREERS

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As one of the first law firms

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

89%

82%

WINNER - The Diversity & Inclusion Award

to develop an international platform, Mayer Brown is

Training Contract

now a leading global firm and

Structured as four seats each lasting six months, the

also has an association with Tauil & Chequer Avogados in Brazil. A significant number of its clients are Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and Dax and Hang Seng Index, as well as a number of companies in the pharmaceutical, energy and insurance industries.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 500+ in London Office STARTING SALARY ÂŁ40,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 15 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 33

Mayer Brown trainee contract also includes the possibility of client secondments or overseas placements in either the New York or Hong Kong office. Seat preferences are open to amendment throughout the duration of the contract, and trainees receive formal performance reviews at the mid-point and end of each seat.

Vacation Scheme Mayer Brown runs one vacation scheme in Easter and two schemes in the summer months, for a total intake of 30 students. During the scheme, students can expect to work in two different departments and sit in an office with either a partner or senior associate. Additional work includes a group project and presentations on all practice areas. Open days are also held for all those interested in a career in law.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Mayer Brown Mayer Brown @MayerBrownGraduates

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About Michelmores is a top 100 law

Founded in 1887, the firm has since won Top Ranked Chambers

firm with offices in Exeter,

UK, Best Company 2014 and Corporate Law Firm of the

Bristol and London. It provides

year. Corporate responsibility is more than just a tick box for

Business, Real Estate and

Michelmores – the firm really engages with local communities

Private Client expertise to a

and encourages its people to do the same.

wide range of national and international clients.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 450+ STARTING SALARY £22,500 (Exeter) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 8 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 12

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Structured as four seats lasting six months each, the training contract allows for breadth of experience and also includes the opportunity to undertake a client secondment. The firm offers training contracts in Exeter and Bristol, with the opportunity for seats in all three office locations. In addition to having a dedicated supervisor in each seat, trainees are assigned a trainee buddy ahead of joining the firm. Over the past four years, the firm has had an impressive average retention rate of 93%.

Vacation Scheme Vacation schemes at Michelmores are one week long, located at the Exeter office, and are run twice during July. Students work in one practice area and get to experience real client work and attend client meetings. In addition to meeting

Michelmores Solicitors

different lawyers and partners, informal lunches with trainees

Michelmores

enable students to gain a true insight into life at Michelmores.

@MichelmoresLaw @MMcareers

182

Training Contract

The week also includes a series of assessment exercises, designed to assess students’ suitability for a training contract at the firm.

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Mills & Reeve is a major national law firm, which has six offices across the UK.

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

89%

84%

About The firm’s commercial clients include FTSE and AIM listed companies; other clients include over 120 universities, many health organisations and high net worth individuals. For the

KEY STATISTICS

past twelve years it has been ranked in the Sunday Times “100

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 890 STARTING SALARY £25,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 17 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 30

Best Companies to Work For”.

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Training Contract Training contracts consist of six seats, lasting four months each. Trainees carry out their contracts in Birmingham, Cambridge, Manchester or Norwich, and are assigned a partner who will act as their mentor for the full two years. There is also the opportunity to move to a different office in order to experience a seat not practised in a trainee’s base office. On-the-job learning is supported by the Professional Skills Course, a programme of in-house lectures and one-to-one training.

Vacation Scheme

Mills & Reeve LLP

Summer schemes are held at the Birmingham, Cambridge,

Mills & Reeve

Manchester and Norwich offices and run for two weeks.

@MillsandReeve

Students are paired with a trainee for guidance and participate in presentations and social events. The work is conducted in a variety of different practice areas and can include legal research, preparing or checking draft documents and attending court.

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spark enthusiasm commitment bright ideas Some law firms try to mould their trainees into what they think a good lawyer should be. At Mills & Reeve we give you the opportunity to find out who you are. As the future of our firm, we’ll encourage you to think independently and come up with better ways of doing things. The actual training you receive will be second to none and you’ll find yourself working closely with some of the UK’s leading lawyers. For further information contact Fiona Medlock on 01223 222336 or fiona.medlock@mills-reeve.com Or you can apply online at www.mills-reeve.com/graduates Offices: Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, London, Manchester, Norwich

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

92%

86%

Nabarro is a leading

FINALIST - Best Opportunities for Career Progression,

international law firm with

Vacation Scheme

headquarters in London and

About

offices in Brussels, Dubai, Manchester, Sheffield and Singapore. It is an ambitious firm with over 100 partners leading more than 300 lawyers offering a broad range of legal services to major national and international clients in the public and private sectors.

Clients include Google, Land Securities and Aston Martin. Nabarro operates in a number of industry sectors and legal disciplines with a single aim: to deliver the highest quality advice as clearly and concisely as possible no matter how complex the situation. Nabarro draws on long-standing relationships with an international network of selected firms for cross-border work. The Broadlaw Group is an alliance of five leading firms in Europe. Together they represent 1,000 lawyers in 27 cities across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

KEY STATISTICS

Training Contract

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 784 STARTING SALARY £37,000 (London), £25,000 (Sheffield) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 25 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 55

Nabarro trainees undertake six four-month seats to ensure

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Nabarro LLP @nabarrograds

maximum exposure to the firm’s core practice areas (corporate, real estate and litigation). In addition, trainees have the opportunity to gain further experience by spending time in specialist areas, in the Brussels office or on a client secondment. Trainees usually return to their qualification department for their final seat, ensuring a smooth transition from trainee to qualified solicitor. Over the past five years, the firm has a trainee retention rate of 86%.

Vacation Scheme Nabarro runs multi-award-winning vacation schemes, and recruit all trainees from these vacation schemes. Vacation schemes are run in the summer for three weeks each, with two taking place in London and one in Sheffield. Schemes at Nabarro consist of working solely within one department, in order to develop a full understanding of the area and foster lasting relationships.

