COLLINS HOUSE, 32-38 STATION ROAD, GERRARDS CROSS, SL9 8EL
- Tel:
- Work 01753 889995
- Fax:
- Fax 01753 889851
- DX:
- 40256 GERRARDS CROSS
- Web:
- www.bpcollins.co.uk
- Email:
Each year The Lex 100 surveys thousands of trainees in the major UK law firms. This is an extract from their independent findings:
The lowdown (in their own words...)
Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'The broad range of practice areas, the quality of work and the clients were very appealing'; 'trainees are given good quality work, lots of responsibility and an opportunity to excel'; 'type and quality of work, location; 'I was brought up nearby and the firm was known to me – it has a good reputation'
How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Very well for the most part – hours are much more sensible and the level of responsibility is greater'; 'much better'; 'we get more exposure to real issues in a case and more client contact'; 'the environment is more supportive and the workload more manageable'
Best thing about the firm? 'The friendliness and the fact that the people who are involved in training take their responsibilities very seriously'; 'everyone is approachable and willing to help – you feel as though you could ask anyone if you need some advice and there's no such thing as a stupid question'; 'you are trusted and encouraged to run your own files'
Worst thing about the firm? 'The pay – it has improved since I started, but it could still be better'; 'no canteen!'; 'lack of benefits, level of pay, poor social scene'; 'it is very focused on wealthy clients and there isn't much encouragement to do pro bono work'
Best moment? 'Being told that some of the letters I had drafted were being kept as precedents because they explained the legal issues so well'; 'running a file from early stages of litigation through to trial and achieving a good result for the client'; 'being able to explain a complex trust structure to a client via a letter and being praised for it by my supervisor'
Worst moment? 'Getting stuck in the office before Christmas trying to convince an obstinate client to settle their claim before time ran out'; 'using a manual paginator to paginate 1,433 pages of a bundle – to find that I'd missed out page 3'; 'receiving a call at 7.15am on day one of a week-long trial from the barrister who had come down with an illness, and then having to relay the news to the client'