User Login

Bristows 
100 Victoria Embankment London EC4Y 0DH
Lex 100 winner
Favoured by 1 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? 'It has an excellent reputation for IP with high calibre lawyers and clients, but still maintains a good work/life balance'; 'it is the perfect match to my skill set - I have a scientific PhD'; 'medium size, good work/life balance, type of work and level of responsibilities for trainees'; 'very positive experience on the vacation scheme'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'I am constantly surprised by the shock some of my peers meet my comments with, when I am talking about the firm. They are genuinely surprised to hear that almost all of the partners and associates know the names of all the trainees'; 'higher quality work and training'

Best thing about the firm? 'The interesting, high-quality work and friendly environment'; 'everything - the building is inspiring, the people are clever, it is a genuinely supportive environment'; 'implicit understanding that you have a life outside work'; 'there is no expectation to be in the office if you don't need to be, but when you put the hours in it is noted and appreciated' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'It would be nice to have more facilities, but I wouldn't swap the building for anything'; 'it can sometimes be disorganised'; 'the salary is not as good as some other firms who work with similar calibre clients'; 'I really cannot think of anything I don't like'; 'there's no microwave'

Best moment? 'Running up to court just before it closed to apply for an injunction - the adrenaline was something else when I made it on time!'; 'being congratulated by a client for the good work I've done'; 'when the last sentence in the trial transcript was the judge paying tribute to the excellent presentation of the trial bundles - I felt as if all the work had been worth it!'

Worst moment? 'When I started talking to my friends in the pub about how many different and useful functions the Canon photocopier had'; 'being sent to court to 'pick up' a handed down judgement only to find that the judge had a few things he wanted to run through with the parties - I had no opportunity to consult with my supervisor and was petrified'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

A heavyweight IP firm, Bristows is best known for its world class patent litigation and life sciences expertise, in addition to the usual range of TMT specialisms. Corporate work, often for pharmaceutical clients, is strong too, while the commercial property and employment teams are developing all the time.


The star performers

Top-ranking departments according to The Legal 500*Fraud (commercial/regulatory); Media and entertainment; IT and telecoms; Pharmaceuticals/biotechnology.Intellectual property;

The deals

Acted for GE Healthcare in a case brought by two former employees for employee compensation, under a rarely used provision of the Patents Act; recently handled what is only the second appeal to NICE, on behalf of Servier Laboratories; acting for the pharmaceutical investment arm of Nomura on a $40m spin-out from AstraZenenca; acting for LaSalle Garden Centre Fund on the establishment of a new offshore fund.

The clients

BBC; Orange; Diageo; Penguin Books; Endemol; Siemens; Faber Music; Sony Computer Entertainment; Odeon Cinemas; Virgin Media.

The money


The Lex 100 verdict

Bristows moved offices a couple of years ago, from Lincoln's Inn Fields to the much busier Blackfriars Bridge, and as we said last year, any concerns that this would be a negative thing are repeatedly swept away by the wealth of positive comments about the new office and working environment - 'the building is inspiring', says one trainee, 'I haven't been to any other offices ever that I prefer' says another. On the work front, they continue to praise the firm for interesting, often high-profile cases and clients and the good levels of responsibility and hands-on experience. The people are 'friendly, enthusiastic about their work and highly intelligent' - 'partners know us all by name and are approachable and supportive'. Bristows is clearly a deserving Lex 100 Winner in the 'firm living up to expectations' and 'friendliness' categories and trainees compare their firm very favourably with others. 'I am constantly surprised by the shock of some of my peers when I tell them how happy I am here - I have had positive experiences in all my seats so far', comments one trainee. The firm's expertise in IP and life sciences is also a big draw for many candidates, so it would help to have a certain leaning in these directions if you're thinking of applying here. On the downside, there are a few comments about the salary not being as good as it could be and some feel the firm can lack organisation at times. However, for high-quality work in a friendly atmosphere (with a good work/life balance), Bristows has much to offer the right candidates.

A day in the life of.....

A day in the life of.....