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Our Summer Scheme. A dozen awards, and counting.

What are your chances of winning a Training Contract with Nabarro without first getting to know us on our Summer Scheme? In a word, non-existent. These days, every trainee who joins us starts here. To find out why joining Nabarro, via our multi-award-winning Summer Scheme, will greatly increase your chances of building the kind of career you want, just roll up for a chat at the next Law Fair you see us at. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to meet you. Or visit: graduates.nabarro.com

Your future as a lawyer. Leave nothing to chance. AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

90%

88%

Norton Rose Fulbright is based

WINNER - Best Opportunities for Career Progression,

in over 50 cities across six

Training Contract

continents and provides a

SPECIAL RECOGNITION - The Diversity & Inclusion Award

full business law service. The

RUNNER UP - Best Opportunities for Skills Development,

firm has a focus on six global

Training Contract

industries: financial institutions;

RUNNER UP - Best Trainee & Vacation Scheme

energy; mining, infrastructure

Recruitment Website

& commodities; transport; technology & innovation; and life sciences & healthcare.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 7,400 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ41,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 50 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 40

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Norton Rose Fulbright Graduates UK

Training Contract Set up as four seats of six months each, the training contract consists of three core practice area seats as well as the opportunity to spend six months on client or international secondment. These are considered particularly important due to the global nature of the firm. Trainees are assigned a partner mentor, and additional social and networking events are arranged to encourage further employee relationships.

Vacation Scheme Norton Rose Fulbright runs winter schemes for all finalists and graduates, as well as summer schemes for penultimate year undergraduates and finalists. Students on the winter scheme will work within one practice area while students on the summer schemes will work within at least two practice areas. All students, regardless of the scheme they join, will have the opportunity to participate in real client work, training sessions, informative briefings and social events. There is also a week-long work experience scheme for first year students.

Norton Rose Fulbright @NLegal_Grad

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Six reasons our trainees chose Norton Rose Fulbright The impressive work.

“Our industry focus means that there is plenty of high quality work. You can get involved in some huge deals here.”

For me, it was the practice’s ambitions.

“We’re growing and ambitious, and we continue to establish ourselves at the top of the league tables.”

I knew I would go places here.

“We don’t just offer secondments – we actively encourage all trainees to undertake one.”

I could see this was a place I could grow.

“I wanted challenging work and a steep learning curve. I get that here, in an environment where those around me look to help me improve.”

The international focus.

“It’s more than a list of offices - there is a real emphasis on working with colleagues and clients in different jurisdictions. Pick somewhere in the world, and we’ve probably got an office there.”

The culture felt right.

“It’s collegiate, and open to individuality. There’s an understanding here that people need to feel free to explore opportunities outside of their immediate role.” We know that choosing the right legal practice is a big decision. So we thought we would tell you what persuaded our trainees to come here. If you join us, we’ll keep on supporting you to choose wisely throughout your career.

nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com

Progress with purpose

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

79%

74%

Olswang is an international law firm recognised for its

About

deep industry expertise in

The firm’s power is in its people: driven, highly commercial and

technology, media and telecoms.

creative, they are committed to innovation and making an impact.

The firm prides itself on its

Olswang is full service. The firm’s roots lie in its award-winning

innovative approach to legal

technology, media and telecoms work and global clients are

services and bringing insight

household names. Olswang has also established a commanding

and influence to its clients.

reputation for changing the face of business in a wide range of

As a fast-paced and

industries. Olswang’s London headquarters is home to over 146

innovative firm, Olswang

solicitors and its network of offices spans the UK, Europe and South-

manages to combine passion

East Asia. Its ‘best friends’ network of independent law firms, enables

with a business-minded

the firm to advise clients across EMEA, the US and South-East Asia.

approach to the law.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 800+ STARTING SALARY £37,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 12 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 20

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Olswang Olswang @Olswang

190

Training Contract Olswang wants to help match the expectations of trainees with the needs of the firm. Training consists of four sixmonth seats in corporate, real estate, litigation, finance, commercial or IP. Trainees will be assigned a mentor, usually a partner, to assist and advise them throughout their training contract. In-house lectures supplement general training, three-monthly appraisals assess development and regular social events with the other trainees are all designed to forge stronger, lasting relationships.

Vacation Scheme Olswang runs two work placement schemes in the spring and summer for penultimate and final year law students, final year non-law students and graduates. The work placement scheme is a great opportunity for those interested in commercial law to gain an insight into the firm’s work, culture and ethos, and to experience the life of a typical Olswang trainee solicitor.

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

Individuality. One thing we all have in common. We celebrate diversity. We relish in people being different. We’ve found that a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are what make our people so distinctive. At Olswang, it’s part of our ethos. Having the confidence to think beyond the everyday and deliver the extraordinary is what talent is all about. Our people are our business. They’re what make us the law firm of choice for true innovation and excellence for clients in a wide range of industries across the UK and internationally. If you think you’re exceptional then get in touch and tell us why.

Open minds open doors www.olswangtrainees.com

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191

O’Melveny & Myers is an

About

international law firm with

The London office provides transactional and litigation legal

approximately 750 lawyers

services to a diverse group of private equity houses, financial

practising in 15 offices in US,

institutions and corporate clients. The London team advises on

Asian and European economic

cross-border English law matters and works closely with the

and political centres.

firm’s international network to provide a global service. The London office is known for its entrepreneurial leadership and

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 50 in the London office STARTING SALARY £41,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 3 VACATION SCHEME PLACES -

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

commitment to excellence.

Training Contract Individual preferences can usually be taken into account when tailoring the London training programme, subject to completing the core competencies. Trainees complete seats with partners or senior lawyers, usually in corporate, finance, funds and litigation. O’Melveny trainees are also regularly seconded overseas to the Hong Kong, Singapore and Brussels offices. They are encouraged to be proactive and take responsibility at an early stage. Trainees work in a very supportive and inclusive environment, with regular formal and informal feedback. Great importance is placed on training and they participate in both legal and non-legal skills training programmes.

