Culture

• "The firm has a good social life and departments often go for drinks together. I have always found it to be a very friendly working environment with an open door atmosphere at all levels. Trainees socialise together a lot there is almost always a group of us out for drinks on a Friday!" -- Second year trainee
• "The induction fortnight gave a lot of support and training, and allowed the new trainees a chance to get to know one another. The atmosphere between the trainees is very supportive. There is no sense of direct competition and people are happy to help each other out when need be. The social life is pretty good. Trainees meet through sports teams, or having drinks together. In fact we are having a night out tonight!" -- First year trainee
• "The firm has a reputation for being friendlier than most of its competitors in the City and this is certainly borne out by the close relationships among the trainees. Trainees will typically get together once a week and there is a strong culture of helping each other while at work." -- Second year trainee
• "The working environment is relaxed, but professional and most people I have encountered are friendly. There are also a lot of support staff from PAs to the library whose advice and help is often invaluable to a trainee. There isn't a culture of working late just to put in 'face-time' and most supervisors will tell you to go home at a reasonable hour if you don't have any urgent work to do." -- First year trainee
• "The culture is very good. The firm is friendly, partners are approachable and trainees are not expected to stay late merely to 'show face'. Support networks are available and other trainees often help each other out. Trainee intakes are very sociable and often socialise together outside work in a non-formal atmosphere." -- First year trainee
• "The working environment is fairly relaxed and there is an open-door policy. Trainees are not made to feel inferior in terms of the structure of the teams we work in, our opinions and contributions seem to be valued. Trainees support each other a lot and regularly socialise together. Many of the departments also socialise on a weekly basis and invite trainees along too although there are those that don't." -- First year trainee
• "Trainees all support each other; there is very little competitiveness. People are willing to help each other out with work and the vast majority of trainees are keen to arrange a pub session for after work on a Friday – one pub will be chosen for all the different seaters. Trainees from different intakes will have lunch together too; it's very social." -- First year trainee
• "This depends on the department in which you sit and on the work they have at the time... There is a diverse mix of trainees at the firm. At work (as in life) some are friendly and supportive, others are not. My current department makes an effort to ensure workloads are spread evenly which I think is a very positive thing. Trainees do socialise together although this tends to be in smaller groups rather than en masse as the firm does not make any budgetary provision for trainee social events." -- Second year trainee
• "The firm culture is amazing, especially compared to what I've heard about the other firms. People here understand that it is not normal to be stuck at work for 36 hours straight and to work weekends. This does not mean that you won't have to work for 36 hours straight or do weekends (as all busy City firms will need you to do at some point), but it does make it more bearable in the sense that people are apologetic when asking you to do so and are genuinely grateful for your help. Team spirit, particularly in my last department, was strong and you never really felt like you were alone or out at sea at all, as everyone else would be working just as hard and had a positive mental attitude. After hours most departments also like to get a bit of a tipple in, usually on a Friday." -- First year trainee
• "We eat lunch together most days and go out for drinks on a Friday night – we socialise all the time. Trainees do support each other – if anyone sends a group email around then it is answered quickly by another trainee. Firm's culture is friendly and welcoming – great atmosphere in which to learn." -- First year trainee
• "On the whole, most people at every level of the firm are approachable and helpful when you are a trainee. There is a great formal and informal network of support amongst the trainees, and this is true both at work and outside." -- First year trainee
• "Trainees go out together at least once a week. There are 40 of us in each intake so there's always someone up for a drink post work." -- First year trainee
• "The firm really lives up to the label: friendly, but intelligent; high-end stuff but not too much boasting about it. Trainees are really supportive of each other and individual intakes tend to socialise together. (Though this may change a little once the final seat and the qualification round starts. Things tend to be a little more individualistic then.)." -- Second year trainee
• "Trainees as a body are very sociable with each other. Regular Friday night drinks, etc. The trainee body as a whole is supportive and this is highly encouraged. I often find that some of my fellow trainees make my life considerably easier. The firm prides itself on a friendly culture and this largely seems to be the case, with more senior people being generally approachable and sociable. I feel that I am treated in a respectful manner and that senior people make an effort to be welcoming and positive. That said, it is a large corporate law firm and not always as warm and cuddly as all that." -- First year trainee
• "I feel very much at home at Hogan Lovells and I support the values and ethos that the firm promotes. There is, of course, a hierarchy to the firm, and to my department, but I find that this gives a helpful structure to the way we put together a team for a particular piece of work, and I like the fact that I know where I fit in. Senior lawyers are generally very approachable, supportive and keen to pass on their knowledge and expertise. My department is friendly, with lots of different personalities and also a good mix of male/female members. I enjoy socialising with my fellow solicitors and the PAs as well and I have made some very good friends across the firm." – Junior solicitor, Litigation
• "Hogan Lovells is a friendly and sociable place to work. Although there is a hierarchy, as there is in any law firm, most practice areas operate an open door policy and staff at all levels are friendly and approachable. Solicitors work well together and provide support to each other, as required. If one associate is very busy, another associate will assist with tasks if possible. Team work is key at Hogan Lovells, both for work and socialising. Many groups arrange drinks or other events after work and everyone is generally encouraged to attend." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Litigation
• "Pretty traditional to be honest, but the merger has introduced some more modern ideas (like dress down Friday). Generally a nice place to work, I still go out regularly on nights out with my intake (even after one year of qualification)." -- Junior solicitor, Corporate
• "In real estate, each team is centred around one partner. Teams can vary in size but often contain a Counsel, a couple of senior associates, a few juniors and a trainee. The rest of the team and other associates/partners are often happy to assist and offer guidance when required. Friday evening drinks are quite common and good fun, be it department-based or with your intake." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Property
• "Within my team there are three partners, five senior associates and two associates. All are very approachable and support each other. More widely, I believe the firm's culture and ethos is akin to this approachable/friendly environment. I regularly socialise outside of work with former trainees from my intake and other members of my team." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Employment

