Choosing where to apply
coverage as well as looking at the glossy recruitment literature).
will influence their experience as a trainee. These may include the size of the firm; if you are interested in multi-jurisdictional work, secondments or using any additional language skills, then a firm with offices in many jurisdictions could be for you.” Martha Jeacle, legal recruiting and associate development manager at Davis Polk & Wardwell London LLP, makes this point: “It is important to look at the size of the trainee intake. Being one of 100 as opposed to one of four will offer a very different experience, and each individual needs to decide what will work best for them. I also suggest that students find out what kind of training programme is in place for trainees, as a comprehensive formal training programme will ensure a more well- rounded period of training.” However, it is possible to generalise broadly about firms and chambers. For example, types of firm might broadly be categorised as international/City, national/regional and legal aid/general practice. For an in-depth explanation of what trainee life at each of these might be like, see “Types of firm” on p149.
Where do I want to work? Once you have figured out the sort of firm or set you want to target, you need to consider whether you’ll be happy with the location. It’s no use applying to a firm in the City if you don’t like London; your heart won’t be in it and this will be apparent at interview. Often, regional firms prefer applicants with local connections. This is because they will be investing a lot of money in their trainees and, not unreasonably, they want to see a good return on their investment. In asking whether an applicant has local connections, they figure that those with ties to an area are less likely to leave for greener pastures after the training contract ends. Also, regional firms want to be sure that you are not applying to them just because the London firms have passed you over. As one partner of a Yorkshire firm explains: “Does a candidate who has attended a prep school in Sussex, attended the University of Sussex and always lived in Sussex seriously expect us to believe that he or she wishes to move to Scunthorpe? There’s clearly no long-term commitment and we’ve received the application for a training contract only because the candidate has been rejected by every practice in the Southeast.” What sort of working environment? Many students find it difficult to distinguish between the different types of firm. However, many recruiters also talk about the need for students to have some idea of the culture of a firm, and whether it will match their needs and personalities. Puneet Tahim, senior recruitment coordinator at Latham & Watkins, says: “It can be challenging for students to differentiate between firms, as many offer high-quality work. Students should therefore consider which other factors
As for barristers’ chambers, they can broadly be split into those that are in
Central London and specialise by practice area – such as commercial, public law, common law and crime – and those in the regions, including the ‘supersets’. Brian Lee, practice development and marketing director at 7KBW, says: “Students should make sure that the pupillage being offered is constructive and properly managed. A pupil supervisor should not only manage the workload for the pupil, in terms of who the pupil works for and when, but should also act as mentor. The pupil supervisor should also ensure that the pupil is not overworked. It is incumbent on all chambers to ensure that the pupil provides their best work for those they work for so that informed decisions can be made when a vote on tenancy is taken.
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