Focus on training as a solicitor with a leading international law firm

Trowers & Hamlins

WELCOME TO TROWERS & HAMLINS

From nine offices across the UK, Middle East and Far East, we offer a comprehensive and joined-up service to clients across the globe. Our 860 people, including 154 partners, are focused on providing commercial advice to businesses and governments geared towards tackling tomorrow’s challenges in industry. Our core areas of practice include real estate, corporate, dispute resolution and banking and finance.

Each year we recruit around 23 trainees, split between March and September intakes and spread across our offices in London, Birmingham, Exeter and Manchester. All trainees work across a range of seats and many have the opportunity to spend time in one of our offices in the Middle East.

We offer 30 summer vacation scheme places. These are a great opportunity to experience our culture first hand and to begin to build your understanding of a career in the law. We also host a winter open day each year – a combination of formal presentations and team building exercises designed to give you an insight into what a training contract involves and what our firm is all about.

Find all you need to know at trowers.com/careers/students

WHY ARE YOU CONSIDERING A CAREER IN LAW? WHAT EXPERIENCES HAVE LED YOU TO THAT DECISION? WHAT KIND OF CULTURE DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF? HOW DO YOU WANT TO DEVELOP? WHERE DO YOU WANT TO FIND YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE?

In this short guide we’ve asked a handful of Trowers people to tell us what they are doing right now, to look back at what shaped their decisions back then, and to think about their goals for the future and how they will feel when they achieve them.

All sorts of people build careers and flourish here, but what they all have in common are a few important shared points of view and ways of getting things done. This is about them, us and about you too.

Above: Photos from our graduate recruitment filming day. Watch our short films at trowers.com/careers/students

“ HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN A SUPPORTIVE TEAM ”

I read law because I wanted to challenge myself and to gain

transferable skills, such as how to present an argument well. Working

part time as a paralegal showed me that I really wanted to be a lawyer. I

was lucky enough to earn a place on a vacation scheme at Trowers and

saw how trainees benefited from a balance of hands-on experience,

broad practice and great support. I knew it was the firm for me. Getting

so much early practical experience you really learn to challenge yourself

and develop as a solicitor; to know when to ask questions and put

your opinion forward. From trainee to qualified solicitor is a big step – a

training contract that gives you responsibility and client contact early on

really helps with the transition.

STEPHANIE GEESINK

Now: Newly qualified solicitor specialising in dispute resolution in the construction industry. Based in London.

Then: Trained at Trowers following a summer vacation scheme at the firm and working as a paralegal.

When: Building contacts and profile in the construction industry and hoping one day to make partner at Trowers.

“ BE YOURSELF AND YOU’LL FIT IN ”

I wanted to be part of a firm that knew who I was. Trowers seemed

genuinely interested in me as an individual. Our trainees come from

all sorts of different backgrounds which creates an environment

where we are constantly learning from each other. A highlight of my

training contract so far was my seat in Oman which was an amazing

experience. As part of a small team, the work I was entrusted with was

at a very high level. My advice is to really do your homework; find out

what we do and who we do it for. It sounds a cliché but be yourself –

that’s how you’ll fit in here.

NEZ ZEIN

Now: Third seat trainee in real estate.

Based in London. Previous seats in

corporate and in international corporate/

banking in Oman.

Then: Read anthropology at Durham and

worked as a paralegal at Trowers before

starting his training contract.

When: Qualifying and building a career

alongside my fellow trainees at Trowers.

“ AN EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUALITY ”

I did three vacation schemes. At the larger firm there was a sense of

being a number not an individual. At the smaller firm, the quality of

work just wasn’t as good. Trowers had a perfect balance of big work

and a small firm vibe. There are lots of individuals here, but what

they all have in common is approachability. From partner downwards

there’s an open door policy and a feeling of belonging to a team. I’ve

learned not to be afraid to ask questions; you’re here to learn and are

encouraged to take part and get the most out of your training contract.

This is a firm that’s not just focused on academic achievement;

personality is important too - so let yours shine through.

ANNA STREETER

Now: Third seat trainee in projects and construction. Based in London. Previous seats in real estate and in corporate in Bahrain.

Then: English and philosophy at Southampton followed by doing the GDL, the LPC and experience as a paralegal.

When: Looking forward to qualification

and to building a career in the Trowers

real estate practice.

“ WORKING ACROSS OFFICES AND GEOGRAPHIES ”

I focused on Trowers for the unique mix of public and private sector

expertise. But the people I met at open days had the biggest influence

on me – approachable people that I felt like I could really learn from.

My advice is to really evaluate what you’re looking for and contrast that

against your existing skills. Remember that as a graduate you’re not

the finished article, but you do need to have self-awareness. During my

training I’ve learned a lot about myself, my approach to work and how

law fits into the commercial world. When you start a training contract

you have a wonderful opportunity to learn, to explore and to build an

invaluable and essential solid understanding of the law.

