Lex 100 - Lewis Silkin LLP

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Lewis Silkin LLP

5 Chancery Lane Clifford's Inn London EC4A 1BL

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The trainee verdict

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'Its excellent reputation for employment work and it's commitment to work/life balance'; 'good prospects'; 'reputable firm with good standards and work ethics'; ' friendly environment'; 'seemed relaxed place to work with real people and characters'; 'exceptional reputation in practice areas of employment and media law'; 'came out of my interviewing feeling like I'd just been to the pub to have a chat with friends - they are very friendly but at the same time demand excellence'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'We get to work shorter hours and are trusted with more interesting work and more responsibility'; 'better hours and quality of work'; 'small intake of trainees means there is higher visibility of trainees and therefore more responsibility and pressure'

Best thing about the firm? 'Diverse practice range, particularly within each department'; 'its team spirit and support from colleagues'; 'everyone will chat and meet for drinks around Chancery Lane on a Friday'; 'explains why so many of the current senior partners are former trainees - they just don't want to leave'; 'six four-month seats means you get to go to every department'

Worst thing about the firm? 'The constant debate about four seats vs six seats'; 'retention of trainees is not great'; 'it would be nice if the salary was a bit higher'; 'cold meeting rooms'; 'lack of dynamism in some departments'

Best moment? 'Working on big/interesting case'; 'too many to mention'; 'completion on a deal is always good or settling a claim... or meeting great clients'; 'attending a kick-off meeting of a big AIM IPO in my first week of the seat'

Worst moment? 'Being briefed at 8.30pm on a new task that had to be completed by 9am the next day'; 'sending too much information to the other side'; 'really time-consuming disclosure exercise'; 'staying at work very late on meaningless and boring tasks'

The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Lewis Silkin is full service but with three areas of main focus - people, property and media. It has a leading advertising and general brand management practice, advising both agencies and advertisers. It is also well known for the strength of its 'pure' employment practice, and for its expertise in social housing.

The star performers

Brand management; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Construction; Education; Employment; Immigration: business; Intellectual property; M&A: Lower mid-market, £50m-£250m; Media and entertainment; Partnership; Property litigation; Social housing.

The deals

Advises Ebiquity Plc on two major international acquisitions; advises Publicis Groupe on acquisition of Kitcatt Nohr Alexander Shaw; advises Publicis Groupe on its acquisitions of both Holler and Airlock; advised investment bank Fairfax I.S. on its $2.5m capital-raising for Vital Metals Ltd.

The clients

Ebiquity Plc; Publicis Groupe; Solomon Capital.

The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2010: £31.7m (+2% from 2009) Profits per equity partner: £271,000 (+16%)

The Verdict

With its 'exceptional' reputation in practice areas including employment and media law, Lewis Silkin trainees are full of praise for this quirky firm and its six-seat training system which allows them to try out the diverse range of departments. A 'relaxed place to work with real people,' the firm immediately makes trainees feel at home ('I came out of my interview feeling like I'd just been to the pub to have a chat with friends'), fosters a strong work ethic and encourages plenty of mingling. A Lex 100 Winner for social life and job satisfaction, trainees work 'shorter hours' than many of their peers and are 'trusted with more interesting work and responsibility'. Expect to be given quite a bit of client contact at a 'relatively early stage' and you will be heavily involved in matters. 'Preparing for pre-hearing reviews in an employment tribunal' or 'attending a kick-off meeting for a big AIM IPO' in your first week of a seat are just two examples. Some departments can at times 'lack dynamism' and the retention rates over the past few years have caused concern for some trainees. The meeting rooms could do with a few more radiators as well! However, if you are looking for a City firm with a difference where you will be given plenty of independence and there's 'strong team spirit', then Lewis Silkin is seriously worth considering.