Satisfaction with Work

• "There is a high level of responsibility and the chance to run your own files with supervision. You have direct contact with partners and solicitors on a daily basis and regular contact with clients." -- Trainee
• "It really depends upon the department that you are in and how much you push for responsibility but overall I have been very satisfied with my position as a trainee at Penningtons. I have learnt a lot and have greatly enjoyed it and because of this I have been given a lot of responsibility, quality work and have had a lot of direct contact with clients. Direct contact with partners and solicitors is normal every day." -- Trainee
• "I have responsibility for a range of tasks, with the appropriate level of supervision. Good quality of work and an emphasis on trainees avoiding having to do admin/secretarial tasks, but of course, some of this is unavoidable. Work with team as a whole, often assisting partners themselves. Client contact varies with seat but on the whole good exposure to clients, whether by correspondence or in person." -- Trainee

Quality of Work

• "High levels of responsibility in certain departments. Direct contact with clients varies from subject area, but mostly very good. Good quality work, although still a certain amount of admin but notably less than in other firms." -- Trainee
• "I am given a high level of responsibility and run the majority of my own files myself. I am also assigned a considerable amount of client facing work. I particularly enjoy the variety of work I have – I work on both contentious and non-contentious matters, acting for employers and employees." -- Junior solicitor, Employment
• "Variable. Good level of contact with clients but not enough large scale transactions." -- Midlevel solicitor

Culture

• "Friendly office and great working environment. Departments have fun together and everybody gets on well. Trainees socialise on a regular basis both at formal events run by the firm, and informally." -- Trainee
• "Penningtons has a very healthy work/life balance. I work in our London office and staff here work very reasonable hours for a City firm. The open plan offices help to break down barriers so that there is less of a hierarchical feel in the office. Penningtons has a very supportive working environment with fee earners who will help each other, and partners are available for supervisions and guidance. I work with 5 other fee earners in my department and we get on very well together. The young fee earners and support staff across the London office tend to go out together about once a month for drinks – this is not work related and we just organise it ourselves. The firm has a healthy young fee earner base and everyone gets on very well together." -- Newly qualified solicitor, Property
• "While there is a clear hierarchy and structure, there is a genuine 'team' feeling at all levels within the firm. Matters are discussed among fee earners of all levels (including partners) and there is a friendly but hard working atmosphere." -- Junior solicitor
• "The younger employees are quite a sociable bunch, usually going out together at least once a week. Having an open plan office helps – everyone knows everyone and nobody minds you going to have a chat with them." -- Trainee
• "The firm is hard-working but at the same time it is a relaxed atmosphere. Trainees socialise together quite often both on an informal and more formal basis." -- Trainee
• "The firm is partner led, but solicitors are given responsibility for most of their files. Good team spirit and help from colleagues when you need it. Solicitors socialise either at firm events or informally on a fairly regular basis." -- Junior solicitor, Property
• "Friendly and relaxed atmosphere, I work closely with other solicitors and partners alike, including working with colleagues in the other offices. No culture of having to be seen to be working late if you don't have the work to justify it. There are organised social events and sports events plus the younger crowd get together for drinks etc. a fair amount." -- Junior solicitor
• "There is a high degree of team work and a friendly atmosphere. Solicitors all try to support one another and often socialise outside working hours." -- Junior solicitor, Employment
• "The firm is quite friendly and the offices are open plan with an 'open door' policy in place meaning that you can approach partners for help at any time. The trainees socialise together a lot, although this is nearly always through our own informal events." -- Trainee
• "Open plan offices divided by teams but scope to interact with others at weekly office breakfast meeting and occasional office-specific sports and social events. Good induction course for all new joiners, including a tour of the office and introduction to everyone. Not such an after-hours social life in regional offices but a pleasant culture." -- Trainee
• "Social life between trainees is good, though not much socialising out of work hours with non-trainees. There is some informal socialising such as after trainee training and lunches. Some organised events where there is more socialising with other people in the firm which have been very well done, such as party at Burhill Golf Course, a very good event. The working environment is relaxed but professional. Partners are very approachable on the whole (with very few exceptions). Junior fee earners are particularly happy to help with queries." -- Trainee

