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2012 EDITION
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Exceptional service
to exceptional clients
Slaughter and May is widely regarded as one of the most
prestigious law firms in the world. Because of our reputation
for excellence, we are often appointed as legal advisers to
leading companies on high profile and landmark
international transactions.
If you want to work on complex and challenging deals for
high calibre clients, and have a good 2:1 degree or better
(not necessarily in law), then this could be the firm for you.
AN INSIDE LOOK AT
2012 EDITION
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the 2012 edition of our guide An Inside Look at Law Firms!
If finding a job in law wasnt already difficult enough, securing a training contract following a global
recession really is a tough nut to crack. With vacancies at a premium and more and more graduates looking, its vital you are not only qualified, but also prepared and well informed.
This is where we can help you out. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the top
players in law, in the words of their very own trainees and solicitors. This year 37 law firms have participated in our survey, so youll get to hear the thoughts of 1,057 trainees and solicitors.
In these pages you can find out exactly what its like to work at each firm, and what you can expect from
life as a trainee. Get detailed and honest info on topics ranging from the hours, training and working
environment to the interview process and much more. Youll read the best insider tips and advice that
you cant find anywhere else to help you find the firm that is right for you.
Best of luck with your job search!
The Inside Buzz team
Inside Buzz puts a new spin on the way graduates and job seekers research companies and careers. We
provide quotes from those in the know, the employees. Year round we survey thousands of employees
to hear what they think of their jobs everything from the hours to company culture, perks to salaries,
and interviews to career progression. This helps to give you a real taste of what working at a certain
company is like. We publish the good, the bad, and the ugly. No company ever pays to have their profile
and employee reviews included on our website nor in our guides. We also refresh our profiles and
quotes regularly so all of the information is always up-to-date.
INTRODUCTION
Inside Buzz is on a mission to give you the tools to make informed decisions about your career.
On www.insidebuzz.co.uk, you will find:
>> 1,000s of quotes from current employees
>> Over 150 in-depth company profiles
>> Company interview advice and tips on getting hired
>> Engaging career articles, news and jobs
Inside Buzz publishes print and digital career guides, updated and distributed every year to students at
all major UK universities. 2012 editions include: An Inside Look at Accounting, An Inside Look at Consulting, An Inside Look at Investment Banking, An Inside Look at Investment Banks, An Inside Look at Law
Firms, An Inside Look at Graduate Employers.
ONE LINER
Seats
Trainees tell us about the seat options at their
firm (the number, departments, locations, secondments, etc.)
Formal Training
The lowdown on how training programmes are organised, whether there is time to attend and what
skills are taught, etc.
THE STATS
QUOTES
Career Prospects
We ask what it takes to make it to the top of the
firm (the work, reviews, promotions, etc.).
Pro Bono
We ask whether pro bono counts towards billable
hours, if there is a minimum quota, and for specific
examples of projects.
Green Initiatives
We enquire about policies and attitudes towards
energy use, recycling, going paperless, etc.
Diversity
Employees speak on diversity with respect to
women, ethnicity and LGBT, and comment on
recruitment, retention, promotion, child care, and
maternity leave.
FIRM PROFILE
FEATURED EMPLOYERS
Minuses
And the flip-side, what they dislike the most.
Fun Facts
Quirky or little-known facts about the firms.
Perks
A rundown of the best perks!
Pluses
What employees like the most about their firm.
GETTING HIRED
Interviews & Applications
Trainees and solicitors talk about their interviews
and assessment days (How many rounds? Who did
they interview with? What format did the interview follow?).
www.insidebuzz.co.uk
IN THIS GUIDE...
Allen & Overy
Berwin Leighton Paisner
Bond Pearce
Brabners Chaffe Street
Clifford Chance
DLA Piper
DWF
Herbert Smith
Hill Dickinson
Hogan Lovells
Ince & Co
Jones Day
Kirkland & Ellis International
Latham & Watkins
Mayer Brown
Mills & Reeve
Nabarro
Norton Rose
Olswang
Osborne Clarke
Shoosmiths
Sidley Austin
Slaughter and May
SNR Denton
Travers Smith
Trowers & Hamlins
Weil, Gotshal & Manges
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Irwin Mitchell
McGrigors
Penningtons
Simmons & Simmons
Walker Morris
2!
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facebook.com
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career news & web
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from around th
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Find out wh p of the
and stay on to
latest jobs
engage
Connect and people
with the right
11
PROS
THE STATS
No. of lawyers firm-wide: 2,500+
No. of lawyers in London: 1,058
London partners: 186
London solicitors: 620
London trainee intake: 104
London trainees retained: 91% (March 2012)
Approx. no. of applications per year: 2,000
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee: 38,000
2nd year trainee: 43,200
Newly qualified: 61,000
1 year PQE: 68,000
2 years PQE: 74,000
3 years PQE: 85,000
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 39
Abu Dhabi Amsterdam Antwerp Athens Bangkok
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CONS
QUOTES
13
Partner/Solicitor Relations
Culture
14
Seats
Formal Training
Pro Bono
15
Green Initiatives
Diversity
16
17
Salary
Perks
18
Pluses
Minuses
Fun Facts
19
20
Vacation Schemes
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FIRM PROFILE
Representing one-fifth of the Magic Circle, Allen
& Overy is one of the UKs oldest and most
prestigious law firms. A&O spreads its wings
across 39 offices and employs approximately
2,500 lawyers worldwide, including more than 500
partners. Best known for its banking, corporate
and international capital markets practices, A&O is
home to the largest number of American lawyers
outside of the US, creating a niche in advising
American clients overseas.
Founded in 1930 by George Allen and Thomas
Overy, the firm rose to prominence when, in 1936,
it advised on the abdication of King Edward VIII.
Since then, A&O has rarely been out of the legal
limelight. The firm advised on the first hostile
takeover in the so-called Aluminium Wars, and
in 1963 really staked its claim as a City brand by
drafting and developing the first Eurobond for the
Italian company Autostrade.
22
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PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 9
Abu Dhabi Berlin & Frankfurt Brussels Hong Kong
London Moscow* Paris Singapore
*The firm is named Goltsblat BLP in Russia
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee: 37,000
2nd year trainee: 40,000
Newly qualified: 58,000
LONDON OFFICES
Adelaide House
London Bridge
London EC4R 9HA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7760 1000 or 020 3400 1000
St Magnus House
3 Lower Thames Street
London EC3R 6HE
Tel: +44 (0)20 7760 1000
www.blplaw.com
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QUOTES
Culture
25
Formal Training
26
Seats
Green Initiatives
Diversity
27
Salary
28
Perks
Pluses
Minuses
Fun Facts
29
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
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FIRM PROFILE
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BOND PEARCE
Bond Pearce may not be a colossal international law firm, but it certainly is a growing firm with big
aspirations and stands tall as a true regional heavyweight in the South East and South West.
PROS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 5
Aberdeen Bristol London Plymouth Southampton
BASE SALARY
2011
1st year trainee 24,000
2nd year trainee 25,000
Newly Qualified 39,000
34
CONS
BOND PEARCE
QUOTES
Culture
35
Seats
36
Formal Training
Green Initiatives
BOND PEARCE
diversity
37
38
Salary
Perks
MINUSES
Fun Facts
BOND PEARCE
PLUSES
39
Accounting
Banking
Consulting
Law
Other Industries
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
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BOND PEARCE
41
FIRM PROFILE
Take a quick scout round Bond Pearces website
and you may notice the words customer, service
and experience crop up more than just a few
times. With a friendly, colourful, informal design
more akin to a media agency than a commercial
law practice it is clear Bond Pearce are trying
to sell themselves as a personable firm. And it
appears they have the goods to go with their
image: in 2010 Bond Pearce was named the
number one UK law firm for client service in the
Legal Week Client Satisfaction Report.
42
BOND PEARCE
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Accenture, Apple, Bain & Company, Bank of England, BBC, Booz & Company,
BP, Citi, Civil Service, Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank,
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young, FSA, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman
Sachs, Google, Grant Thornton, HSBC Holdings, IBM, J.P. Morgan, John Lewis
Partnership, KPMG, LOral, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, Oxfam,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Teach First, The Boston
Consulting Group, UBS, Unilever, Virgin Group and more...
PROS
CONS
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
44
Culture
Seats
45
Formal Training
46
Green Initiatives
diversity
47
48
Salary
Perks
MINUSES
FUN FACTS
PLUSES
49
50
51
FIRM PROFILE
A leading light of the North West corporate and
commercial scene, Brabners Chaffe Street is
starting to become a regular feature in the Sunday
Times 100 Best Companies To Work For. Having
quadrupled in size in the past decade, Brabners
now provides a full range of legal services to midlevel corporates, large businesses, private clients
and other high net worth individuals. Brabners has
three regional offices, in Liverpool, Manchester
and Preston, but that doesnt mean the firm is
restricted to local or domestic markets. The firms
legal patter can be heard all across the Continent,
with Brabners represented in 83 offices across 35
countries through its networks with Eurolegal and
the Association of European Lawyers.
Each client, whether based in the North West
or further afield, has a relationship manager
whose role is to learn and understand the clients
business objectives, preferences, priorities and
concerns. Brabners client roster includes plcs,
public sector bodies, banks and a wide range
of commercial, corporate and professional
businesses.
