Culture

• "At our firm they believe that it is also important to have a social life. We take part in a number of networking events, and also have staff drinks once a month. All of the trainees get on really well and meet for lunch on a regular basis, as well as lunching for people’s birthdays, Christmas, the fact that it is payday, etc. There is a very good atmosphere among the trainees. We also work together on charity events." -- First year trainee, Liverpool
• "The firm prides itself on its open-door and friendly culture. For the most part, the firm has lived up to this. The trainees are a close-knit bunch and are certainly very supportive of one another. Each trainee is an individual, but with one common theme: they are hard-working but don't take themselves too seriously!" -- Second year trainee, Liverpool
• "Trainees are very friendly with each other and often help each other out by responding to queries, especially when people have recently changed seats, and the advice of the previous trainee in that seat is invaluable." -- Second year trainee, Manchester
• "The firm as a whole is extremely friendly and relaxed. We operate an open door policy at all levels of staff, from managing partners to secretaries, and so everyone in the firm is approachable. First year trainees are assigned a second year mentor who is their first point of contact if they have any queries or problems. However, all trainees are very supportive of each other regardless of whether they are mentoring or not. We try and socialise as much as possible and tend to go for drinks and/or lunch together at least once a week. This is important especially in larger firms where due to the proximity between trainees in different departments you may not see a fellow trainee for a few days at a time." -- First year trainee, Manchester
• "Great working environment. We have an open plan office and everyone is always approachable and willing to help, partners and trainees alike. Trainees always support each other, when in a new seat the trainee that was there before gives you a handover memo with all information needed, and you can always ask them to help. Some departments have two trainees in the same department so they can easily talk about cases both are working on. It’s a very sociable firm. Trainees always work together on charity fundraising events. Staff drinks last Friday of every month where trainees usually head out together afterwards. Many trainees on the Merseyside Junior Lawyers Division also participate in social events too. Often meet up after work." -- First year trainee, Liverpool
• "The working environment is friendly yet professional. Trainees are happy to help each other. Trainees socialise with each other across the firm at annual events such as the trainee dinner in Liverpool, trainee drinks evenings in Liverpool, the staff conference and at charity events organised by the firm. On a local level, at the Preston office there are informal drinks after work, office walks to the Lake District, a running club during the office lunch hour, an annual summer BBQ and Christmas party." -- Trainee, Preston
• "Good social life – work drinks once a month which is quite well attended, occasional lunches, and we organise charity events together. The trainees socialise together inside and outside of work and are encouraged to attend Junior Lawyer Division events by the firm. Good support, guidance and help with unfamiliar tasks from trainees who were in the seat before you." -- First year trainee, Liverpool
• "Great culture, everyone is very friendly, supportive and more than happy to help out, even with the simplest of tasks. Very fortunate to be in such a work place. More experienced trainees are great for support too." -- First year trainee, Manchester

Hours

• "I spend approximately 8 or so hours in the office a day, so at least 40 hours per week. This can rise to around 45 – 48 hours per week depending on my workload. The time is around what I expected to be working." -- First year trainee, Liverpool

  "I tend to work around 50 hours per week, and I am more than happy with this. People have a certain stereotype of bigger firms, but it just isn't true. Brabners strongly encourages you to maintain a work/life balance, especially while you are a trainee." -- Second year trainee, Liverpool

  "I work loads but I love work – all is good." -- First year trainee, Manchester

  "It varies in each department and what work is needed. At the moment my working hours are less than expected as I usually leave the office at 6pm, but other departments leave at 5 and others leave later, dependant on the work that needs to be done." -- First year trainee, Liverpool

  "On average I work between 40 – 50 hours per week. This is most definitely a satisfactory level of working hours. The firm is not the sort of place that you feel the need to stay late just to be seen. If you have finished your work by 5.30pm then you are free to go at 5.31pm! However, there was a two week period where I worked 15 hour days (plus working from home at the weekend). On reflection, this does not seem anywhere near as bad as some trainees, (to whom 15 hour days are the norm) however at the time it was exhausting." -- First year trainee, Manchester

