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7 Bishopsgate London EC2N 3AR 
Favoured by 4 users
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The lowdown (in their own words...)Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'Excellent work, great people, small teams, US salary'; 'medium-sized, collegiate London office as well as international reputation, high-profile deals and clients'; 'the trainee intake is small and therefore you do get more exposure to work'; 'impressive client list'; 'high levels of responsibility' How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'There truly is an 'open-door' policy here which is not the case with a lot of other City firms and as a trainee that is a hugely reassuring factor'; 'greater responsibility, fewer menial tasks and greater client contact'; 'very favourably, particularly with Magic Circle firms'; 'challenging and interesting work from the outset'; 'more approachable staff' Best thing about the firm? 'The people and the type of work - fast-paced, exciting and truly global'; 'the level of trust that partners and associates place in you - you could turn up to work at 10am and go at 5pm as long as you do your work'; 'the office is still expanding, which makes it a very exciting place to train and eventually qualify'; 'entrepreneurial'; 'the team culture'; 'international dimension' Worst thing about the firm? 'The offices are fairly small and there isn't much natural light'; 'no canteen!'; 'trainees, unfortunately, are not entitled to receive bonuses'; 'sometimes feel isolated from the other trainees – should be more organised social events for trainees' Best moment? 'Finding out I was able to successfully make a spur-of-the-moment application to a Master in the Royal Courts of Justice'; 'being the first point of contact for a client on ongoing energy-related matters'; 'managing my own part of a transaction and being allowed to just get on with it'; 'becoming part of the team' Worst moment? 'Stuck in the office for a whole month (including weekends) on a securitisation deal'; 'having to run to Pret in the snow!'; 'none so far'; 'being alone in the office at 3am'; 'quiet periods without much work' The firmMcDermott Will & Emery was one of the first American firms to set about building a truly full-service London operation, and as a result, has a much broader offering than many US outfits, with strong teams in employment, EU/competition and IP as well as corporate finance. The firm remains highly recommended for M&A work (typically in the £50m-£250m bracket), despite a number of deals falling through in the current market conditions. The star performersTop-ranking departments according to The Legal 500*Corporate tax; Financial services; Private equity;Employment; Intellectual property; Project finance;EU & competition; M&A Securitisation. The dealsRepresented Luxottica in the consolidation of its Sunglass Hut companies in the UK and Republic of Ireland and in its merger with Optika Holdings; acted for Wilmott Dixon in connection with the OFT's investigation into bid rigging in the construction sector; advising Visto Corp on patent litigation against RIM; remains involved in the widely reported Switalski employment case, acting for F&C Asset Management since 2006. The clientsBank of New York Mellon; Barclays Capital; BNP Paribas; Constellation Energy Commodities Group; Dresdner Kleinwort; EGL; Fortis Bank; Honeywell; UEFA; Unicredit. The money(from Legal Business magazine) Turnover in 2008: $978m (+14% from 2007) Profits per equity partner: $1,373,000 (+2%) The Lex 100 verdict'The biggest appeal of this firm is that the trainee intake is small and therefore you get more exposure to work' says one McDermott trainee. Others like the 'excellent work', 'impressive client list', 'international network' and 'high pay'. They compare their firm and experiences very favourably with those elsewhere - 'the smaller trainee intake allows for a greater degree of responsibility and leads to more challenging work - this can't be said for all City firms' - 'and we get more money too'. The firm is a Lex 100 Winner for job satisfaction and quality of work, and trainees here feel like they handle work done by associates at other firms. This suits most of them, but one comments that it does come at a price - a less structured training contract, a larger work load and more pressure (although strangely McDermott has always received good scores in our stress levels category and this year is, in fact, also a Lex 100 Winner in the stress-free category). However, all this should come as no surprise as the partners at interview are quick to point out their expectations of you. The atmosphere is supportive though, with 'truly an open-door policy' and as one trainee remarks, 'I know that if I have a problem I can always speak to a partner - they are very approachable and this is reassuring'. The partners also place a great deal of trust in you - 'you could turn up at 10am and go at 5pm as long as you do your work'. On the downside there is no canteen and 'not much natural light' in the office and trainees would like to see more organised social events for them to develop a closer collegiate feel. However for ambitious, independent candidates looking for 'hands-on, intellectually stimulating work' in an entrepreneurial atmosphere, McDermotts has much to offer. A day in the life of..... Rupa Patel trainee, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP University: Birmingham