O’Melveny & Myers LLP

Vacation Scheme Vacation placements are available each summer. Students can expect to tackle assignments and attend any training sessions or meetings taking place during the week. There are opportunities for feedback and support, as well as networking events.

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It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop at the LLB Search for LLM courses at

AllAboutLLMs.com

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Training Contract

74% Orrick is a leading international

About

law firm with more than 1,100

Orrick has earned a global reputation advising both established

lawyers in 24 offices located

and emerging companies, banks and international finance

throughout North America,

institutions. The firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s London office is primarily staffed by

Europe and Asia.

UK qualified lawyers, but there is also a US law capability in

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 130 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ38,000 (2015) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 4 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 30 Open day places

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

increasing proportion of the work that the firm does.

Training Contract The two-year training contract at Orrick consists of six four-month seats. The small trainee intake means that trainees can expect a vast amount of responsibility from very early on. However, the firm takes pride in its genuine open-door policy, which means that trainees are able to work closely with partners and associates, and can gain support and advice whenever it is required.

Vacation Scheme Rather than the usual format of a vacation scheme, Orrick offers two Open Days in the spring. This round they will take place on 22 March and 16 April 2016. These are split

Orrick OrrickRecruiting @Orrick

the London office and cross-border transactions make up an

into two parts: presentations from each practice area, and participation in a business game. Candidates are watched closely during this task and those that impress are invited to attend a second interview for a training contract.

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PAYROLL WITH THE PUNCHES Explore a range of financial and professional services career paths at

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

91%

88%

Osborne Clarke is a global firm

WINNER - Best Opportunities for Skills Development,

that has grown rapidly over the

Training Contract

past two years and now has

WINNER - Best Company Culture

18 offices in Belgium, France,

FINALIST - Best Training Contract

Germany, Italy, the Netherlands,

FINALIST - Best Training Contract, International or City Firm

Spain, the United Kingdom and

FINALIST - Best Trainee & Vacation Scheme Recruitment Website

the United States.

About

KEY STATISTICS

The firm offers an exciting mix of local, national and

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 680 STARTING SALARY £34,000 - £39,000 depending on location TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 20 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 25

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

OsborneClarkeTrainee Osborne Clarke @OC_Trainee

international work, and is famous for its strong sector approach. Over 90% of its revenue comes from the seven sectors in which it works - digital business, energy, financial services, life sciences, real estate, recruitment, and transport. The firm’s sector teams include lawyers from all legal disciplines.

Training Contract Following the traditional structure of four seats each lasting six months, trainees are required to sit in corporate, litigation and either property or tax. In each seat trainees receive department-specific training, additional in-house training and the Professional Skills Course. Formal performance reviews are given every quarter and there is a focus on work experience and individual training needs.

Vacation Scheme A two-week vacation scheme is run during the summer by Osborne Clarke in all of their UK offices. Candidates spend a week in two different practice areas to enable them to get a feel for the breadth of work undertaken at the firm. Candidates are paired with a trainee buddy for support and a senior lawyer as a supervisor. Successful students are invited to interview for a training contract at the end of their placements.

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Fascinating work

High-profile clients

Award-winning training

Theory. Meet practice. When you train at OC, you’ll work on major projects for the sort of high-profile clients that other firms won’t let you near untilyou qualify. That makes a big difference to your development – which we’ll continue to drive throughout your career. Making the right connections Find out more at joinoc.com

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

82%

Penningtons Manches is a

FINALIST - Best Training, Training Contract

commercial and private client

FINALIST - Best Opportunities for Skills Development,

law firm based in the UK. It has

Training Contract

offices in London and across the South East.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 600 STARTING SALARY £33,000 (London) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES >14 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 40

About Penningtons Manches’ clients range from private individuals to owner-managed businesses and multinational corporations. The firm has an equally broad spectrum of practice areas – ranging from dispute resolution, corporate, commercial/IP/ IT and real estate to private client and tax, clinical negligence, immigration and family.

Training Contract Training comprises four six-month seats, and normally trainees work within a broad range of practice areas

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Penningtons Manches LLP Penningtons Manches LLP @Penningtonslaw

across the business services, private individuals and real estate divisions. The firm and trainees tend to prefer a broad experience and avoid specialisation too early in the training. In addition to practical experience, regular formal training sessions, know-how sessions and the Professional Skills Course are provided, and trainees can also expect a trainee buddy, a mentor and regular feedback.

Vacation Scheme Summer vacation scheme placements lasting one week are offered in July at the London, Basingstoke/Reading, Guildford and Oxford offices. Only candidates able to take up a training contract in two years’ time are eligible. However, there are also ‘Information Days’ throughout July, which provide the opportunity to meet with graduate recruitment and ask current trainees about their experiences.

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PROVIDING ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE

Our award-winning training team maximises opportunities for career progression. To find out how we can help you achieve your goals, call us on 020 7457 3000 or e-mail info@penningtons.co.uk. Penningtons Manches LLP LONDON +44 (0)20 7457 3000

BASINGSTOKE +44 (0)1256 407100

CAMBRIDGE +44 (0)1223 465465

OXFORD +44 (0)1865 722106

READING +44 (0)118 982 2640

SAN FRANCISCO +1 415 426 5655

www.penningtons.co.uk

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GUILDFORD +44 (0)1483 791800

199

PwC Legal is an exciting place to launch a legal career. With more than 2,500 lawyers in over 85 countries, it has one of the most extensive legal services network in the world.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 260 STARTING SALARY £37,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES VACATION SCHEME PLACES 16

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

85%

84%

About Although independent, the firm’s services are embedded within the powerful, multi-disciplinary capabilities and broad geographic footprint of a global professional services leader. The firm’s links to PwC mean they can offer their clients rounded solutions incorporating multi-disciplinary advice.

