Bristows LLP

Address: 100 Victoria Embankment, London, EC4Y 0DH

Web: bristows.com

Email: trainee.recruitment@bristows.com

 

Survey results

The lowdown (in their own words...)

The Verdict

Bristows has a 'phenomenal reputation in intellectual property' and 'world-class clients'. The firm is also 'exceptional' in the life sciences and TMT sectors, with trainees frequently citing these specialisms as key reasons for choosing the firm. Beyond the technical expertise, there is an 'emphasis on teamwork' and an 'inclusive atmosphere' where 'partners are much more approachable', with supervisors praised for being 'keen for you to learn and tackle new things, even if it actually slows things down for them'. Recruits describe their work as 'genuinely interesting' and appreciate the degree of 'direct contact' they have with the 'fantastic and interesting client base'. Working hours are 'much more regular and sociable' in a firm which 'really is one big team', and 'trainees get involved at every level of the case'. All things considered, it is unsurprising that Bristows has earned an impressive eight Lex 100 Winner medals, with job satisfaction and friendliness among the firm's many accomplishments. Be that as it may, trainees still grumbled about the IT system which 'could do with updating' and the pace of 'progress and changes' left a lot to be desired. 'Weekend bundling' and 'having to cancel a train home on a Friday evening to work late' did not go down so well either, although it was acknowledged that 'this happens rarely'. Work highlights included 'being awarded an interim injunction preventing a cheats/hacks website from being able to offer their cheats in the UK' and 'contributing an idea in a strategy meeting, the partner agreeing and us going in that direction'. If you want to work for a firm which is 'frequently ranked as one of the best firms for intellectual property', with a 'fantastic atmosphere', apply to Bristows.

 A day in the life of...

Joseph Sako second-year trainee, Bristows LLP 

Departments to date:  Competition, real estate, secondment to Capgemini, commercial IP/IT

University:University of York 
Degree:History and Politics (BA), 1st 

8.30am:  Not many people are here at this time so it gives me a chance to read through any emails that have come in overnight and get a few small tasks out of the way to get a head start on the day. I grab a quick coffee in the staff common room (the Hub) with a couple of the other trainees and then head back upstairs to my desk. I currently sit with Mark Watts, one of the partners in the commercial IP/IT team.

9.15am:  I have been helping a partner write a speech she is due to give in the US in a couple of days' time on technology and its impact on the healthcare industry. I spend some time reviewing the current draft and doing some further research into areas that haven't been covered, in order to make the final additions and amendments before sending it off for review.

10.30am:  One of the data protection associates in the department asks if I would be available to jump on a call with a client and take a note. I check my calendar and make sure that there are no other looming deadlines before dialling in.

12.30pm:  Bristows is part of the Inn Group which is a collaboration of London-based law firms. Each firm takes it in turns to host lunchtime training seminars on various topics. It is Bristows' turn to host, so I collect whichever of the trainees are also around and head to Darwin and Franklin (one of the client meeting rooms at Bristows - each is named after a famous scientist). The talk is on 'Non-traditional trade marks'. The speakers tend to be experienced barristers that work in the area so the talks are usually really interesting and a great way to learn about the law and socialise with other colleagues at the same time (and grab a free lunch!).

1.30pm:  We are co-ordinating a project for a client to obtain advice from a number of different countries on some specific areas of consumer contract law. I have spent the last couple of days researching the area and have put together a draft of our responses to the client's questions. I grab a cup of tea and a biscuit from the Hub and sit down to make some final tweaks before sending to the senior associate I am working with for her to review.

2.45pm:  I am on clerking duty this week, meaning that I am responsible for delivering anything that needs to go to court or to another law firm. One of the associates in the IP litigation team needs to lodge a letter at the Civil Appeals Office, so I head out and walk up the road to the Royal Courts of Justice.

3.15pm:  A senior associate asks that I draft an email to the Israeli lawyers we are working with on a global project to explain how our client's product works. I look through my notes to make sure that I fully understand the product myself and draft the email.

3.45pm:  I start to write up an attendance note for the client call I attended this morning. I didn't quite understand all of the terminology so I spend quite a bit of time on PLC trying to get to grips with the content and searching for definitions of the terms I didn't understand.

5.15pm:  I get an email from a partner working on a contract for a big technology client asking if I have some time this evening to do some research. I do some digging on Westlaw and PLC and when I think I've found some relevant material I send a note of my findings to the partner.

6.45pm:  I roughly type up the rest of my notes from the call this morning, ready to tidy it up in the morning and look over it with fresh eyes. Once that's done, I prepare my to-do list for the next day, tidy up my desk and head out with one of the trainees for a quick drink before heading home.