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Dorsey & Whitney LLP 
21 Wilson Street London EC2M 2TD
Lex 100 winner
Favoured by 2 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? 'International reputation without being too intimidating. I was also drawn by the friendliness of the partners at interview'; 'combines high level of international work and strong client-base, with the intimacy of a smaller office'; 'strong emphasis on training junior lawyers and involving trainees at the outset of deals'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Much more hands-on work, less formal and hierarchical atmosphere'; 'diverse pool of trainees'; 'less supervision'; 'the hours are more forgiving, though sometimes it would be nice to have more work'; 'training experience is a lot less formal, so things like HR matters you often have to sort out yourself'

Best thing about the firm? 'Breakfast pastries and the secretaries'; 'its manageable size in London, the friendliness of a lot of the partners and the fact that despite its UK size, its international reputation delivers high-profile clients'; 'firm's ethos and quality of work'; 'if you show initiative and enthusiasm, expect to gain excellent experience' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'The support and resources are often lacking. I had to organise my own PSC course and it was a nightmare co-ordinating with US offices to get the invoice paid'; 'nothing about the London office, or indeed the firm, which is particularly negative'; 'the lack of a reprographics department can sometimes be less than convenient. But we outsource larger volumes of work'

Best moment? 'Any time I contribute and add value to the project/case'; 'Christmas pay-cheque'; 'attending the Privy Council to lodge documents'; 'attending client meetings for the drafting of witness statements was very enjoyable'; 'getting associate-level work and meeting some of the most interesting clients'; 'meetings with Counsel in chambers'

Worst moment? 'The collapse of a deal before the good stuff started. I had spent two months doing all the donkey work - I blame the credit crunch/munch'; 'having periods of about a week with nothing to do'; 'the worst moment was seeing the sunrise due to a corporate deal closing'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

One of the big firms in the US for M&A, Dorsey & Whitney augmented its corporate practice by hiring former Addleshaw Goddard partner Matthew Doughty and has been advising on a number of UK-only deals in the sub-£50m bracket. The firm also advises on capital markets, tax and litigation. Focusing on technology, life sciences and entrepreneurial companies, the firm has a strong track record in advising venture-backed clients in the UK and internationally.


The star performers

Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Corporate tax; Emerging markets; Fraud; IT and IP; Venture capital.

The deals

Advised KBC Peel Hunt on IPO and listing of Goals Soccer Centres plc; advised Excel Airways Group plc on its £200m AIM introduction; advised on the IPO and AIM listing of Local Radio Company plc; on the Imperial College law firm panel for emerging companies; undertakes larger transactions for US clients such as Dana and Dover corporations.

The clients

Ambrian; British Gas; CSFB; Deutsche Bank; Morgan Stanley; National Westminster Bank; United Healthcare Group; Warburg Dillon Read.

The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2008: $366.9m (no change from 2007) Profits per equity partner: $534,000 (+19%)


The Lex 100 verdict

Not one of the highest profile US firms in London, Dorsey & Whitney is nonetheless making a good impression on its select group of trainees, in several cases starting with the vacation scheme (where the firm is a Lex 100 Winner). Many targeted the firm precisely for the 'very small intake; trainees take on responsibility at an early stage and have a high level of client contact', plus the combination of 'international work and a strong client-base, with the intimacy of a smaller office'. An interest in heavyweight international transactional work would be useful, as would maturity and confidence to deal with the responsibility of 'associate-level work'. Work experiences range from 'attending the Privy Council to lodge documents' to 'attending client meetings for the drafting of witness statement', whilst for another 'the best part of my training contract has been meeting some of the most interesting clients'. A good choice for those keen to make their mark early on: 'as a trainee, if you show initiative and enthusiasm, expect to gain excellent experience', plus 'plenty of responsibility' whilst being 'made to feel part of the team'. Several mentioned the friendly office atmosphere - 'fee earners work very hard but everyone is approachable and friendly' - and the 'less formal and hierarchical' attitudes helped no doubt by the 'diverse pool of trainees'. One of the downsides to training in a smaller office can be less sophisticated resources and here the most common complaints related to the fact that 'support and resources are often lacking'. Overall you can expect a less formal, more hands-on training experience with less supervision, but 'despite its small size in London, its international reputation delivers high-profile clients and work'.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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