Training Contract Trainees will quickly gain practical, hands-on experience and lateral thinking skills as part of teams generating creative ways to tackle complex problems. The practice groups in which trainees could work include Mergers & Acquisitions, Banking, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Fraud, Corporate Structuring, Employment, Intellectual Property & Information Technology, Pensions, Real Estate and Tax Litigation. Trainees may also complete a seat in Dubai.

Vacation Scheme PwC Legal’s three-week paid summer vacation scheme is a great way to find out how the firm works and allow students to see for themselves the ways in which PwC is truly unique in

PwCCareersUK

the legal marketplace, gaining valuable legal work experience

PwC LLP (PwC UK)

during their time at the firm. Students will get a highly-

@PwC_UK_Careers

competitive wage and have the opportunity to join client meetings and calls, conduct research, practice legal drafting, join PwC Legal’s seminar and training programme and work directly alongside its lawyers. The scheme is the firm’s principal route towards securing a training contract.

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The experience stays with you

Sacha at PwC’s Embankment Place office

Summer Vacation Schemes Training Contracts All degree subjects 2:1 or above

Summer Vacation Schemes with PwC Legal – London Your career is just that; yours. You choose it. You live it. You make it happen. To get the best from it, you need the best opportunities. That’s why opportunities are at the heart of a career with us. Opportunities to grow as an individual, to build lasting relationships and make an impact in a place where people, quality and value mean everything. For Sacha, that means launching her legal career with a training contract that’s giving her commercial experience too. In her first seat in immigration law she worked on government policy and the visa applications for the staff of our big corporate clients. While her second seat, in corporate law, involved getting into the detail of multimillion pound merger and acquisition deals. Join PwC Legal – we’re focused on helping you reach your full potential.

Diverse people make us stronger

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201

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

93%

86%

Reed Smith is a global law

SPECIAL RECOGNITION - The Diversity & Inclusion Award

firm, with more than 1,800

FINALIST - Best Opportunities for Career Progression,

lawyers in 26 offices throughout

Training Contract

Europe, the Middle East,

FINALIST - Best for Job Satisfaction, Vacation Scheme

Asia and the United States. The firm represents leading

About

international businesses,

The firm’s lawyers provide litigation and other dispute

from FTSE 100 corporations

resolution services, regulatory counsel, and legal advice on the

to dynamic mid-market and

full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions.

emerging enterprises.

Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, energy and natural

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 700 STARTING SALARY £38,500 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 25 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 24

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Reedsmithgraduatesuk Reed Smith LLP @reedsmithllp

resources, advertising, technology and media, shipping, real estate, manufacturing, and education.

Training Contract Reed Smith offers stimulating work in an informative, challenging and busy environment where trainees’ contributions count from day one. With four seats over two years, trainees choose the practice areas they would like to experience, as well as benefiting from client secondments in industries including banking, media and retail. Trainees may also decide to visit one of Reed Smith’s international offices as part a secondment, with offices including Abu Dhabi and Athens.

Vacation Scheme Reed Smith’s two week vacation schemes offer students the opportunity to gain a strong insight into the culture of the firm as well as providing a solid account of the type of work encountered as a trainee. Vacation scheme students are able to select two different practice areas that they would like to experience, while also being able to take part in wider industry focused events or social events taking place in the firm.

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Training ConTraCT At Reed Smith we offer stimulating work in an informative, challenging and busy environment where your contribution counts from day one. With four seats over two years, you choose the practice areas you would like to experience, as well as benefiting from client secondments in industries including banking, media and retail. You may also decide to visit one of our international offices as part your secondments, with offices including Abu Dhabi and Athens. “I’ve been able to tailor my entire TC according to my preferences, which laid the foundation for me to qualify into the shipping group this August. I’ve done some great work in small teams, and learned from some market-leading practitioners along the way.” – Alfred Perkins

VaCaTion SCheme Our two week vacation scheme offers students the opportunity to gain a strong insight into the culture of the firm as well as providing a solid account of the type of work encountered as a trainee. Our vacation scheme students are able to select two different practice areas that they would like to experience, whilst also being able to take part in wider industry focused events or social events taking place in the firm. “There was never a dull moment during my placement. I was given intellectually challenging work, and given the chance to explore departments outside of my seats. Additionally, the firm maintains a genuinely open and friendly culture, which makes working in the astonishing Broadgate Tower all the more exciting.” – John-Israel Oladeji

facebook.com/reedsmithgraduatesuk reedsmith.com/ukgraduates

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203

Rosenblatt is an independent

About

City law firm. Central to

Established in the City of London in 1989, Rosenblatt supplies a

every relationship the firm builds is a commitment to its clients’ success.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 85 STARTING SALARY £35,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 4 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 24

comprehensive range of services to forward-looking businesses. Commercial in the best sense and international in reputation and reach, the firm is known for its insistence on the highest standards and determination to achieve results.

Training Contract Rosenblatt recruits its trainees two years in advance. Trainees will participate in at least four of the firm’s 10 practice areas: banking & finance; construction & projects; corporate; dispute resolution; employment; financial services; IP, technology & media; real estate; regulatory & funds and tax. Trainees are assigned a mentor before arriving and are encouraged to get

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Rosenblatt Solicitors Rosenblatt @RosenblattSols

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in touch with fellow trainees before they arrive.

Vacation Scheme Placements at Rosenblatt last for one week and take place during June and July. They are open to graduates, penultimate and final year law students and final year non-law students. For the duration of the week, students will sit with one department and work on real client material before facing an assessment at the end of the placement. This will consist of a presentation, interview, group exercise and written assessment.