  "Working hours depend on what department you are working in. Obviously in busier departments that work around deadlines, for example corporate or litigation, you are expected to work until the job is done to a satisfactory standard. Notwithstanding the above, you are only expected to work 9 – 5." -- First year trainee, Liverpool

  "It very much depends on the seat you are in – some departments require longer working hours than others. Working extra hours is always noticed and you are thanked for it, but it is only expected when absolutely necessary." -- Second year trainee, Manchester

  "There is a balance struck between an appreciation of the need to work late on urgent matters while not being expected or pressurised to stay late in normal circumstances." -- First year trainee, Manchester

Pay

• "Brabners provides an attractive and competitive salary, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of the current economic climate." -- First year trainee, Liverpool
• "Brabners Chaffe Street pays a competitive wage; trainees are included in the bonus scheme and have previously been given M&S vouchers as a thank you." -- Second year trainee, Liverpool
• "Without having looked into or discussed comparable jobs, I think the salary is quite fair and one with which I am happily content as a trainee." -- First year trainee, Manchester
• "The salary is not as high as some of my peers who work in similar size firms across Manchester; however, it is definitely of a satisfactory level for a trainee." -- First year trainee, Manchester

Interviews & Assessments

• "There were two rounds. The first round consists of a group discussion (there were around 14 – 16 people in my group. The discussion concerned a selected topic (mine was who should be selected for a management position from a number of fictitious applicants and why). Each person from the group then had to give a presentation on a topic of their choice. Selected applicants from the first round are then selected for the second round, which is an interview with the director of training and risk of the firm, and the trainee partner for the relevant office. The interview took the format of questions asked and the applicant answers; questions such as why this firm? Why you? Which area of law do you like?" -- First year trainee, Liverpool
• "In the interview there were a lot of questions about you and your CV, and also about your experiences, both work related and social. Brabners are very interested in getting to know the person, not just their exam results. It is essential to find people who will fit into the team well, and maintain the fantastic atmosphere within the office. There is always at least one current affairs question, recent examples are: whether we should maintain the Lord Chancellor or have a Minister for Justice, and what caused the credit crunch." -- Second year trainee, Liverpool
• "There were three rounds – the first round was the application form, the second round was an assessment day (which included a group task and presentation). The third round was a formal interview with our director of training and a partner. The assessment day was enjoyable and I was made to feel at ease by those interviewing. Some questions that were asked included: How can you demonstrate commercial awareness? Explain a time when you have failed? How would your best friend describe you? What are your strengths?" -- Second year trainee, Liverpool
• "There was a mixture of formal questions and questions about you as an individual, e.g. what triggered the credit crunch? Give us an example of a time you were involved in a business transaction? How would your friends describe you? Why do you want to be a solicitor? Why do you want to be a solicitor at Brabners? Where do you see yourself in five years?" -- First year trainee, Liverpool
• "I attended an assessment day and an interview which was with three partners who were all very friendly and approachable. The assessment day included a group task and an individual presentation to partners, but the tasks were interesting and not too false or forced. The interview was a general chat through my CV and application before some more firm/law specific questions." -- First year trainee, Manchester
• "I attended a weeklong vacation scheme with an interview held on the Friday morning. For the week I was here I sat in with a partner in the corporate department who was very kind and informative. I then attended a ‘meet the partners/trainees’ night out on the Thursday on which the current trainees and a selection of the partners at the firm attended a meal with the four vacation scheme placement students. This was, of course, followed by drinks into the early hours with the trainees and an interview at 9am the next morning! The interview however, was as relaxed and informal as an interview could be, and the questions were relatively non-specific giving the three interviewers and the interviewee the chance to expand the conversation. There was however a five minute presentation to begin with, this was on any topic you wished to discuss (legal or otherwise). The interview was followed by a group assessment which involved reading descriptions of potential job candidates and discussing as a group their pros and cons. All in all it was generally an enjoyable interview experience." -- First year trainee, Manchester
• "One application, one group session, one presentation and an individual interview. Interview with training supervisor and four partners was daunting. One interview question was, ’what book are you currently reading’ – always stuck in my mind." -- First year trainee, Manchester