Marriott Harrison

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Marriott Harrison

With a standout reputation in venture capital and M&A, Marriott Harrison offers a training contract built around early responsibility, meaningful client contact and a genuinely supportive culture. The firm’s “strong VC practice and small trainee intake” mean that “trainees take on significant responsibility at an early stage” and often enjoy “more client contact and hands-on experience than one might expect in larger firms.” One respondent summed it up: “I feel like this is exactly what I have been getting, and I am very happy with it as a result.” Corporate work dominates the experience – and for those who want it, that’s a huge plus. One trainee said: “I was very vocal about my interest in VC at the start of my training contract and was provided with an opportunity to draft a term sheet and work directly with a partner on a VC investment during my second week.” Another recalled “being given the opportunity to take a lead role in running a share subscription deal” while a third described working closely with a partner on a distressed company acquisition in their first seat. “Rather than feeling like we are competing against each other,” noted one trainee, “the trainees at Marriott Harrison are also all extremely supportive of each other.” The firm’s culture is frequently described as “close-knit,” with praise for approachability, mentoring, and the lack of hierarchy. “People take the work seriously, but not themselves,” said one trainee: “It is great to learn from people that are both pleasant to be around and happy to teach.” While the hours can be “somewhat excessive in the corporate department,” this “comes in waves” and is often accepted as part of the high-level work on offer. The flip side is that “socialising/events can be minimal” – a trade-off not everyone minds. The hybrid-working policy gets a thumbs up. “There is no procedure to request working from home – we are trusted to regulate our own time,” said one trainee. Most report being in the office around three days a week. CSR opportunities are “plentiful” and “grassroots,” ranging from charity partnerships to firm-wide initiatives like card-writing with Age UK. While there is “currently no pro bono work,” trainees feel encouraged to participate in CSR and can even join the committee. Client secondments are available too – one trainee shared a “great experience” with a VC firm, gaining exposure to corporate and commercial matters while being supported by the client’s in-house team. For those seeking high-quality transactional work, close partner access and a down-to-earth culture in a small-firm setting, Marriott Harrison is an excellent fit.

About the firm

Introductory paragraph about the firm: We are an ambitious and multidisciplinary firm of 100+ specialists and growing.

We deliver the full suite of services needed to navigate the complex legal landscapes of growing, funding, expanding and protecting dynamic businesses and rapidly evolving technologies. You can explore our experience and discover the full range of expertise we deliver to our clients across advisory, corporate transactions, disputes and finance at www.marriottharrison.com

For those with the determination to deliver excellence, and ability to work collaboratively at pace, we offer space and support to achieve potential. We believe the development of our people is our most important investment in the future strength of the firm. That’s what makes us who we are.

We work from our central London base and serve clients in the US and across Europe through our strategic partnerships.

 

List of clients: We advise entrepreneurs, SMEs, national and international companies, private equity and venture capital houses, growth capital funds, banks and other financial institutions, management teams and high-net-worth individuals. Some key clients include Chiltern Capital, Audiotonix, Balderton, Beringea, Redalpine, Gresham House Ventures, Accel, Northzone, Amplience, Dialpad, Oxford Science Enterprises, Francisco Partners, Mizrahi Tefahot, Moonhub, Octane Capital, Investec, Zenzic Capital and CSBF Capital Partners.

List of deals/cases in which the firm has been recently involved:

• We advised Molten Ventures on their investment into Renew Risk
• The Marriott Harrison team advised longstanding client and multi-award-winning talent management and television production group, Avalon, on its investment in ‘Adolescence’
• We advised Redalpine on its investment into 9fin
• We acted for Singular and Redalpine on their $60m investment into Basecamp Research’s Series B Series B round
• Marriott Harrison advised transatlantic venture capital firm Beringea on its investment in MOTH
• The Marriott Harrison team advised British space tech company, Space Forge, on its $30m Series A led by NATO Innovation Fund
• The Marriott Harrison team advised Swedish private-equity-backed, Dacke Industri, on the acquisition of 80% of the shares in BTL-UK
• The Marriott Harrison team acted for Lagercrantz
• Marriott Harrison represented the members of Brachers LLP on its sale to the legal services firm Lawfront
• Advised Bridgepoint on financing for the management‑led buyout of Condatis
• Marriott Harrison served as legal counsel to Dialpad, the market leading AI-powered communications intelligence platform, on its acquisition of Surfboard, a workforce management platform
• Marriott Harrison acted for Swedish, publicly-listed tech group Lagercrantz on a number of UK acquisitions of manufacturing businesses.

Managing partner: Daniel Jacob. Daniel leads a team fully focused on delivery of exceptional service to help our clients to build, grow and scale the companies of the future. Daniel has built a multidisciplinary team with a first-class reputation for personal service and strategic advice grounded in deep understanding of the dynamic markets our clients are operating in.

Training principal: Graham Halliday oversees our Summer Vacation Scheme and Trainee Programme. He is also a VC partner at the firm. You can learn more about Graham on our website .

Who we are: We are trusted by the businesses and the world’s leading growth capital investors backing and scaling the ideas of the future. They rely on us especially at times of transformation, with the complex challenges related to growing, scaling, financing, refinancing, buying and selling innovative assets and companies.

Our clients are at the heart of what we do. Our role is to empower them to traverse the challenges of dynamic markets, to equip future-focused companies, investors and individuals with the strategic foresight needed to make bold, informed decisions.

We believe in our clients, in our people, and in long-lasting relationships.

What we do: The clients we work with are forward-thinking achievers and dealmakers who are changing, challenging and shaping the future. We work with innovative companies from start-up, through growth and maturity, and help established companies navigate complex processes of change and digital transformation. We work alongside our clients as a partner for growth. This includes proactively:

• accessing capital
• building commercial value through optimised operations in commercial contracts, technology and IP management
• evolving team capabilities and employment arrangements
• real estate financing and management, managing and resolving disputes
• tax arrangements and,
• fundraising and seed investments series A through C, development capital investment transactions and management-backed buyouts

What we’re looking for in a trainee: At Marriott Harrison we seek ambitious, entrepreneurial people who want to grow with the firm and who embody our values and team culture.

• Education – 2:1 degree or above
• Legal knowledge and commercial awareness – candidates who show an interest in our areas of expertise and can demonstrate relevant knowledge or expertise will stand out
• Problem solving – we encourage curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to see the bigger picture
• Drafting and communication – you deliver high quality written work and communicate effectively with people at all levels
• Project management – you’re a strong organiser, manage expectations and proactively anticipate next steps
• Client relationship and development – you focus on delivering an exceptional client experience and foster a positive mindset towards business growth
• Leadership – you have a growth mindset, are a team player and contributor. You are an active listener and inspire trust in your colleagues
• Ownership – you are proactive, show initiative and go above and beyond to achieve the best outcomes

Perks: 25 days’ annual holiday, permanent health insurance, life assurance, private healthcare, season ticket loan, pension scheme, cycle to work, employee assistance programme.

Sponsorship

If you have not yet taken the SQE course and exams, we will cover these costs.

Seat options

Corporate (includes Venture Capital and M&A), Business Restructuring & Banking, Commercial & IP/IT, Employment, Dispute Resolution and Commercial Real Estate.

4 x 6-month seats, with most trainees completing at least one corporate seat. All trainees are supervised by a partner or senior associate

Tips from the recruiter

1. Have clear motivations – know why you want to work at Marriott Harrison and understand the work we do and our values.
2. Attention to detail is key – check your application for any errors before submitting.
3. Authenticity – we value diversity of thought so lean into what makes you different.