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Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

95%

82%

RPC offers a depth of

WINNER - Best for Job Satisfaction, Vacation Scheme

knowledge and creativity

WINNER - Best Level of Support, Vacation Scheme

that few firms can rival,

RUNNER UP - Best Vacation Scheme, International or City Firm

combined with high quality

RUNNER UP - Best Training, Vacation Scheme

training programmes that

FINALIST X 3 - Best Opportunities for Skills Development, Vacation

is consistently lauded in

Scheme, Best Company Culture, Best Vacation Scheme

the leading directories. Headquartered in the City

About

of London, RPC also has

RPC provides top quality legal services to global businesses across

offices in Bristol, Hong

a wide range of industry sectors and practices, including insurance,

Kong and Singapore.

commercial litigation, construction, engineering and projects, corporate/M&A, IP and technology, media, real estate, employment

KEY STATISTICS

and pensions, outsourcing, regulatory, tax and competition.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 635 STARTING SALARY £37,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 20 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 24

Training Contract

OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to the Professional Skills Course, RPC provides

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Trainees at RPC receive first-rate training in a supportive working environment. Collaborating closely with a partner and given real responsibility as soon as they are ready to handle it. Six months will be spent in four areas of RPC’s practice. Trainees are encouraged to express preferences for the areas in which they would like to train. a complementary programme of in-house training.

Vacation Scheme RPC runs summer vacation schemes in its London office to enable prospective trainees to spend time with the

Reynolds-Porter-Chamberlain

firm, getting a feel for the work they do and the unique

RPC - Law Firm

atmosphere. 12 students at a time spend two weeks

@lifeinalawfirm

experiencing working life and getting a fantastic insight

@RPCLaw

into whether a career at RPC is right for them. Students will be exposed to the business side of being a lawyer and the importance of marketing and business development. The scheme involves a ‘real-time’ business project.

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207

Shearman & Sterling is an international firm founded in New York, which employs over 850 lawyers globally. A full service firm, the London office specialises in Finance, M&A and Project Development

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

88%

83%

WINNER - Best Law Firm for International Opportunities FINALIST - Best Training Contract, US Firm FINALIST - Best Vacation Scheme, US Firm FINALIST - Best Opportunities for Skills Development, Training Contract

Training Contract

and Finance. In 2008 the firm

Training contracts at Shearman & Sterling consist of four

advised on the financing of

six-month seats, including two seats in finance, M&A or

the $5.25 billion expansion

project development & finance. There is the possibility of

of the Panama Canal.

completing a seat in an overseas office and trainees should expect formal training alongside practical experience.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 270 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ45,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 17 VACATION SCHEME PLACES Up to 40

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Trainees select a mentor to support them and are able to interact with partners, associates and support staff.

Vacation Scheme The firm conducts vacation schemes in winter, spring and summer which allow participants to get to know the firm for up to two weeks. Each week students are placed in a different department and work on real life cases, so as to gain hands on experience. There are also plenty of networking opportunities and students are assigned a supervisor, mentor and a buddy.

Shearman & Sterling LLP UK Graduates Shearman & Sterling LLP @ShearmanLaw

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GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES SUPPORTIVE CULTURE EXCEPTIONAL WORK To be best placed at the beginning of your legal career, you need to be in the best place. You need to be at Shearman & Sterling: one of the world’s leading international corporate and commercial law firms with a true global footprint. We’re proud of our culture and the friendly environment we work in. Support is key, including the focus on working in smaller teams whilst our full equity partners get involved in the things you’re working on, helping to guide you at every stage. You’ll also be given real responsibility for the way in which you work, ensuring that every new day is as interesting, challenging and rewarding as the last.

For the best start in your legal career, start here. Visit

ukgraduates.shearman.com

to discover more

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Shoosmiths is a leading national commercial law firm with 10 offices across the UK and is currently ranked at No.28 in The Lawyer magazine’s list of top 200 law firms.

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

91%

88%

RUNNER UP - Best Level of Support, Training Contract RUNNER UP - Best Training Contract, National Firm RUNNER UP - Best Use of Social Media in a Trainee & Vacation Scheme Recruitment Campaign FINALIST - Best Vacation Scheme, National Firm FINALIST - Best Company Culture

About KEY STATISTICS

It’s focus on people, relationships and results has defined its

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1450 STARTING SALARY £24,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 22 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

achievements for more than 160 years, establishing a diverse

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Shoosmiths Graduates Shoosmiths @ShoosmithsGrads Shoosmiths ShoosmithsVideo

client range from Hewlett-Packard to Krispy Kreme and from property developers to national banks.

Training Contract Trainees at Shoosmiths sit in four different practice areas for six months each, usually conducting all four within the same office location. The most popular seats are within corporate, commercial, real estate, employment and banking, but there may also be opportunities to sit within the private client teams also known as Access Legal. Training combines ‘live’ work with formal training to produce a well-rounded programme.

Vacation Scheme Shoosmiths runs week-long vacation schemes during the spring and summer at their offices in Edinburgh, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Reading and Solent. As well as being placed in a practice group for hands-on experience, students are buddied with a current trainee and will complete a non-legal project. Successful completion of the placement and project will see students automatically invited back to a training contract assessment centre.

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SEE YOURSELF AT SHOOSMITHS Develop your career at a firm focussed on putting people, relationships and results at the heart of your training contract. Apply now at www.shoosmiths.co.uk

www.twitter.com/shoosmithsgrads www.facebook.com/shoosmithsgraduates AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

211

Established in 1866 in Chicago,

About

Sidley Austin now has 19

The firm is now internationally renowned for its litigation,

offices across the US, Europe and the Asia-Pacific area.

KEY STATISTICS

regulatory and transactional expertise. They also represent a diverse client base that includes multinational and domestic corporations, banks, funds and financial institutions.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 220 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ44,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 10 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 15

Training Contract

OPPORTUNITIES

material with lawyers and clients from around the world.

