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Charles Russell LLP 
8-10 New Fetter Lane London EC4A 1RS
Lex 100 winner
Favoured by 4 users (Register to add this entry to your favourites)

The trainee verdict

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The lowdown (in their own words...)


Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'Full-service firm, wide range of services offered, not at all narrow in focus'; 'media and sport reputation'; 'the application form was varied and asked original questions'; 'the resources, reputation and quality of clients of a London firm with the benefit of working in the regions'; 'felt at home as soon as I walked in the door'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'A great deal of responsibility and good mix of work, in contrast to friends who complain of a lot of routine work'; 'my peers feel under pressure to work longer hours; I work similar hours but there's no pressure to stay late'; 'better in-house training'; 'better hours, less money, more client contact'

Best thing about the firm? 'Cakes on Fridays'; 'the trainee morale is excellent and generally people are very supportive'; 'always someone you can ask for help/ask a question if you are stuck'; 'attention to detail and the quality expected from you which helps you develop professionally'; 'the people and the fact that we are a genuinely 'nice' firm!' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'London-centric bias'; 'the social side of the firm is not great even though we do have a social committee'; 'rivalry between different offices'; 'too much competition for some of the more popular seats'; 'tired offices (although we're just about to move) and budget-wise, slightly stingy'; 'different offices treat trainees differently'

Best moment? 'Working my own files - scary but good experience'; 'co/co away day where we got to know other people in the department'; 'being involved in fascinating cases whilst in litigation and interviewing clients on my own'; 'department Christmas party... now that was a night!'; 'being told by a partner that I was thinking like a partner'

Worst moment? 'Working through redundancies in the department'; 'making stupid mistakes and feeling very small'; 'many quiet periods in work (mainly due to economic climate)'; 'doing verification until 3am every night for a week!'; 'getting told off by an equity partner for giving an attendance note late'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Charles Russell has one of the most highly regarded private client practices in the country with an increasingly international client base. By no means limited to this area, the firm is also recommended for media and entertainment, and in the corporate arena the team completed an impressive 82 deals totalling £1.4bn last year. Outside London the firm has offices in the South West, South East and East Anglia, plus the Middle East and Geneva.


The star performers

Agriculture and estates; Charities and not-for-profit; Clinical negligence; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Construction; Education; Employment; Family; Heritage property; Flotations (small and mid-cap); IT and telecoms; Insurance; IP; Media and entertainment; M&A (smaller deals up to £50m); Personal tax, trusts and probate; Property litigation; Social housing; Sport.

The deals

Advised JPMorgan Cazenove and longstanding client Canaccord Adams on Krinera and Greentop's $120m reverse takeover of Gemfields Resources and related $60m fundraising; advised Arqiva on a multimillion-pound transaction; advised on the move of a former ABN Amro trading desk team to Exae; advised both The Football Association and the British Horseracing Authority on regulatory and disciplinary matters; won Court of Appeal case on behalf of Co-op Healthcare.

The clients

AXA Art Insurance; Bradford College; British Land; Credit Suisse; Eton College; KPMG Corporate Finance; London Philharmonic Orchestra; RNLI; Wagamama.

The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2008: £71.8m (+13% from 2007) Profits per equity partner: £428,000 (+10%)


The Lex 100 verdict

A great choice for those keen to experience the best of both worlds, Charles Russell can offer a City and regional training through its London, Guildford, Cheltenham and Cambridge offices. It offers excellent breadth of work, as one London trainee says 'it's not often that a City firm can boast excellent family and private client departments as well as an impressive corporate department', whereas a trainee based elsewhere enjoys the 'reputation and quality of client of a London firm with the benefit of being able to work in the regions'. However, some regionally-based trainees complain of 'London-centric bias', whilst others mention 'rivalry between different offices' so there's no pleasing everyone. Nonetheless this long-established firm offers a good 'combination of tradition and modernity' and the limited intake makes it easier to get to know your peers. The interview process sets the tone ('bowled over by the friendliness of everyone'), with one commenting 'I felt at home as soon as I walked in the door'. Expect a variety of seats with a balance of commercial and private client work. The 'prestigious family department' is popular (one trainee grumbles about 'too much competition for some of the more popular seats like family and employment') but there's something to suit everyone. Generally trainees feel stretched ('as the only trainee in my department I'm given a great deal of responsibility'), with one enjoying 'huge amounts of responsibility, especially as I'm a first-seater. Contact with the client on a daily basis'. However, others say they'd like more client contact. Several have managed personal caseloads, whilst there's also the chance to work on bigger matters. A good choice for those seeking a friendly mid-sizer with great breadth of expertise and a loyal bunch of trainees: 'I feel proud to work here, which is more than can be said for trainees in many other firms'.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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