Culture

• "It is a very supportive environment (trainees are assigned to partner mentors, as well as receiving support from those in the group a trainee sits in, and HR). It is generally a friendly working environment. Trainees tend to support one another but there is a high level of competition, so this can be somewhat limited. Trainees do socialise together depending on work commitments." -- Second year trainee
• "The firm's culture is great – there are always lots of social events, and trainees are invited to client drinks at the end of deals/cases. Generally, trainees do support each other and socialise together regularly." -- Second year trainee
• "The firm is quite hierarchical but reasonably open and friendly. There are plenty of opportunities for trainees to socialise and there is a tight trainee network." -- Second year trainee
• "It's a collegiate environment; there is a large population of trainees, and with a few exceptions it is a mutually supportive body. I tend to socialise with the other trainees in my department, but I still catch up with trainees elsewhere in the firm on a regular basis. The firm is loosely hierarchical; partners are afforded a lot of respect, but associates are generally on informal terms with trainees. Everyone is courteous, and most people smile!" -- Second year trainee
• "Trainees within the intake get together on a weekly basis for post-work drinks. This is in addition to the events organised within the firm attended by certain trainees. There is not however, much interaction between trainees of different intakes." -- First year trainee
• "The culture is the best thing about the firm. Good trainee atmosphere with plenty of get togethers." -- Second year trainee
• "There is a good support network and the trainees use the trainee-specific emailing distribution list to ask each other questions. People are quite social during lunch, but it is more difficult in the evenings due to varying working schedules. On the whole though, it is pretty usual for people to meet up after work on a Friday." -- First year trainee
• "People appear to value one another and whilst the training is well structured and quite formal, senior fee earners are happy to give responsibility to trainees. The trainees do support each other, and although there are a lot of us, we generally have time to talk to each other about any queries. The general fee earner culture is professional but down to earth – no pretence and just a genuine enthusiasm for the work going on, particularly the pure law elements. Trainees do socialise, and every week without fail there is a first-seater email which states where to meet for drinks on the Friday. Trainees will also meet up for lunch when time permits, and even outside the working week various parties and meet ups take place." -- First year trainee
• "This varies depending on which department you sit in. Corporate are extremely sociable, litigation less so. There is a culture of working very hard. Most trainees are quite supportive and willing to help you out. Trainees are very sociable, although mainly within their own intakes." -- Trainee
• "The firm is competitive but trainees are very social. There is considerable after work socialising, including at weekends. The firm is very hierarchical but I enjoy my work. Departments vary greatly in culture." -- First year trainee
• "The trainees socialise together and there is a positive atmosphere amongst them. However, they tend to socialise only with their intake. In emails to clients and other lawyers, the associates I work for usually refer to me as ‘a trainee’ or ‘my trainee’ rather than by name or as a colleague." -- First year trainee
• "The trainee support structure is fantastic. There are about 200 trainees at any one time, although about 30 of these will be abroad or at clients. The trainees provide an excellent network of people to answer your silly questions, help you out if you're snowed under with work and listen to you when things are bad. Socially as well, they're fantastic. There's always someone who's up for a drink after work, and people are good about arranging (and attending) post-work drinks." -- First year trainee
• "Social life is difficult to organise as everyone finishes at different times. There are trainee drinks occasionally though. Trainees are very supportive of each other but we are all busy so it’s difficult to help out in a meaningful way with someone else's work. Generally, the more senior lawyers are relaxed and approachable." -- Second year trainee
• "The firm culture is very friendly and inclusive. If you would like to socialise with other trainees, there are plenty of opportunities. There are also often department drinks, summer and Christmas parties. I often go for lunch with other trainees who I know from law school or have worked with." -- Second year trainee
• "It varies from department to department, but overall the culture at the firm is really good – and socialising in your department is encouraged by partners heading up the groups. It makes for a really good working environment and one where it's easy to develop relationships with peers. The trainee network is strong, and this is undoubtedly helped by the fact that we all spend a year together on the LPC before joining the firm as trainees." -- Second year trainee

