The firm
From its impressive offices overlooking Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, Norton Rose's strategic focus remains on five core areas: transport; financial services; technology; energy (the firm has market-leading green energy capability) and corporate finance. It has strength in asset and Islamic finance, with an office in Saudi Arabia and a licence to work in Abu Dhabi.
The star performers
Asset finance and leasing; Aviation; Commercial litigation; Corporate tax; Electricity, nuclear and renewables; Financial services; flotations; insurance; Islamic finance; Investment funds; Mergers and acquisitions; Planning; Private Finance Initiative (PFI); Project finance; Rail; Trade finance.
The deals
Advised on the English-law aspects of BA's merger with Iberia; represented the lenders on the $160m Islamic financing of a Boeing 777-200CR aircraft for Qatar Airways; advised on the restructuring of Ascendos Rail Leasing; advised Standard Bank on several multimillion-dollar facilities made available to MTN Nigeria; acted for Tullow Oil plc on a $650m revolving credit facility.
The clients
BMW; BP; Sonangol; The Chicago Mercantile Exchange; the African Development Bank; the government of Ras Al Khaimah; TriOptima; US Trustees of Lehman Brothers Inc.
The money
(from Legal Business magazine)
Turnover in 2010: £307m (-2% from 2009) Profits per equity partner: £485,000 (-17%)
The winners
Legal Business Awards 2011
Winner Insurance team of the year, Energy and Natural Resources team of the year, highly commended Law firm of the year.
The Verdict
With a strong reputation and a loyal following among current trainees, those looking to avoid the Magic Circle firms but work in a top-flight City firm should already be considering Norton Rose. With a hefty global footprint plus market-leader status in areas such as the energy and insurance sectors, the firm offers a six-seat rotational system where you are fully encouraged to get as involved as possible in the 'good' teams. Combining 'quality of work' with a 'generally good work/life balance', Norton Rose has a wide range of expertise in departments such as Islamic and project finance and there are plenty of opportunities to travel abroad either for a deal or on secondment. For a firm of its size there is a 'friendly atmosphere' with partners being approachable and giving 'constant feedback and encouragement'. The 'genuine' open-door policy also means that people are more 'down-to-earth' and 'personable'. Current trainees sometimes feel that their seat choices aren't really acknowledged. Be prepared also to be working as a part of a large team where you might not get the chance to know everybody. However, 'spending four months in Tokyo' or going on secondment to Singapore as well as working in a firm with a great international reputation, high-end clients and pleasant offices make Norton Rose a front runner for those hoping to pursue a career in high-end commercial law.