Lex 100 - Andrew Jackson

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Andrew Jackson

Essex House Manor Street Hull HU1 1XH

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The trainee verdict

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'A leading Yorkshire firm with a good balance between commercial and private client work'; 'a very good reputation for giving trainees responsibility and the opportunity to run their own files'; 'leading commercial law firm'; 'a very reputable firm, and I liked the location'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Compares very well'; 'I am given a wide and varied amount of work'; 'really well, especially in terms of the organisation and structure of the contract and the support given to trainees'; ' we are treated as equals'; 'we are given lots of responsibility'

Best thing about the firm? 'How friendly all the staff are from the cleaners to the managing partner, and the support you are given during the contract'; 'the variety of work I am given'; 'I feel like I am valued as a trainee'; 'work/life balance'; 'you never feel pressured in to having to stay after 5pm when there is no urgent work to complete'

Worst thing about the firm? 'Late notice for seat changes'; 'seat options are fairly restricted'; 'the seats offered for trainees don't always make full use of the various commercial aspects of the firm'; 'being paid the minimum salary recommended by the Law Society'

Best moment? 'negotiating a settlement (under supervision) to the satisfaction of the client and the firm'; 'seeing a client on my own for the first time.'

Worst moment? 'when I had to make copies of a trial bundle which must have been about two feet in height when stacked up'; 'the anticipation surrounding seat changes and seeing the competitive side of the other trainees'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Property and shipping are key areas for Hull-based Andrew Jackson. It has a market-leading transport practice, and is well-regarded for its dedicated wet and dry shipping, sea fisheries and marine environment practices. The firm also has respected know-how in retail development, particularly in the food sector.

The star performers

Agriculture and estates; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Employment; Family; Health and safety; Property litigation; Transport.

The deals

Advising Henderson Insurance Brokers on the acquisition of Denney O'Hara; acted for the vendor on the sale of the entire issued share capital of Cherry Valley Farms to the Bangkok Ranch Group; advising a landlord on a major reorganisation of existing tenancies under the Agricultural Tenancies Act.

The clients

ABP; Arco; Arla Foods; Carpetright; Baker Tilly; Bridgeland Development; Heron Frozen Food; Humberside Police Authority; Nuffield Wellbeing.

The Verdict

A leading Yorkshire firm with a good balance of commercial and private client work, Andrew Jackson enjoys a reputation that spreads beyond its Hull base, with some specialisms 'recognised both regionally and nationally' - namely shipping and marine transport, and retail development, particularly in the food sector. The firm has 'a very good reputation for giving trainees responsibility and the opportunity to run their own files' and it clearly delivers. The firm is our top-scoring Lex 100 Winner for quality of work, and a winner in an impressive eight other categories: job satisfaction, living up to expectations, client contact, manageable stress levels, friendliness, social life, vacation scheme and, with another top score, work/life balance. This is all reflected in the comparisons trainees draw with their peers at other firms; 'it compares excellently', said one; 'we have a better quality of work and are given lots of responsibility' said another. They also feel that the training contract is well organised and structured, and that they are given a good variety of trainee tasks, including single-handedly running files, negotiating settlements and handling client visits alone. If this sounds a little daunting, take heart from this trainee's words: 'although the work is sometimes challenging I never feel like I am out of my depth, and feel that I can ask partners for help if I need it'. The biggest complaints relate to the salary; but the trade-off is hands-on training with a solid, well-connected regional player; a friendly firm that values its trainees ('we are treated as equals') and that allows you to have a life outside the office.