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Sidley Austin LLP (Official) Sidley Austin LLP @sidleyaustinllp

The training contract is made up of four seats that run for six months each, with trainees able to sit in practice areas such as capital markets, global finance and tax. A partner or senior associate will supervise each seat and provide individual training, alongside the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formal training. There is also the opportunity to work on multijurisdictional

Vacation Scheme Sidley run a one-week winter vacation scheme and twoweek spring and summer scheme. Sharing an office with a qualified lawyer, students sit in two different departments for a week each and participate in real work, as opposed to shadowing. A supplementary programme of presentations and workshops accompanies the scheme. Sidley will also be hosting open days at their offices throughout the year for first year law students, designed to give students a real insight into life at the firm.

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Our search for standout trainees. Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world’s largest law firms, with 1,900 lawyers across 4 continents. We are looking for outstanding individuals to join us as trainees in our London office in September 2018. Our London team is energetic, dynamic and collegiate. The London office currently has approximately 230 lawyers and staff, but still retains the intimacy and camaraderie of a smaller firm. For information on our training programme please request a brochure from our graduate recruitment team on 020 7360 2016 or via ukrecruitment@sidley.com or visit our website at www.sidleycareers.com. Sidley Austin LLP is an equal opportunities employer.

Woolgate Exchange 25 Basinghall Street London, EC2V 5HA

sidley.com AMERICA • ASIA PACIFIC • EUROPE Attorney Advertising - For purposes of compliance with New York State Bar rules, our headquarters are Sidley Austin LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 212 839 5300; One South Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60603, 312 853 7000; and 1501 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, 202 736 8000. Sidley Austin refers to Sidley Austin LLP and affiliated partnerships as explained at www.sidley.com/disclaimer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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Training Contract

88% FINALIST - Best Training Contract, International or City Firm Simmons & Simmons is an

FINALIST - Best Training, Training Contract

international firm with a

FINALIST - Best Use of Social Media in a Trainee & Vacation

presence in Europe, the Middle

Scheme Recruitment Campaign

East and Asia.

About

KEY STATISTICS

The firm specialises in five sectors: asset management

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,500 STARTING SALARY £40,000 (London) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 38 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 80

and investment funds, energy and infrastructure, financial

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Simmons & Simmons Graduates Simmons & Simmons @SimmonsGrads

institutions, life sciences and technology, media and telecommunications (TMT). Recent accolades include being awarded ‘Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year’ by Lawyer Monthly and being ranked within the Top 50 Employers for Women 2015 by The Times.

Training Contract Training contracts are comprised of four six-month seats, with trainees being required to participate in one contentious seat, one corporate or commercial seat, and one financial markets seat. The firm aims to accommodate trainees’ preferences. In addition to a supervisor and buddy there is also a support system, which includes a mentor and a trainee review representative. There are also opportunities for international and client secondments.

Vacation Scheme Vacation schemes run three times a year. Winter schemes are open to final year law students and graduates; a spring twoday insight scheme is open to first year law students and first and penultimate year non-law students; summer schemes last two weeks each and are aimed at penultimate year law and non-law students, final year students and graduates. Students participate in real client work, attend information events, skills sessions and networking and social events.

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your e e s u Do yo

re u t u f aw? in l

Training contracts and vacation schemes Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re known for advising and looking after our clients in an innovative way, so we make sure that we develop our trainees into interesting, imaginative lawyers by giving them the opportunity to experience both the business and the legal world.

See our world

Whether you join us as a law or non-law student, at Simmons & Simmons, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see more, learn more and achieve more.

Simmons-simmons.com/graduates AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

215

First set up in 1948, Skadden

About

Arps has now grown into a

The London branch was established in 1988 and is the largest

firm that consists of 23 offices

of the firm’s European office. Skadden Arps’ main practice areas

and employs over 1,700

include corporate transactions, capital markets, banking and

lawyers worldwide.

litigation and international arbitration.

KEY STATISTICS

Training Contract

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 250 STARTING SALARY £45,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 10 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 40

The Skadden Arps training contract is structured as a

OPPORTUNITIES

are regular other opportunities for networking.

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Associates

two-year course, divided into four seats of six months. The first two are required to be taken in corporate and litigation and international arbitration, but the second two are allowed to be selected by the trainees and can potentially involve an overseas secondment. The contract starts with firm-wide orientation in New York and there

Vacation Scheme Placements are run for two weeks each in Easter and the summer and are open to penultimate and final year law students and final year non-law students. It is flexible whether students sit in two departments or just one, if they wish to specialise, and there is additional training and support in the form of formal sessions.

@SkaddenArps

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217

Slaughter and May is one of

About

the most prestigious law firms

Slaughter and May trains each of its lawyers to be a multi-specialist

in the world, advising on high-

equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters, which at other

profile and groundbreaking

firms would be handled by a number of different lawyers.

international transactions. The firm has an excellent and varied client list that includes leading corporations, financial institutions and governments.

Training Contract During the two-year training contract, trainees turn their hand to a broad range of work, taking an active role in four or five groups while sharing an office with a partner

KEY STATISTICS

or experienced associate. Most trainees spend at least two

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,100 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ41,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 80 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 160

six-month seats in the firmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market leading corporate,

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Workshops Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

commercial and financing groups. Subject to gaining some contentious experience, they choose how to spend the remaining time.

Vacation Scheme The firm offers First Year Open Days for law students, Easter and summer work experience schemes for penultimate year undergraduates and two-day Winter Workshops for law and non-law finalists and graduates. Please visit the website for full details.

