User Login

Ashfords 
Ashford House Grenadier Road Exeter EX1 3LH
Lex 100 winner
Favoured by 0 users (Register to add this entry to your favourites)

The trainee verdict

image


The lowdown (in their own words...)


Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'The location of the firm was important to me and there is a genuine commitment to a decent work/life balance - yet it still has ambitions to grow and do quality work'; 'good reputation as a firm and specifically for training'; 'high quality private client and legal aid work alongside top commercial clients'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'We are given real responsibility whilst having the comfort of knowing there is always someone to ask for help'; 'I seem to have a much more balanced life'; 'more responsibility and client contact being out of London. You get a fuller picture by working on less high value matters that you can run yourself'

Best thing about the firm? 'Staff are very friendly and always willing to help if you have any questions. There is a great work/life balance'; 'the fact that everyone is encouraged to really feel part of the firm'; 'the fact that the firm is full service which provides diversity in the seat options, people and clients'; 'high quality work without the stress of being in the City' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'Most people have to drive to work so the social life is not as good as a lot of other firms'; 'no parking at the office'; 'nothing!'; 'location of Exeter office doesn't encourage social activities'; 'there are always biscuits and cakes to eat which can be dangerous for the waistline!'; 'the pay isn't fantastic'

Best moment? 'Doing my first hearing by myself and getting the result our client was looking for'; 'going to the Royal Courts of Justice for a case'; 'doing my own advocacy at a hearing in a matrimonial matter and winning'; 'going to arrest a very expensive motor cruiser'

Worst moment? 'Realising I was qualifying into a recession'; 'I have not had one yet!'; 'sitting at my desk for two days without anything to do'; 'reviewing wills stored in strong room'; 'telling a client I had lost a cheque he had given me'; 'being in the High Court and two pages of the bundles I had prepared being in the wrong order'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Progress at Ashfords continues following the firm's 2004 demerger from Bevan Ashford. The firm is now the largest in Exeter and has moved back into Bristol with a small but developing office. Offering a full range of commercial and private client services, the firm is known for its plain-talking and results-focused approach. Clients describe the lawyers as 'efficient, helpful and accessible'.


The star performers

Charities; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Construction; Corporate and commercial; Crime; Employment; Personal injury (claimant); Social housing.

The deals

Acting on a bankruptcy involving a freezing order to secure assets in the US, Bulgaria, South Africa and Cyprus; advised Swarraton Partners on its investment in Navetas Energy Management and represented Eden Ventures on its investments in music download website We7; advising Enghouse Systems Limited in the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Gamma Projects Limited; advised Gemalto on the UK elements of the $20m acquisition of the smart-card business, IP portfolio and trademarks of Keycorp including shares in Multos Limited.

The clients

Bank of Scotland; Enghouse; Lloyds TSB; National Grid Gas; Parkeon; Schlumberger; Smith & Williamson; Snacktime Direct Ltd; South West Water.

The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2008: £25m (+9% from 2007) Profits per equity partner: £290,000 (-3%)


The Lex 100 verdict

'I have had opportunities that most trainees would give their right arm to have a go at' comments one Ashfords trainee, and then elaborates €“ 'I have been to mediation on my own to advise a client, spent a week in the High Court, made decisions on files etc, etc - my supervisor makes me feel he has absolute confidence in me and the work that I do'. All sounds too good to be true? Well the other trainees agree - praising the 'high levels of responsibility', 'excellent supervision', 'wide choice of seats', 'variety of clients' and 'supportive atmosphere'. Even the location can't be faulted with 'beautiful countryside just around the corner'. No wonder then that Ashfords is a Lex 100 Winner in no fewer than six categories this year: firm living up to expectations, quality of work, client contact, stress levels, work/life balance and friendliness. The only real complaints tend to echo previous years, with some trainees mentioning the pay and others complaining about the car parking, especially at the Plymouth office. The quality of the sandwiches isn't great either - and while the free biscuits and cakes appear to make up for this they are deemed 'very dangerous for the waistline'. Aside from food, what trainees here find particularly fulfilling is the ability to get a full picture of deals and cases by 'working on less high-value matters that you can run yourself from start to finish, rather than being stuck on one small aspect of a large high-value matter'. So if you're looking for early responsibility and an opportunity to get involved in your own business development, then this dynamic South West firm could be the one for you.

A day in the life of.....

Sorry, this firm has not supplied this information.




About the firm

Sorry, this firm has not supplied this information.