52
This new kid on the Magic Circle block has witnessed a meteoric rise over the past couple of decades;
having grabbed internationalisation by the horns, Clifford Chance has established itself as the largest law
firm both in the UK and globally.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 32
Abu Dhabi Amsterdam Bangkok Barcelona Beijing
Brussels Bucharest Doha Dubai Dsseldorf
Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Kyiv London
Luxembourg Madrid Milan Moscow Munich New
York Paris Perth Prague Riyadh* Rome So
Paulo Shanghai Singapore Sydney Tokyo Warsaw
Washington DC
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 38,000
2nd year trainee 43,200
Newly qualified 61,500
LONDON OFFICE
10 Upper Bank Street
London E14 5JJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7006 1000
www.cliffordchance.com
CLIFFORD CHANCE
CLIFFORD CHANCE
53
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
54
Culture
Seats
CLIFFORD CHANCE
Formal Training
55
56
Green Initiatives
Diversity
CLIFFORD CHANCE
57
Salary
58
Perks
Pluses
Minuses
Fun Facts
CLIFFORD CHANCE
59
60
CLIFFORD CHANCE
61
FIRM PROFILE
Clifford Chance is arguably the largest law firm
both in the UK and globally, and perhaps the bestknown legal brand in the City. The firm employs
3,400 lawyers, with a total of 6,000 staff across
32 offices worldwide. Although best known for its
finance department, the past decade has seen the
firms corporate practice rise to prominence, and
in 2006, Clifford Chance became the first law firm
to generate revenues totalling over 1 billion.
The origins of Clifford Chance can be traced
back to the 1800s, but it was the merger of
two London firms in 1987, Coward Chance and
Clifford Turner, that created the firm as it is
today. This union singlehandedly transformed
Londons legal landscape. The alliance created a
full-service giant twice the size of the next largest
firm and enabled Clifford Chance to expand
internationally. Headquartered in London, the
structure of the firm was transformed in the 1990s
by managing partner Geoffrey Howe, shifting to a
more centralised management with less partner
independence. In 2000, it merged again, with
German firm, Punder Volhard Weber & Axster, and
Rogers & Wells from New York, making Clifford
Chance the largest firm in the world.
Clifford Chance has two US offices, New York and
Washington DC, and many more across Europe,
Asia, South America and the Middle East. The
recent focus of the firms international operations
is towards the emerging markets, namely China,
India, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. In
China the firm has offices in Beijing and Shanghai,
as well as in Hong Kong. In the Middle East,
Clifford Chance has opened outposts in Dubai and
Abu Dhabi, and most recently the firm opened
an office in Istanbul in April 2011. Additionally, a
capital markets group was formed in Singapore in
2008, to focus on the firms Indian clients.
Although Clifford Chance is best known as a top
banking and finance firm, revered for its work in
banking with top financial institutions, it has more
than just fiscal strings to its mighty bow. The firms
operations are broken into six global practice
62
CLIFFORD CHANCE
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64
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
AUG11 | 2134814
Few firms employ as many lawyers worldwide as DLA Piper. Augmenting its international network of
offices with alliances and a number of best friend firms, DLA Piper has over 4,200 lawyers spread across
30 countries.
PROS
THE STATS
No. of lawyers firm-wide: 4,200
No. of lawyers in the UK: 1,000
London Partners: 134
London Solicitors: 220
Trainee intake in the UK: 85
Trainees retained: 82% (2010)
Approx. no. of applications per year: 4,000
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 37,000
2nd year trainee 40,000
ENGLISH REGIONAL OFFICES 2011
1st year trainee 25,000
2nd year trainee 27,000
SCOTLAND 2011
1st year trainee 22,000
2nd year trainee 24,000
DLA PIPER
DLA PIPER
CONS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 76
Abu Dhabi Accra* Amsterdam Antwerp Atlanta
Auckland* Austin Baltimore (Downtown) Baltimore
(Mount Washington) Bangkok Beijing Berlin
Birmingham Boston Bratislava Brisbane* Brussels
Bucharest Budapest* Cairo* Canberra* Cape
Town* Caracas Chicago Cologne Dallas Dar
es Salaam* Doha Dubai Edinburgh Frankfurt
Glasgow Hamburg Hong Kong Houston Istanbul
Johannesburg* Kuwait City* Kyiv La Jolla Leeds
Liverpool London Los Angeles (Century City) Los
Angeles (Downtown) Lusaka* Madrid Manama
Manchester Melbourne* Miami Milan Minneapolis
Moscow Munich Muscat Mwanza* Nairobi*
New Jersey (Atlantic City) New Jersey (Florham Park)
New York Northern Virginia Oslo Paris Perth*
Philadelphia Phoenix Prague Raleigh Riyadh
Rome Sacramento San Diego (Downtown) San Diego
65
LONDON OFFICE
3 Noble Street
London EC2V 7EE
Tel: +44 (0)8700 111 111
www.dlapiper.com
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
66
Culture
DLA PIPER
67
Seats
68
Formal Training
Green Initiatives
DLA PIPER
Diversity
69
70
Salary
DLA PIPER
Perks
71
Pluses
72
Minuses
Fun Facts
DLA PIPER
73
74
DLA PIPER
VacATION Schemes
For those interested in getting a first glimpse into the
firm, DLA Piper offers approximately 170 vacation
scheme places in the summer. These two-week
schemes take place across the UK between June and
August, and are designed to give students the chance
to experience work in two different departments. You
should be aware that you need to apply for a scheme
in the office where youd choose to apply for a training
contract.
You need to apply online, and if successful are invited
to an assessment day where youll take part in a
business game with fellow candidates. Get onto a
scheme, and youll find towards the end there is
another assessment day for the training contract
which involves various tasks and an interview with
two partners. One current trainee describes this
interview as formal with questions surrounding
scenarios, client situations, and what I had learnt on
the vacation scheme.
75
FIRM PROFILE
DLA Piper has grown from its regional roots in
Sheffield and Leeds to become one of the largest
law firms in the world. Formed in January 2005
following a triple merger between the UKs DLA,
Chicago-based Piper Rudnick, and Californias Gray
Cary Ware & Freidenrich DLA Piper became the
first firm with more than 1,000 lawyers on each
side of the Atlantic.
76
TRAINING CONTRACT
WORK PLACEMENT
WHEN TO APPLY
The final deadline for applications for training contracts
commencing in 2014 is July 2012. We do not recruit
on a rolling basis, however we would encourage you to
leave plenty of time to complete your form before the
deadline.
SALARY
Starting salaries for trainee solicitors are as follows:
Scotland: 22,000 rising to 24,000 in the second year
Regions: 25,000 rising to 27,000 in the second year
London: 37,000 rising to 40,000 in the second year
VACANCIES
DLA PIPER
JOBS
DATES
June - August 2012
WHEN TO APPLY
The deadline for summer schemes in 2012 is 31 January
2012
SALARY
Scotland and the Regions - 225 per week ; London
250 per week
VACANCIES
Approximately 170 across the UK
APPLY
All applications should be made via the online form
Email: recruitment.graduate@dlapiper.com
Tel: 08700 111 111
Website: www.dlapipergraduates.co.uk
77
DWF
DWF is a fast-growing national firm with offices across the UK in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London,
Manchester, Newcastle and Preston. DWF employs over 1,400 people and provides a range of legal
services to businesses and private clients.
PROS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 7
Birmingham Leeds Liverpool London Manchester
Newcastle Preston
BASE SALARY
NORTH WEST 2011
1st year trainee 25,000
2nd year trainee 27,000
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 35,000
2nd year trainee 37,000
78
CONS
LONDON OFFICE
Capital House
85 King William Street
London EC4N 7BL
Tel: +44 (0)207 645 9500
www.dwf.co.uk
MANCHESTER OFFICE
1 Scott Place
2 Hardman Street
Manchester M3 3AA
+44 (0)161 603 5000
+44 (0)161 603 5050
DWF
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
Culture
79
Seats
80
Formal Training
DWF
Green Initiatives
81
Salary
82
Perks
PLUSES
MINUSES
DWF
Fun Facts
83
84
DWF
FIRM PROFILE
DWF is an expanding national firm with offices
in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London,
Manchester, Newcastle and Preston. The firm
operates internationally, utilising the strong
relationships its developed with firms around the
world, employing over 1,400 people, including 132
partners.
DWF provides a range of legal services to
businesses and private clients, and specialises in
banking and finance, business recovery, corporate,
insurance, litigation, people, private client and
real estate. In addition, the firm has developed
expertise in a number of specific areas; sector
focused teams include transport and logistics,
education, food and recruitment.
DWF works with household names and its client
list includes Allianz, Aviva, BUPA, Lloyds Banking
Group, RBS, and Liverpool John Moores University,
amongst others. DWF is a rapidly growing firm; net
profits were up 35% and turnover up 15% in the
last financial year.
Accounting
Banking
Consulting
Law
Other Industries
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
85
HERBERT SMITH
Regarded as the best litigation firm in the City, Herbies also sink their teeth into top corporate and
finance work. The firm has a unique approach to international markets setting up buddy alliances with
firms rather than sending in its troops on the ground.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 33
Abu Dhabi Amsterdam* Bangkok Beijing Belfast
Berlin* Brussels Budapest* Dammam* Dubai
Dsseldorf* Frankfurt* Hamburg* Hong Kong
Jakarta* Jeddah* London Luxembourg* Madrid
Moscow Munich* New York* Paris Prague*
Riyadh* Stuttgart* Shanghai Singapore Tokyo
Warsaw*
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 38,000
2nd year trainee 43,000
Newly qualified 61,000
*Associated offices
LONDON OFFICE
Exchange House
Primrose Street
London EC2A 2HS
Tel: +44 (0)20 7374 8000
http://www.herbertsmith.com
86
HERBERT SMITH
QUOTES
87
Culture
88
Seats
Formal Training
HERBERT SMITH
Green Initiatives
diversity
89
90
Salary
HERBERT SMITH
Perks
91
PLUSES
MINUSES
92
Fun Facts
HERBERT SMITH
93
94
HERBERT SMITH
FIRM PROFILE
95
Accenture, Apple, Bain & Company, Bank of England, BBC, Booz & Company,
BP, Citi, Civil Service, Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank,
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young, FSA, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman
Sachs, Google, Grant Thornton, HSBC Holdings, IBM, J.P. Morgan, John Lewis
Partnership, KPMG, LOral, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, Oxfam,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Teach First, The Boston
Consulting Group, UBS, Unilever, Virgin Group and more...