Hours

• "Hours fluctuate greatly week by week. Sometimes you will be able to leave the office at 5.30 and other times you will be coming in on the weekend. There is a lack of certainty regarding hours and it is not really possible to predict what your week will be like." -- First year trainee
• "On average, I work 50 – 55 hours a week, but that's because I've been in finance seats and they are notoriously tough on the hours. I am not working any more than I expected, mostly because I am quite realistic about the working life in a City law firm. I think it's a little naive to think that being a solicitor isn't tough on the old social life. However, as I'm quite a last minute arranger of social events, the peaks and troughs in the working hours don't bother me at all." -- First year trainee
• "I come in to work between 9 and 9.30. If there's nothing for me to do, I'll be encouraged to leave any time from 6, but generally finish between 6.30 – 7.30pm, which is much less than I'd expected!" -- First year trainee
• "Have only really worked 45 hours most weeks, rarely leaving later than 7pm. No culture of 'face time'. If the work is not urgent, my supervisor is very keen to make me go home. 5.30pm has not been unheard of." -- First year trainee
• "The hours worked vary hugely between departments, and even within departments depending on what transactions you are involved with. On the whole my hours have been far better than I expected. Although clearly at times during your training contract you will have to work very long hours, this is generally balanced out by less busy periods/seats. There isn't really a face-time culture here, so if you're not busy, you can feel free to leave (within limits, obviously!)." -- First year trainee
• "At the moment I'm working about 55 – 60 hours per week. This is more or less what I expect of a fairly busy department. What would be better is if this was more predictable so that you could plan accordingly." -- Second year trainee
• "Hours vary considerably throughout the firm and it is certainly possible to avoid the longer hours seats, but as a trainee in the finance department I was working around 60 hours a week on average, which was roughly comparable with what I was expecting." -- Second year trainee
• "I start at 9:30 and usually finish around 7, although sometimes it is later. I probably work between 45 and 50 hours a week. I have managed to manage my time so that my hours are more regular than I would have expected." -- Second year trainee
• "Considering it is a corporate law firm my hours have been really very good. That said, I have just moved into the banking department and my hours are getting progressively worse. Not much of a culture of face time but there is inevitably a bit of waiting around and inefficiency. On average hours are about 9.30 – 7/7.30 so a 50 hour week but can be considerably worse when busy times strike." -- First year trainee
• "Hours can vary greatly, not only between departments, but also from week to week and day to day, no matter which department you are in. As a general rule, the main corporate, finance and litigation groups involve longer working hours on a more consistent basis, whereas some of the smaller groups enjoy a more regular workload and therefore more predictable hours. That being said, if you aren't prepared to work long hours, then this is not the firm for you. But if you are happy to get on with things, even if that means cancelling your dinner plans from time to time, the benefits in terms of quality of work, training and rewards are there to be had. I have personally found the work/life balance to be excellent for a City law firm and people are generally very receptive to trainees and others pursuing outside interests." -- Second year trainee
• "My current seat is much less busy but previously I was very frequently staying past 10pm. I leave at 7.30 on average now which is roughly what I expected." -- First year trainee
• "I work about 52 hours a week. This is longer than I would ideally like to work, but my hours aren't long compared to a lot of people. I feared the hours would be worse so I'm glad they are not really bad. In my dispute resolution seat I was working about 40 hours a week, which was better, but I am enjoying the work I am doing more now so I would rather do longer hours with better work than be bored and have good hours." -- First year trainee
• "I probably average around 50 hours a week, although this fluctuates a lot. This is about what I expect (though I definitely over-estimated my ability to cope with the kind of hours this job entails!)." -- Second year trainee
• "I bill, on average, 120 hours a month and I spend, on average, 45 hours a week in the office. My regular hours are 9.30am to 7.00pm daily, but this can vary depending on my workload." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Employment
• "During my training contract, I probably spent an average of 40 – 45 hours a week in the office, billing around 2/3 of that time. Since qualification, I have been on client secondment, so have not been involved in any billing, and my hours are typical office hours. I think the average number of hours is fine and still allows me time to see my family and friends. Hogan Lovells is very flexible with hours, having quite a high number of part-time employees, including solicitors. They have also recently introduced flexible benefits." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Litigation
• "70 – 100 hour week is fairly standard in corporate or finance when you're working on a deal. Occasionally you get days in lieu if working at weekends or late nights for a long time, but it's down to the partners..." -- Junior solicitor, Corporate
• "I bill about 160 hours a month. I probably spend about 40 to 45 hours in the office each week." -- Junior solicitor, Litigation

