DWF LLP
business. Overall, we had great exposure to senior people.” This refreshing lack of a strict hierarchy continues into life as a trainee, as Hannah reports: “This is not a hierarchical organisation and everyone is treated with equal respect regardless of seniority; I have worked very closely with partners, including taking responsibility for some of their files and helping to run deals. Also, as we’re open plan, I sat next to partners in two of my seats, which allowed me to see how they interact with clients every day.” James confirms this impression: “We are a relatively young firm, which is dynamic and inclusive. Everyone within the business is approachable and contactable; there is no hierarchy as such, and I think We try to immerse the students in the business; including giving them access to people at all levels
are also very much part of the process. “We try to immerse the students in the business; including giving them access to people at all levels. And we have no trouble getting partners to help with the scheme, for example, the students are assigned a task to prepare a mock pitch to a panel of partners playing the role of the board of a major client,” describes James. “There are also social events that include a partner dinner, which gives students the chance to chat to partners informally about what it’s like to build a legal career and life at DWF.” Charis concurs: “There is very strong investment in our trainee recruitment from the senior partners, which I think sets us apart from our peers. James and Carl are involved throughout, as are many other partners, including our CEO and managing partner, Andrew Leaitherland. I think that shows real commitment to the process. We are all determined to get the best candidates possible, and to do that, they need to meet a wide range of people from within the business, which helps to inform their decision about whether they can imagine working here.” Hannah adds: “We had presentations from partner heads of the sector groups, which brought home how happy they were to take time out of their busy schedules to talk about their roles within the
that the recruitment process reflects that. We certainly hear that from candidates when compared to other firms’ processes.” This dynamism is also reflected in the type of work that trainees can look forward to, from a fairly early stage. “Straightaway, we get trainees doing work of a level that a second- year trainee or NQ would expect. Our lateral hires tell us that our trainees do high-level, interesting work that trainees at other firms don’t,” explains Carl. “There will of course be times where the tasks are more mundane, but they’re still contributing in a valuable way.” Hannah adds: “The level of experience and responsibility depends on the department, but I’ve been very busy in all my seats and have had the chance to get stuck in early on. Being a trainee here allows for true ownership. If you show willing you have the opportunity to get involved with big transactions from day one, managing files, running conference calls, and putting forward ideas and suggestions, all closely supervised of course. I certainly haven’t spent the last year standing next to the photocopier.” Charis summarises where the vacation scheme sits within the overall recruitment picture and why it’s so important: “We want to give candidates the opportunity to
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