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Geldards LLP 
Dumfries House Dumfries Place Cardiff CF10 3ZF
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? 'Excellent reputation in Wales and, to a lesser extent throughout the UK, as a good professional firm with prestigious clients'; 'reputation, friendliness, the fact that it's not Eversheds'; 'it offers an excellent variety of high-quality work while still allowing a good work/life balance'; 'good interview with a very friendly partner'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Good in general, although we seem to get less responsibility than trainees in smaller firms'; 'I receive a wide range of work and have excellent advice and assistance when completing it'; 'a work/life balance is emphasised here'; 'I have had more interesting and challenging work'

Best thing about the firm? 'The people. Generally they are all very knowledgeable and, just as importantly, very friendly and willing to help'; 'friendliness/areas of work'; 'diversity of practice areas ensures a varied experience'; 'trainees are given praise and recognised for work well done'; 'open-door policy' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'Lack of communication between departments'; 'HR being situated in Cardiff office'; 'they could provide more opportunities for trainees to socialise (ie sport)'; 'the kitchens'; 'there is not much interaction between the Cardiff and East Midlands offices'

Best moment? 'Having to stay late at the office for a corporate deal and having KFC brought in. I enjoyed the rush of completing and thought that it was very thoughtful of the firm to provide us with food'; 'going to court on my first day in the litigation department - then reading about the case in the newspaper the next day!'; 'when work that I had done was sent out and used by a client'

Worst moment? 'Having to do menial admin work'; 'the announcement of redundancies across the firm'; 'having another person take credit for work that I had done'; 'working Easter bank holiday weekend!'; 'not receiving any thanks or appreciation after working really hard to get something urgent done for someone'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Geldards has a popular commercial property practice, and this has inevitably been hit by market conditions. However, it also has an impressive media department, and strength-in-depth in public sector work, a fact that was rewarded by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) appointing it to all five of its panels last year. This provides work across a range of specialisms, including corporate finance, property, employment and planning. Other strengths range from a leading charities practice to expertise in tax and trusts. It is an impressive heavyweight firm in Wales and beyond.


The star performers

Banking and finance; Charities and not-for-profit; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Corporate tax; Crime, fraud and licensing; Employment; Information technology; Intellectual property; Media and entertainment; Pensions; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Planning and environment; Property litigation; Public sector.

The deals

Advising Celsa on its multimillion-pound acquisition of three steel reinforcement producers; acting for the Welsh Ministers to recover grant funding of over £600,000 from Dairygold Food Products (UK) Ltd; advising on the new £23m Parc y Scarlets stadium; continuing to act for WAG on the RAF St Athan site; advising on controversial planning issues in South Wales, including the Llanishen Water housing scheme.

The clients

Atlantic Properties; Hoover Ltd;Cardiff University; National Library of Wales;Celsa UK; Persimmon;Coed Darcy Urban Village; S4C;Finsbury Food Group plc; Somer Housing Group.

The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2008: £25m (+4% from 2007) Profits per equity partner: £280,000 (+43%)


The Lex 100 verdict

Geldards has an 'excellent reputation' in Wales and 'to a lesser extent throughout the UK'. It offers trainees a broad range of practice areas and a good mix of commercial and public sector work. Trainees are largely happy with their firm and the training they receive. 'My training contract compares favourably with those of my peers; the calibre of work I'm exposed to is certainly higher and I feel interested and challenged'. Most trainees believe they have more responsibility than others, but two commented that peers in smaller firms have greater responsibility, 'if not always such good supervision'. Trainees here are also happy with their 'friendly, approachable colleagues' and the good work/life balance, and there is even praise for the salary. They feel there is good recognition for work well done and are pleased to be included in all firm activities such as marketing events. On the downside, there are the odd complaints about a lack of communication between the Cardiff and East Midlands offices and trainees would like more opportunities to socialise together and more organised sporting events. Overall, Geldards offers a good variety of high-quality work. It is a 'professional firm with prestigious clients' and trainees feel they learn a lot without compromising on a life outside the office.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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