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Satisfaction with Work

• "This varies from department to department. I have had little client contact, although I have occasionally been taken to meetings and effort has been made in this respect. I have been exposed to a broad range of transactions, mainly focussing on private equity as this is the firm's specialism. The level of responsibility you are given is very rewarding and you are really challenged to be your best." -- Trainee
• "I’ve had great exposure and responsibility with managing local counsel and drafting certain documents." -- Trainee
• "You get as much responsibility as you can handle – I enjoy the variety and difficulty of the work. I like a challenge so getting really involved in projects is the ideal way to learn." -- Trainee

• "The majority of trainees sit with partners so there is a lot of contact between partners and trainees. Due to the size of the firm you are given early responsibility and exposure to good work. Client interaction is seat dependant." -- Trainee
• "Everyone is approachable, even partners – although most of the work comes from the senior associates. There is some client contact, but this could be improved. You do get exposed to lots of different transactions." -- Trainee
• "Quality of work can be extremely high. You frequently find yourself working on tasks usually carried out by junior associates at other firms." -- Trainee

What does your typical day at work involve?

• "I will be involved in conference calls, research, and discussions with my supervisor. I will often be asked to undertake drafting tasks as well." -- Trainee
• "Review of documents, drafting documents, liaising with opposing counsel and the client, etc." -- Trainee

• "Work usually involves a mix of research, sending e-mails, drafting, and some admin type tasks (but this is a minor, rather than major component of the day)." -- Trainee

Culture

• "Trainees attempt to socialise together as much as possible, work permitting. The firm is often quite generous at subsidising trainee social events. There is a strong team ethic among the trainees – if you're swamped with work there's always someone who's prepared to help out." -- Trainee
• "The structure is: equity partners, salaried partners, associates, and then trainees. Trainees do support each other and this varies across departments. Trainees socialise when possible and the management are keen to encourage socialising. There was a trainee Christmas party, and other events which include associates/trainees are in the pipeline. The firm is working hard to improve social outings – but given the nature of the work, people are busy and this makes it difficult for everyone to attend. The level of social activities varies within each department." -- Trainee
• "Trainees support each other and the firm allows a budget for a trainee night out on occasion. There is an open door policy in the office, and trainees manage their own time without having to worry about the coat over the chair mentality." -- Trainee

• "I have found that the trainees tend to support each other and people are often willing to help out another trainee if they have capacity. Due to the small number of trainees there doesn't tend to be a great amount of socialising. The firm has a good budget for trainee events but we find that it is rare that everyone can attend. The firm tends to have social events once a month – these can be anything from quiz nights to pumpkin carving competitions." -- Trainee
• "The firm has a very open door culture and is a friendly place to work, despite the fact that people work very hard here. There tends to be a good relationship among the trainees, although the social life is lacking as there are very few of us and we find it difficult to find the time to meet up." -- Trainee
• "The trainees get on well and give each other support where needed." -- Trainee

Seats during the Training Contract

• "Trainees complete four seats. Choice is fairly limited, with a choice of only five departments. The available departments are: corporate (compulsory), litigation/arbitration, restructuring, banking and funds. It is possible to do a seat abroad but this is very much dependent on business needs and something you will need to push for." -- Trainee
• "Four seats in any of the following: corporate, banking, funds, arbitration, restructuring, competition, and tax. The firm does its best to accommodate the first choices of each trainee. You can do a seat abroad. So far trainees have done seats in New York and Hong Kong but there is an option of Munich, as well as other US offices." -- Trainee
• "Trainees do four seats. You can sit in arbitration, corporate, funds, restructuring or banking. Every trainee must do a seat in corporate. IP, competition and tax are by request, and to date no trainees have sat in these departments. Given that there are six trainees in each year, choice is varied. 2010 abroad seats were in New York and Hong Kong. The 2011 seats abroad have not been announced to date. Trainees go abroad in their third seat." -- Trainee
• "Trainees do four seats during the training contract. The choices are corporate (which is mandatory), banking, restructuring, arbitration and funds. There is also the possibility of doing a seat in tax, IP or competition, though this is by request only. There is currently the option to do a seat in New York or Hong Kong, for third seat trainees." -- Trainee

