Lex 100 - Herbert Smith LLP

Main Menu

User Login

Herbert Smith LLP

Exchange House Primrose Street London EC2A 2HS

Favoured by 8 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? 'Prestigious'; 'possibility of an overseas secondment'; 'variety of practice areas'; ' only top law firm with a mix of contentious and non-contentious work'; 'good experience on the vacation scheme'; 'people seemed very friendly'; 'excellent corporate practice'; 'high-profile clients'; 'friendly and open culture'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'More balanced'; 'hours are generally better'; 'atmosphere seems a lot friendlier'; 'excellent training and career development'; 'more partner contact'; 'similar in terms of type of work'; 'good support network'; 'social life is superior'

Best thing about the firm? 'The high quality of the work'; 'the friendliness of the people'; 'range of seat choices'; 'the opportunities'; 'great HR department'; 'exposure to wide range of tasks'; 'social scene'; 'great location'; 'international opportunities'; 'the cookies'; 'relaxed and friendly atmosphere'; 'minimal politicking'; 'wide range of activities to become involved with'

Worst thing about the firm? 'The long hours culture'; 'need for trainees to do the billing'; 'at times one can feel a little out of ones depth'; 'lack of work/life balance'; 'limited feedback'; 'misconception that we are all aggressive litigators'; 'very hierarchical'; 'the offices'; 'retention rate'

Best moment? 'Working on an adjudication'; 'opportunities to go on international and client secondments'; 'an interesting deal that was covered in the FT'; 'a six-month secondment in Singapore'; 'closing deal and then champagne'; 'being sent to entertain a client with another trainee'; 'going to the Supreme Court'; 'attending a dinner hosted by clients at a Michelin-starred restaurant to celebrate an arbitration win'

Worst moment? 'Having insufficient time to prepare adequately for some training sessions'; 'crazy corporate deals'; 'copy checking court bundles until 3am'; 'spending a week carrying boxes to and from court for a trial - think weightlifting combined with blindly navigating the winding corridors of the Royal Courts of Justice'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

A great city all-rounder, Herbert Smith's 'excellent' litigation team remains the benchmark against which others compare themselves. The corporate team is underpinned by notable US-law capability, a transatlantic offering that also benefits the credible equity capital markets practice. The firm is a leading regulated industry player, and is also recognised for its public procurement work.

The star performers

Administrative and public law; Arbitration; Bank lending; Banking litigation; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Construction; Contentious trusts and probate; Corporate restructuring and insolvency; Corporate tax; EU and competition; Electricity, nuclear and renewables; Emerging markets; Employment; Environment; Equity capital markets; Financial services; Fraud; IT and telecoms; Insurance; Intellectual property; Investment; Investment funds; M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £250m+; Oil and gas; PFI; Partnership; Pensions; Pensions litigation; Pharmaceuticals; Planning; Professional negligence; Property litigation; Public international law; Rail; VAT and indirect tax.

The deals

Acted for Credit Suisse; RBS; the Financial Guaranty Insurance Company; advised an insolvent Swiss company.

The clients

BSkyB; Credit Suisse; Google; Stagecoach Group; the Law Society of England and Wales; the National Lottery Commission.

The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2010: £450m (+1% from 2009) Profits per equity partner: £862,000 (0%)

The winners

Legal Business Awards 2011

Winner Dispute resolution team of the year, Highly commended Corporate team of the year.

The Verdict

Boasting excellence in both contentious and non-contentious work and a 'broad range of high-achieving departments', Herbert Smith attracts trainees with its 'prestigious' reputation, global footprint and focus on diversity. The vacation scheme helps trainees feel like they would 'really fit in' and this is a feeling that continues if you are lucky enough to get a contract here with current trainees reporting that they 'always felt like an integral part of the team'. The training is described as 'excellent' with 'very extensive and effective programmes' available on an ongoing basis plus plenty of partner contact should you have any concerns. There are great opportunities to do an overseas secondment as the firm has strong ties in the Far East and beyond, and trainees rave about the trainee development centre which helps realise their career progression aims. 'Incorporating a company', 'going to the Supreme Court' and 'doing a six-month secondment in Singapore - excellent work, weather and travel opportunities, not to mention the financial perks' are highlights of some current trainees. Be prepared for some long nights and stress when deadlines loom. There are also grumbles about the archaic lift system which can often mean that there is a long wait to leave the building! However, closing dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants and seeing your deals in the national press more than compensate. If you are looking for a heavyweight city firm which snaps at the heels of the Magic Circle with a focus on CSR and a desire to make trainees feel like more than just a 'cog in a machine' then you should be seriously considering Herbies.

