Training at Farrer & Co
Training at Farrer & Co
Training at Farrer & Co
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<strong>Training</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>
“More than 60% of the firm’s current partners trained<br />
with the firm, which shows why the recruitment of<br />
trainees is taken so seriously. We are recruiting the firm’s<br />
future and th<strong>at</strong> is important, and each year as the new<br />
recruits arrive you can see from the welcome they get<br />
just how important the whole firm feels the process is.”<br />
James Furber, Senior Partner<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> has built its success on the goodwill of close client rel<strong>at</strong>ionships, outstanding<br />
expertise in niche sectors and a careful <strong>at</strong>tention to personal service and quality. Many of<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>’s lawyers are recognised as leaders in their chosen fields. The firm has a long<br />
tradition, d<strong>at</strong>ing back over 300 years, of being <strong>at</strong> the forefront of legal changes and<br />
developments.<br />
“The range of work is brilliant, but the people are wh<strong>at</strong> really make me want to come to work<br />
every day. The people are intelligent, interesting and fun.”<br />
“Trainees like the diverse and fascin<strong>at</strong>ing work, the six-se<strong>at</strong> system, the chance to meet<br />
interesting clients and the special culture of the firm - less about taking over the world,<br />
more about enjoying your work - a radical thought! The work/life balance is good allowing<br />
for plenty of socialising and all staff are tre<strong>at</strong>ed as individuals ensuring a gre<strong>at</strong> team spirit.<br />
The quality of work is good too, with trainees enjoying plenty of hands-on responsibility and<br />
some already feeling like fully-fledged solicitors.”<br />
“Most trainees feel very lucky to be here, with one commenting ‘my training and<br />
experiences are 100 times better than elsewhere’. If you’re lucky enough to land a training<br />
contract here, we are sure you won’t be disappointed.”<br />
LEX 100 2009/2010<br />
2
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> is a modern law firm<br />
with a distinguished history<br />
The firm...<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> is a successful law firm with a<br />
distinguished history and an excellent<br />
reput<strong>at</strong>ion built up over many years. In a<br />
number of its specialist disciplines, it is a<br />
market leader.<br />
The firm provides a full service to priv<strong>at</strong>e,<br />
institutional and commercial clients, as well<br />
as having outstanding expertise in a number<br />
of niche sectors. This is coupled with<br />
careful <strong>at</strong>tention to personal service and<br />
quality, a reput<strong>at</strong>ion for discretion and a<br />
strong emphasis on the human touch based<br />
on the goodwill of numerous close client<br />
rel<strong>at</strong>ionships.<br />
We have around 350 staff, including 200<br />
lawyers (73 of whom are partners) and an<br />
annual turnover of £42.6 million in 2009/10.<br />
The firm practises <strong>at</strong> its Lincoln's Inn Fields<br />
address <strong>at</strong> the heart of London's legal world,<br />
and its work falls into four core disciplines:<br />
commercial, priv<strong>at</strong>e client, litig<strong>at</strong>ion and<br />
property law.<br />
3
We provide challenging and stimul<strong>at</strong>ing<br />
work, helping trainees develop the<br />
skills they will need as lawyers<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong> we do…<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> has a dynamic team structure<br />
with 12 teams, as follows:<br />
Banking and Financial Services<br />
Charity & <strong>Co</strong>mmunity<br />
<strong>Co</strong>mmercial Property<br />
<strong>Co</strong>rpor<strong>at</strong>e<br />
Disputes & Media<br />
Employment<br />
Est<strong>at</strong>es & Priv<strong>at</strong>e Property<br />
Family<br />
Intellectual Property & <strong>Co</strong>mmercial<br />
Priv<strong>at</strong>e Client - Intern<strong>at</strong>ional<br />
Priv<strong>at</strong>e Client - Onshore<br />
Priv<strong>at</strong>e Client - Tax<br />
We have expertise in a number of niche<br />
sectors, including art & heritage, higher<br />
educ<strong>at</strong>ion, museums & galleries, schools<br />
and sports.<br />
We advise a variety of interesting and<br />
diverse clients, including high-profile and/or<br />
high-net-worth individuals and families;<br />
companies and other commercial<br />
organis<strong>at</strong>ions (including banks, PLCs,<br />
professional practices and media<br />
organis<strong>at</strong>ions); charities; schools and<br />