• "Typically, there are four rotations. The firm focuses on private equity so the departments we have are: 1) Corporate; 2) Banking; 3) Funds; 4) Restructuring; 5) Litigation/Arbitration; 6) Tax and/or 7) Intellectual Property." -- Trainee
• "There are four seats over the two year training period. A trainee can sit in corporate, banking, funds, restructuring and arbitration and potentially other ancillary departments. I have been able to sit in the departments of my choice for my entire training contract. A trainee has the option to do a seat abroad depending on business needs." -- Trainee
• "There are four seat rotations at K&E. Seats in the firm's corporate department, as well as a seat in either litigation/arbitration or restructuring are compulsory. Optional seats include: banking and private funds, as well as seats in tax and IP upon request (depending on business need). As the number of trainees is very small, there is a great degree of choice involved. Personally, I got all of my chosen seats, even in the order in which I wanted to do them in. My fellow trainees' experiences were largely the same. Third seat trainees can do a seat abroad in either Hong Kong or New York (depending on business needs). In my year, two of the six trainees went abroad." -- Trainee

Formal Training

• "When you first join the firm as a trainee you attend around three training sessions a week, and people make the effort to ensure you can attend. The training sessions are helpful in giving you an introduction to each practice area and introducing you to the teams. It is also helpful to have materials on which to refresh your thinking." -- Trainee
• "There is very structured and regular training across all departments of the firm." -- Trainee
• "When we started there were four lunchtime training sessions a week which were compulsory. Now there tends to be a more sporadic training programme. The firm encourages trainees to be more involved in the training they receive and we are able to request training sessions on anything we feel the need for." -- Trainee

• "The training programme, whilst new, is extensive and very well planned. Understanding of what the various departments do and basic legal concepts are taught, as well as the skills necessary to be an effective trainee." -- Trainee
• "Training takes place at lunch a few times during the week in the first six months in the office. The sessions are for all the first year trainees, and allow for close contact with partners and associates. Rather than a lecture/class atmosphere, the feel is more like a seminar where you can really interact with and question the person giving the training." -- Trainee
• "The legal training programme is over a lunch. Attendance is compulsory." -- Trainee

Informal Training & Mentoring

• "Partners and associates are very approachable and open in terms of any questions we have." -- Trainee
• "There is no hierarchy at the firm so you can approach anyone and everyone. All the lawyers are knowledgeable and happy to share that knowledge." -- Trainee
• "Associates are great at explaining things and really do take the time to help out. Partners are approachable and will explain things too." -- Trainee

• "Very easy to receive. The firm operates an 'open-door' policy and it is possible (and even encouraged) for trainees to approach associates/partners and ask for mentoring on specific areas." -- Trainee
• "All of my supervisors have been easy to approach when I've had questions and I feel free to ask questions whenever I need to. The firm generally makes an effort to give the trainees varying work, and especially so if you ask." -- Trainee

Diversity (women, minorities & LGBT)

• "There are events on women's leadership. I myself am from an ethnic minority background and feel very much at home with everyone." -- Trainee
• "The firm's diversity policy seems to be working in that there are a great number of female lawyers..." -- Trainee

• "The firm is eager to ensure diversity amongst the employees and ensures that every individual is given the support they need." -- Trainee

Offices & Dress Code

• "The office is a fantastic place to work and is modern with amazing views. The dress code is pretty relaxed – smart casual. You will be required to wear a suit for meetings but that's generally it. We also now have casual Fridays where jeans are permitted." -- Trainee
• "The office is really nice, being based in the Gherkin. The offices are all extremely spacious and clean. The dress code is pretty relaxed and there is no requirement to wear a suit unless you are attending a client meeting." -- Trainee
• "Dress down Fridays allows everyone in the office to work in jeans. Other days during the week are business attire, although a tie is not necessary for men." -- Trainee

• "The office is pretty cool and the facilities are great. Support departments really make the effort to make life easy. The dress code is smart – but no ties unless you’re meeting a client. Friday is a dress down day every week." -- Trainee
• "The firm is in the Gherkin and has beautiful expansive views of the City. There are not many facilities in the building (such as dry cleaning) but there is good access to all amenities close to the building. The dress is smart." -- Trainee
• "The offices are awesome. Dress code – relaxed. Fridays are dress down day, so you can come to work in jeans and trainers." -- Trainee

Green Initiatives

• "Recycling has been greatly improved and efforts are made to ensure lights are on motion sensors. However, the firm could improve in this area." -- Trainee

• "We have recycling and confidential bins for paper and recycling bins in the kitchen for food and the like." -- Trainee

How prepared do you feel to practise law upon qualification?

• "Quite prepared due to the exposure we get very early on in our training." -- Trainee
• "Not fully prepared yet but getting there!" -- Trainee
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• "Very – in order to be an effective lawyer, one needs to have been heavily involved in transactions and projects, and our firm ensures this is true of all trainees." -- Trainee
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