Satisfaction with Work

• "I am in the early stages of my training contract but the quality of the deals that I have been exposed to already is second to none… I have generally not had to complete the same task over and over which provides excellent learning for a broad range of practising skills." -- Trainee
• "…The work I have done in my seat so far has been very varied and generally interesting. People are friendly and will always answer questions." -- Trainee
• "Contact with partners is very good (although it depends on the deal and the partner in question). Client contact depends on the team. At times client contact can be very good – lots of meetings and one on one conversations. At times client contact can also be limited." -- Trainee
• "When I first started I was surprised at the level of responsibility I received. I had expected to be doing very basic, peripheral tasks, especially for the first few weeks or so. Instead, within the first month of my training contract I've been dealing directly with clients, drafting Terms of Reference for an Arbitrator, helping to draft the Statement of Claim on a large and complex arbitration, and partially drafted a Request for Arbitration..." -- Trainee
• "I don't feel I get as much responsibility as I might do in a smaller firm; however I see a greater range of transactions/cases on a larger and more complex level than a trainee at a smaller firm would experience. It would be good to have more direct contact with partners." -- Trainee
• "The overall job satisfaction I have experienced has varied from seat to seat. At times I was given a good deal of responsibility, which has involved direct contact with clients and which was highly rewarding. However, I have definitely had my fair share of more mundane tasks such as photocopying, note taking and due diligence work." -- Trainee
• "You do receive quite a lot of responsibility right from the start. You have to ring clients and send emails and also you see how your work directly effects what is sent to the client and therefore what represents your firm… You have direct contact with partners, solicitors and clients (though less so the latter and for the big clients) straight from day 1." -- Trainee
• "Although obviously variable upon the specific requirements of the client the general level of responsibility is much higher than one might imagine. The quality of work you are given as a trainee is exceptionally high. Personal contact is seen as a really important part of trainee development whether that be internally or externally. All the people within the firm are extremely approachable." -- Trainee
• "Excellent work and excellent supervisors. I do feel like I'm one of the lucky ones though – other trainees have not had good supervisors and don't get good work. To a certain extent it's down to the trainee to sort that out but a part of it is also down to the firm to address." -- Trainee

Quality of Work

• "The work varies. It really depends on an associate/partner you are working for. It can be anything from drafting instructions to counsel to proofreading." -- Trainee
• "Level of responsibility varies, but generally very good. Same with quality of work, but accept that as a trainee not everything you do can be exciting." -- Trainee
• "Generally given good quality work but sometimes feel you're doing pointless tasks." -- Trainee
• "It's a mixed bag ranging from the mundane to much more high profile tasks with greater responsibility. Working solely at either extreme would be fairly pointless so I think they have the balance about right." -- Trainee
• "Lots of interesting work, albeit it sometimes relatively low level intellectual tasks that are essential. I have a fair amount of direct contact with clients, a lot with partners and other solicitors." -- Trainee