BOND PEARCE
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Hill Dickinson is an award-winning, full-service, international law firm. Hill Dickinson has a network of
offices in the North of England, London, Singapore and Piraeus, and has had over 200 years in practice.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 7
Liverpool London Manchester Sheffield Chester
Piraeus Singapore
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 32,000
2nd year trainee 34,000
Newly qualified 58,000
NORTH WEST OFFICES 2011
1st year trainee 24,000
2nd year trainee 26,000
Newly qualified 36,000
HILL DICKINSON
HILL DICKINSON
LONDON OFFICE
No. 1 St Pauls Square
Liverpool L3 9SJ
Tel: +44 (0)151 600 8000
www.hilldickinson.com
97
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
98
Culture
Seats
HILL DICKINSON
Formal Training
99
Green Initiatives
100
diversity
HILL DICKINSON
Salary
Perks
PLUSES
101
MINUSES
Fun Facts
102
HILL DICKINSON
Accounting
Banking
Consulting
Law
Other Industries
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
103
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HILL DICKINSON
FIRM PROFILE
105
Where will
your talent
take you?
Hogan Lovells is one of the worlds top 10 legal practices. Our global reach
and exceptional breadth of practice ensures a broad, enriching experience
for graduate trainees. With a spectrum of practice areas to explore,
a prestigious client list and a positive, open culture, our focus is to enable
trainees to become lawyers, and lawyers to become leaders.
To see how we help graduates transform ambition and potential into a
world-class career, visit our website at:
www.hoganlovells.com/graduates
Join us on Facebook
106
Hogan Lovells or the firm refers to the international legal practice comprising Hogan Lovells International LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP, Hogan Lovells Worldwide Group (a Swiss Verein), and their affiliated businesses,
each of which is a separate legal entity. Hogan Lovells International LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC323639. Registered office and principal place of business:
Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2FG. Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the District of Columbia.
The word partner is used to refer to a member of Hogan Lovells International LLP or a partner of Hogan Lovells US LLP, or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications, and to a partner, member,
employee or consultant in any of their affiliated businesses who has equivalent standing. Rankings and quotes from legal directories and other sources may refer to the former firms of Hogan & Hartson LLP and Lovells LLP.
Where case studies are included, results achieved do not guarantee similar outcomes for other clients. New York State Notice: Attorney Advertising.
Hogan Lovells 2011. All rights reserved.
Deep seeded London roots, a well developed international network, solid growth and jovial staff,
make Hogan Lovells a serious alternative to the Magic Circle and a contender for the title of the Citys
friendliest firm.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 43
Abu Dhabi Alicante Amsterdam Baltimore Beijing
Berlin Brussels Budapest* Caracas Colorado Springs
Denver Dubai Dsseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg
Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston Jeddah
London Los Angeles Madrid Miami Milan
Moscow Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris
Philadelphia Prague Riyadh Rome San Francisco
Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Tokyo Ulaanbaatar
Warsaw Washington DC Zagreb*
*Associate office
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 38,000
2nd year trainee 43,000
Newly qualified 61,000
HOGAN LOVELLS
HOGAN LOVELLS
LONDON OFFICE
Atlantic House
Holborn Viaduct
London EC1A 2FG
Tel: +44 (0)20 7296 2000
www.hoganlovells.com
107
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
108
Culture
HOGAN LOVELLS
Seats
109
Partner/solicitor relations
Formal Training
110
HOGAN LOVELLS
Pro bono
CAREER PROSPECTS
111
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112
Green Initiatives
diversity
HOGAN LOVELLS
113
114
Salary
Perks
PLUSES
Fun Facts
MINUSES
115
116
HOGAN LOVELLS
117
118
HOGAN LOVELLS
VACATION SCHEMES
119
FIRM PROFILE
Take two judicial giants one US, one UK meld
them together and what do you get? Hogan
Lovells: a transatlantic behemoth with 2,500+
lawyers, 43 offices across the globe, and revenues
of $1.8 billion. Formed following the merger
of Hogan & Hartson and Lovells on 1st May
2010, Hogan Lovells advises many of the worlds
largest corporations, financial institutions and
governmental organisations. The firm regularly
acts on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions,
as well as large commercial disputes.
Due to the nature of its conception, Hogan Lovells
roots can be traced down two separate paths...
Frank J Hogan opened his practice in 1904, quickly
rising to prominence for his work in the Teapot
Dome scandal of the 1920s (during which US
government officials were convicted of accepting
bribes from big oil companies). As a result of his
successes in high profile political cases, the firms
founder garnered a reputation as Americas leading
trial lawyer. Frank was joined by Nelson T Hartson
in 1925, and they eventually went into partnership
together in 1938, forming Hogan & Hartson.
The firm excelled in numerous fields over the
years, expanding into North and Latin America,
Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In 1970, Hogan
& Hartson notably became the first major firm to
establish a separate practice devoted exclusively
to pro bono legal services. And by the time of the
firms merger with Lovells, Hogan & Hartson had
grown into the largest firm based in Washington,
with 26 offices worldwide.
Lovells history stretches back even further than
its fellow progenitor to 1899, when John Spencer
Lovell set up his own legal practice. He was later
joined by Reginald White, and then in 1924, by
Charles King. Together the three formed Lovell,
White & King and moved the office to Holborn
Circus. In 1966, Lovell, White & King merged with
Haslewoods, a firm with an illustrious history
and revered clients such as the Treasury Solicitor
120
TRAINING CONTRACT
WHEN TO APPLY
SALARY
VACANCIES
HOGAN LOVELLS
JOBS
HOW TO APPLY
http://graduates.hoganlovells.com/
VACATION PLACEMENTS
DATES
WHEN TO APPLY
SALARY
VACANCIES
HOW TO APPLY
http://graduates.hoganlovells.com/
121
INCE & CO
Maritime couldnt be more deeply ingrained within Ince & Co. The firms ten international offices cast a
wide net, serving global clients in shipping, international trade, energy, insurance, commercial disputes,
business and finance and aviation.
PROS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 10
Dubai Hamburg Hong Kong Le Havre London
Monaco Paris Piraeus Shanghai Singapore
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 36,000
2nd year trainee 39,000
Newly qualified 58,000
1 year PQE 64,960
2 years PQE 69,020
3 years PQE 76,125
122
CONS
LONDON OFFICE
International House
1 St Katharines Way
London E1W 1AY
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7481 0010
www.incelaw.com
INCE & CO
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
Culture
123
Seats
124
Partner/solicitor relations
Formal Training
INCE & CO
125
CAREER PROGRESSION
126
Pro bono
Green Initiatives
Hours
INCE & CO
diversity
127
Salary
BONUS
7,500
Mid-level solicitor
7,000
Mid-level solicitor
Perks
128
PLUSES
Fun Facts
INCE & CO
MINUSES
129
Accounting
Banking
Consulting
Law
Other Industries
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
130
Vacation Schemes
INCE & CO
131
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career news & web
e
from around th
os hiring
Find out wh p of the
and stay on to
latest jobs
engage
Connect and people
with the right
132
INCE & CO
FIRM PROFILE
Aside from these two heavyweight staples, Ince
& Co has a further five practice areas that arent
to be scoffed at: aviation, business and finance,
commercial disputes, energy and offshore, and
international trade. In the aviation legal sector, Ince
& Co holds considerable clout, with a reputation
garnered through years of demonstrating its indepth understanding of the industry, knowledge of
aviation technology, the current commercial issues
and first-hand experience.
133
134
Jones Day is a true US heavyweight, with its sizeable glove taking jabs at most major areas of law. With
2,500 lawyers and 35 offices across five continents, Jones Day is one of the largest law firms in the world
and amongst the highest-grossing in the US. The firms London lawyers, of whom 98% are UK qualified,
boast a globally recognised M&A practice.
PROS
THE STATS
No. of lawyers firm-wide: 2,500
No. of lawyers in London: 164
London Partners: 50
London Associates: 100
London of Counsel: 14
London Trainee intake: 15
London Trainees retained: 80%
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 39,000
6-12 months 41,000
12-18 months 45,000
18-24 months 50,000
Newly qualified 70,000
JONES DAY
JONES DAY
CONS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 35
Atlanta Beijing Boston Brussels Chicago Cleveland
Columbus Dallas Dubai Frankfurt Hong Kong
Houston Irvine London Los Angeles Madrid
Mexico City Milan Moscow Munich New Delhi
New York Paris Pittsburgh San Diego San Francisco
So Paulo Saudi Arabia Shanghai Silicon Valley
Singapore Sydney Taipei Tokyo Washington, DC
LONDON OFFICE
21 Tudor Street
London EC4 Y0DJ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7039 5959
www.jonesday.com/recruit
135
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
136
Culture
Partner/Solicitor Relations
JONES DAY
Seats
137
We do not operate a seat system. The nonrotational system allows us to gain an insight and
experience in all departments, or as many as we
choose (so long as we gain experience in at least
three areas). Recently, it has become possible to
go to Dubai on secondment for 6 months.
First year trainee
Formal Training
138
Career Prospects
Green Initiatives
Diversity
JONES DAY
Pro Bono
Salary
139
Trainee compensation is quite good, and the sixmonthly jumps from 39 41 45 50 thousand
certainly make a positive difference.
Second year trainee
For a newly qualified it is very good.
Newly qualified solicitor
I feel I am well paid for what I do.
Senior solicitor
Perks
Fun Facts
Pluses
Minuses
140
JONES DAY
141
142
Vacation Schemes
JONES DAYCHANCE
CLIFFORD
@insidebuzz
st graduate
Get the late articles
career news & web
e
from around th
os hiring
Find out wh p of the
and stay on to
latest jobs
engage
Connect and people
with the right
143
PROFILE
Jones Day is a true US heavyweight, with its
sizeable glove taking jabs at most major areas
of law. Armed with 2,500 lawyers and 35 offices
across five continents, Jones Day is one of the
largest law firms in the world and amongst the
highest-grossing in the US.
