No prizes for predicting an absence of Magic Circle/big City firms in this table, and congratulations to all these winners who are getting one of the most important things right. Of 21 firms in the list, only five are based in London, with the others spread out around the country. Interestingly most are Southern-based firms (three from Bristol, two from Exeter, and others from Portsmouth, Plymouth, Kent and Surrey). And the overall winner? Reading-based Boyes Turner , where trainees cite as their reason for choosing the firm 'its reputation for an excellent work/life balance'. One comments: 'I am never expected to work excessively long hours', while another likes the 'free drinks on Fridays from 5pm' which make work a more enjoyable place. In second place is Bristol firm Burges Salmon, showing you can have 'top-quality work in a great location' with 'an excellent work/life balance'. It is good to see a London firm at number three – one Penningtons Solicitors LLP trainee is pleased to discover that what they saw on the vac scheme is really possible: 'I saw a great potential for getting a range of good quality work and having a good work life balance'. Other London firms include long-established Boodle Hatfield ('I have lots of hands-on work and responsibility but an excellent work/life balance too - I am rarely in the office after 6.30') and US/UK merged firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP ( 'good pay without demanding your blood for money'). Ashfords in Exeter offers the chance to be part of a growing, ambitious regional firm 'in beautiful countryside with a fantastic work/life balance', while Blake Lapthorn offers 'high-quality work in London and Portsmouth without compromising on a life outside the office'. Northern firms have less of a showing in this table, but Brabners Chaffe Street LLP from Liverpool is here with 'a very healthy balance between work and play', while fellow Liverpool firm Hill Dickinson has a 'healthy work/life balance and good team spirit'. In the Midlands, Birmingham's Anthony Collins Solicitors ('strong values and worthwhile work while maintaining a good work/life balance') and Browne Jacobson LLP from Nottingham ('the work/life balance is brilliant. All of the trainees regularly leave work at 5pm') also feature. But overall this year it is the Southern firms showing the rest what to do.