JAMES PEARSON

Now: Third seat trainee in dispute resolution and litigation. Based in Manchester. Previous seats in real estate and banking and finance.

Then: Started out on course to be a professional rugby player, then a career in the education sector before doing the LPC.

When: Looking forward to refining skills

and exploring where to specialise.

“ BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK ”

I was searching for a hands-on challenge and Trowers continues to

deliver that. I was drawn to the firm’s expertise in Exeter, but I’ve found

myself meeting and working with people across all of our offices.

Anyone considering law should understand it in context. Get to know

current affairs, it will make you a better lawyer. I’ve learned so much here

– most importantly I’ve grown in confidence, developed assertiveness

and become more articulate – vital skills. You’ll find yourself part of

two communities. One’s the office and team you work in. The other

is the trainee community that comes together for training and social

events that build friendships and networks that last through training,

qualification and your career.

SOPHIE CRITCHLEY

Now: Fourth seat trainee in real estate. Based in Exeter. Previous seats in travel, private wealth and corporate / employment.

Then: A plan to study medicine was diverted by an interest in medical ethics and the law.

When: Qualifying into private wealth. Looking forward to building experience and knowledge, and moving on up at Trowers.

“ INDIVIDUAL IDEAS MAKE A GREAT TEAM ”

Dubai was an amazing experience. A smaller office with large deals

meant a lot more for me to do. It was great to experience a different

culture and way of working. Thanks to the open, approachable culture

there’s a real feeling that you are known right across the firm. I started

on a vacation scheme here – an experience that drew me to apply

for a training contract. The blend of diversity and friendly teamwork

with a unique mixture of public and private sector work was a real

selling point for me. To thrive here you’ll need a genuine interest in and

passion for the law, be down-to-earth and friendly, and be driven to

deliver excellent results for our clients – that’s why we’re in business.

CATHERINE SMALL

Now: Fourth seat trainee in corporate. Based in London. Previous seats in public sector commercial, construction in Dubai and real estate.

Then: History degree followed by law school and a vacation scheme at Trowers.

When: Looking forward to qualification, more client responsibility and becoming a permanent member of the real estate team; one that’s really innovating in its sector.

“ IT TAKES ALL SORTS ”

‘Friendly, professional, successful’ – three words that sum up the whole

firm. We look out for one another and we are in it together. We’re focused

on excellent service, excellent quality and doing a really good job.

And we consistently get good results for great clients. We are all sorts

of people – but everyone’s a team player, self confident, able and

entrepreneurial. It’s still unusual for a law firm to be led by a woman and

I’m very proud of our record on diversity. The people we hire now will

benefit from our continued growth. Last year our turnover grew by 8%

overall and headcount in our regional offices grew by 30% – national

growth is a vital part of the future of this firm. If our firm sounds like your

kind of place then we’d love to hear from you.

JENNIE GUBBINS

Now: Corporate lawyer and senior partner. Based in London.

Then: Trained at Trowers, joining in 1980.

When: Focused on growing the firm’s reach, expertise and people.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC337852 whose registered office is at 3 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YZ. Trowers & Hamlins LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The word "partner" is used to refer to a member of Trowers & Hamlins LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications or an individual with equivalent status in one of Trowers & Hamlins LLP's affiliated undertakings. A list of the members of Trowers & Hamlins LLP together with those non-members who are designated as partners is open to inspection at the registered office.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP has taken all reasonable precautions to ensure that information contained in this document is accurate but stresses that the content is not intended to be legally comprehensive. Trowers & Hamlins LLP recommends that no action be taken on matters covered in this document without taking full legal advice. © Trowers & Hamlins 2016

—— trowers.com

Head to our website and follow us on social media to watch our graduate recruitment films, hear more from our trainees, and for details about applying for our training contracts.

trowers.com/careers/students

@Trowers_GradRec

@Trowers

Our offices

Birmingham10 Colmore RowBirminghamB3 2QD

Manchester55 Princess StreetManchesterM2 4EW

DubaiBurjuman Business TowerSheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road(Trade Centre Road)PO Box 23092, DubaiUnited Arab Emirates

ExeterThe SenateSouthernhay GardensExeterEX1 1UG

London3 Bunhill RowLondon EC1Y 8YZ

Abu DhabiFloor P1, Tower C1Al Bateen TowersBainuna StreetPO Box 45628, Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates

MalaysiaSuites 27 - 29, CEO SuiteMenara Maxis, 36th FloorKuala Lumpur City CentreKuala Lumpur 50088Malaysia

BahrainBahrain World Trade Center7th Floor, West TowerPO Box 3012, ManamaBahrain

OmanAl Jawhara BuildingAl Muntazah StreetShatti Al Qurum, PO Box 2991PC 112, MuscatSultanate of Oman