Pay

• "The bonus package is a bit obscure and I don't think it's very competitive." -- Junior solicitor, Litigation
• "Bonus is difficult to achieve for lawyers outside of mainstream corporate areas." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Property
• "Pay is good, and in line with pretty much all the other firms in the City (apart from the US firms, but I think they pronounce ’work-life balance’ as ‘work-work balance’, so I count myself lucky not to be at one of those). However, it's a fact of life that we could always do with a bit more lolly." -- First year trainee
• "In real terms, I think we have a great salary! It's in line with most other top City firms, as far as I'm aware. I don't know how you could complain!" -- First year trainee
• "The compensation is consistent with the general market rate in the City." -- Second year trainee
• "In comparison with other law firms and considering the hours we are expected to work, I think we are adequately compensated." -- First year trainee
• "The salary as a trainee is amongst the best in the City and that is not to mention the subsidised Starbucks, staff canteen and free gym." -- Second year trainee
• "In my previous seat the compensation did not seem particularly generous compared to the number of hours I was working but, now the hours are less I would consider pay to be good. The pension scheme is poor for trainees – there is only the option to contribute yourself and no additional contributions from the firm. However, there is a health insurance scheme and private medical coverage." -- First year trainee
• "Only one complaint: the firm does not contribute to trainee's pension." -- Second year trainee