Founded in 1893, by Judge Edwin Blandin and
William Lowe Rice, Jones Day made its name by
representing Midwestern manufacturers and
transportation companies from its Cleveland base.
It was one of the first firms to adopt a corporate
management structure, and the 100+ years since
have brought steady growth, a slew of domestic
and international offices, and acclaim. The firms
involvement in numerous high-profile political
scraps helped cement its reputation, and in one
example of its eminence, the firm represented
US automaker Chrysler in its massive bankruptcy
case.
In the UK, Jones Day burst onto the London legal
scene in 1986, courtesy of a merger with Surrey &
Morse. In 2003, the firm dramatically expanded its
London presence through a merger with mid-tier
City firm Gouldens. The firms London lawyers,
of whom 98% are UK qualified, boast a globally
recognised M&A practice. The firm also specialises
in capital markets, private equity, banking and
finance, business restructuring, investment funds,
litigation, intellectual property, tax and real estate.
In real estate, where the old Gouldens was always
a leader, the firm still acts for what was once that
firms largest client, Pillar Properties (now part of
British Land). The firms private equity practice
has won work from a number of major players,
including Morgan Stanley, WL Ross & Co one
of the most profitable restructuring focussed PE
houses in the US and Riverside, the most active
private equity house in the US.
144
TRAINING CONTRACT
WORK PLACEMENT
Our work placement scheme will show you what its like
to be a trainee with us and will give you valuable insight
into our unique, non-rotational Training System. You
either will have your own office or share with another
person on the scheme. You will have your own email
address and phone number. You can take work from
any department at any time and from any lawyer, which
means that you gain the flexibility to see a wide range
of practices and to meet lots of people within the Firm.
We want you to get involved in real work. We dont
just give people on the work placement scheme a series
of workshops and seminars (although you will have
the opportunity to participate in a negotiation skills
workshop and a presentation skills workshop during
the scheme). In terms of the work you will carry out,
you can expect to be involved with research, drafting,
preparing documents, client meetings, and visits to
court. You also will have plenty of opportunity to get to
know people in the Firm on a social level as we organise
lunches, dinner, drinks, and sporting events. If you have
a place on our December placement scheme, you will
have the chance to participate in our regular, Jones Day
Christmas event.
WHEN TO APPLY
The final deadline for applications for training contracts
commencing in September 2014 is 31 July 2012.
However, to ensure an early interview date, we would
encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we
recruit on a rolling basis.
SALARY
DATES
VACANCIES
WHEN TO APPLY
APPLY
Apply online via our website
Name: Diana Spoudeas: Manager Trainee Recruitment
and Development
Email: recruit.london@jonesday.com
Tel: 0207 039 5959
Website: www.jonesdaylonson.com
JONES DAY
JOBS
SALARY
You will be paid 400 per week.
VACANCIES
145
In our own
words
Rewarding
Empowering
Inspiring
Challenging
Just some of the words to describe the
experience of working at Kirkland & Ellis.
As a trainee solicitor in our London office, youll
get hands-on experience of working on high profile
deals with some of the worlds leading companies,
and be given the support to enable you to become
the best lawyer you can be.
To learn more about training opportunities in our
London office, go to kirkland.com/ukgraduate
146
Chicago-based Kirkland & Ellis employs more than 1,500 lawyers and is amongst the worlds top-grossing
law firms. Kirkland has cemented its status and global position through its four key practice areas:
corporate and tax, intellectual property, litigation, and restructuring.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 10
Chicago Hong Kong London Los Angeles Munich
New York Palo Alto San Francisco Shanghai
Washington DC
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 40,000
2nd year trainee 43,000
Newly qualified 90,000
LONDON OFFICE
30 St Mary Axe
London EC3A 8AF
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 2000
www.kirkland.com
147
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
148
Culture
Seats
Formal Training
149
150
Green Initiatives
diversity
Salary
Perks
151
PLUSES
MINUSES
Hours.
Trainee
Fun Facts
152
Go online for
more quotes on
Kirkland & Ellis
and other law firms
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
153
154
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
100s of in-depth company
profiles and salary info on:
Accenture, Apple, Bain & Company, Bank of
England, BBC, Booz & Company, BP, Citi, Civil
Service, Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, Deloitte,
Deutsche Bank, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst &
Young, FSA, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman Sachs,
Google, Grant Thornton, HSBC Holdings,
IBM, J.P. Morgan, John Lewis Partnership,
KPMG, LOral, McKinsey & Company, Oxfam,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Procter & Gamble,
Sony, Teach First, The Boston Consulting
Group, Unilever, Virgin Group and more...
FIRM PROFILE
Chicago-based Kirkland & Ellis employs more
than 1,500 lawyers, ranked seventh for average
profit per partner in the US in 2010, was ranked
in the top 10 of the Legal Business Global 100 in
2011, and is amongst the worlds top-grossing law
firms. Kirkland has cemented its status and global
position through its four core areas of expertise:
corporate and tax, intellectual property, litigation,
and restructuring. In the City, the firms office in
the Gherkin is home to approximately 120 lawyers.
156
(advertisement)
TRAINING CONTRACT
VACATION PLACEMENTS
WHEN TO APPLY
SALARY
Our current starting salary for trainee solicitors is
40,000, rising to 43,000 in the second year of training.
JOBS
WHEN TO APPLY
SALARY
The remuneration is currently 350 per week.
HOW TO APPLY
Online at www.kirkland.com/ukgraduate
VACANCIES
We offer up to 10 places for graduates from
any discipline.
157
PROS
THE STATS
No. of lawyers firm-wide: 2,000
No. of lawyers in London: 220+
Partners: 52
Associates: 205
Trainee intake: 28
London Trainees retained: All 14 that qualified in 2011
were offered full time roles
Approx. no. of applications per year: 1,000
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 42,000
2nd year trainee 45,000
Newly qualified 96,970
DEPARTMENTS
Corporate Environment, Land & Resources Finance
Litigation Tax
PRACTICES
Africa Practice Antitrust and Competition Banking
Benefits and Compensation Capital Markets China
158
CONS
No. of offices: 31
Abu Dhabi Barcelona Beijing Boston Brussels
Chicago Doha Dubai Frankfurt Hamburg Hong
Kong Houston London Los Angeles Madrid
Milan Moscow Munich New Jersey New York
Orange County Paris Riyadh Rome San Diego San
Francisco Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Tokyo
Washington, D.C.
LONDON OFFICE
99 Bishopsgate
London EC2M 3XF
Tel: +44 (0)20 7710 1000
www.lw.com
LOCATIONS
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
159
Culture
160
Seats
Partner/Solicitor Relations
Formal Training
161
Career Progression
162
Pro Bono
Green Initiatives
Diversity
Hours
163
Salary
164
Perks
Pluses
Minuses
Fun Fact
165
166
Vacation Schemes
The best way to get into the firm is through
a vacation scheme claim several trainees and
unsurprisingly the vac scheme hiring process is
similar and as competitive as it is for a training
contract. The firms London office offers twoweek summer and Easter placements to 30 law
and non-law students. You will usually get to sit
in two departments of your choice and could get
involved with transactional work, pro bono issues
or client meetings. Expect regular presentations
by various associates to give you an idea of the
firm and what life as trainee is like. At the end of
the scheme, everyone is offered an interview for a
training contract.
Lateral Hires
Lateral associate candidates are ordinarily
screened by two partners and are then brought
in to meet a further 10 to 12 lawyers. The second
interview generally lasts 2.5 hours, and is made
up of a cross-section of partners and associates
from each of the departments within the office.
All interviewers write reviews on the candidate,
which are given detailed consideration before a
final decision is made.
167
FIRM PROFILE
Since its inception in Los Angeles some eighty
years ago, Latham & Watkins has spread its wings
and become one of the largest international law
firms around, with London and New York its main
business centres. Latham practices in all major
jurisdictions: the US, EU, Middle East and Asia, and
regularly represents companies doing business in
Latin America, Africa and the emerging markets.
A global leader in corporate, environmental
law, finance, litigation and tax services, Latham
employs more than 2,000 lawyers across 31 offices
worldwide. To its credit, Latham & Watkins became
the first US-heritage firm to generate revenues over
$2 billion (in late 2007).
Latham & Watkins was established in glitzy LA in
1934, by Dana Latham and Paul Watkins. The firm
didnt make it to the City until 1990, opening in
London with a relatively low profile at first, and
focussing on project finance. Lateral hires in London
took the office to over 130 lawyers, bolstering
its ranks in banking and finance, competition,
corporate, employment, litigation, outsourcing, and
tax law. Meanwhile, Latham busily planted seeds all
across Europe, and offices sprouted up in Brussels,
Frankfurt, Hamburg, Milan, Moscow, Munich,
Paris and Rome. And after opening two offices in
Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) in 2007, Latham
is now one of only a handful of US firms to have
a strong presence there. More recently, the firm
has focussed expansion on the Middle East, after
recognising the region as a growing market. New
offices have opened in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai and
Riyadh.
Latham is the only global law firm with no
headquarters. And while it was founded in LA, the
offices in NY are now larger. The firms chairman
is based in San Francisco and the executive
committee members are spread around the world,
including two in London. This means that no office
reports to another, and that London has as much
autonomy and power as any of the US sites.
Latham & Watkins practice was built on the back
of investment banks in the US and it used those
168
LATHAM
TROWERS
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HAMLINS
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Lookin
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latest
Accenture, Apple, Bain & Company, Bank of England, BBC, Booz & Company,
BP, Citi, Civil Service, Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank,
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young, FSA, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman
Sachs, Google, Grant Thornton, HSBC Holdings, IBM, J.P. Morgan, John Lewis
Partnership, KPMG, LOral, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, Oxfam,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Teach First, The Boston
Consulting Group, UBS, Unilever, Virgin Group and more...
Know it all
Choosing to train as a lawyer and how to
be chosen by Mayer Brown.
