A good social life while undertaking a training contract might seem like a contradiction in terms for those who fear long hours may get in the way. But some firms strive to provide opportunity for socialising and are better than others in creating a social life within the firm. Leathes Prior trainees highlight that ‘the social nature of the firm is second to none, but this is not just in the standard way you would expect. Everyone within the firm genuinely talks to each other and works together, and you will get to know everyone be they a partner, fee earner or part of the key support staff that keep the firm running’. A Leigh Day trainee highlights the ‘very good relationships with other members of my team and the firm as a whole; we are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular events’. At Thrings ‘the trainees organise the Christmas party and this was a great opportunity to learn responsibility, working together and working under pressure’. Brabners‘ trainees say that ‘the best thing about the firm is the culture. We have regular staff socials, networking events with clients, a regular netball league, charity fundraising events (regular 10Ks and half marathons), a charity race in the Lake District and a staff conference each year where staff spend the weekend listening to an external speaker and hearing about the firm’s performance’. Hill Dickinson trainees are given a ‘CSR Challenge’ at the start of the training contract; ‘we put on numerous events such as a Rugby World Cup Sweepstake and a Family Fortunes quiz’.