Slaughter and May Slaughter and May

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Smriti, a lawyer in our Dispute Resolution group

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219

Taylor Wessing is a full-service international law firm, standing at the forefront of the industries of tomorrow. Acting as advisors to well-known clients in cutting-

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

84%

Awards FINALIST - The Diversity & Inclusion Award FINALIST - Best Law Firm for International Opportunities

edge sectors, it is a firm for

About

ground breakers, smart thinkers

Taylor Wessing’s focus on technology, media and communications,

and trail blazers. Spark, focus

life sciences, private wealth and energy, means that alongside law

and lateral thinking make the

students, the firm also recruits a wide range of students who have

firm’s lawyers exceptional legal

studied non-law degrees. Its clients include private and public

advisors, helping clients to

companies, financial institutions, professional service firms, public

succeed by thinking innovatively

sector bodies of both large and medium size and wealthy individuals.

about their business issues.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1,800 STARTING SALARY £38,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 24 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 40

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Taylorwessinggraduates Taylor Wessing @TaylorWessing

220

Training Contract Taylor Wessing’s award-winning training combines an inhouse Professional Skills Course with six-month seats in four different practice groups, including one contentious seat and one in its corporate or finance areas. The programme is recognised for the extent of partner contact available to trainees, who work closely with associates from the outset. Frequent client contact and secondment opportunities to their offices are also offered.

Vacation Scheme Vacation schemes are designed for students to experience life as a trainee solicitor in a fast-paced, innovative, law firm. Two weeks are spent in two different practice groups gaining experience under the supervision of associates and partners. Open days in the London office and events at universities allow you to meet with firm representatives to find out more. In April 2016 the firm will be holding an insight event for candidates in their first or second year of a four year course.

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221

TLT is a thriving top 50 UKwide law firm. Just like you, they’re ambitious.

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

89%

84%

FINALIST - Best Vacation Scheme, National Firm

About Refusing to be constricted by outdated attitudes, TLT prides

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 1000 STARTING SALARY £29,000 (Bristol) £35,00 (London) £25,000 (Manchester) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 18 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 56

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

themselves on a flexible, creative approach with a culture of togetherness where fresh ideas are valued, hard work is recognised and everyone can get out every bit as much as they put in. It’s safe to say that it’s working. They are now over 1,000 people strong with an enviable portfolio of big-name businesses across the UK.

Training Contract Joining TLT, you’ll be valued as a future leader of the firm as you get stuck into a variety of exciting live cases for a wide range of high profile clients. Their strong culture and client relationships mean you’ll be guaranteed responsibility, support, involvement and interesting challenges – with some 32 seats to choose from. Learning and development will also be plentiful with a blend of oneto-one mentoring, coaching and award-winning training programmes. You’ll work with a dedicated partner to create

TLT Solicitors LLP

a personal development plan tailored to your aspirations

TLT

and ambitions, giving you all the tools you need to excel.

@TLTtrainees

Vacation Scheme TLT runs week-long vacation schemes in Bristol, London and Manchester. Treated as a trainee, you’ll enjoy real work and the chance to network with partners and ask existing trainees any questions you have. An assessment is built into the week so you won’t have to worry about making a separate training contract application.

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Make deals, not tea.

When it comes to our trainees, we’re looking for future leaders not graduate proof-readers. Our training contract is designed to help you experience more and develop faster. And by more, we mean more exposure to exciting client work. More face-time with Partners. More opportunities. More support. Valued and invested in from day one, we’ll give you everything you need to progress and thrive as a well-rounded lawyer. So, if you’re looking for a firm where you can really make an impact, you’re on the right page. To find out more, head to careers.tltsolicitors.com/trainees AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

223

Formed from a merger

About

between Vizards Tweedie and

They have a well-respected reputation, particularly for their

Veale Wasbrough Lawyers in 2009, the Bristol-based firm now has opened a second

work in healthcare, education and charities, as well as working with many clients who are family-owned businesses.

office in London and a smaller

Training Contract

office in Birmingham; it has

Trainees at Veale Wasbrough Vizards undertake four seats

since generated revenues of ÂŁ22 million.

of six months each. Trainees are encouraged to experience a wide variety of areas that the company specialises in

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 300 STARTING SALARY ÂŁ23,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 8 VACATION SCHEME PLACES -

OPPORTUNITIES

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

such as: corporate, private client, employment, personal injury claims and charities. Support and feedback is provided through a supervisor system at regular intervals, in addition to a Trainee Knowledge Sharing group.

Vacation Scheme At VWV, the placement schemes run for a single week during the summer. To encourage adequate preparation before embarking upon training contracts, the scheme consists of working within a plethora of teams and meeting people in different legal roles. Vacation schemes are open for second and final-year undergraduates and postgraduates to apply.

Veale Wasbrough Vizards Veale Wasbrough Vizards @VWVCareers

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Top Employers

IT’S ALL ABOUT VACATION SCHEMES. IT’S ALL ABOUT TRAINING CONTRACTS. IT’S ALL ABOUT LAW FAIRS. IT’S ALL ABOUT LAW FIRM OPEN DAYS. IT’S ALL ABOUT LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE. IT’S ALL ABOUT RESEARCHING LAW FIRMS. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LAW CONVERSION COURSE. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BPTC. IT’S ALL ABOUT LLMS. IT’S ALL ABOUT DISTANCE LEARNING. IT’S ALL ABOUT FUNDING YOUR LAW COURSE. IT’S ALL ABOUT SOLICITORS. IT’S ALL ABOUT BARRISTERS. IT’S ALL ABOUT PARALEGALS. IT’S ALL ABOUT LEGAL EXECUTIVES. IT’S ALL ABOUT PATENT ATTORNEYS. IT’S ALL ABOUT PRO BONO. IT’S ALL ABOUT WRITING AN AWESOME CV. IT’S ALL ABOUT APPLICATION TIPS. IT’S ALL ABOUT INTERVIEW ADVICE. IT’S ALL ABOUT COMMERCIAL AWARENESS. IT’S ALL ABOUT SOCIAL MOBILITY. IT’S ALL ABOUT DIVERSITY. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LATEST LAW NEWS. IT’S ALL ABOUT FINDING A JOB. IT’S ALL ABOUT AMBITION. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR CAREER. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUR FUTURE IN LAW.