We know how important the first steps in your career are, which is why we want
you to know as much as you can about the realities of life as a trainee solicitor.
If law is for you, we want you to know what we look for in a trainee.
Know more by contacting our London Graduate Recruitment team:
E graduaterecruitment@mayerbrown.com T +44 20 3130 8524
Mayer Brown values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Americas
170
Asia
Europe
www.mayerbrown.com
Mayer Brown is a global legal services organisation comprising legal practices that are separate entities (the Mayer Brown Practices). The Mayer Brown Practices are: Mayer Brown LLP, a limited liability partnership established in the
United States; Mayer Brown International LLP, a limited liability partnership (regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and registered in England and Wales number OC 303359); Mayer Brown JSM, a Hong Kong partnership, and
its associated entities in Asia; and Tauil & Chequer Advogados, a Brazilian law partnership with which Mayer Brown is associated. Mayer Brown and the Mayer Brown logo are the trademarks of the individual Mayer Brown Practices in
their respective jurisdictions.
Mayer Brown is one of the largest law firms in the world. While the firms expertise encompasses a
broad range of areas, Mayer Brown is particularly renowned for standout practices in corporate, finance
and litigation, and advises many leading FTSE and Fortune 500 companies.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 21
Bangkok Beijing Berlin Brussels Charlotte Chicago
Cologne Frankfurt Guangzhou Hanoi Ho Chi
Minh City Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles
New York Palo Alto Paris Shanghai Singapore
Washington, DC
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 37,500
2nd year trainee 42,300
Newly qualified 61,000
MAYER BROWN
MAYER BROWN
LONDON OFFICE
201 Bishopsgate
London EC2M 3AF
Tel: +44 (0)20 3130 3000
www.mayerbrown.com
171
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
172
Culture
MAYER BROWN
Seats
173
Partner/solicitor relations
Formal Training
174
CAREER PROSPECTS
MAYER BROWN
Pro bono
Green Initiatives
175
diversity
176
MAYER BROWN
Salary
177
BONUS
1,000
Newly qualified solicitor, Banking
1,100
Junior solicitor, Banking
Discretionary and based on hours.
Newly qualified solicitor, Corporate
Perks
PLUSES
178
MINUSES
MAYER BROWN
Fun Facts
179
180
MAYER BROWN
Vacation Schemes
181
FIRM PROFILE
With more than 1,600 lawyers spread across major
cities in the Americas, Europe and Asia, Mayer
Brown is one of the leading law firms in the world.
The firm advises many of the leading FTSE 100 and
Fortune 500 companies, and although its expertise
encompasses a broad range of areas, Mayer Brown
is renowned for stand-out practices in corporate,
finance, real estate projects and litigation.
The three entities that make up Mayer Brown
today all began to practice law in the 19th century
each inaugural arm emerging from a separate
continent. Johnson, Stokes & Master began life in
Hong Kong in 1863; Levy Mayer founded the US
progenitor in 1881; Rowe & Maw was established
in London in 1895, operating under that name until
joining with its US counterpart in a considerable
transatlantic merger in 2002.
When US firm Mayer Brown & Platt and Londons
Rowe & Maw audaciously attempted to expand
their practices by joining forces, many industry
commentators were somewhat sceptical. At first
it was seen as an odd pairing: Mayer Brown &
Platt was a high-rolling, prominently domestic firm
known for structured finance in Chicago; Rowe &
Maw was a corporate boutique with a selection of
first-rate clients. Come 2011 and not only has the
nine-year relationship yielded dividends for the
UK arm but the London offices cherished culture
has endured.
In addition to this historic merger, Mayer Brown
has a large international presence and strong
relations with regional firms. Mayer Brown has an
established alliance with Madrid-based Ramn &
Cajal and has more than 200 lawyers in Hong Kong
and mainland China. The firm has a strong German
operation and a successful Paris office both the
result of mergers. Mayer Brown also operates in
association with leading Brazilian law firm Tauil
& Chequer with offices in So Paulo and Rio de
Janeiro, aimed at benefiting from the surge in IPOs,
182
TRAINING CONTRACT
We are looking for candidates who not only have
a consistently strong academic record including a
minimum of a 2.1 degree (predicted or obtained) in any
discipline, but also who have a wide range of interests
and achievements outside their academic career.
Additionally, we would like to see innovative candidates
who can demonstrate a drive for results, good verbal
and written communication skills, an ability to analyse,
good judgement, thoroughness, client focus and excellent
interpersonal skills.
WHEN TO APPLY
Apply From 1 November 2011 to 31 July 2012 for Training
Contracts beginning in September 2014/March 2015.
Law undergraduates should apply after receiving their
penultimate year results.
SALARY
Our current starting salary for trainee solicitors is 37,500
for the 1st year, 42,300 for the 2nd years and 61,000
for Newly Qualifieds.
VACANCIES
We recruit approximately 20-25 trainees every year.
VACATION PLACEMENTS
We offer three Work Experience Programmes each year.
The programme will give you the opportunity to gain
valuable experience of life as a trainee solicitor at Mayer
Brown, whilst being paid a competitive salary (275 per
week). During your time at the firm, you will share an
office with a partner or associate, assisting them on real
deals and matters giving you first-hand experience of life
in an International law firm. You will sit in two different
departments and you will be asked in advance which
areas interest you most. In addition to gaining practical
work experience, you will also be invited to attend
presentations on our different practice areas to give you
more insight into the breadth of the firm. There will also
be plenty of social activities organised, including a day
at our office in one of our European offices. During the
course of the Work Experience Programme, you should be
MAYER BROWN
JOBS
DATES
Spring Work Experience Programme: Monday 26 March
to Thursday 5 April 2012. Summer Work Experience
Programme One: Monday 25 June to Friday 13 July 2012.
Summer Work Experience Programme Two: Monday 13
to Friday 31 August 2012.
WHEN TO APPLY
We are accepting applications for places on our Work
Experience Programmes from 1 November 2011. The
closing date is 31 January 2012. If your application is
successful, you will be invited to a 35-40 minute interview
with a member of the Graduate Recruitment Team.
Please note that we will interview for places on the Work
Experience Programmes throughout January and the
beginning of February and places will be offered during
those months. Therefore it may be the case that the
Work Experience Programmes will become full before the
deadline of 31 January 2012.
SALARY
You will be paid 275 per week.
HOW TO APPLY
www.mayerbrown.com/careers/gradrec
Email: graduaterecruitment@mayerbrown.com
Tel: 0203 130 3000
Website: www.mayerbrown.com
183
PROS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 6
Birmingham Cambridge Leeds London Manchester
Norwich
BASE SALARY
2011
1st year trainee 23,000
2nd year trainee 24,000
Newly qualified 37,000 56,000 depending on location
184
CONS
CONTACT OFFICE
Francis House
112 Hills Road
Cambridge CB2 1PH
Tel: 01223 222336
www.mills-reeve.com
QUOTES
185
Culture
186
Seats
Formal Training
187
Green Initiatives
diversity
188
Salary
Perks
189
PLUSES
MINUSES
Fun Facts
190
191
192
FIRM PROFILE
193
NABARRO
With only four offices London, Sheffield, Singapore and Brussels Nabarro isnt exactly an international
heavyweight; but with a young, energetic and enthusiastic management team, this real estate expert
could well run its larger rivals far closer in the future.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 37,000
2nd year trainee 40,000
Newly qualified 59,000
SHEFFIELD 2010
1st year trainee 25,000
2nd year trainee 28,000
Newly qualified 38,000
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 4
Brussels London Sheffield Singapore
LONDON OFFICE
Lacon House
84 Theobalds Road
London WC1X 8RW
Tel: +44 (0)20 7524 6000
www.nabarro.com
194
NABARRO
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
Culture
195
Seats
196
Formal Training
Green Initiatives
NABARRO
diversity
197
198
Salary
Perks
PLUSES
MINUSES
NABARRO
Fun Facts
199
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engage
Connect and people
with the right
200
NABARRO
201
202
NABARRO
FIRM PROFILE
203
NORTON ROSE
In addition to its reputation for top corporate and finance work, Norton Rose is known for its collegial
and friendly culture. With offices across Europe, Australia, Africa, Canada, the Middle East and Asia, the
majority of its employees are based overseas, allowing the firm to operate in a large number of markets
and jurisdictions.
PROS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 39
Abu Dhabi Amsterdam Athens Bahrain
Bangkok Beijing Brisbane Brussels Calgary
Canberra Cape Town Dar es Salaam* Dubai
Durban Frankfurt Hamburg Ho Chi Minh City*
Hong Kong Johannesburg Jakarta* London
Melbourne Milan Montral Moscow Munich
Ottawa Paris Perth Piraeus Prague Qubec
Rome Shanghai Singapore Sydney Tokyo
Toronto Warsaw
*Associate offices
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee: 37,000
2nd year trainee: 41,500
Newly qualified: 60,000
204
CONS
LONDON OFFICE
3 More London Riverside
London SE1 2AQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7283 6000
www.nortonrose.com
NORTON ROSE
QUOTES
205
Culture
206
Partner/solicitor relations
NORTON ROSE
Seats
Formal Training
207
208
CAREER PROSPECTS
NORTON ROSE
Pro bono
209
Green Initiatives
diversity
210
Hours
NORTON ROSE
Salary
63,500
Junior solicitor
70,000
Junior solicitor
105,000
Mid-level solicitor
The bonus structure is not very good, and does
not motivate people to work beyond their target
hours.
Junior solicitor
Very competitive salary. One of the market
leaders.
First year trainee
Get paid a lot for just having walked out of
university!
Second year trainee
Its about standard for City law firms, though
these rates havent seen an increase in a while.
First year trainee
For what you do and the fact that youre
essentially still training, I think the pay is very good
(doesnt mean I wouldnt take more though!).
First year trainee
211
BONUS
Perks
212
PLUSES
MINUSES
NORTON ROSE
Fun Facts
213
214
NORTON ROSE
Vacation SCHEME
215
FIRM PROFILE
Norton Rose holds a demanding position in UK law,
just behind the fore-runners of the Magic Circle.
