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Clarion Solicitors LLP 
Britannia Chambers 4 Oxford Place Leeds LS1 3AX
Lex 100 winner
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The trainee verdict

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The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others?'Was a paralegal prior to starting my training contract and was very impressed with the firm and made to feel like a valuable member of the team from day one'; 'reputation, variety of work, size of firm, location in Leeds city centre, people'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms?'It seems like we get more responsibility and client contact'; 'we are provided with very good opportunities'; 'given a high level of responsibility in most departments, although appraisals are few and far between and sometimes supervision can seem sparse compared to what my peers tell me about other firms'; 'less obligation to stay late '

Best thing about the firm?'Variety of work, relaxed but professional attitude of staff, not wrapped in cotton wool!' 'the fact that if you show willing, you'll be given responsibility'; 'Everyone here is friendly and you can usually get away at a reasonable hour'

Worst thing about the firm?'Sometimes the level of supervision is minimal'; 'lack of transparency from management level and frustrating not being told where next seat will be until a couple of weeks before move'; 'could do with more support staff'; 'office politics not great'

Best moment?'Running own files in family and private client department'; 'being successful in drafting a particularly complicated commercial contract'; 'my mid-seat appraisal with head of department'; 'working on good deals with fantastic lawyers and support staff' being told by a partner that my work was very good!'

Worst moment?'Working until 11pm in the corporate department photocopying documents for a deal that never went ahead'; 'hunting for 'missing' original documents in deeds storage only to find them elsewhere'; 'not getting any leeway when I worked a 60-hour week'; 'not being told that trainees would have to do two corporate seats'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Leeds firm Clarion Solicitors is the practice which broke away from McCormicks Solicitors in 2006. Performing very well in their new home and under their new name, the firm is praised by clients for its 'prompt, efficient and very timely advice' in addition to its'sharp, commercial outlook'. It offers a full service to its wide range of clients and excels in media and crime. It also offers a well-resourced insolvency and corporate recovery team, in addition to an experienced and expanding sports practice with new client wins including the FA Premier League and Liverpool and Arsenal football clubs.

The star performers

Top-ranking departments according to The Legal 500
Agriculture and estates; Crime; Insolvency and corporate recovery; Intellectual property; Media and entertainment; Sport.

The deals

Advising the shareholders of Alphanumeric Limited on the £16m disposal of the company to Digital Marketing Group; advising on issues following the dissolution of a farming partnership; involved in a case involving an alleged evasion of £10m VAT on imported motor vehicles; advising Bellway Homes on a number of multimillion-pound acquisitions in the area; representing numerous clients against the SFO.

The clients

Alliance & Leicester; Arsenal FC; County Publications; FA Premier League; KPMG; Kroll; Legal Services Commission Complex Crime Unit; Liverpool FC; Nexum; Outward Bound Trust; Rudding Park Estate; Star Sportswear; Wild Bennett Homes

The Lex 100 verdict

Clarion is a relatively new practice with a small number of trainees who get the opportunity to experience high-level, hands-on work. As well as being a Lex 100 Winner for social life, the firm attracts trainees for a number of reasons including location, variety of practice areas and size. They are given a 'great deal of responsibility' in most departments and believe they have more client contact than peers. Life here suits candidates prepared to 'get stuck in to real work' and you'll need to be fairly self-sufficient and robust because levels of supervision 'can sometimes be sparse compared to what we hear from peers'. 'We are certainly not wrapped in cotton wool' comments one trainee, while another would like 'more appraisals to find out how we'redoing'. There are a few complaints about lack of transparency and uncertainty over seat moves and the 'old-fashioned offices' aren't going to win any prizes, but the fact that 'everyone is friendly, helpful and approachable' and the work is interesting make up for the minor shortcomings. Trainees here also like the feeling of being 'part of the team' and 'most partners will try to deal with any issues you raise so you really feel like you're being listened to'. Clarion is a growing firm with a lot to offer, so if the location suits and you like the sound of real responsibility on top-level work with big-name clients, then take a look.

A day in the life of...

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About the firm

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