Lex 100 - Ashfords

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Ashfords

Ashford House Grenadier Road Exeter EX1 3LH

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The trainee verdict

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'Breadth of areas of law, location, quality of the work, friendliness of the firm'; 'offering great quality of work with a West Country twist'; 'a healthy work/life balance is encouraged'; 'offered a full range of legal services'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'I have had an incredible amount of exposure so far'; 'the support I get is fantastic'; 'the firm is happy to accommodate and explore my work preferences throughout the seat'; 'we are paid less'; 'the training I have received has been extremely hands on'; 'we are actively encouraged to meet with clients and manage files, with supervision from our own mentor'

Best thing about the firm? 'The down-to-earth partners and the friendliness of the firm as a whole'; 'the firm undertakes quite large value work'; 'the people'; 'work environment is fantastic'; 'its reputation'; 'teams work together, across the offices and you are always made to feel welcome and valued as an employee'

Worst thing about the firm? 'Having a few offices that are based out near the motorway'; 'competition for certain seats can be high'; 'some may prefer the more active social life offered by a City firm'; 'some of the inevitable trainee jobs, such as photocopying'

Best moment? 'Playing an integral part in arranging a successful sale of rare farm machinery at great benefit to our client'; 'spending the day at a Court of Appeal hearing'; 'becoming involved in a major international acquisition within the first few weeks of my first seat'; 'assisting a partner at an infant approval hearing which settled for over £3m and seeing the reaction of the mother'

Worst moment? 'Feeling terrified at the start of my first seat and having to get used to the new computer system'; 'making a silly mistake in relation to post completion'; 'finding out there may not be many NQ jobs in September'; 'spilling a glass of water over a partner's papers during a telephone hearing'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Ashfords LLP is a growing force in the South West, with offices in Exeter, Bristol, Plymouth, Taunton, Tiverton and London. It offers a full range of commercial and private client services, and is known for its plain-talking and results-focused approach. Clients say the firm offers a 'high level of technical competence'.

The star performers

Bloodstock; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Construction; Corporate and commercial; Corporate tax; Crime; Employment; Family; Local government; PFI; Personal injury: claimant; Planning; Shipping; Social housing; Sport.

The deals

Advised Navetas Energy Management on its merger with Intelligent Sustainable Energy; advised Ross & Roberts on the £6m sale of its share capital: represented Enghouse Systems on its $23m share purchase of Mettoni; acted for Sprue Aegis on a £20m exclusive distribution agreement.

The clients

Accor Hospitality Germany; Centrax Industries; Cornish Mutual Assurance Company; Itron Metering Solutions; Scotvalve Services; Viridor; National Australia Bank; North Yorkshire County Council; South West Grid for Learning.

The Verdict

Ashfords is a full-service firm offering 'great quality of work with a West Country twist'. By way of explanation, whilst one trainee's best moment was 'becoming involved in a major international acquisition within the first few weeks of my first seat', another's was being 'an integral part in arranging a successful sale of rare farm machinery'. The wide range and scope of the many departments affords trainees a varied training experience with good choice of seats and one trainee praises the fact that the firm has 'been happy to accommodate and explore my work preferences throughout'. Couple this with a decent quality of fee-earning work, with current trainees encouraged to meet with clients and manage files and it makes for some invaluable experience. The competitive corporate practice provides an 'incredible amount of exposure' and being proactive and seeking out work from partners is encouraged. In return you'll be well supported whether you're playing a relatively minor role in large-value transactions, or undertaking smaller things independently. The firm promotes a 'friendly, happy working environment' which is reflected in the fact that it is a Lex 100 Winner for manageable stress levels and scores highly in the work/life balance and job satisfaction categories. A gripe for some is the process of seat allocation and qualification (something which trainees say the firm is actively trying to improve) plus, being a smaller firm, there will be times when administrative tasks must be done. However, as one trainee puts it, 'you are always made to feel welcome and valued as an employee' so if that is a priority and you like variety, take a careful look at Ashfords.