universities; museums and galleries; sports<br />
bodies, and n<strong>at</strong>ional institutions.<br />
4
Ben Amoah joined as a trainee<br />
in 2009. He studied Law <strong>at</strong><br />
Birmingham.<br />
“From very early on, I was trusted to speak directly<br />
with clients and solicitors for the other side. One such<br />
example was where I was responsible for negoti<strong>at</strong>ing<br />
a commercial settlement on behalf of a client based<br />
overseas. The trust and responsibility given to me<br />
and all trainees <strong>at</strong> such an early stage has allowed<br />
me to build confidence <strong>at</strong> a quicker r<strong>at</strong>e than I<br />
initially imagined...”<br />
“During my two week vac<strong>at</strong>ion scheme <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>,<br />
I worked alongside trainees, associ<strong>at</strong>es and partners in two<br />
very different departments: Dispute Resolution and Property.<br />
I was struck by the extent to which vac<strong>at</strong>ion scheme students<br />
were immedi<strong>at</strong>ely made to feel part of the team and were<br />
exposed to a variety of interesting work, from <strong>at</strong>tending client<br />
meetings to visiting <strong>Co</strong>urt.”<br />
Meg Ryder joined as a trainee<br />
in 2009. She studied History<br />
<strong>at</strong> Edinburgh.<br />
In September 2009, 10 new trainees joined<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>.<br />
Pictured from L to R: Sukhjit Gill, Harry Birmingham,<br />
Meg Ryder, Helen Greenhalgh, Rebecca Fry,<br />
Genevieve Galvin, Morgan Raines, Jane Randell<br />
and James Furber (Senior Partner).<br />
(Beth Walker and Ben Amoah not pictured.)<br />
5
We are committed to providing<br />
first-class training for<br />
our future lawyers<br />
Wh<strong>at</strong>’s special about us...<br />
Integr<strong>at</strong>ing the trainee solicitors into<br />
everyday life <strong>at</strong> the firm is the key to wh<strong>at</strong><br />
makes a training contract <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> so<br />
distinctive. Trainees are an essential part of<br />
the team and we make sure th<strong>at</strong>, as well as<br />
assisting senior lawyers in significant<br />
transactions, they are also involved in their<br />
own interesting and varied client m<strong>at</strong>ters,<br />
the day-to-day functions of the team, in<br />
meetings and dealings with clients and<br />
contacts and in the firm’s varied events and<br />
social activities.<br />
We take up to 10 trainees each year and<br />
place gre<strong>at</strong> importance on selecting the<br />
right people. We choose trainees who we<br />
hope will grow with the firm and become<br />
successful lawyers in their chosen fields.<br />
This organic growth is one of the<br />
cornerstones of <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>’s str<strong>at</strong>egy for<br />
growth and development.<br />
We have a very high retention r<strong>at</strong>e among<br />
staff <strong>at</strong> all levels and are proud of the fact<br />
th<strong>at</strong> those working <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> tend to<br />
stay on to develop their careers within the<br />
firm.<br />
6
The firm’s football team - which is made up of<br />
partners, solicitors, trainees and support staff<br />
and is run by two trainees - plays m<strong>at</strong>ches<br />
against other firms most weeks and organises<br />
an annual inter-departmental mixed summer<br />
tournament for the firm, occasional drinks<br />
events and an annual team curry. As well as<br />
being gre<strong>at</strong> fun, it is an excellent way to get to<br />
know lots of people from across the firm.<br />
Joe <strong>Co</strong>nnell (top row, fifth from left),<br />
coach of <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>'s football team,<br />
joined the firm as a trainee in 2008.<br />
He studied Business <strong>at</strong> B<strong>at</strong>h.<br />
“I chose <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> for the calibre of knowledge<br />
and work which the firm produces. The people<br />
are welcoming; the clients are interesting and the<br />
work is challenging. In addition, I had a particular<br />
interest in Museums and Galleries and <strong>Farrer</strong>s<br />
was the first firm to have a group dedic<strong>at</strong>ed to<br />
supporting Museums and Galleries. All of this<br />
combined made <strong>Farrer</strong>s my first choice.”<br />
Morgan Raines joined as a<br />
trainee in 2009. She studied<br />
Languages, Classical & Ancient<br />
<strong>at</strong> Smith <strong>Co</strong>llege (USA).<br />
Amy Wilson joined as a trainee<br />
in 2009. She studied<br />
<strong>Co</strong>mbined Programmes <strong>at</strong><br />