The firm is well known for its strength in corporate
finance, energy and infrastructure, transport, and
technology. 2007 saw Norton Rose reorganise
itself from a partnership to an LLP (Limited Liability
Partnership) structure, and move to state of the
art, environmentally friendly offices on Londons
South bank designed by renowned architectural
firm, Foster & Partner. However, the firm can trace
its origins much further back over 200 years to
1794.
216
NORTON ROSE
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
217
2!
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fo
facebook.com
st graduate
te
la
e
th
t
e
G
articles
career news & web
e
from around th
os hiring
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218
A firm with an unstuffy culture, Olswang is best known for its expertise in the technology, media and real
estate sectors, and is a major corporate and finance player in the mid-tier market.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 6
Berlin Brussels London Madrid Paris Reading
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee: 35,000
2nd year trainee: 39,000
Newly qualified: 59,000
OLSWANG
OLSWANG
LONDON OFFICE
90 High Holborn
London WC1V 6XX
Tel: +44 (0)20 7067 3000
www.olswang.com
Sectors
Broadcasting Climate Change & Cleantech Film
Gambling Internet & E-Commerce Leisure Life
Sciences Marketing Services Music Publishing Real
Estate Sport Telecommunications
219
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
220
Culture
SEATS
OLSWANG
221
FORMAL TRAINING
222
Green Initiatives
OLSWANG
Diversity
223
Salary
224
Perks
Pluses
Fun Facts
OLSWANG
Minuses
225
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
226
OLSWANG
227
FIRM PROFILE
Established only 30 years ago, Olswang LLP has
swiftly blossomed from a boutique media firm
into a robust business law firm; best known for
its expertise in the real estate, technology, media
and finance sectors as well as its meritocratic and
unstuffy culture. The firm has won the praise of its
acclaimed clients, and acts for firms including the
Guardian, ITV, Lloyds, Microsoft, MTV, Nationwide
and Warner Music International.
Olswang is certainly used to dealing with stars, but
now the tables have turned and the firm is hiring
them. Much to the chagrin of other leading City
firms, Olswang has employed an aggressive lateral
hire strategy over recent years to augment its core
practice areas of litigation, corporate, real estate,
finance, IP and commercial.
228
OLSWANG
@insidebuzz
st graduate
Get the late articles
career news & web
e
from around th
os hiring
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and stay on to
latest jobs
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Connect and people
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229
Osborne Clarke
Known for its work in technology, media and telecoms, Osborne Clarke is also viewed as one of the best
banking advisers outside of the City. Although considered more of a mid-market practice in London, that
hasnt prevented the firm from securing top clients such as RBS, Marks & Spencer and Nintendo.
PROS
THE STATS
CONS
LOCATIONS
BASE SALARY
No. of offices: 6
Bristol Cologne London Munich Silicon Valley
Thames Valley
BRISTOL 2011
1st year trainee: 32,000 (2013/14 intake)
2nd year trainee: 33,750 (2013/14 intake)
Newly qualified: 40,000 (at present)
London and Reading 2011
1st year trainee: 36,500 (2013/14 intake)
2nd year trainee: 38,500 (2013/14 intake)
Newly qualified: 58,000 (at present)
London Office
One London Wall
London EC2Y 5EB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7105 7000
www.osborneclarke.com
230
Osborne Clarke
QUOTES
231
Culture
232
Seats
Formal Training
Osborne Clarke
233
Green Initiatives
Diversity
234
Hours
Pay
Osborne Clarke
Perks
Pluses
235
Minuses
Fun Facts
236
Osborne Clarke
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
237
FIRM PROFILE
Osborne Clarke has grown from a regional firm,
based in Bristol, to a firm with a truly international
reach. It can trace its roots back 250 years to 1748,
although it wasnt until 1987 that the firm branched
out to the City, focussing on corporate transactions.
In the 1990s the firm made yet another shift when it
decided to focus on technology, media and telecoms,
and it stuck to these despite the dot com bubble
burst of the early Noughties. However, there is
more to Osborne Clarke than tech work; and even
though the tech bubble deflated, the firm has fast
become a leader in mid-market transactions, which
has resulted in significant growth and an increase in
profits.
The employment team is strong, as is dispute
resolution. There is a good roster of clients on the
banking and finance side and the firm is viewed as
one of the best banking advisors outside of London.
The firm is also one of the leaders in the marketing
and advertising sector. Besides all that, the firm
has a big international presence, though not in the
238
TROWERS
BOND
PEARCE
& HAMLINS
e
h
t
r
o
f
g
Lookin
n
o
p
o
o
c
s
latest
Accenture, Apple, Bain & Company, Bank of England, BBC, Booz & Company,
BP, Citi, Civil Service, Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank,
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young, FSA, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman
Sachs, Google, Grant Thornton, HSBC Holdings, IBM, J.P. Morgan, John Lewis
Partnership, KPMG, LOral, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, Oxfam,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Teach First, The Boston
Consulting Group, UBS, Unilever, Virgin Group and more...
SHOOSMITHS
Shoosmiths wide national network and unique practice mix set it apart from its rivals. Noted for its
property work, the firms best known clients rank amongst the biggest names in retail, automotive and
finance, and include major players such as McDonalds, Volkswagen and Zurich.
PROS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 9
Basingstoke Birmingham London Manchester
Milton Keynes Northampton Nottingham Reading
Solent
BASE SALARY
2011
1st year trainee 24,000
2nd year trainee 25,000
Newly qualified 35,000
240
CONS
SHOOSMITHS
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
Culture
241
Seats
242
Formal Training
SHOOSMITHS
Green Initiatives
diversity
Hours
243
Salary
Perks
PLUSES
244
MINUSES
SHOOSMITHS
Go online for
more quotes on
Shoosmiths and
other law firms
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
245
246
Vacation Schemes
If youre after a career with Shoosmiths, keep
in mind that vacation schemes provide for
potentially easier access to a training contract.
The firm offers two-week vacation schemes, which
run during the summer from June to August. Its
definitely a good way to get your foot in the door
so dont miss the opportunity. Law students in
their penultimate year and non-law students in
their final year can apply for the summer scheme.
You are likely to spend your time in one or two
of Shoosmiths departments working next to
partners, lawyers and current trainees who are
said to really make the effort to get you involved
during your time there.
SHOOSMITHS
FIRM PROFILE
247
248
Born of a NY/Chicago merger, Sidley Austin LLP has garnered a reputation in the City for its structured
finance and securitisation practice. The firms major work also includes M&A, capital markets, corporate
reorganisation and bankruptcy, regulatory, insurance, funds and dispute resolution. With 110 lawyers, it
has one of the largest London offices for a US law firm.
PROS
THE STATS
No. of lawyers firm-wide: 1,700
No. of lawyers in London: 110
London Partners: 39
London Associates/Counsel: 73
London trainee intake: 10
London trainees retained: 100% (2011)
SIDLEY AUSTIN
SIDLEY AUSTIN
CONS
LOCATIONS
BASE SALARY
No. of offices: 17
Beijing Brussels Chicago Dallas Frankfurt Geneva
Hong Kong London Los Angeles New York Palo Alto
San Francisco Shanghai Singapore Sydney Tokyo
Washington DC
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 39,000
2nd year trainee 43,000
Newly qualified 72,000
1 year PQE 81,500
2 years PQE 91,500
3 years PQE 101,000
LONDON OFFICE
Woolgate Exchange
25 Basinghall Street
London EC2V 5HA
Tel: +44 (0)20 7360 3600
www.sidley.com
Lucy Slater
Tel: +44 (0)20 7360 3600
Email: lslater@sidley.com
249
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
250
Culture
The firm holds various social events on a firmwide scale, including a Christmas party and
summer barbecues. Other firm-sponsored events
include sending two teams to compete in the
Manches Cup and weekly softball games in the
summer. Otherwise, on an informal basis, I often
go for drinks, lunch or dinner with those solicitors
who joined the firm with me, or with members of
my group.
Newly qualified solicitor
As there are not a huge number of trainees, the
trainee group is very tight and we have lunch
together and sometimes drinks on a Friday. The
firm does not arrange a whole heap of stuff
for trainees, but nevertheless we are all good
friends.
Trainee
The firms culture is quite relaxed and there
is very much an open-door policy at the firm.
At every level, I have found all colleagues to be
very approachable. As regards the social culture,
there is not perhaps as strong a socialising culture
as there may be at other firms. This may have
something to do with the nature of the hours
working at an American law firm, however, there
are social functions and gatherings organised
throughout the year, and trainee socialising is very
much ad hoc.
Trainee
There are a small number of trainees and as
such, strong bonds are formed and support is
offered all round. During the winter, socialising
doesnt occur as much but come spring/summer
there are lots of sporting activities and BBQS, etc.
to indulge in.
Trainee
Seats
SIDLEY AUSTIN
Partner/Solicitor Relations
251
Formal Training
252
Career Prospects
Pro Bono
Green Initiatives
Diversity
SIDLEY AUSTIN
253
Salary
Perks
254
Pluses
Minuses
SIDLEY AUSTIN
Fun Facts
255
256
SIDLEY AUSTIN
257
FIRM PROFILE
Chicago based Sidley Austin first opened
in London as a US law office, in 1974. After
converting into a multinational practice in 1994,
it merged with New York firm Brown & Wood,
in 2001. The alliance gave Sidley a combined
222 years of experience and some 80 lawyers,
many of whom worked in structured finance and
securitisation making the firm a real competitor
to the Magic Circle in this sector. However,
compared to its UK rivals, Sidley has a relatively
small City headcount with 110 English and USqualified lawyers currently practising in the firms
London office.
258
TRAINING CONTRACT
WHEN TO APPLY
SIDLEY AUSTIN
JOBS
SALARY
On joining 39,000 per annum, increasing to 43,000 in
second year.
