Kennedys

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Kennedys

Kennedys draws trainees with its strong insurance focus and approachable culture. As one explained, “Kennedys specialises in the particular area of law that I wish to qualify into,” while others joined after paralegalling and “really enjoyed the nature of the work and the firm’s culture, work-life balance and approachability/friendliness of all who work here.” The firm is praised for its “approachable staff and senior fee earners; friendly culture; quality client secondment opportunities,” with recruits also citing its “good reputation, good training, good benefits” and “variety of seat options.” Training is generally well regarded, though experiences can vary. One trainee summed it up as “much better – good training opportunities, you are not just given admin tasks here, and supervisors/partners are genuinely invested in your development.” Another described the training as “excellent. I am aware that some friends at other firms are having difficulties.” Others, however, describe it as “a little less structured” with “poor work allocation” and felt that “the onus is on the trainee to train themselves/get work.” The trainee academy was praised but also seen as “maybe a bit outdated now.” Work-life balance is a consistent theme: “better work-life balance; more opportunities to meet/interact with clients; flexible and autonomous working conditions; friendlier culture.” The “people” are highlighted as the best thing about the firm, with one trainee appreciating “the amount of responsibility that is entrusted to you” early on. On the flip side, pay is a recurring issue: “remuneration average – took a pay cut to do Training Contract,” while another observed “it pays less than other firms of its size because all the clients are insurers which lowers charging rates.” Other drawbacks include “the lack of training and lack of transparency” and “the non-existent social opportunities.” Memorable moments include “working on own matter from start to conclusion,” “a trip to Tunisia to conduct a client visit,” and “attending a mediation within my first six months and the senior colleague taking my advice in terms of strategy and response.” Trainees also spoke of recognition, such as a “GEM Award for excellence in First Seat,”.” Hybrid working is “very good” and “excellent,” usually allowing 2–3 days from home, though “team dependent” and “not for trainees” in some cases. Pro bono and CSR have improved over time, with one noting, “It has now increased which is amazing to see – it showed they listened,” and another adding, “I have signed up for some pro bono work recently.” For those interested in insurance law, early responsibility, and a culture that prioritises balance and autonomy, Kennedys provides a strong platform to develop.

About the firm

Introductory paragraph about the firm: Kennedys is a global law firm with expertise in dispute resolution and advisory services. With over 2,900 people worldwide across 47 offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and America we have some of the most respected legal minds in their field.

Our lawyers handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, and provide a range of specialist legal services for many industry sectors but we have particular expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, especially in defending insurance and liability claims.

We’re a fresh-thinking firm, and we’re not afraid to bring challenging new perspectives to the table way beyond the traditional realm of legal services. We empower our clients with a diverse range of ideas, tools and technology to make their lives easier, as well as delivering exceptional results, every time.

List of deals/cases in which the firm has been recently involved: Please see our website here.

Senior partner: John Bruce

UK Managing partner: Ben Aram

Other offices: Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Taunton, Auckland – New Zealand, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth Wellington, Singapore, Brussels, Dublin, Copenhagen, Madrid, Dubai, Muscat, Paris, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Bogota, Santiago, Lima, Brazil, Austin, Fort Lauderdale, Basking Ridge, Bermuda, Chicago, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Seattle Wilmington, Philadelphia,

Who we are: Kennedys is a global law firm with expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in the insurance and liability industries. With over 2,900 people worldwide across 47 offices in the UK and Europe, the US, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America, we have some of the most respected legal minds in their fields. We’re here to make a difference for our clients, and each other, every day. We empower our people to deliver the very best work and reach their full potential.

What we do: Kennedys’ lawyers handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, and provide a range of specialist legal services for many industry sectors, including: insurance and reinsurance, aviation, banking and finance, construction, healthcare, life sciences, public sector, rail, real estate, retail, shipping and international trade, sport and leisure, transport and logistics. Kennedys also has particular expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, especially in defending insurance and liability claims.

What we’re looking for in a trainee: Kennedys aims to recruit the best trainee talent and encourage diversity, and an environment built upon different skills and backgrounds, to represent our global firm. Kennedys has a vibrant and supportive working environment and is looking for sociable and enthusiastic team players with commercial awareness.

What you’ll do: Kennedys has both a two-year training contract and a 30-month graduate apprenticeship, which allows trainees to develop relevant experience and skills that set them up in their careers as an excellent solicitor.

During the training contract, trainees will complete four six-month seats across Kennedys’ core practice areas of insurance and reinsurance, liability, healthcare and commercial. Kennedys also offers exciting client and international secondment opportunities. In addition, trainees will be given the opportunity to attend in-house and external seminars, while having access to a large array of online training through Kennedys’ internal learning management system.

The 30 month training programme will involve working alongside our experienced lawyers in one of our legal teams, whilst studying with BPP one day per week. In addition to a dedicated supervisor at Kennedys, you will have a tutor and skills coach at BPP, to ensure that you have all the support you need at work and with your studies.

Over the course of the programme, you will gain Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) by working alongside experienced legal professionals on real cases, whilst studying towards a Level 6 CILEX qualification, developing your legal knowledge and skills. You will also prepare for and complete the SQE, paving the way to becoming a qualified solicitor.

This route provides an alternative to the traditional rotational training contract and allows you to earn while you learn, building a solid foundation for a successful legal career. Graduates looking to start the programme must have completed a law degree or a non-law degree and a law conversion course, prior to starting with Kennedys. Kennedys will fully fund your training during the programme.

Perks: Pension scheme, private medical insurance, life insurance, income protection, employee assistance programme (EAP), corporate GP, well-being subsidy, nursery scheme, season ticket loan, eye care vouchers, Cycle to Work Scheme, Headspace, Peppy, 25 days’ holiday (increasing to 27 after five years), wellbeing day.

Sponsorship

Before starting a training contract, we ask all of our future trainees to undertake the LLM SQE1&2 course at BPP, before sitting the SQE exams and we will fund course fees and provide a maintenance grant during the study period. Non-law graduates will be required to complete a law conversion course and SQE preparation course prior to undertaking the SQE and Kennedys will offer a reimbursement for this.

If successful candidates have already completed the LPC/SQE Kennedys will offer reimbursements.

Seat options

London: Aviation, Marine, Financial, Casualty & Political Risks, Serious & Catastrophic Injury, Real Estate & Construction, Transactions & Advisory, Products Law & Life Sciences;

London & Manchester: Property/Energy/Construction, Professional Liability, Crime & Regulatory, Employment, Commercial Disputes.

Manchester: Casualty & Corporate Claims

These seat options are subject to change.

Tips from the recruiter

1. Be proactive with your research (investigate the firm and our core practice areas – is there anything that interests you?).
2. Answer authentically and honesty (only select answers or include information that truly reflects how you would genuinely respond).
3. Always make sure you link your work experience with what you have learnt and how it is relevant to a career in law.