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Clifford Chance

10 UPPER BANK STREET, LONDON, E14 5JJ
Tel:
Work 020 7006 1000
Fax:
Fax 020 7006 3563
DX:
149120 CANARY WHARF-3
Web:
www.cliffordchance.com
Email:
Washington DC, Warsaw, Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Sao Paulo , and 24 more

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? 'Prestige, international reach and reputation, excellent facilities, quality of work and deals'; 'banking specialisation'; 'very international'; 'best in the world'; 'secondment opportunities'; 'constant focus on being up-to-date'; 'good on CV, platform for future'; '30%+ of trainees from ethnic minorities'; 'biggest and best'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Very structured and very thorough'; 'significantly higher levels of client contact and responsibility'; 'higher quality of work, less social life'; 'academy and group training sessions have been invaluable in building up legal and business knowledge'; 'similar to other Magic Circle firms but with a slightly more relaxed atmosphere'; 'CC is number one for training. Period'

Best thing about the firm? 'Professionalism and people. It's also tried to be transparent regarding the reduction in headcount'; 'pro bono leadership'; 'international opportunities'; 'the people. The on-site gym and the pool a close second!'; 'hard work is appreciated'; 'the games room. Seriously' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'Not always the best work/life balance'; 'ongoing views in industry that the firm is slightly more 'blue collar' than Magic Circle peers'; 'location'; 'expected to drop everything in your life for clients'; 'hours (though not at the moment!)'; 'overly finance-oriented'; 'seat allocation process – not transparent at all'

Best moment? 'Listening to David Adams actually make the finance and capital markets induction interesting'; 'department retreats to Prague and Beijing'; 'six-month secondment to Airbus in Toulouse'; 'Hong Kong/Paris/Singapore/Dubai secondments'; 'finishing a long and eventful Slovenian IPO'; 'Dragon boat racing!'; 'having a partner who yelled at me recommend me for a job on qualification'

Worst moment? 'Being out of my depth and alone'; 'working until 4.50am, coming back at 9am'; 'having my Christmas holiday cancelled'; 'stressful closings'; 'being pummelled work-wise and nobody caring'; 'being told by my supervisor that I was 'eating too loud'''


Source: The Lex 100 - the student guide to UK law firms 2009/2010

Further information: Students and trainees can find full information on working for this firm here.

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