A day in the life of.....

Trevor Davies, trainee, Herbert Smith LLP
Departments to date: Litigation, corporate
University: University of Warwick
Degree: Biological Sciences, first class

8.45am: I get to the office with just enough time to grab a quick cup of coffee before heading to the corporate division's fortnightly briefing meeting. These meetings give trainees a great insight into the variety of work being conducted by the division and usually involve discussions on high-profile, interesting deals.

9.50am: After the meeting I head back to my desk to check my emails (I had a quick skim through on the way to the gym to make sure that there were no urgent messages!) and organise the rest of my day.

10.10am: My supervisor has asked me to amend a document for him, which includes drafting some new provisions. This is typical of the work I am given and when it is in relation to a deal you are currently working on, you very much feel like you are contributing to the overall effort.

12.25pm: Drafting is a skill that can only be gained through practice and once I have finished my first draft, I sit down with my supervisor and listen to how it could be improved upon (much better than being given your work back covered in red pen with no explanation!). To reinforce my understanding, he then asks me to draft an email to the client explaining our amendments and the logic behind the new provisions.

1.00pm: As it is Wimbledon fortnight there is a screen up outside the office showing the action from Centre Court. I meet up with a group of trainees from my intake and head down to pick up some lunch, sit in the sun and watch the tennis.

1.45pm: I have been asked by one of the partners to assist on a pitch document. The first draft is ready but needs to be tailored to the client's needs. Local counsel in two of the jurisdictions involved also need to be contacted for their input. Both of these jobs have been delegated to me.

4.30pm: The amendments have been made and local counsel are compiling their credentials, ready to send tomorrow morning. I go through my additions with the partner and we agree on some other minor amendments before finalising the draft. I then circulate this to the proposed team with an explanatory email.

4.40pm: I get started on a research note. My supervisor wants me to look at the possible use of an LLP as a joint venture vehicle for a client. As my supervisor is in meetings for the rest of the day we agree to talk through the note tomorrow morning.

7.30pm: Having finished the note, I take advantage of a free evening to meet up with some other trainees and grab a quick drink before heading home.

About the firm

Address: Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2HS

Telephone: 020 7374 8000

Fax: 020 7374 0888

Website: www.herbertsmithgraduates.com

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Senior partner: Jonathan Scott

Managing partner: David Willis

Total partners: 276

Other fee-earners: 1,466

Total trainees: 210

Other offices: Offices throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Who we are: Pre-eminent in dispute resolution and with an outstanding reputation for high-value transactional advice, Herbert Smith LLP is a leading international law firm. Its main clients are prominent global and national businesses that it serves from offices in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

What we do: Alongside our outstanding reputation in dispute resolution and corporate, we have leading practices in finance, real estate, competition and employment, pensions and incentives. We are also acknowledged as leaders in a number of industry sectors, including the energy and natural resources and financial institutions sectors.

What we are looking for: Herbert Smith will recruit 85 trainees for positions in London starting in 2014, from a variety of law and non-law degree backgrounds. As well as a strong academic record, applicants require a strong level of commercial awareness and the common sense to be able to make their own way in a large firm. Combine these qualities with a creative and questioning mind, and Herbert Smith will offer you great challenges and rewards.

What you'll do: Trainees rotate around four six-month seats, including a specialist area such as IP or competition.

Perks: 25 days' holiday (rising to 27 on qualification), pension scheme, profit share, private medical insurance, permanent health insurance, season ticket loan, life assurance, interest-free loan.

Sponsorship: GDL funding: fees paid plus up to £6,000 maintenance in London, £5,000 outside London. LPC funding: fees paid plus up to £7,000 maintenance.

Application process

Apply to: Graduate recruitment team.

How: Online at www.herbertsmithgraduates.com

When to Apply: Please see website for details.

What is involved: Online tests: verbal reasoning, critical reasoning, situational judgement. Assessment centre: group exercise, case study presentation, competency interview.

Facts and figures

Trainee places available for 2014: 85 training contracts, 100 placements.

Applications received pa:

Percentage interviewed:

Salary

First year: £38,000

Second year: £43,000

Newly qualified: £61,000

Vacation schemes

Winter: Herbert Smith runs four separate vacation schemes each year, one in winter, one in spring (two weeks long) and two in the summer, (three weeks long).