Durham.<br />
“<strong>Farrer</strong>s has a wealth of expertise across a wide range of<br />
practice areas, making it the ideal learning environment.<br />
As a trainee here you really are spoilt for choice!<br />
The variety gives you the opportunity to experience<br />
departments you might not otherwise have thought to<br />
try and allows you to develop a breadth of legal<br />
knowledge during your training contract. Such exposure<br />
gives you an all-round training, which helps prepare you<br />
for qualific<strong>at</strong>ion when the time comes.”<br />
7
The diversity of the training<br />
experience provides important<br />
benefits to the trainee<br />
<strong>Training</strong> with us...<br />
Trainee solicitors benefit from our personal<br />
and comprehensive approach.<br />
Through meeting clients and working<br />
directly on their cases, trainees are given<br />
real responsibilities, while receiving full<br />
support and guidance from the firm’s most<br />
experienced solicitors.<br />
We offer a broad found<strong>at</strong>ion of knowledge<br />
and experience which prepares trainees for<br />
a successful career in law.<br />
Trainees benefit from the breadth of<br />
experience th<strong>at</strong> our training programme<br />
provides. It enables them to make an<br />
informed choice about the area of law in<br />
which they would like to specialise.<br />
A consistently high proportion of our trainee<br />
solicitors remain with the firm after<br />
qualific<strong>at</strong>ion, in the team of their choice.<br />
8
Each year, the firm aims to select<br />
a group of trainees representing<br />
a balanced, well-rounded team<br />
The training programme…<br />
The two-year training period is divided into<br />
six "se<strong>at</strong>s" each lasting four months.<br />
The first five se<strong>at</strong>s are spent in one of the<br />
12 different teams. Final se<strong>at</strong>s are always<br />
spent in the team which the trainee will be<br />
joining on qualific<strong>at</strong>ion. This helps to<br />
facilit<strong>at</strong>e the transition from trainee to<br />
solicitor.<br />
All trainees receive a solid grounding in<br />
commercial, litig<strong>at</strong>ion, priv<strong>at</strong>e client and<br />
property law by sitting in four se<strong>at</strong>s th<strong>at</strong><br />
focus predominantly on each of these legal<br />
areas.<br />
Wherever possible the trainee's interests are<br />
taken into account for the choice of se<strong>at</strong>,<br />
but trainees have a "wild card" which<br />
guarantees their choice for one of the se<strong>at</strong>s.<br />
Our training programme concentr<strong>at</strong>es on<br />
the development of essential practical skills<br />
such as drafting, negoti<strong>at</strong>ion, interviewing<br />
and advocacy as well as the necessary IT,<br />
legal research and marketing know-how.<br />
We have a comprehensive series of<br />
in-house seminars and lectures which are<br />
open to all trainees.<br />
9
The ‘something special’ th<strong>at</strong> distinguishes a<br />
successful applicant to <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong><br />
may present itself in several forms<br />
Who is best-suited to work <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>…<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> receives many applic<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
each year and, after a rigorous selection<br />
process, some 50 or so applicants are<br />
invited for interview.<br />
Between eight and ten candid<strong>at</strong>es are<br />
offered places as trainee solicitors. The r<strong>at</strong>io<br />
of applicants to places ensures th<strong>at</strong> only<br />
those with a strong academic record will<br />
receive serious consider<strong>at</strong>ion.Both law and<br />
non-law gradu<strong>at</strong>es are welcomed.<br />
Please visit our website for further details of<br />
our minimum academic requirements.<br />
Because a gre<strong>at</strong> many of those applying<br />
have excellent academic results, other<br />
qualit<strong>at</strong>ive consider<strong>at</strong>ions come into play.<br />
The qualities which we look for, both in the<br />
written applic<strong>at</strong>ions and <strong>at</strong> interview, include:<br />
• Teamwork<br />
• Leadership skills<br />
• Initi<strong>at</strong>ive<br />
• <strong>Co</strong>mmercial awareness<br />
• Vers<strong>at</strong>ility<br />
• Drive and ambition<br />
• Good communic<strong>at</strong>ion skills<br />
• A keen analytical mind<br />
• A good sense of humour<br />
10
“We take a long-term view when recruiting<br />
trainees; they are central to the firm and its<br />
future. Three distinctive things we offer are the<br />