Simon Llewellyn  first-year trainee solicitor, Bristows
University: Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London; Trinity College, Oxford
Departments to date: Property, IP and commercial transactions, client secondment, IP litigation
Degree and class: MSci Chemistry (1st); DPhil

9.00am: I am currently on secondment with a leading technology services company. I start the day with an urgent voicemail message requesting a review of a confidentiality agreement. I call back to discuss the details before reviewing the agreement, which has been sent through by email.9.45am: I receive a new commercial framework agreement by email that needs reviewing. It is complex, with a large number of appendices. I busy myself printing these out, and then begin the review process. I discuss several preliminary points that arise with the senior lawyer with whom I am working.11.30am: We have our fortnightly legal know-how call. This gives the legal team an opportunity to discuss any relevant commercial developments. I note down the names of some new cases to review in more detail later.11.45am: I have a telephone conference call with my commercial colleagues and a senior lawyer. We discuss the framework agreement and decide on how best to approach some of the issues that it raises. After the call I consolidate an attendance note.1.00pm: Lunchtime. I head out of the office and take advantage of our central London location. I buy a sandwich from a new deli that I spotted on the way in this morning.

As it's sunny I head to a garden square to eat my lunch.1.45pm: I start drafting amended clauses for the framework agreement. Following the conference call this morning I have a good idea of how to change each clause. However, a new issue arises. I discuss this with a senior lawyer and then call my commercial colleagues to discuss which approach they would like to take. With this information I begin making the required changes.3.30pm: I have a meeting with a commercial colleague and an external customer. I head to one of the meeting rooms and take notes about a new deal that is being negotiated. Back at my desk, I draft a 'statements of principles' document for the deal and email them to the commercial colleague for comments.5.30pm: I tie up a few matters and clear my desk. I then head out to a pub with the rest of the legal team. It's a sunny evening and we stand outside watching the hustle and bustle of central London.



About the firm

About the firm

Address: 100 Victoria Embankment London EC4Y 0DH
Telephone: 020 7400 8000 Fax: 020 7400 8050
Website:  www.bristows.com
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Senior partner: John LaceManaging partner: Paul Walsh, Patricia Treacy
Total partners: 28
Other fee-earners: 70
Total trainees :15

Who we are: Bristows is a medium-sized firm that handles the kind of work normally associated with only the largest firms. Established more than 170 years ago, we have built up a client list that includes leading businesses from a variety of sectors.

What we do: Our core practice areas are intellectual property; information technology; privacy and data protection; regulatory; EU and competition; advertising, marketing and promotion; corporate; commercial disputes; employment; real estate; product liability; tax; andpublishing and media.

What we are looking for: We're extremely selective because we're looking for people who will be our future partners. As part of such a small and high-calibre intake, you'll have every chance to shine, and we'll give you real responsibility earlier than you might expect.

What you will do: During the two years' training, you'll spend time in each of our main departments developing your skills and knowledge. You'll also work closely with our partners. Part of this training may involve a secondment to one of a number of leading clients.

Perks: Life assurance, pension scheme, private medical insurance, permanent health insurance, eye care, health assessment, employee assistance programme, cycle-to-work scheme, childcare voucher scheme, season ticket loan.

Sponsorship: GDL and LPC fees paid in full, plus a maintenance grant of £7,000 for each.

Application process

Apply to: Sophie Fitzpatrick, trainee recruitment and training officer.

How to apply: Online application form only.

When to Apply: By 31 January 2010 for February/March interviews; by 31 July 2010 for August interviews.

What is involved: Two panel interviews consisting of an associate and partner at first interview and then two partners from the trainee committee at second interview.

Facts and figures

Trainee places available for 2012 10-12

Applications received pa 3,500

Percentage interviewed 6%

Salary

First year £33,000

Second year £36,000

Newly qualified £52,500

Placement schemes

Spring: 22 March, 29 March, 5 April (apply by 28 February 2010)

Summer: 21 June, 28 June, 5 July, 12 July, 19 July, 26 July (apply by 28 February 2010)