Lex 100 - Finers Stephens Innocent LLP

Main Menu

User Login

Finers Stephens Innocent LLP

179 Great Portland Street London W1W 5LS

Favoured by 5 users (Register to add this entry to your favourites)

The trainee verdict

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'West End- based'; 'interesting work'; 'range of departments'; 'trainees treated like valued members of the firm'; 'more well-rounded individuals with personality and flair'; 'wanted to do a seat in media law'; 'reputation'; 'the firm's professionalism and devotion to its clients'; 'felt I would receive a high degree of practical experience'; 'responsibility'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Work/life balance is actively encouraged'; 'firm provides a social staff lunch every month'; 'discounted Shiatsu massages'; 'lots of firm events such as treasure hunts and quizzes'; 'encourages pro bono work in every department'; 'gives the trainees autonomy on the file to deal with the client and handle a matter from start to finish'; 'regular seminars for trainees'; 'far more support'

Best thing about the firm? 'The people'; 'the benefits'; 'interesting clients'; 'the nature of the work we do'; 'the location'; 'approachability of everyone who works in the firm'

Worst thing about the firm? 'The top-heavy partners to associates ratio'; 'firm being split across two buildings'; 'the coffee'; 'IT system can be quite frustrating at times!'

Best moment? 'Working on my own with two partners and no assistants on a big deal with a tight deadline'; 'supporting the team on a particularly high-profile case which had garnered worldwide media attention'; 'frequent client contact'; 'attending trial'; 'running my own small file'

Worst moment? 'Nothing as yet!'; 'when I was working for every member of the department at the same time'; 'the evening prior to my first appearance before a master in the High Court'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Finers Stephens Innocent has a widely respected media practice, acting for a range of publishing and broadcasting clients. Litigation and financial services expertise are other strengths, and the firm continues to make strides in commercial property, particularly in the retail and leisure market. It also has a seven-partner M&A team, and a flourishing private client department. Clients praise the firm's 'imaginative approach to problem solving'.

The star performers

Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Defamation and privacy; Education; Family; Media and entertainment; Personal injury: claimant; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Property finance; Property litigation.

The deals

Advised Bloomberg on data protection and freedom of information matters; advised Cenkos Securities as NOMAD and broker on a £7.75m placing of shares on AIM; acted for Yell Group on the acquisition of the share capital of Trusted Places; advising the Museum of Art, Oxford on the digitalisation of its archive.

The clients

Associated Press; Julian Assange; The New York Times Company; CNN; Lewis Hamilton; brokers, hedge fund managers and investment bankers; Mirada; Jelf Group; Mark Wallinger.

The Verdict

'The firm was not looking for trainees that were corporate clones, but for more well-rounded individuals with personality and flair' says one current trainee when asked why they chose media-savvy firm Finers Stephens Innocent. If you are looking for something a little different to many London firms then you should carefully consider FSI. Trainees report being 'treated like valued members of the firm and given autonomy on files'. They are also actively encouraged to 'participate in the firm's range of social events' including the monthly social staff lunch and 'treasure hunts and quizzes'. ALex 100 Winner for living up to expectations, it is considered 'friendly' with 'interesting work and a wide range of departments ' including a well-known media practice. Regular seminars led by senior members of staff are also organised. A popular feature at the firm is the fact that it 'encourages pro bono work in every department where possible, giving the trainees autonomy on the file to deal with the client and handle a matter from start to finish'. The IT systems and coffee cause a few complaints and the office being split over two buildings can cause a feeling of segregation. However, the fact that you are treated less like a trainee and more like a valued team member on transactions by the clients and the partners makes us think it's a great place to start your career and the 'discounted Shiatsu massages' help too.