prospect of a successful career, job s<strong>at</strong>isfaction<br />
and friendly, interesting colleagues who are <strong>at</strong><br />
the top of their fields.”<br />
Jon<strong>at</strong>han Eley is a partner in the<br />
Employment Team and is in charge<br />
of the trainee recruitment process.<br />
He trained <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> following<br />
a career in teaching, having<br />
studied Theology <strong>at</strong> Cambridge<br />
“The key <strong>at</strong>tributes I look for in prospective<br />
trainees are character and evidence of ability to<br />
react and think on their feet. <strong>Farrer</strong>s is not a<br />
law factory and we certainly don’t want to<br />
employ clones. We are looking for individuals<br />
who, like us, may be very different characters,<br />
but who share a sense of emp<strong>at</strong>hy, and an<br />
ability to communic<strong>at</strong>e complex issues in a<br />
pragm<strong>at</strong>ic and positive way. A sense of humour<br />
also goes a long way...”<br />
Claire Gordon is a partner in<br />
the Family Team. She trained<br />
<strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>, having studied<br />
Jurisprudence <strong>at</strong> Oxford.<br />
Claire is one of the partners<br />
involved in the recruitment<br />
and interviewing of prospective<br />
trainees.<br />
“There is no <strong>Farrer</strong>s’ blueprint for the type of person who<br />
impresses us <strong>at</strong> interview. Wh<strong>at</strong> I look for is a combin<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
of proven (and potential) ability and <strong>at</strong>titude. By th<strong>at</strong> I mean<br />
strong academics, leadership potential, drive and strong<br />
analytical and reasoning skills. A combin<strong>at</strong>ion of these and<br />
a good sense of humour is usually unstoppable...”<br />
James Price is a partner in the<br />
Disputes & Media Team and, as<br />
the firm’s training partner, he is<br />
involved in the recruitment and<br />
interviewing of prospective trainees.<br />
He trained <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong>, having<br />
studied Law <strong>at</strong> Durham.<br />
11
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> is searching for eight to ten<br />
people who stand out from the crowd<br />
How to apply...<br />
Every summer <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> selects between<br />
eight and ten outstanding individuals to<br />
begin training contracts with the firm in two<br />
years’ time.<br />
Law students may apply <strong>at</strong> the end of their<br />
second undergradu<strong>at</strong>e year. Non-law<br />
students may apply <strong>at</strong> any time from<br />
October of their final year. Gradu<strong>at</strong>es may<br />
apply <strong>at</strong> any time and we welcome<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ions from those coming to law<br />
following a career change. We review<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ions throughout the year but all<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ions should be received by the end<br />
of July.<br />
Please visit our website for further details of<br />
how to apply.<br />
First interviews are generally conducted in<br />
August and early September by a member<br />
of the trainee recruitment team.<br />
Successful interviewees are then invited to<br />
a second, more detailed interview held with<br />
two partners.<br />
The firm responds to all applic<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
12
Hannah Clark qualified into the<br />
Family team in September<br />
2009. She studied<br />
Jurisprudence <strong>at</strong> Oxford.<br />
“The transition from trainee to solicitor was tougher than<br />
expected, professionally and personally. Thankfully the<br />
team into which I qualified seemed to anticip<strong>at</strong>e this and<br />
was there to push me when needed and pick me up when<br />
confidence was low. Without doubt, qualific<strong>at</strong>ion has been<br />
my gre<strong>at</strong>est challenge, but, thanks to the help of my<br />
colleagues, my biggest achievement yet.”<br />
“The six-se<strong>at</strong> system works extremely well <strong>at</strong> <strong>Farrer</strong>s.<br />
It gives trainees exposure to a varied range of practice<br />
areas and allows you to gain valuable experience in many<br />
of the niche areas the firm specialises in. Your preferences<br />
for each se<strong>at</strong> are always taken into account and the<br />
addition of the ‘fifth se<strong>at</strong> wildcard’ gives you a real<br />
opportunity to shape the direction your training contract<br />
takes. By design, you spend your sixth se<strong>at</strong> in the<br />
department where you intend to qualify, which allows you<br />