VACANCIES
We offer up to 10 training contracts each year, taking
great care with the selection of each trainee.
HOW TO APPLY
Name: Lucy Slater
Email: ukrecruitment@sidley.com
Tel: 020 7360 2016
Website: www.sidley.com
259
Exceptional service
to exceptional clients
Slaughter and May is widely regarded as one of the most
prestigious law firms in the world. Because of our reputation
for excellence, we are often appointed as legal advisers to
leading companies on high profile and landmark
international transactions.
If you want to work on complex and challenging deals for
high calibre clients, and have a good 2:1 degree or better
(not necessarily in law), then this could be the firm for you.
260
Somewhat of an anomaly, this Magic Circle firm has a smaller headcount and fewer international offices
than most. However, Slaughter and May has secured domestic domination as the most profitable firm in
the City and has never lost a partner to another firm. Hows that for a little Magic?
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 4
Beijing Brussels Hong Kong London
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 38,000
2nd year trainee 43,000
Newly qualified 61,500
LONDON OFFICE
One Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YY
Tel: +44 (0)20 7600 1200
www.slaughterandmay.com
261
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
262
Culture
Partner/solicitor relations
SEATS
263
Formal Training
264
CAREER PROSPECTS
Pro bono
265
Green Initiatives
diversity
266
Hours
Salary
BONUS
8%.
Mid-level solicitor
Discretionary up to 15%.
Junior solicitor
267
4,000
Newly qualified solicitor
4,500
Newly qualified solicitor
8,000
Mid-level solicitor
Perks
PLUSES
268
MINUSES
Fun Facts
269
270
Vacation Schemes
Slaughter and May runs work experience
schemes at Easter and in the summer. Both
law and non-law students can apply for these
schemes, as long as you are in your penultimate
year of study. Successful applicants can expect
to be involved in some proper work, do a bit
of research and participate in some workshops
and training. Furthermore, the firm also holds
two-day workshops over Christmas, open only to
final year students and graduates from a non-law
background.
271
PROFILE
Slaughter and May has secured domestic
domination as the most profitable law firm in the
City quite a feat given it has a much smaller head
count than its Magic Circle rivals and a relatively
small international footprint. In fact, Slaughter and
May competes successfully with just a fraction of
its competitors workforce a meagre 730 lawyers
worldwide, spread over just four offices.
At the heart of the firm is a strong corporate
practice advising clients on M&A and finance.
No other UK firm has advised more FTSE 100
companies or garnered as many clients on the
London Stock Exchange. The corporate practice
is a major contributing factor to the firms
success, with the bulk of revenue coming from
acquisitions, capital markets, private equity deals
and demergers. Slaughter and May is also a
leading expert on competition and tax matters.
The London partners all hold equity in the firm
and are paid equally according to total firm
profit, rather than by individual performance or
contribution over the year. The partnership is
actually somewhat sacred: Slaughter and May
has the distinction of never having hired a lateral
partner from another law firm (theyre all homegrown) and never having lost a partner to a rival.
Hows that for a little Magic?
272
TRAINING CONTRACT
The qualities we look for in our trainees include
common sense, a sharp intellect, independent thought,
judgement and a good sense of humour. In order to
thrive here, you will also need enthusiasm, a willingness
to accept responsibility and the ability to get on well
with others. The minimum standard we look for in our
applicants is three very strong A-levels (or equivalent)
and either a good 2:1 or a 1st in their first degree.
Proficiency in a foreign language is a bonus but not
a requirement. Our trainees come from a range of
universities: it is the quality of the candidate, not their
university, which is important to us. A law degree is not
essential - approximately half of our trainees have not
studied law at university. All future trainees must attend
the LPC at BPP Law School in London. Those who have
not studied law will also be required to study the GDL
at BPP.
JOBS
WHEN TO APPLY
Please visit our website for application deadlines.
SALARY
Starting salary for trainee solicitors is 38,000, rising to
43,000 in the second year of training.
VACANCIES
CONTACT US
Email: trainee.recruit@slaughterandmay.com
(enquiries only)
Tel: 020 7600 1200
Website: www.slaughterandmay.com
HOW TO APPLY
Applications should be submitted via our online form
which can be accessed via our website. Candidates
will be required to complete a short form and to attach
a copy of your covering letter and CV - including a full
breakdown of all your examination results.
273
Can you
take the
HEAT?
Formed in September 2010 from the merger of US-based Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal and the
UKs Denton Wilde Sapte SNR Denton has 33 locations in 18 different countries. With DWSs wellestablished finance and corporate practices and Middle Eastern presence, and SNRs heavyweight
clients, the future looks bright for this firm.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 26
Abu Dhabi Almaty Bahrain Brussels Cairo Chicago
Dallas Doha Dubai Kansas City Los Angeles
London Milton Keynes Moscow Muscat Short Hills
New York Paris Phoenix San Francisco Silicon Valley
Singapore St Louis Tashkent Washington DC Zurich
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee: 37,000
2nd year trainee: 40,000
Newly qualified: 59,000
MILTON KEYNES
1st year trainee: 25,500
2nd year trainee: 27,500
Newly qualified: 39,000
SNR DENTON
SNR DENTON
275
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
276
Culture
Seats
SNR DENTON
Formal Training
277
278
Green Initiatives
diversity
SNR DENTON
Salary
279
Perks
PLUSES
280
MINUSES
Fun Facts
SNR DENTON
281
282
SNR DENTON
Vacation Schemes
283
FIRM PROFILE
SNR Denton is the result of an amalgamation
of US-based Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal
LLP (SNR) and the UKs Denton Wilde Sapte LLP
(DWS). When the combination became effective
in September 2010, the new firm boasted 1,400
employees across 18 countries, with 33 locations
over four continents.
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP was founded
in Chicago in 1906, and built a reputation for
serving the needs of many of the worlds best
known businesses, non-profits and individuals.
At the time of the merger with DWS, SNR had 11
offices across the States and additional outposts
in Brussels and Zurich.
SNR was known as a leader in providing
innovative legal services across a number of
practices, most notably: financial institutions
and services, insurance, manufacturing and
industrials, healthcare and life sciences,
technology, media and telecommunications, real
estate, and energy and utilities. SNRs impressive
inventory of clients included names from the
acme of industry from Citibank to The Boeing
Company, and General Electric Company to
McDonalds Corporation.
DWS was formed in 2000 by the merger of the
then strongest mid-market law firms in the UK.
The attempt was to combine the corporate
division of Denton Hall with the strong banking
practice of Wilde Sapte. The result: a firm that
steadily built a reputation in finance, media,
energy and real estate with an expertise in the
Middle East. DWSs ancestry can be followed
back to Sam Denton who established his firm
in 1788 and Thomas Wilde, who founded what
was to become Wilde Sapte with partner Samuel
Archer Hussey in 1785.
DWS had a firm foothold in the emerging
markets of the Middle East and Africa since the
60s, and also built a strong presence in Central
Asia becoming the largest international law
284
SNR DENTON
JOBS
SNR Denton is a top 25 legal services provider worldwide, with a network spanning four continents, in 43 countries
and 60 locations.
We work hard to maintain a friendly and open environment where ideas are shared and people work together to
achieve goals.
We offer an international legal practice focused on quality in the following industry sectors: Energy Transport and
Infrastructure, Financial Institutions and Funds, Government, Health and Life Sciences, Insurance, Manufacturing,
Real Estate, Retail and Hotels, Technology, Media and Telecommunications.
TRAINING CONTRACT
VACATION SCHEME
WHEN TO APPLY
VACANCIES
SALARY
Our current starting salary for trainee solicitors is
37,000/25,500 (London/Milton Keynes), rising to
40,000/27,500 in the second year of training.
APPLY
WHEN TO APPLY
VACANCIES
Each year, we offer between 20 and 25 summer vacation
placements across our London and Milton Keynes
offices.
SALARY
The summer scheme remuneration is competitive.
285
286
Travers Smith is one of the darlings of the mid-market UK legal scene. A quality corporate boutique with
private equity at its heart, Travers Smith has resisted the temptation to grow too fast instead focussing
its attention on securing the very best deals that a firm of its size can handle.
PROS
THE STATS
No. of lawyers firm-wide: 282
No. of lawyers in London: 279
Partners: 64
Associates: 169
Trainee intake: 46
Trainees retained: 83% (September 2011)
No. of applications per year: 2,000
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee: 38,000
2nd year trainee: 42,000
Newly qualified: 60,000
1 year PQE: 66,000
2 years PQE: 72,000
3 years PQE: 81,000
CONS
TRAVERS SMITH
TRAVERS SMITH
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 2
London Paris
LONDON OFFICE
10 Snow Hill
London EC1A 2AL
Tel: +44 (0)20 7295 3000
www.traverssmith.com
287
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
288
Culture
TRAVERS SMITH
Partner/Solicitor Relations
Seats
289
Formal Training
290
Career Prospects
TRAVERS SMITH
Pro Bono
291
Green Initiatives
Diversity
292
1,200
Junior solicitor
Perks
Salary
Bonus
1,000
Junior solicitor
3,000
Newly qualified solicitor
TRAVERS SMITH
Pluses
293
Minuses
Fun Facts
294
TRAVERS SMITH
Go online for
more quotes on
Travers Smith and
other law firms
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
295
296
Vacation Schemes
TRAVERS SMITH
FIRM PROFILE
297
298
TRAINING CONTRACT
VACATION SCHEME
WHEN TO APPLY
WHEN TO APPLY
The deadline for summer 2012 vacation schemes is
31 January 2012.
SALARY
SALARY
VACANCIES
VACANCIES
We recruit 25 trainee solicitors each year.
HOW TO APPLY
TRAVERS SMITH
JOBS
299
training contracts
Who are
Trowers &
Hamlins?
How will my
training be
structured?