City University Departments to date: Intellectual property, media and technology group, corporate. Degree and class: LLB Hons Law 2(1) 9.30am: As I walk in to my office I am greeted with a huge smile and a chirpy hello from my secretary. Whilst I am waiting for my computer to spring to life, my supervisor and I discuss what we did last night and have a brief catch up on the current status of the trial we are working on. Time is precious as the start of the trial, which is to be heard in the High Court, is approaching fast, so as soon as I have finished checking my emails I start working through the to-do list that I prepared yesterday.9.45am: I have been asked to prepare a draft order for directions by a partner so I begin by looking for precedents. The partner has given me a brief description of what he is looking for and left me to my own devices, which I appreciate as I think it is the best way for a trainee to learn. Once complete, I send the draft order to the partner for his approval.11.00am: Part of my role as trainee includes producing a weekly report for a large beverage company client, so I spend some time doing some research and compiling the report. Fortunately it's an interesting music-related case and I have free reign over the format of the report. Once it is complete it is sent to the client and various partners in the US.12.30pm: We have a departmental training session. These are held once a month and involve giving brief presentations on current legal IP-related issues. My case concerns the use of a trade mark by a notorious motorcycle gang in Los Angeles. The sessions are always catered and as we are presenting we tuck in to a selection of sandwiches, sushi and cake.1.30pm: Time for a break. I take a walk around the Royal Exchange and Leadenhall Market for some fresh air.2.00pm: Back at the office and I have been asked to write a part of the reply expert reports for the trial. This is a complicated case that involves chemistry (one of my least favourite subjects at school!) so it has been quite a challenge getting to grips with it. Fortunately, my supervisor never seems to tire of the relentless questions and he is good at explaining complex chemical processes in simple terms.3.00pm: The partner for whom I produced the draft order gives me some feedback. He seems pleased and takes the time to explain the reasoning behind the order and what he hopes to achieve from it. It is interesting to get his perspective on the case.3.15pm: I continue drafting my piece for the reply expert report with the assistance of my supervisor.3.30pm: I receive an email from a partner in another department requesting help. Other departments often do this for various reasons, including company searches, court runs and also those tasks that require longer time commitments such as closings. I am unable to help but another trainee has volunteered. 7.30pm: The partner managing the trial comes to my office for the daily update meeting with my supervisor and me. We discuss work that is complete and that which is outstanding. Soon after, I leave the office and go for a quick drink with the some of the other trainees. It's been a long day and I suspect the remainder of my seat in this department will be quite intense, but as IP trials are rare I know how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to see it through to the end. About the firm Address: 7 Bishopsgate London EC2N 3AR Telephone: 020 7577 6900 Fax: 020 7577 6950 Email:
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Senior partner: Peter MW Nias Managing partner: Hugh Nineham
Total partners: 602 (worldwide)
Other fee-earners:540 (worldwide)
Total trainees :8 (London)
Other offices: Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dusseldorf, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, Munich, New York, Orange County, Rome, San Diego, Silicon Valley, Washington DC, Strategic Alliance with MWE China Law Offices (Shanghai) Who we are: McDermott Will & Emery is a premier international law firm, with over 1,100 lawyers in offices throughout Europe, the US and Asia. What we do: Banking and finance, corporate (including M&A and private equity), dispute resolution, employment (including pensions), energy, EU competition, European telecom, media and technology, information technology, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, media and technology, securitisation and structured finance, tax, and US securities. What we are looking for: The firm is looking for the brightest, best and most entrepreneurial trainees. You will need to convince the firm you have made a deliberate choice to work at McDermott Will & Emery. What you will do: You will experience four seats over the two-year period. The firm is able to provide a degree of flexibility in tailoring seats to the individual. Trainees get regular support and feedback. Perks: Private medical and dental insurance, life assurance, permanent health insurance, season ticket loan, subsidised gym membership, employee assistance programme, 25 days' holiday. Sponsorship: GDL and LPC funding and maintenance grant. Application processApply to: Emma Doran, graduate recruitment. How to apply: Online application form via www.mwe.com. When to Apply: By 31 July 2010. What is involved: Assessment day, written test and one interview with partners. Facts and figuresTrainee places available for 2012 4 Applications received pa 500 Percentage interviewed 5% SalaryFirst year £39,000 (2008) Second year £43,000 (2008) |