Culture

• "Culture is by far the thing that makes FBD stand out – the people are genuinely fantastic – approachable, friendly, and good fun both in and out of work. Events are both formal and informal and range depending on the department" -- Trainee
• "Social life is good – there tend to be a few team organised events, like drinks, curry and karaoke over the course of the seat, then a number of more spontaneous social events, usually on Friday night where the department will nominate a "pub of the week"." -- Trainee
• "The firm's culture is very relaxed. There is a broad, level playing field and doors are always open. Obviously there are chains of delegation but I do not feel that it would be inappropriate to contact partners with specific problems." -- Trainee
• "Trainees socialise together on a more informal basis but there are plenty of department based firm organised events. Prior to starting your training contract there are lots of trainee firm organised events." -- Trainee
• "Departments will organise trainee breakfasts, drinks and other events both with and without associates. Various intakes always make an effort to have a few drinks with their peers though, irrespective of what has been arranged by the firm." -- Trainee
• "…Corporate seems more social than other departments in terms of organising events." -- Trainee
• "My corporate group sometimes has drinks together, and occasionally events such as a cocktail making evening that the firm organised last week (it was a lot of fun)." -- Trainee
• "Very hierarchical structure. Trainees socialise together a lot, mostly informally but also through firm-organised events, but less so with associates and almost never with partners." -- Trainee
• "Most trainees meet at lunch in the cafeteria and socialise together regularly after work. Friday nights tend to involve a trip to the pub as soon as we can get out of the office. Sometimes there are firm organised events, but trainees tend to organise events as well. Most people are very sociable." -- Trainee
• "The culture of the office is a very friendly one with everyone being extremely approachable and seeking to ensure the best service for our clients. The friendly and open atmosphere however should not mask the desire to offer the best technical advice." -- Trainee
• "…The social aspects of the firm vary to a large extent from department to department, with the transactional teams definitely having a more sociable feel than the non-transactional." -- Trainee
• "…There's generally a good social culture with lots of post-deal fun and celebrations." -- Trainee
• "There is a culture here of take the work seriously but don't take yourself too seriously… It tends to be a mixture of formal and informal, we usually use the formal events as an excuse to hang out together for the evening." -- Trainee
• "Working environment, except for sometimes very long and unpredictable hours, is surprisingly very good for such a big firm. People in general are friendly and happy to help out. Trainees usually sit with one or two associates (one of them being their supervisor), sometimes with partners… There is an annual trainee ball that takes place each summer (subsidised by the firm), a ski trip and quite a few parties organised by each department and a lot of after-work get togethers." -- Trainee
• "Firm culture and social life in the office is excellent in most departments with doors left open and a very collegiate feel. Some departments are more closed-doors and the atmosphere suffers as a result (mainly those hit by the downturn where morale has been hit). Outside the office there is not a lot of social life. This is mainly due to long hours – people understandably just want to go home and have a private life. When people do go out though, it is always good fun… The group is too large for everyone to know everyone. There are relatively few informal events but also relatively few firm organised events. The firm does make an effort where it can though. The London Festival was excellent. Last year we had a London office party which was a great success. We also had a pantomime last year. Another trainee and I wanted to write it and we got the full backing of the firm and some big-name partners involved in performing and managed to put on a great show (with firm funding so we were able to give the proceeds from tickets away to charity). In general, it feels as though it is hard to get the ball rolling but, once it is, the events go very very well and people know how to have a good time. I think this is due to the size of the firm more than anything else." -- Trainee
• "The structure is very flat-lawyers from partner level down are very friendly and approachable, and there doesn't seem to be a preoccupation with hierarchy or status at all. Everyone treats you as an equal and values your input-which at times can be a little daunting when you're feeling so new and inexperienced! Our intake is very social and gets on really well. Most people will lunch together in the staff restaurant, and there's always a large group that goes to the pub together on a Friday night (where you're sure to see half of the firm at some point!). We also get teams together for pub quizzes, and there's always someone from your intake willing to have a chat and cheer you up if you're having a tough time." -- Trainee

Hours

• "My hours probably average out at what I expected, but I have no control over how long I work and it is very unpredictable: mid-week socialising has to be cancellable." -- Trainee
• "I have worked some pretty awful hours, though at present my hours are fine, stable at around 40-50 hours/week, which is about what I expected for a trainee at a City law firm." -- Trainee
• "Hours are generally fine; most frustrating thing is not knowing in the morning whether you'll be staying late or not that night." -- Trainee
• "I'm working fewer hours than expected – mostly because I have so little work. Having said that, I'm still billing 40 hours per week (which means I'm probably in the office for around 50)" -- Trainee
• "Hours are a difficult topic to discuss. Not because of hiding the truth that you are going to have to work exceptionally hard to succeed at a top law firm wherever you go but rather because as a trainee they are unpredictable. Wherever you work as a trainee you will not retain complete control over your workload and at times this can be frustrating. However, generally people are considerate of your workload and accommodating of your needs." -- Trainee
• "I actually think this is the biggest myth of all – when the supervisor you work for or team you are in isn’t busy you are not expected to do face time and stay – when there is a deal signing etc then yes you can expect to do all nighters. But if the department is not busy then you can happily leave at 7.30pm. Friday and weekends are fine unless a big deal is under way… -- Trainee
• "Sometimes the hours are long but I very rarely feel that they are unnecessary." -- Trainee
• "More than expected, but what is frustrating is the unpredictability of the hours – some days you leave at 4am after working non-stop from 9.30am and other days there is hardly 3 hours of billable work in the day." -- Trainee
• "I have averaged 59.3 hours per week since I started.  I'm happy with this and it's actually a bit less than I expected." -- Trainee
• "It really depends on the week. Some weeks can be around 45 when things are fairly quiet and there are no major deadlines but other times things can get really busy and you end up spending at least 60 or so hours. I think I am working slightly less than expected at the moment...but that could all change, you never know." -- Trainee
• "…There are on occasions late nights, but when they do occur, you're so busy that you don't even notice the time! And as an added bonus, you get dinner and a car home! There also doesn't seem to be a 'jacket on the back of the chair' mentality- if you finish early you're encouraged to go home rather that sit around looking busy, and everyone from the top down seems to have the same attitude which makes the world of difference. And more importantly, when you do work long hours, the firm recognises it and checks that you're doing okay, and makes sure that your extra effort doesn't go unnoticed." -- Trainee
• "Hours can be very very demanding with little to no notice. At the same time, there is no face time culture and when you have no work. It’s fine to leave as early as possible. Partners are generally very good at giving extra days off post deal." -- Trainee
• "We have to work hard at times but you know that when you sign up… We get paid well (not well compared to banks but I think that's looking the wrong way, compared to other graduate careers I feel we get paid very well and that the banks are out of touch). Anybody in any career who wants to succeed has to put in the hours early on and usually for a lot less pay." -- Trainee
• "The hours depend on the department and the timing when you do your seat. My first year was pretty bad, the average being 70 hours/week, but the second year hasn't been too bad. I guess the worst part is the unpredictability – you never really know what time you will be able to leave. An e-mail from client at 5:30 pm (just when you start enjoying the idea of an early evening) could mean that you end up in the office all night..." -- Trainee