Do they offer
regional
opportunities?
they
e
r
a
t
a
Wh g for?
lookin
ch
mu lity
w
i
Ho nsib ?
po
et
res ll I g
wi
do a
I
n
Ca tion
vaca ement?
plac
What
will I seats
be a
experi ble to
ence?
Will I get a
chance to work
overseas?
How do I
apply?
300
In the field of social housing, Trowers & Hamlins towers above the competition. In addition to this
market leading practice, Trowers is a leading light of Middle Eastern law and has a disproportionately
successful international projects practice for a mid-sized firm.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 35,000
2nd year trainee 38,000
Newly qualified 55,000
MANCHESTER & EXETER
1st year trainee 26,000
2nd year trainee 28,000
Newly qualified 35,000 (Manchester); 32,500 (Exeter)
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 10
Abu Dhabi Bahrain Birmingham Cairo Dubai Exeter
London Manchester Oman Riyadh
LONDON OFFICE
Sceptre Court
40 Tower Hill
London EC3N 4DX
Tel: +44 (0)20 7423 8000
www.trowers.com
301
QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
302
Culture
Partner/solicitor relations
Seats
Formal Training
303
Green Initiatives
304
diversity
Pro bono
Salary
305
Perks
PLUSES
306
MINUSES
Fun Facts
TROWERS
BOND
PEARCE
& HAMLINS
e
h
t
r
o
f
g
Lookin
n
o
p
o
o
c
s
latest
Accenture, Apple, Bain & Company, Bank of England, BBC, Booz & Company,
BP, Citi, Civil Service, Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank,
Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young, FSA, GlaxoSmithKline, Goldman
Sachs, Google, Grant Thornton, HSBC Holdings, IBM, J.P. Morgan, John Lewis
Partnership, KPMG, LOral, McKinsey & Company, Morgan Stanley, Oxfam,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Procter & Gamble, Sony, Teach First, The Boston
Consulting Group, UBS, Unilever, Virgin Group and more...
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Vacation Schemes
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FIRM PROFILE
Trowers & Hamlins may not be the largest firm on
the block, but in the field of social housing law it
towers above the competition. In addition to its
market leading practice, Trowers & Hamlins also
ranks as a heavyweight in the Middle East, and
has a disproportionately successful international
projects practice for a mid-sized firm.
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TRAINING CONTRACT
VACATION SCHEME
WHEN TO APPLY
For Training Contract September 2014 / March 2015 the
deadline is 1st August 2012
SALARY
Our current starting salary for trainee solicitors is
35,000 / 26,000 / 26,000 (London/Manchester/
Exeter), rising to 38,000 / 28,000 / 28,000 in the
second year of training and 55,000 / 35,000 / 32,500
for newly qualified solicitors.
VACANCIES
We look to recruit around 22 trainee solicitors each year
across two intakes (March and September).
HOW TO APPLY
Name: Anup Vithlani
Email: avithlani@trowers.com
Tel: 0207 423 8312
Website: http://www.trowers.com/careers/students/
JOBS
WHEN TO APPLY
Summer Vacation Scheme 2012, the deadline is 1st
March 2012. Please note that if you wish to apply for
either a place on our summer vacation scheme and /
or for a training contract position only, you will need
to complete our online application form, which can be
accessed via our website. We do not consider any other
form of application to us.
SALARY
The remuneration is currently 225 per week in London
and 185 per week in Manchester and Exeter.
VACANCIES
Each year, we offer over 20 summer vacation placements
across our London, Manchester and Exeter offices.
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Accept
the
challenge.
Get a fast paced, fulfilling,
and fantastic opportunity.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges are currently
recruiting for Vacation Scheme Placements
for 2012 and Training Contracts for 2014.
For more information and details
on how to apply please go to
www.weil.com/ukrecruiting
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Weil, Gotshal & Manges has powerhouse practices in restructuring, private equity and litigation, and in
addition to being a major player in UK law, has a huge presence across the Continent. The firms London
office is the second biggest after its New York HQ, and its largely UK-qualified solicitors are amongst the
highest earners in the City.
PROS
CONS
THE STATS
LOCATIONS
No. of offices: 20
Beijing Boston Budapest Dallas Dubai Frankfurt
Hong Kong Houston London Miami Munich New
York Paris Prague Providence Shanghai Silicon
Valley Warsaw Washington, DC Wilmington
BASE SALARY
LONDON 2011
1st year trainee 41,000
2nd year trainee 45,000
Newly qualified 97,000
1 year PQE 100,000
2 years PQE 103,000
3 years PQE 112,000
LONDON OFFICE
110 Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1AY
Tel: +44 20 7903 1000
www.weil.com
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QUOTES
LIFE ON THE JOB
Satisfaction with Work
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Culture
Partner/solicitor relations
Seats
Formal Training
315
CAREER PROSPECTS
Pro bono
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Green Initiatives
diversity
Salary
Perks
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PLUSES
MINUSES
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Fun Facts
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Vacation Schemes
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PROFILE
International firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges boasts
powerhouse practices in restructuring, private
equity and litigation major contributors which
have elevated the firms worldwide revenue past
the $1 billion mark in recent years. Although
enduring some rough waters since its UK outpost
was opened in 1996, the firm has since stabilised
and even managed to counter the market by
flourishing through the recession.
Today, the firms London office is its second
biggest and most significant after its New York
HQ. More than 90% of its 100+ lawyers are UK
qualified and they are amongst the highest
earners in the City: newly qualified solicitors earn
a salary of 97,000 per year (including pension)!
The result of the firms London endeavours is that
its office is now at the heart of many of Weils
major efforts, especially cross border corporate
deals.
Founded in 1931, Weils work remained solely
domestic until the 1990s. Although London
now acts as its European headquarters, its first
international forays were in Russia, followed by
Brussels in 1992. Weil previously had a presence
in London, courtesy of Nabarro Nathansons
office, but it didnt take the leap to go it alone
until 1996. Heavy investment and an aggressive
lateral hire strategy marked its inception. The firm
is continuing to grow with the addition of new
partners joining from rival firms, such as Clifford
Chance, Linklaters and Jones Day.
Weil is not only a major player in UK law the
North American firm has dedicated significant
resources to global expansion over the past 15
years. Weil now has over 1,200 lawyers in 20
offices, spread across the US, Europe and Asia.
In 2009, the firm opened its first Middle Eastern
office in Dubai, marking its debut with one of the
biggest deals in the region the merger of TV
channels Showtime and Orbit.
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(advertisement)
TRAINING CONTRACT
VACATION SCHEME
WHEN TO APPLY
The deadline for our 2014 training contract is
31/07/2012
SALARY
Trainee Salary of 41,000 rising to 45,000 by beginning
of fourth seat
VACANCIES
We offer up to 10 training contracts each year, taking
great care in the selection process.
JOBS
WHEN TO APPLY
The deadline for our 2012 vacation schemes is
31/01/2012
SALARY
You will be paid 400 per week.
VACANCIES
We offer 15 placements.
HOW TO APPLY
Name: Jillian Singh/Lucy Greaves
Email: graduate.recruitment@weil.com
Tel: 020 7903 1000
Website: www.weil.com/ukrecruiting
(We accept on-line applications only)
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www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_
embedded&v=-jhKceRgpak
Many thanks to fellow GDL student, Yihsin Wang, for
her help with this blogpost.
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Hi Prospective Student.
Id be delighted to answer your questions.
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LIFE ON LPC
Life on LPC
339
I am a fourth seat trainee at Ince & Co LLP. Ince is a nondepartmental firm, so we do not have the usual formal
seat system. Trainees do a broad range of work across
all areas of the firms practice, and we see our cases
through from start to finish.
I have been involved in a number of shipbuilding
disputes during my training contract. There has been
a rise in shipbuilding disputes in the past few years
because of the collapse of charter rates and the capital
value of ships in 2008. To put it into perspective, in May
2008, the spot rate an owner could command for a
Capesize vessel was at an all time high of $230,000 per
day, but by December 2008 this rate had fallen to as low
as $2,800 a day.
Due to the time it takes to construct a large, high-value
commercial vessel, shipbuilding contracts are commonly
entered into a long time (often years) before delivery
of the vessel is due to take place. When the market
collapsed, ship owners found that they had committed
themselves to highly priced shipbuilding contracts with
a long lag time, and by the time the vessels were due to
be delivered the vessel might be worth much less than
the amount that the owner had agreed to pay at the
height of the market.
Ship yards also experienced difficulties in fulfilling
orders because they over-loaded their order books
during the pre-2008 boom. Because there was such
high demand for new vessels during the boom period
of 2004-2008, many new yards sprung up in a short
space of time and began constructing more vessels
quickly and cheaply. In some cases, this resulted in substandard construction and associated claims by buyers
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2. Expiry
The buyer should ensure that the expiry date of the
refund guarantee provides sufficient time to allow
a demand for reimbursement to be made after the
due date for delivery and before the expiry of the
refund guarantee. This will be a particularly important
consideration where the shipbuilding contract provides
for delivery by reference to an event, rather than a fixed
date. In the event of arbitration/Court proceedings
post-delivery, the refund guarantee will often
automatically extend until after the award/judgement is
handed down.
3. Changes to the underlying contract
The English law on guarantees is very strict on this
point. Changes to the underlying shipbuilding contract,
without the express consent of the refund guarantor
bank, will usually have the effect of vitiating the refund
guarantee. It is not unusual for parties to shipbuilding
contracts to negotiate subsequent addenda to
cover matters such as extending the delivery date,
adjusting the contract price or making changes to the
specification. Express consent should be sought from
1. Authority to sign
It is important to ensure that the refund guarantee is
signed by a bank employee who has full and proper
authority to do so. In a recent Commercial Court
decision, the buyer was unable to claim under a refund
guarantee because it was held that it had been signed
by an employee who did not have actual or apparent
authority to do so.
WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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WWW.INSIDEBUZZ.CO.UK
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AN INSIDE LOOK AT
Trainee,
Travers Smith
www.insidebuzz.co.uk
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