Speedread: with only a small number of trainees taken on in five offices, Morgan Cole provides its trainees with plenty of fee-earning work, for often well-known clients, and with a good chance of retention. Trainees are made to feel valued members of the team from day one and often manage their own files.

The firm: Morgan Cole provides a great work/life balance, with no expectation to work longer hours than necessary to get the work done. Trainees' hours vary according to the seat and to the amount of work being undertaken at the time but trainees do not regularly work late into the evening. Morgan Cole has a casual dress code on Fridays and colleagues regularly socialise for after-work drinks.

There is a strong emphasis on corporate social responsibility and regular events are organised to raise money for our chosen charities. These range from baking and selling cakes in the office to teams of 'Morgan Colers' completing sporting challenges such as the London Marathon, the Grim Challenge (an off-road run) and the Mumbles Raft Race, where previous participants built their own raft and competed in fancy dress!

Training: trainees complete four seats of six months each. There is usually only one trainee in any department and an office is shared with a fee-earner who is available to answer any queries. Trainees are given tasks by several fee-earners within the department, which allows for a varied and interesting workload. Although trainees are given responsibility early on, support is always available and colleagues are friendly and happy to answer any questions. Reviews are provided every three months. An independent mentor is available, if necessary, to discuss any concerns. Trainees attend professional skills courses throughout the year, which help to develop important skills and provide networking opportunities.

Seats: Morgan Cole offers a large choice of contentious and non-contentious seats, with all trainees' preferences considered but with priority given to second years. Trainees usually experience seats in at least two different offices during their training contract, giving them the chance to get to know the firm and their colleagues better. Secondments are often available.

Work: Trainees are expected to help out with the less glamourous jobs, such as preparing bundles when necessary, but the majority of work is challenging and of clear relevance to the progression of a file. Trainees frequently draft letters and contracts, undertake research and have client contact. In my first seat, I regularly attended meetings with clients and went to court several times to instruct counsel, at first under the supervision of a fee-earner and later on my own.

Trainees: Trainees come from varied academic and social backgrounds, with a mixture of law students, law conversion course students and career-changers. There is a pleasant and friendly relationship between trainees, who are always willing to share advice and to help each other out. The trainees in each region regularly get together for informal socialising and participate in networking events with young professionals from other firms. At least once a year, all the Morgan Cole trainees meet for the professional skills course.

Finally: Morgan Cole is a regional law firm which provides an interesting and varied workload in a friendly and supportive environment. With a good work/life balance and the chance to get involved in charity fundraising, it presents an excellent opportunity to start a promising legal career.