It’s AllAboutLaw.co.uk

Law jobs, courses & advice. All good. All in one place. AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

225

Vacation Scheme

Training Contract

96%

81%

WINNER- Best Vacation Scheme With approximately 1,100

WINNER - Best Vacation Scheme, US Firm

lawyers in 20 offices across

RUNNER UP - Best Opportunities for Skills Development,

the U.S., Europe, Asia and the

Vacation Scheme

Middle East, Weil operates

FINALIST - Best Training, Vacation Scheme; Best Opportunities

according to the “one firm”

for Career Progression, Vacation Scheme; Best for Job

principle, allowing them

Satisfaction, Vacation Scheme

to bring the right mix of firm-wide skill and localmarket presence to deliver coordinated legal advice to help our clients achieve their goals and objectives.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 282 STARTING SALARY £41,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 15 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 30

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

226

About The London office is the largest of Weil’s European offices and the hub of their European practice. The office is a leading player in the U.K. legal market and is consistently regarded as one of the most successful London offices of a U.S.-based law firm. Weil support a varied client base of European, U.S. and global private equity houses, corporates and financial institutions on domestic and cross-border matters.

Training Contract Weil offer a sophisticated training programme with direct input from partners, alongside a tailor-made approach to mentoring, career progression and development. Working in close-knit, partner-led teams provides trainees wit greater responsibility and early exposure to Weil’s global network of offices, clients and contacts. Trainees who join the firm in 2018 will complete four six-month seats, one of which may be undertaken in one of the firm’s international offices.

Vacation Scheme Weil have up to ten places on each of their two-week paid vacation schemes which take place during the spring and

Weil, Gotshal & Manges UK Graduates Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

summer each year. Students will work alongside some of

@WeilGotshal

similar work to the firm’s trainees.

the firm’s most experienced lawyers in two different practice areas and make contributions to live matters, undertaking

AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

227

Training Contract

84% Global law firm White & Case LLP is a prestigious international

RUNNER UP - Best Opportunities for Career Progression, Training Contract

law firm with over 2,200 lawyers

FINALIST - Best Training Contract, US Firm

worldwide. The firm’s network

About

of 39 offices provides the full

The firm’s clients are multinational, from companies and financial

range of legal services of the

institutions to governments and state-owned entities. White & Case

highest quality in almost every

represent some of the world’s most established and respected

major commercial centre and

names alongside many start-up visionaries. Its clients face complex

emerging market. White & Case

challenges, and the innovative approach of the firm’s lawyers

offers trainees a guaranteed

means that it consistently delivers the results clients need.

six-month overseas seat as part of their training contract.

KEY STATISTICS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 529 STARTING SALARY £44,000 TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 50 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 85

OPPORTUNITIES Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

White & Case White & Case LLP @WhiteCase

228

Training Contract Trainees undertake four six-month seats, one of which is spent abroad. Trainees can spend a seat in: banking, capital markets; construction and engineering; corporate; employment and benefits; energy, infrastructure, project and asset finance; financial restructuring & insolvency; intellectual property, litigation/arbitration; real estate and tax. Receiving partner and senior associate contact, trainees will carry out quality, stimulating and rewarding work. Trainees undertake early responsibility and practical hands-on training, with plenty of support and feedback.

Vacation Scheme White & Case offers a two-week placement over Easter and two more two-week placements during June and July. The aim is to allow candidates the opportunity to gain experience of how a global law firm operates and introduce them to the type of work the firm’s lawyers are involved in. Candidates are invited to attend a number of presentations and group exercises as well as fantastic social events.

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229

An award-winning, creative

About

thinking, full service

Headquartered in the UK, they are the trusted advisors of a

international law firm, Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. has offices across the globe – from Singapore and Dubai to Moscow and Brussels.

breadth of FTSE 100 and 250 clients, amongst many others. At their core is a people-focused culture and single team ethos, where talented individuals bring together different strengths, skills and outlooks to deliver legal solutions that help their clients prosper.

KEY STATISTICS

Training Contract

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES STARTING SALARY £26,250 (Birmingham) £37,000 (London) TRAINING CONTRACT PLACES 30 VACATION SCHEME PLACES 60

Treated as a lawyer from day one, you’ll enjoy rewarding

OPPORTUNITIES

comprehensive induction, then it’s down to business.

Winter Work Placements Vacation Schemes Training Contracts International Secondments First Year Opportunities

Wragge Law Graduate Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co @wraggelawgrad

early responsibility, international opportunities and high profile work. Training contracts consist of four six-month seats in your choice of broad-ranging practice areas. It’ll be a continuous learning journey with one-to-one guidance from a partner mentor, a dedicated supervisor, the graduate recruitment team and a strong support network of legal experts. You’ll start with a full and Throughout your training contract, you can look forward to getting involved in interesting cases for big-name clients, in a high performing, encouraging culture.

Vacation Scheme Vacation schemes take place throughout the year in their London and Birmingham offices. Trainees experience the great work of an international law firm first-hand, with a current trainee and dedicated mentor to support them. The insightful placement will include regular feedback and also fun social activities to help trainees build valuable professional relationships (while enjoying themselves too, of course).

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Individually brilliant, collectively extraordinary Offices worldwide. An ever-growing client list of FTSE 100 and 250 clients. A single team ethos. Extraordinary opportunities. Businesses around the world choose us to help them thrive and prosper. And that’s exactly what we’ll do for your career. Join this award-winning international law firm and enjoy incredible opportunities, global exposure and real responsibility on cutting-edge cases for high profile clients. Your personality and perspectives will be valued as you make a well-recognised contribution to the firm’s ambitious strategy. So, join us as a trainee and thrive at Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co. graduate.wragge-law.com AllAboutLaw.co.uk | Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

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