Lex 100 - Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP

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Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP

134 Edmund Street Birmingham B3 2ES

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The trainee verdict

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'For the mix of public-funded, private client and commercial work'; 'well known in the legal sector for its unique and friendly approach'; 'excellent client care '; 'a supportive working environment'; 'has a social conscience and is actually prepared to do something about it'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'great contact with clients and very friendly teams'; 'more hands-on experience'; 'much better work/life balance'; 'more responsibility'

Best thing about the firm? 'My colleagues'; 'the chance to do high-level commercial work in one seat and publicly-funded private client work in another'; 'work/life balance'; 'the approachability of senior colleagues (including partners)'; 'people look out for each other'

Worst thing about the firm? 'Certain seats are very competitive and it can be pot luck who gets them'; 'communication about NQ jobs can be bad'

Best moment? 'My team winning a big adjudication that we'd worked on for months'; 'my first application before a district judge on my own'; 'meeting clients'; 'being able to take the lead and run with files'

Worst moment? 'Disclosure'; 'any discussion of seat moves and qualification'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Birmingham-based Anthony Collins has the largest social housing, charities and community regeneration practice outside London, notably advising individuals dependent on state benefit. In recent years it has also sharpened its business image, strengthening its corporate and commercial offering. However, Anthony Collins remains at heart a highly altruistic outfit, with a focus on the not-for-profit sector. Clients say the firm offers ' advice that is timely and appropriate'.

The star performers

Charities; Clinical negligence: claimant; Family; Licensing; Personal injury: claimant; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Professional negligence; Social housing.

The deals

Advised a council client in the defence of a contractor's claim for wrongful termination; recently settled a £1.95m head injury claim; acts for education institutions and also for disabled individuals seeking access to education; recently settled a substantial case arising out of the negligent handling of a previous litigation matter.

The clients

Aston Villa FC; Colchester Borough Council; Gloucester City Homes; IET Connect; Royal British Legion; Sense; Seventh Day Adventists; The Binding Site; The Children's University Trust; The National Memorial Arboretum; The Restaurant Group.

The Verdict

A firm with a social conscience, Anthony Collins attracts trainees looking to do 'work that actually makes a difference to people's lives'. Although there is commercial work on offer, the emphasis is on publicly-funded and private client work, and trainees are given hands-on roles in matters concerning social housing and charities, with good levels of client contact and 'considerably more responsibility than peers at other firms'. This essentially means 'being able to take the lead and run with files', and in one instance, being trusted to 'make my first application before a district judge on my own'. As in previous years, there are frustrations about the lack of emphasis on raising its profile although this is perhaps forgivable given the firm's size and focus, and trainees report that its efforts 'have improved over the last 18 months'. Trainees say there is some competition over seats to contend with, and seat move/qualification time can be quite tough for some. In spite of this, the firm is a Lex 100 Winner for manageable stress levels - perhaps this can be put down to the pervading sense that people here look out for one another, with 'even the most senior colleagues' being friendly and approachable. The excellent work/life balance also helps - the firm is a Lex 100 Winner in this category also, taking third place ('trainees have a much better work/life balance with a much higher quality of exposure to clients and work'). With so many opportunities to get involved in work that really feels worthwhile, it's little wonder that trainees here feel that their firm is truly unique: 'we are not aiming to be the same as everyone else in town and haven't got a problem with being different', said one. For the right candidates, Anthony Collins will undoubtedly provide a varied and enriching career that you can feel proud of.