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Lester Aldridge LLP 
Russell House Oxford Road Bournemouth BH8 8EX
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? 'Biggest and best firm in area, excellent reputation, looks after staff'; 'good variety of practice areas'; 'location and recommended by a family member'; 'good work/life balance'; 'atmosphere, social activities and people made me feel I would fit in'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Better salary, more opportunities'; 'more variety of work and responsibility'; 'overall my training appears to be on a par if not better than my peers'; 'very well - good quality work with client contact and supervision. The hours are reasonable too!'; 'the training provided here is of a very high standard'

Best thing about the firm? 'Its style. It's a keen, progressive firm with real prospects'; 'the 'can do' attitude of the people. Everyone is friendly, and made me feel very welcome when I started my training contract'; 'the forward-looking, open-minded atmosphere and business focus'; 'the firm has a real sense of ambition and is committed to business development whilst also focusing on its existing clients' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'Heating doesn't work in our office, it's very cold!'; 'salary. Lack of free parking facilities'; 'gossip, pay and parking'; 'satellite offices should be expanded'; 'limited/no opportunities for international work'; 'sometimes a lack of communication in relation to firm-wide decisions'; 'lack of a staff canteen'

Best moment? 'Completing on a large property deal'; 'my first court appearance'; 'exchanging contracts on a corporate deal'; 'succeeding at hearings at court and running successful litigation cases from start to finish'; 'receiving praise from clients'; 'being given my own file to run for the first time - a licence to alter'

Worst moment? 'Making a complete mess of a retail completion notice'; 'having to commute from Bournemouth to Southampton for six months'; 'having to complete estate accounts for a probate matter'; 'not managing to obtain what the client has applied for'; 'almost missing a court deadline'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Lester Aldridge is a Bournemouth-based practice with further offices in Southampton, London and Milton Keynes. The firm covers a wide variety of practice areas, with particular strengths in asset/consumer finance, commercial property and shipping. It is also known for advising marine sector clients and motor financiers. The firm has a renowned fast-track debt recovery team and a matrimonial department which rivals that of larger London practices. Clients describe Lester Aldridge as an 'impressive setup' which is 'very client-focused'.


The star performers

Top-ranking departments according to The Legal 500*Commercial litigation;Commercial property;Corporate and commercial;Debt recovery;Employment;Family;Personal tax, trusts and probate;Shipping.

The deals

The commercial property team has expertise in advising on marine and port properties; the shipping team has advised on super-yacht financings for clients such as Bank of Scotland; advising clients such as Toyota Financial Services on major motor financing arrangements.

The clients

Diamond Property Holdings; Goulden Properties; Marina Developments; Singer & Friedlander; State Securities; Volkswagen Financial Services.

The money


The Lex 100 verdict

'I wanted to work in a regional firm and it is one of the best in the Hampshire/Dorset area', comments one current Lester Aldridge trainee. Other reasons for choosing this popular full-service firm range from 'it looks after its staff' to 'I enjoyed the assessment centre day' to 'its reputation for quality work with a good work/life balance'. As we said last year, trainees here enjoy the feeling of getting good quality commercial work and training, without the stress or hours of larger/London firms. Once again they compare their experiences favourably with peers at other firms and generally feel they have 'more responsibility and greater client contact'. One trainee remarks: 'partners and associates make a huge effort to give trainees the best learning experience possible.' There is also a sense of ambition, with the firm committed to business development and expansion while also looking after its existing clients. Trainees praise LA for being a 'keen, progressive firm with real prospects' and like the forward-looking approach which is good for junior members of staff. Yet again salary, parking and gossip top the list of 'worst things', with a couple of complaints about 'internal communication in relation to firmwide decisions'. Overall though, there is not too much to complain about, and anyone looking for a friendly, regional firm with a good range of work in a coastal location should consider Lester Aldridge.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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