Lex 100 - Boyes Turner

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Boyes Turner

Abbots House Abbey Street Reading RG1 3BD

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The trainee verdict

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'Good alternative to a City firm in terms of quality of work and variety of practice areas'; 'size'; 'atmosphere and ethos'; ' the friendliness of all the people I had met'; 'work/life balance'; 'professional but down-to-earth people and environment'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'More client contact and responsibility'; 'open-plan offices expose you to more'; 'a friendlier office environment'; 'better, with regard to work/life balance'; 'responsibility without feeling over-burdened'; 'I do not have to work excessive hours'

Best thing about the firm? 'They trust you enough to throw you in at the deep end from the start'; ' the openness and approachability of everyone'; 'the people!'; ' the partners organise Friday night drinks each week'; 'the summer and Christmas parties'

Worst thing about the firm? 'Trainees having to put on a sketch at the Christmas party!'; 'there is sometimes a lack of communication'; 'training contracts by their nature make you feel like you constantly have to impress'

Best moment? 'Getting recognition and being praised for doing things well'; 'having a piece of work being sent out to a client without my supervising partner making any amendments'; 'being at a tribunal hearing and winning'; 'working for the head of group'

Worst moment? 'Missing a deadline'; 'no bad experiences to date'; 'making a mistake with the numbering when paginating a trial bundle - very embarrassing!'; 'waiting past the expected date of finding out next seats'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Boyes Turner is one of the leading single-office commercial law firms in the Thames Valley. The firm has a well-earned reputation in the business services sector, particularly in relation to employment. The corporate team has a loyal client following; also strong are commercial property, media, insurance and dispute resolution. Clients say the team delivers 'rock-solid advice'.

The star performers

Top-ranking departments according to The Legal 500*Banking and finance; Clinical negligence: claimant; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Employment; IP/IT; Insolvency and corporate recovery; Media and entertainment; Personal injury: claimant; Property litigation.

The deals

Advised Culligan on the sale of its subsidiary company to Austrian water technology company BWT; counts private companies, including Kelly Services and Avnet Technology Solutions as clients; advises Santander, HSBC and Clydesdale Bank; advised Johnston Press in an injunction against the National Union of Journalists.

The clients

Ericsson; Guardian Media Group; Historic Royal Palaces; Hitachi Data Systems; Kelly Services; LoveFilm; Santander; Trader Media Group.

The Verdict

If you want a 'good alternative to a City firm', you might want to consider heading to the Thames Valley for a training contract at Boyes Turner. A Lex 100 Winner for job satisfaction, living up to expectations, client contact, manageable stress levels, and social life, the firm continues to rank highly in the popularity stakes; trainees report that they have 'direct contact with clients and have responsibility without feeling over-burdened with pressure'. Partner supervisors 'trust you enough to throw you in at the deep end from the start', which means you end up learning 'very fast', and 'the fact that things are not made easy for you means you feel a higher sense of accomplishment'. One current trainee felt 'the buzz of being successful in my first hearing as an advocate', something you experience as early as your first seat. If this sounds a bit daunting, be assured that all the while you are offered 'frequent review sessions', so you should feel well supported. The organised social events reflect the 'real team spirit' here, demonstrated not least in the 'brilliant and well-attended summer and Christmas parties'. The only real concern here is over qualification prospects, which coupled with occasional 'lack of communication', can create a sense of uncertainty among trainees. This aside, if you are looking for a high-achieving regional firm with a range of practice areas check out Boyes Turner.