Hours

• "Roughly 40 hours per week. Generally my hours have been acceptable, but the hours can become tough at times. There is no policy of feeling like one has to stay late because others are." -- Second year trainee
• "There are a lot of horror stories about insanely long hours. I have not experienced these! There is no culture of staying late ‘to be seen’; when I've finished my work I go home. I think there are two groups of people who consistently stay late, those who are busy with a real client matter that’s nearing a deadline (such as a court hearing or a contract completion), and those who are inefficient workers during the day!" -- Second year trainee
• "My hours in the tax department are not generally as strenuous as other areas of the firm. However the subject matter is hard so you are often worn out by the end of the day anyway." -- First year trainee
• "I have not been in at weekends (apart from a casual hour one Saturday) and have never been here past midnight. Although to many of my friends that is a perverse indicator of job satisfaction, it means that I do get sufficient down time to myself. I am only in the office when there is work that needs to be done. I work 55 hours a week on average, though it has been as much as 70 and as low as 40 (only really the case if I have been away on a course, for example). The work is interesting though, and I am rarely doing donkey work, so the long hours do not bother me. I expected to work this much in litigation." -- First year trainee
• "I am on client secondment at the moment and therefore work very reasonable hours (usually no longer than 8.45am-5.30pm). In my first seat I rarely worked beyond 7pm, in my second seat there were times I was regularly working into the early hours or doing all nighters, and other times (the norm) when I was leaving by 7pm every day. In my third seat I was usually able to leave by 7pm, with some exceptions. The hours have not been a problem and sometimes working longer is less stressful as you have more time to get a job done well." -- Second year trainee
• "Currently I am happy with my hours in the real estate department, although when I am assisting with a large transaction, I work longer hours than I would like. I work on average about 45 hours a week. My hours were worse in the corporate department – it is the uncertainty that frustrates me. I don't mind working long hours if I know about them in advance." -- Second year trainee
• "I am generally out of the office by 6.30 or 7pm which is good given the nature of the firm." -- First year trainee
• "I work about 10 – 11 hours on average per day. This does depend though. I think the hours I work are slightly longer than I would have imagined. I have no problem with working for that long if it is required, but I find it very dissatisfying to be in the office for that long if there is not a sufficient amount of work to do." -- Second year trainee
• "Average week is around 42 – 45 hours, although there are often extended busy periods. The hours can be long, but this was expected, and they appear to be better on average than friends at other similar firms." -- Second year trainee
• "At present, I'm working somewhere between 40 – 50 hours per week. I have experienced particularly busy times where this can be more like 80, including weekends but this is rare. When it does happen, you're never the only one in the office. It's very much a team environment." -- Second year trainee
• "Corporate: 50-100. Litigation: 50-70. Real Estate: 50-60. Finance: 50-70." -- Second year trainee
• "On average I generally work from 9.30am – 7.30pm. Sometimes I will need to work longer hours, but this is rare and when it happens it is noted, to ensure you will have some easy hours later on. I expected to work this many hours." -- Second year trainee
• "I work about 50 hours a week, which isn't bad for a corporate seat, and probably less than I feared when I started my seat. In general, the hours haven't been too bad. There are definite peaks and troughs. The frustrating thing about the hours is that you never know when you're going to be busy – you could be really quiet all day and then, just as you're about to leave, something happens which means you have to stay until midnight. This means that making plans mid-week can be dangerous and so, during a busy spell, you have to put your social life on hold. In general though, I don't mind working long hours because everyone is doing the same and there's a sense of camaraderie. Also the work's interesting and you get a buzz from it. The frustrating thing is when you have to stay late waiting for a document that never comes." -- First year trainee

Pay

• "They pay and look after their London trainees, on the whole, very well." -- Second year trainee
• "We get paid top-tier salaries which match the ‘Magic Circle’, but we don't do ‘Magic Circle’ hours – good deal! My only criticism is that the trainee bonus scheme is neither guaranteed nor generous." -- Second year trainee
• "It seems like a lot at the outset, but the tax stings you a lot and you don't end up with much disposable income after rent, etc." -- First year trainee
• "It is great given that it is the beginning of working life." -- Second year trainee
• "The package is really good and the firm's flex2fit benefits package works really well." -- Second year trainee
• "Very good at this age, though we are made to work for it." -- Second year trainee
• "The pay is really good, and a definite perk to the job!" -- First year trainee
• "It's on par with all other good, non-US law firms. Obviously more would be great, but the current levels are decent." -- Second year trainee
• "I don't think a trainee deserves more than this – it is generous and makes the job worthwhile." -- First year trainee
• "It is a good salary as compared to graduates in the marketplace generally, but for the hours the work entails, it is not overly generous." -- First year trainee
• "The bonus scheme could be better for trainees." -- Second year trainee