Hours

• "I bill in the region of 125 hours per month. I tend to work from 9am until 6/6:30 pm unless we have a morning or an evening meeting/seminar. The firm is flexible in terms of working hours – it is possible to buy and sell holiday and a number of fee earners’ work part-time." -- Junior solicitor
• "You can buy more holiday under the flexible benefits scheme. Provided you take ownership of your work and take responsibility for getting it done within the deadlines and are generally available when clients would expect you to be there, the partners are fairly flexible about hours. Solicitors (and trainees) are expected to get out and about and contribute to business development. You are not expected to stay in the office just for the sake of it." -- Junior solicitor
• "I work around 40 – 45 hours a week, which is a little less than I expected." -- Trainee
• "Normally I work 9 – 6. Very good work/life balance." -- Trainee
• "This depends on the department as in some departments you can be working a standard 9:30am – 5:30pm whereas other departments you can be working 9am to often later than 7pm. Overall the hours very good though, I have never worked later than 9:30pm." -- Trainee
• "It depends on the department but generally you aren't expected as a trainee to be there after 6.30 – 7pm." -- Trainee
• "You’re expected to work 5.5 hours chargeable per day. Generally I work around 6 or 7 but it’s flexible as to when they are done, some come in early and leave early/on time, others arrive late and work late!" -- Trainee
• "Average 40-hour week, but of course, with longer days on occasions" -- Trainee
• "I work roughly 9-6 but sometimes finish later or earlier depending on work load. Work load is as expected" -- Trainee

Pay

• (London 2010)
•  
• 1st yr trainee: £30,000
• 2nd yr trainee: £32,000
• Newly Qualified: £47,000
• "£41,500" -- Junior solicitor
• "£47,000" -- Junior solicitor
• "£47,000" -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "£49,000" -- Newly qualified solicitor
• "£50,000+" -- Junior solicitor
• "£55,000" -- Midlevel solicitor
• "£60,000" -- Junior solicitor
• "The pay would be fine if I was working shorter hours, but I feel underpaid for the hours I do." -- Junior solicitor
• "Pay is not at market rate." -- Junior solicitor
• "There is a bonus scheme in place." -- Junior solicitor

Interviews & Assessments

• "Fairly relaxed interview style, aimed at getting to know you and whether you would complement the existing team." -- Junior solicitor
• "There are usually two rounds of interviews, an online test before the first interview and a written test during the second interview (letter writing). In the second interview you also have to do a 5 minute presentation, usually on your favourite book or place. Interviews are with HR and a partner. Most people interviewed have already done a vacation scheme or attended an open day." -- Trainee
• "There was no assessment day but instead I came in for an information day which was very helpful in getting my foot in the door. There were two interviews, the first was with HR and the second was with HR and a partner. The first was quite informal and the second had a formal structure and we had to prepare in advance on a topic of our choice (within certain areas). I can't remember any questions but there are always the questions about why you want to practice law, why Penningtons etc." -- Trainee
• "A definite advantage for those applicants who complete a vacation scheme, but not necessary as there are trainees who did not complete a vacation scheme. Two interviews (the first one is bypassed if you have completed a vacation scheme). Second interview is with a partner and representative from HR/Graduate Recruitment. There are a few assessments to complete, both before and during the interview. A good, sensible interview." -- Trainee
• "I hear that there were a lot of applicants when I applied due to the firm's good reputation for training. There were two interviews, the second with a partner from a department that I had shown interest in. There was also a brief written exercise and an online assessment test. The interviews were quite friendly and not too scary." -- Trainee
• "Two rounds of interviews, a psychometric test and you have to give a presentation. Luckily everybody's very friendly so it’s not as might sound!" -- Trainee
• "Two interviews. The first is with 2 members of the HR department, the second with a member of HR and a partner. There is also a letter writing exercise and presentation at the second interview. The whole process is relaxed and friendly, a contrast with the atmosphere during interviews at other firms." -- Trainee
• "Two interviews involving HR, a partner and a written exercise. The usual questions regarding motivations, why this specific office, why law etc." -- Trainee