Pay

• (London 2010)
•  
• 1st year trainee: £39,000
• 2nd year trainee: £44,000
• Newly qualified: £60,000
• 1 year PQE: £68,000
• 2 years PQE: £75,000
• 3 years PQE: £86,000

Interviews & Assessments

• "The interviews are very much focussed on getting to know you as a person rather than a test of legal knowledge. The interviewers are all very friendly and genuinely interested in you." -- Trainee
• "…Very rigorous process but interviews are interesting and interviewers friendly and reassuring." -- Trainee
• "Application form was straightforward; two interviews – one relating to an FT article (to test commercial awareness); the other just a general chat. No gimmicks, and all the better for it." -- Trainee
• "My interview consisted of 3 interviews on one day. One was a writing exercise where I was given a problem/task and had to write a letter in response to it (the letter was a complaint from a client and I had to respond to it); I think I had 40 mins to write it in a room on my own. The second interview was on a current news item which I was given to read and prepare on for 30mins before the interview. Then I had two lawyers (partner and associate I think) question me on the piece and we generally discussed the issues (it was non legal and on motorway charging in England)… The third interview was a general one on my CV and my life and was between 2 partners (one retired I think) and it was very informal and easy going." -- Trainee
• "The interview consists of three parts (all taking place on the same day) – written part (you have 45 minutes to prepare a memo/letter on a given subject – knowledge of law not necessary), 1st interview (discussion on a previously given article; mine was from the Economist). 2nd interview – general discussion about your application form and CV (some of the questions asked: where do you see yourself in 5 years time, what qualities do your friends need to have)." -- Trainee
• "You'd have to ask HR for the number of applicants per place but it'd be in the region of several hundred to one. Selection now takes the form of an online verbal reasoning test, followed (if successful) by a 3 stage interview: written exercise, commercial/legal interview based on e.g. an FT article, then a personal interview based on your CV." -- Trainee
• "One question on application form of 1000 words. Sooo much better than lots of little questions. One assessment day – a written task, an analytical interview (normally on a business article) and an informal interview with partners. Found the day had good structure as by the time you got to the informal interview you are relaxed and can give a good impression of yourself. Prepare for banter. Was asked what makes me angry and had a fun chat about people who walk slowly on the street and people who try to talk to you on public transport!" -- Trainee
• "…Both interviews were actually relatively enjoyable experiences in comparison to other TC interviews I've had, and the interviewers all did their best to try and make you feel as comfortable and at ease as possible..." -- Trainee
• "Very unlikely to get to interview without an excellent application form (i.e. 2.1 from a good university). The interview day is long and tough. The interviewers are generally very well prepared… They constantly seek the edges of your understanding to see how you deal with being pushed and also, how quickly you can pick up new ideas as they help you through the areas you don't know too well." -- Trainee
• "I had to write a personal statement of 1000 words about myself, which I thought was much better than the usual "describe a challenge you have faced" questions that other firms put on their online application forms, as you have the freedom to be honest and express a bit of personality in your application. The interview was actually a test and two interviews. The test is simply looking to show that you can express an opinion and argue two sides of a debate (I had fox-hunting), so no prior knowledge is required, which is much fairer than asking you about an obscure point which you should have gleaned from the FT that day…" -- Trainee
• "I did a vacation scheme here for two weeks for which I was required to take two interviews (one legal based and one HR based) and a written test (quite simple comprehension style). I then was invited for a further interview with a partner and the head of graduate recruitment for my training contract interview." -- Trainee

Sample Questions

• "If we asked your friends, what animal would they say you were? Why do you want to work here/in the city/in corporate law? What's different about this firm? What can you bring to the firm?" -- Trainee
• "Q: 'I'm looking at your application form and you've done a lot of extra-curricular activities but none relate to commercial law; tell me why we should hire you?'" -- Trainee
• "What are the commercial issues in diamond mining? Why not banking? (though less applicable now in the credit crunch era!)" -- Trainee