Which law firm is the best to work for?

Jan 29, 2023

Written By Zara Arif

Categorising anywhere as ‘the best’ place to work can be very difficult as different environments suit different people. Every law firm is different from the other, so what actually sets them apart, and which ones are known as being the best workplaces?

What makes a law firm a good place to work?

We can narrow down our categorisation by breaking it down into some key factors which most people look for in a workplace.

First and foremost, the firm’s area of specialism and the type of work it does is something important to consider. What are you interested in? Does the firm in question give you the opportunity to explore this through working on dynamic and exciting deals and cases within the area?

Other factors can be gained through networking with current or past employees. For example, what is the quality of the training contract provided? Do trainees feel supported and do they receive enough responsibility to feel like they are actively learning about the law in practice?

Another important factor for many might also be the salary. Although this shouldn’t be the be all and end all, it is important to consider to what extent the firm rewards the hours its lawyers put in. Another aspect of this for students to consider is the various grants for the SQE which a firm provides, as the amount given can vary from firm to firm.

Culture is also a word which is often thrown around at career fairs and open evenings. This is something that it is impossible to fully understand unless you actually work at the firm but you can definitely get a feel for what a firm stands for through researching its diversity and inclusion initiatives and its mental health support among other factors.

Other things to consider when choosing the best firm for you to work at might be the location of the firm and also the size of its trainee intake and teams. The style of work and type of work can vary enormously according to these factors and may cater better to certain personalities or skill sets.

Practice areas and Sector Specialism

This is perhaps the most important factor when considering which firm is the best place for you to work. Depending on whether you know where your legal interests lie, it might be best to choose a firm which has a very narrow specialism or one which has a wide range of specialisms and works in many sectors.

This information can easily be found on a firm’s website, annual report or through interacting with them at a careers event.

As an example, the Magic Circle firms tend to be regarded as the best places to work if you are interested in commercial or corporate law. Having said this, even each of these five firms has a different approach to the same kind of work and works with different clients. Therefore, research into each individual firm is key.

Training

To qualify as a lawyer, many students choose to complete a two-year training contract with a law firm.Those two years are a formative stage of any solicitor’s career and the place where you train can ultimately have a big impact on your future career.

So what makes a training contract good? And which firms have the best rated training contract?

It’s a good idea to read up on the law firm you’re interested in to learn more about the trainee experience. Why not get in contact with a current trainee via Linkedin or another social media to see how they like the course?

Another aspect to consider when applying to train at a firm is how many training contracts it actually offers. This is important as intake size can impact how much responsibility you may be given and indicate the size of the teams and firm you will be working in.

The firms which offer the most number of contracts are: Clifford Chance (110), Linklaters (100), CMS (95), and Slaughter and May (95).

Pay

For some this may be the differentiating factor. The pay lawyers receive varies massively according to their superiority and also the type of firm.

When researching firms, take into consideration not just the first-year salary, but also future salaries, such as what newly qualified lawyers earn. It’s also a good idea to look into the potential for bonuses, as well as the benefits the firm gives to employees.

Company culture and Ethos

The final, yet important consideration is the culture and ethos of a firm. Ultimately, your workplace should represent the same values that you have. This will help to ensure that you can thrive in the workplace without having to hide any part of your identity or struggle without support.

Some factors within this category that can make a law firm the best place for someone to work include: commitment to diversity and inclusion, mental health and peer support, and sustainability initiatives.

Diversity is something that can be hard to measure but a lot of law firms are growing conscious of the need to make their workforces more inclusive and are increasingly organising initiatives, workshops and even scholarships to facilitate this.

You can find out more about law firm’s diversity and inclusion policies on their website, or by attending an open day. Understanding how the firm supports underrepresented groups, and look after their employees’ mental wellbeing can help you understand whether the firm’s priorities align with yours.

Ultimately, what makes a law firm ‘the best’ place to work is very individual. When choosing where you want to work, there are a lot of factors to consider, but some careful research and networking should help you find the perfect fit for you.

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