Culture

• "The firm is in a typical structure with partners, associates, assistant solicitors and trainees. The office is friendly and people are approachable right through to partner level. The trainees do support each other. We talk on the phone, consulting those who have previously done a seat that we are in. We have a central trainee intranet, which provides useful precedents and information provided by other trainees. We socialise together on a regular basis, usually drinks on a Friday night together with other more formal events from time to time." -- Trainee, London
• "There are not that many trainees in London for the size of the firm so we stick together. We usually go for lunch together and there is the odd evening of drinks, etc. Everyone is friendly and supportive, but of course you click with some trainees more than others." -- Trainee, London
• "Trainees do support each other. In the seat that I started in March the previous trainees had made a book of useful information, etc. that is passed on from trainee to trainee. Trainees interact between departments. Trainees do socialise together, both at firm events and off the cuff events, such as drinks after work or doing things at the weekend." -- First year trainee, Liverpool
• "The firm has a friendly environment to work in and all members of a team are approachable, from partner to secretary. It is an open office set up and you can always pop into someone's office for help. Trainees are often helping each other and providing precedents to each other. Often the best person to speak to if you have a query in your seat is the trainee who was last there. Trainees do socialise together. It is up to you how involved you get but there is always someone who will be willing to go out for a beer on a Friday, and there are lots of more 'organised' events for the trainees to do." -- Trainee, Liverpool
• "The firm's culture is relaxed allowing trainees to ask questions and advice of more senior individuals. Trainees have a mentor upon joining the firm so they can ask questions and seek advice from these fellow trainees. Trainees can also learn from each other with regard to finding out about other practice groups they may want to complete a seat in. Trainees regularly socialise together both as a group and with other individuals at the firm. There are a range of networking events in the region and events organised by current trainees for those who are about to commence their training contracts." -- Trainee, Liverpool
• "Every department has a different structure. Some departments are very top-heavy (too many partners and not enough junior fee earners) which can make it quite difficult as a trainee. Trainees are on the whole very supportive of one another, although some of the second years have begun to get very competitive now that they know when the job list will be made available." -- Trainee, Liverpool
• "The firm's culture is very much open and friendly with staff at all levels able to communicate freely with management. Trainees, on the whole, work well together and socialise on a regular basis." -- Trainee, Manchester
• "Very pleasant. Relaxed, but professional. Everybody is approachable and available for a chat during the day. Trainees do help each other out. Most trainees will support their peers. The trainees do socialise, be it lunches, drinks after work, or the various trainee solicitor group events." -- Trainee, Manchester

Hours

• "This varies depending on the seat you are in and how busy the team is at any given time. Generally, the firm's working hours for trainees are good with trainees rarely working past 5.30pm/6pm. However, trainees can experience longer working hours when working on high-profile transactions and cases, but these can be rare and seat-dependent." -- Trainee, Liverpool
• "I usually work from 9am till 6.30pm, even though there are times when I have to stay late – though there are not that many. Also, it is quite surprising that in my current department I was told a couple of times that I should go home now as what I was doing could wait for the next day." -- Trainee, London
• "45 – 50 hours per week. Less than in comparison to many of my friends at other firms." -- Trainee, London
• "As with any law firm, if a deadline is looming trainees are expected to stay and help out where they can. However, there is no long hour culture at HD." -- Trainee, Manchester
• "I work from about 8.30 to 6pm. This surprised me at first as I thought I would need to work much longer hours, but there is quite a good attitude in the firm about trainee hours and we aren't expected to stay late unless needed." -- Trainee, Liverpool
• "11 hours a day, sometimes weekends as I expected." -- Trainee, London

Pay

• "I think we are earning slightly less in comparison to our competitors." -- Trainee, London
• "It seems pretty good compared to other firms in the North West." -- Trainee, Liverpool

Interviews & Assessments

• "The firm has an application form, which is used both for their summer placement scheme and training contracts. Individuals are asked a range of questions and the firm requires the candidate to be strong in every section. The application form is used to select those individuals to go on to the summer placement scheme in which there is an assessment day at the end of the week, or you may not be fortunate enough to get on a placement scheme, but will still be invited to an assessment day later in the summer. The assessment day involves a 25-minute interview, written assessment, individual and group presentation. The day is very intense and nerve-racking, but individuals should remember that the firm is impressed by your application form, for you to be asked to attend the day. The interview is conducted by members of the trainee committee, who are all partners of the firm, from a range of practice areas. The interview generally follows those questions contained on the application form with the committee trying to find out more about you as an individual and your interests. A random question is sometimes asked at the end of the interview." -- Trainee, Liverpool
• "One round – full day assessment. I interviewed with a panel of partners who are on the trainee committee. Interview was as follows: meet and greet, individual presentations on an unknown topic with 10 minutes preparation. Group discussion. Lunch. Individual 30-minute interview with a panel of partners. Written assessment – drafting exercise and written essay. The assessment day was hard work and challenging with a variety of exercises as stated above. Questions were asked about the legal market, me personally, my attitude towards work, the firm, etc." -- Trainee, London
•  
• "There was just one assessment day with two partners and the head of graduate recruitment at the time. Each of the 3 interviewers directed questions to me. There was no particular format. Assessment day was as they always are, a long day, but effort had been made to split it into manageable chunks." -- Trainee, Liverpool