Clifford Chance

Hours

"The number of hours is what I expected it to be, but it is the unpredictable nature of the work that is difficult. Not knowing if it will be a very late night until the evening, for example." -- First year trainee
"In my current department I work probably 50 hours a week on average. My worst period involved working 100 in 5 days (or 3 all-nighters in 4 nights)." -- Second year trainee
"Over 6 months I have probably worked on average 8/9 hours a day. This is about what I expected although obviously it varies depending on what work you have and what stage the deal you are working on is at. Clearly when there is a closing or things are very busy you will be expected to stay and work, but when things are quiet people are happy for you to leave early. It is a lifestyle choice and if you are not willing to work around the fact that the work comes in waves this probably is not the firm for you." -- First year trainee
"I spend around 55 hours in the office each week, sometimes longer. The hours are difficult but it was what I expected from a Magic Circle firm." -- First year trainee
"50 hours a week. About what I expected but in the area of corporate I have been in, nobody leaves until at least 6.30pm even if they don't have work (officially work finishes at 5.30pm and partners say there is no "face time culture" – there is a bit)." -- First year trainee

"Probably 40-50 a week at the moment. About expected for the group I'm in. My hours have generally been okay throughout my training contract (no all-nighters and the latest I've stayed is 1:30am on one occasion!)" -- Second year trainee
"During the last six months I averaged about 52 hours per week. I slightly exceed my billable targets. We are expected to be in the office from 9:30-17.30 officially; however 9:15-18:30 is what most trainees aim for." -- Second year trainee
"My weeks vary in terms of the hours worked; when it is busy I might bill 70+ hours but when it is quiet, no-one expects me to wait around and put in 'face time'." -- First year trainee
"Work hours can vary from less than 30 to even 50 hours a week. There are peaks and troughs. But this was always known and expected since big law firms do tend to have long hours. However, effort is made to keep trainees free on weekends and not keep them in office unnecessarily." -- First year trainee
"For most of the training contract, I've worked as much as I expected I would. However at the start of the training contract I was working an average of 11 hours a day (including weekends) and did at least one all-nighter a week in my last month right up until the day I left the department." -- Second year trainee

Salary

"It's competitive with other firms but no bonus. Living in London means it’s hard to save anything on a trainee salary." -- First year trainee
"It's comparable to other firms of this size so no complaints." -- Second year trainee
"Compensation is competitive and as per Magic Circle standards." -- First year trainee
"We don't get trainee bonuses, unlike the other Magic Circle firms, even though we put in as many hours as trainees at our competitors do. The swimming pool does not make up for it since we don't even get any time to use it." -- Second year trainee

"The salary is very high for someone my age, with only investment bankers making more. Compared to some US firms the salary is "low" but equally I feel that those firms want their pound of flesh for their money. There are some weeks when you work 70+ hours and the pay per hour seems quite measly, but we are very fortunate." -- First year trainee
"We are well paid, but of course when you work out the hourly rate with the hours you work, some people say it is below minimum wage." -- Second year trainee
"We are on the upper end of trainee salaries." -- Second year trainee

Perks

"Dinners, executive taxis and the best biscuits in the City are great, but the uplift in salary and free accommodation during overseas secondments are probably the best perks. And the boxes at the O2 and the Emirates, of course." -- First year trainee
"The best perk is the massage therapist. Free dinners are not a perk – the food in the canteen that is available for dinner is appalling and while it is free for fee earners who can bill it to a matter file, the support staff have to pay for it." -- Second year trainee
"The firm has a box at the O2 arena and we are able to apply for tickets to see events here for free. I have been successful on various occasions. Free evening meals are provided when you work late and a car home is also provided after 9pm (10pm in summer)." -- First year trainee
"After 9pm you get a free car to take you home. After 7pm you get a free dinner." -- Second year trainee
"Weekend in Paris – great dinner and night out and a weekend staying at Disneyland." -- Second year trainee

"Free tickets to events at the O2, the swimming pool, the view, the ability to go abroad (and have your rent paid!)" -- First year trainee
"Squash courts, swimming pool and view from the 30th floor." -- First year trainee
"Clifford Chance has a box at the O2 and everyone can apply for tickets to certain shows (client events are given priority but many people do get to take friends/family). Free dinner at the office after 7, free taxi home after 9 (10 in summer), free gym and swimming pool in the building, free tea and biscuits to your desk after 9, free accommodation and expenses paid for during your seat abroad." -- First year trainee
"Firm's own free gym with swimming pool and the works, firm's own subsidised bar, swanky office, lots of drinks and dinner events, moving expenses during secondments, free dinner and taxi service when working late, etc." -- First year trainee
"They serve excellent cookies in the meeting rooms and canteen." -- First year trainee

Fun Facts

"We are, so far as I know, the only law firm in the UK with our own swimming pool in the building." -- First year trainee
"We have a games room where you can play pool, table football, air hockey and PlayStation. It's very underused!" -- Second year trainee
"The sleeping pods have paper sheets. They are awful." -- Second year trainee

"The Clifford Chance kitchens make the best cookies in town. The biscuits and cookies are incredibly good – if you are working late a pot of tea and some smarties cookies can really help life spirits." -- First year trainee
"Only firm with a swimming pool! All cookies and cakes served at client meetings are baked in-house – I can say from personal experience that they taste amazing!" -- First year trainee

Pluses

"The people are great. In a firm the size of Clifford Chance I am always surprised at how well everyone gets along." -- First year trainee
"Reputation; high quality clients and work; international office." -- First year trainee
"The Howard League secondment." -- Second year trainee
"Magic Circle training. Choice of seats. Indoor gym. Good compensation." -- First year trainee
"It's very relaxed. You can start late (10ish) as long as you get the job done. You can leave on time as long as you get the job done. If you've done a lot of late nights and broken your back on a nightmare deal, you are usually given a day or two off in lieu. You can work from home if you're really unable to come into work. If you have a medical appointment in the middle of the day you can keep it as long as it doesn't clash with your meetings. Things like that are non-issues as long as the work gets done on time and gets done properly." -- Second year trainee

"The people are good to work with – they want to get things done and care about their work. The work is sometimes exciting, for example worth millions of pounds." -- Second year trainee
"The people, the quality of work and the opportunity to work on international deals." -- First year trainee
"Steak Friday – cheap sirloin steak cooked to perfection every Friday lunchtime! Also the pool!" -- First year trainee
"1. The variety and loveliness of all the different people here; 2. The exciting, challenging and stimulating work. 3. The opportunities to get involved in so many different things and have so many new experiences during the training contract and throughout your prospective career." -- Second year trainee
"International, lots of people to meet and a strong network to benefit from, good name and good work, although not at the trainee level." -- First year trainee

Minuses

"The hours can be long and there's no getting away from the fact that 2am is never a great time to be in the office." -- First year trainee
"Lack of certainty regarding social plans. Inability to do more than one contentious seat." -- Second year trainee
"Nothing really! Love the place." -- First year trainee
"Occasionally the hours." -- First year trainee
"The hours, the hours." -- Second year trainee

"The hours. The potential to lose your weekends at short notice." -- Second year trainee
"Face-time; lack of a bonus; commuting to Canary Wharf; being a very small fish in a massive pond." -- First year trainee
"Too much repetitive work which trainees need to do for 6 months with no real development." -- First year trainee
"Perfection is expected." -- Second year trainee