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Martineau 
Lex 100 winner
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The trainee verdict

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The lowdown (in their own words...)


Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'From the moment I went for interview, I felt welcomed, relaxed and excited about the possibility of working there'; 'passionate about what they do and work together as a team to satisfy the needs of their clients'; 'size, six-seat system'; 'variety of departments, including specialist areas of energy and banking'; 'well-respected history and partners'; 'location and friendliness'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Not as stressful, better hours although you still have to pull your weight when needed'; 'better than most, particularly in terms of work/life balance and quality of work'; 'seem to have a comparable level of work'; 'smaller salary'; 'better supervision'; 'close contact with partners and tailored IT training'

Best thing about the firm? 'The open-plan layout is replicated in the openness and approachability of all the fee-earners and partners'; 'good quality work and decent working hours'; 'there is a highly active social culture and strong friendships between the trainees'; 'the work/life balance and the general atmosphere' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'The lack of information given to the trainees regarding the internal workings of the firm and the management's plans for the future'; 'the salary'; 'not always getting maximum exposure to work'; 'not well known outside Birmingham'; 'getting IT to help you (unless you are a girl)'

Best moment? 'The appreciation shown to me and for the work I had done in my first seat'; 'representing the firm at a case management conference by myself'; 'drinking champagne after an all-night completion'; 'advocacy at county court hearing'; 'being heavily involved in a large transaction at every stage until completion'

Worst moment? 'A few stressful days and nights at the office to complete work for a deadline'; 'spending the entire day in a small, airless room putting together bundles'; 'accidentally addressing a very established private client of the firm in a meeting by his first name'; 'having a memory blank at a hearing - it was awful!'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

Based in Birmingham with an office in London, 'stalwart firm' Martineau now has 48 partners and over 100 other lawyers working across a broad range of key commercial areas. The firm is a founder member of MultiLaw which has more than 60 members worldwide and enables it to deliver legal services internationally. Martineau is strong across the board, but continues to stand out for its excellence in the education and energy sectors.


The star performers

Agriculture and estates; Banking and finance; Charities; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Construction; Corporate and commercial; Corporate tax; Debt recovery; Education; Employment; Energy; Environment; EU and competition; Family; Health and Safety; Insolvency and corporate recovery; Licensing; Local Government; Pensions; Personal tax, trusts and probate; PFI; Planning; TMT; Transport.

The deals

Advised First Trust Bank on a loan facility to fund the development of a luxury hotel; advised on the £50m restructuring of a travel group; advising Accura Support Services on its £37m sale to August Private Equity; advised Staffordshire University on the procurement of the works and services contracts for the development of four major new learning facilities, with a projected capital value over £100m; advised Foresight on the establishment of a £300m fund to invest in green projects.

The clients

Arup; Birmingham University; British Energy; Centro; Christian Vision; Land Energy; National Grid; South Staffordshire Water; University of Cumbria; Wolverhampton City Council.

The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2008: £23.2m (+10% from 2007) Profits per equity partner: £244,000 (+22%)


The Lex 100 verdict

Birmingham-based Martineau is a new entry to the Lex 100 this year and has performed very well in our survey, with high scores in all categories. The firm impresses candidates from day one - 'from the moment I went for the interview, I felt welcomed, relaxed and excited about the possibility of working there' comments one trainee. Others talk of the 'can do attitude, the professional yet relaxed approach and the enjoyable working atmosphere'. Senior staff ensure they get to know all the trainees by name and the attitude to training is inclusive and supportive. There is also 'a highly active social culture and strong friendships between the trainees'. Not surprising then that Martineau is a Lex 100 Winner in the friendliness and social life categories. It is also a winner for its vacation scheme which 'gave a true picture of life at this organised and dedicated firm'. Trainees here like the feeling that they are part of an ambitious team - 'the firm is passionate about what it does and has shown a commitment to the business and its people by its investment in one of the most prestigious and state-of-the-art office developments in Birmingham'. Perhaps this is why the firm can't afford to pay its trainees more. One of the main complaints about Martineau is the salary, which is described as 'not comparable to other similar-sized firms in Birmingham'. Trainees would also like to see their firm making an impact on the wider legal market and becoming better known outside Birmingham. The good far outweighs the bad, however, and if you're looking for a fun, friendly atmosphere and good exposure to a wide variety of work (with specialist areas such as energy and education, as well as mainstream corporate and commercial), in a well-respected firm then consider Martineau.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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