Interviews & Assessments

• "It was just the one assessment day, after the application form. I interviewed with two partners and there was also a group exercise and a verbal reasoning test. There were some tough questions but I never felt that I was being grilled for the sake of it – I came out feeling I'd enjoyed the day irrespective of how I'd done." -- Second year trainee
• "There is an assessment day with interviews, group exercises and a test. I interviewed with partners who asked fair, but challenging questions. It was not designed to be a hostile or intimidating atmosphere. Questions included questions about myself, the firm and my commercial awareness." -- First year trainee
• "There was one assessment day which comprised of a critical thinking test, a group exercise and an hour interview with two partners. The assessment day was actually very good, and one of the reasons I chose this offer over other firms. They approach the recruitment process as a two-way street, and I very much felt that they wanted to impress me, as well as the other way round. I was asked a general mix of questions at interview, between commercial current events and law, as well as about myself and interests." -- Second year trainee
• "After handing in the application form, you may be brought in for an assessment day. You have a critical thinking test, a group exercise and an interview. That's it. I was interviewed by a partner in litigation. I was asked questions about the Northern Rock crisis which was occurring at the time, the sub-prime mortgages in the US, my degree and my dissertation. It was all very friendly and relaxed, the partner basically taking the time to assess whether I was sharp and had an understanding of the commercial world and also to see whether or not I would fit in with people at the firm." -- First year trainee
• "One of the most applied-to firms in the country. Long application form, with many questions. Assessment day was relatively fun, and certainly one of my favourites. The interviewers did not try to make you feel like an idiot, but rather asked well structured, well thought-out questions." -- First year trainee
• "I got my training contract following a vacation scheme – I had only a 30 minute interview after my three weeks in the firm. There was one round of interviews for the vacation scheme (an assessment day), including a test, group exercise, an interview with two partners (or member of the graduate recruitment team and partner). I enjoyed the assessment day (as far as I can remember, it was around 4 years ago)." -- First year trainee
• "I had a very informal and conversational interview with two partners. This followed an assessment day which had included a group session and a critical thinking test. The interview focused on my experiences at university and which areas of law I was particularly interested in." -- Second year trainee
• "One round (for a training contract application). Interview is with one partner and either another partner or a member of the graduate recruitment team. The assessment day consists of an interview, a Watson Glaser test and a group activity in which the group has to decide on the best approach for a company to tackle a specific problem." -- First year trainee
• "There was one round of interviews once your application had been accepted. This was accompanied by an aptitude test. The interview itself was with a partner and lasted roughly forty- five minutes." -- First year trainee
• "The most relaxed (as far as it can be) assessment day I went to." -- First year trainee
• "I did a vacation scheme interview with a partner and also a verbal reasoning test. I then did a vac scheme followed by another very rigorous interview with one partner which lasted well over an hour." -- First year trainee
• "I had two online tests, one written test, an interview, a two week vac scheme with assessed presentations and a partner interview. The interview was based on current affairs and my reactions to certain events on the legal news. I was given problems and asked to show how I'd resolve them, etc. I really enjoyed the assessment day, test was fine, lunch was delicious and the interview really tested me academically." -- First year trainee
• "I applied and had one assessment day, which involved the Watson Glaser psychometric test, a group exercise, a tour of the office and an interview. I had an interview with one partner who was very nice. I was surprised how relaxed I was made to feel and amazed that she didn't ask me any nasty questions, she just seemed to want to get to know what I was like and why I wanted to be a solicitor. The hardest question she asked was ’in the current economic climate, which clients would you recommend we focused on improving relations with, which ones should we put on hold and which ones we should ditch?’ Luckily, I had memorised their top clients and been following the business news!" -- First year trainee
• "There was one round with a group test, individual critical thinking test and two sets of interviews with HR and the graduate recruitment team. The interviews were detailed asking about both academic achievements and past experience. I was interviewed by two partners." -- First year trainee
• "Detailed application form. Assessment day, comprising a welcome talk, critical thinking test, group exercise and interview. I got a call the same day offering me a training contract. Not all firms are as polite and I really appreciated the courtesy. I found the day to be testing but the environment was much more relaxed and less fraught than at other interviews. The firm takes the process seriously and the assessment day is challenging, but the firm doesn't make the process more formal or stressful than it would otherwise need to be, which I really appreciated." -- Junior solicitor, Litigation
• "There was one assessment day, consisting of a critical thinking test, a group exercise, and an interview. My interview was with one partner and one member of HR, although it can be with two partners. The interview lasted about half an hour and consisted of CV based questions and business/legal questions." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Litigation
• "Trainee recruitment is a one day assessment centre that entails a critical thinking test, a group exercise and an interview normally with two partners. The interview was quite intense with both partners asking probing questions exploring both legal knowledge and business acumen." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Employment
• "Detailed application form followed by full day assessment. Assessment included critical thinking test and group exercise. I interviewed with one partner. The interview was a general chat about my interests, hobbies, interest in law, etc. In my opinion, the interviewing partners are trying to decide whether they would be happy to work closely with you, i.e. that you are personable and friendly (in keeping with the firm's reputation)." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Property