to ‘hit the ground running’ upon qualific<strong>at</strong>ion.”<br />
Harry Birmingham joined as a<br />
trainee in 2009. He studied<br />
Law <strong>at</strong> LSE.<br />
Adam Carvalho qualified into the<br />
Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Priv<strong>at</strong>e Client team<br />
in September 2009. He studied<br />
History <strong>at</strong> Nottingham.<br />
“I chose to qualify into Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Priv<strong>at</strong>e Client for<br />
a number of reasons. The work which the team does<br />
is extremely varied: over the course of a single week,<br />
I might be looking <strong>at</strong> a large intern<strong>at</strong>ional est<strong>at</strong>e or<br />
structure; carrying out more typical priv<strong>at</strong>e client<br />
work like will drafting or trust administr<strong>at</strong>ion; or<br />
involved in contentious priv<strong>at</strong>e client work. The work<br />
itself is always interesting and the team is full of<br />
friendly people, many of whom are among the best<br />
in their field.”<br />
13
We will consider your past and<br />
present employment, interests<br />
and accomplishments<br />
Making a good impression...<br />
All of our applic<strong>at</strong>ions are dealt with on-line.<br />
Please complete the sections with sufficient<br />
detail for the firm to appreci<strong>at</strong>e fully the<br />
n<strong>at</strong>ure and significance of your interests,<br />
accomplishments and other experiences.<br />
A well-constructed covering letter of no<br />
more than 350 words forms part of the online<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ion. As a large part of a lawyer's<br />
work is conducted by correspondence, the<br />
covering letter gives you an opportunity to<br />
demonstr<strong>at</strong>e your written communic<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
skills by expanding on why you believe you<br />
are well-suited to the firm.<br />
Vac<strong>at</strong>ion schemes - <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> runs Easter<br />
and Summer vac<strong>at</strong>ion schemes for<br />
gradu<strong>at</strong>es and undergradu<strong>at</strong>es who are<br />
considering a career in law. The d<strong>at</strong>es of the<br />
schemes are fixed <strong>at</strong> the beginning of<br />
November and can be found on our website<br />
<strong>at</strong> www.farrer.co.uk. Vac<strong>at</strong>ion scheme<br />
applic<strong>at</strong>ions should be made on-line.<br />
Open days - scheme applicants may also be<br />
invited to open days which are a good<br />
opportunity to get to know the firm.<br />
These open days are usually held in March.<br />
Full details of the vac<strong>at</strong>ion schemes can be<br />
found on our website.<br />
14
All enquiries about trainee solicitor contracts or vac<strong>at</strong>ion scheme placements<br />
should be made to:<br />
Trainee Recruitment Manager<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong><br />
66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields<br />
London<br />
WC2A 3LH<br />
or email<br />
training@farrer.co.uk<br />
For more inform<strong>at</strong>ion about the firm, visit our website <strong>at</strong><br />
www.farrer.co.uk<br />
15
Providing seamless and integr<strong>at</strong>ed legal advice across<br />
a wide range of practice areas and sectors, including:<br />
Practice areas<br />
Banking & Insolvency<br />
Charity & <strong>Co</strong>mmunity<br />
<strong>Co</strong>mmercial Property<br />
<strong>Co</strong>ntentious Trusts & Est<strong>at</strong>es<br />
<strong>Co</strong>rpor<strong>at</strong>e<br />
Disputes<br />
Employment & Pensions<br />
Est<strong>at</strong>es & Priv<strong>at</strong>e Property<br />
Family<br />
Financial Services<br />
Intellectual Property & <strong>Co</strong>mmercial<br />
Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Priv<strong>at</strong>e Client<br />
Media<br />
Planning<br />
Priv<strong>at</strong>e Client<br />
Regul<strong>at</strong>ory Investig<strong>at</strong>ions & Professional Discipline<br />
Tax<br />
Sector expertise<br />
AIM<br />
Agricultural Est<strong>at</strong>es<br />
Art & Heritage<br />
Charities<br />
Entrepreneurs & Families in Business<br />
Higher Educ<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Priv<strong>at</strong>e Wealth<br />
Media<br />
Museums & Galleries<br />
Partnerships<br />
Priv<strong>at</strong>e Banking<br />
Schools<br />
Sports & Sponsorship<br />
<strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> LLP<br />
66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London WC2A 3LH<br />
Telephone +44 (0)20 3375 7000 Facsimile +44 (0)20 3375 7001<br />
Website www.farrer.co.uk Email training@farrer.co.uk<br />
© <strong>Farrer</strong> & <strong>Co</strong> 2010