Interviews & Assessments

• "I had one interview including a case study with two partners. It was a tough but enjoyable experience." -- Second year trainee
• "There was a very complex application form to fill in, followed by an interview with two partners. There was a case study followed by a less formal chat, which included questions about what I had done before, but in particular questions which I felt were highly pertinent to me personally (rather than the generic ‘why do you want to be a lawyer?’ type).I imagine they are designed for the partners to be able to see how I think." -- Second year trainee
• "I had one interview for vacation scheme and one for the training contract. The interviewing style was robust, challenging and abrasive. The first question, with no preparation was ‘So, Blackstone wants to buy British Airways, talk us through the deal’." -- First year trainee
• "I was interviewed for my vacation scheme and then for a training contract. There were two partners in both interviews. I was given a case study in the first interview which I had to discuss, as well as a more general legal/commercial discussion. The second interview was a legal/commercial discussion with no interview. Both lasted approximately one hour. Interview questions included asking about a recent commercial development which I found interesting, and then discussing what role I thought a lawyer would play in that development (for example, an IPO/takeover)." -- Second year trainee
• "I interviewed with two partners and there was a case study for about an hour followed by a chat about myself and my interests. Many of the questions were based around the banking crisis." -- First year trainee
• "I only had one interview (two on one) with a case study then a general discussion. It has now changed format, there is now an online test and a group exercise. When I was interviewed, there was nothing unusual about what I was asked – it didn't seem like the interviewing partners wanted to trick me in any way. I had not studied law but they were supportive on the case study and answered questions to guide me along." -- First year trainee
• "The interview process has changed substantially since I was offered a training contract. I filled out an application form and had an interview which lasted an hour and a half. Nowadays there are online tests and an assessment day. The interview was good. The two partners were robust but not aggressive. The interview involved a case study and a general discussion. Specific questions included; ‘what book are you reading at the moment?’ I was also asked about my motivation to become a lawyer and to join Herbert Smith. There was also some discussion of where else I had applied." -- Trainee
• "There was only one round, although this has since changed. I had a case study followed by a formal interview. There was no formal assessment day. I was asked commercial questions related to a case study. I can recall being asked about my dissertation at university, and what book I was reading!" -- Second year trainee
• "Questions consisted of; what are your strengths and weaknesses? When you went travelling what did you find most difficult? Have you ever failed at anything? What is your favourite law module? Discuss a particular essay? Why would you choose Herbert Smith over other law firms? Tell us about your past legal work experience. What do you do to relax?" -- Second year trainee
• "The interviews were quite intellectually demanding but the partners interviewing me were quite relaxed. I was asked about current commercial issues that interested me, and then I was pressed on some of the modules I was studying at university at the time, and what about them I enjoyed/disliked. I was questioned further on the areas I found interesting – which is where it became very intellectually demanding!" -- First year trainee
• "I only had two rounds, an application form, then a case study discussion and partner interview – but the process is much more extensive now. There is also an assessment centre, with group tasks on the same day as the interview and case study. The application form itself was a nightmare – one of the longest I had to complete for any firm. The interview consisted of discussing the case study and then general questions. What I liked about the interview was that, as well as the generic ‘Why law? Why Herbert Smith?’ questions, the interviewers also took an interest in my degree and asked me questions specific to that. They seemed more interested in finding out how I thought, rather than what I thought. They were also very hot on commercial awareness; I was asked to define a hedge fund at one point." -- First year trainee
• "For the vacation scheme there was a case study and an interview, for the training contract there was a further interview. Each interview was with two partners. Questions included if you could change any law, what law would it be." -- First year trainee