They are a very nice firm to work for, friendly and inclusive. Applications for our 2024/2025 training programme are open from Monday 27 September 2021 and close on Monday 25 July 2022. The firm, which is now paying NQs almost 100,000, is a tax specialist. . Therefore, there are more hands-on opportunities for you to learn through this experience. The newly qualified (NQ) solicitors all join on . We are pleased to announce that the following eight lawyers will become partners in the firm from 1 May 2023: Tania Barnes (Real Estate), Adam Caines (Finance), Rosie Duckworth (Commercial), Chlo Edworthy and Nikolas Ireland (Litigation and Dispute Resolution), Alex Jones (Private Client), Max Mittasch (Corporate and M&A) and Sarah Shucksmith (Tax and Reward). By clicking Accept cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. Build answers around a specific deal or case. Several spies confessed that there are some superiors that are a little intimidating but on the whole everyone is lovely, very supportive and encouraging. Great teamwork skills, which include being kind and considerate. You can also arrange a call with the graduate recruitment team to discuss further. About Us| We also divide trainees into small constituency groups. Please note blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. This sort of dynamic means the hours are much better than in other seats. Thats unless something unexpected occurs: Everything you do as a private client lawyer comes to a head when the person dies. Spring 2025 - sit the SQE 2 examination. Instead we have grown thoughtfully to provide the depth and breadth of services they need. Rosie is a trainee solicitor in the finance group. We are an independent London-based law firm with a client base from around the world. Students sit in two different practice areas but also complete a mock transaction alongside other training sessions. All six stay on. Autumn 2024 - sit the SQE 1 examination. Commercial awareness. (500 words) - here one of the qualities that GradRec highlighted was teamwork due to the small deal teams that Macfarlanes have. Our international model is simple, allowing us to focus our attention on our clients and our people. Sustainable business Environmental, social. Both options are priced the same. Market-leading perspectives and understanding, Responsive advice in a fast-changing world. Vacation schemes are used by law firms to seek out new talent. You can apply no matter what or where you have studied. For those candidates completing the PGDL, you need to achieve a commendation or above on the first sitting. The firm moved office in 2018 to 98 Fetter Lane (but keeping its client facing operations round the corner at 20 Cursitor Street). Sep 6, 2018 1,537 3,849. You start your two year qualifying work experience in September 2025 after you have sat SQE 2. Applications open on 1 October 2020 online via our website and will close on 28 February 2021. Dont underestimate the importance of extra-curricular activities. We do not recruit on a rolling basis so you can expect to hear back from us once applications have closed. At Bright Network we use cookies and similar technologies to help deliver you the best possible experience. "I'm really good mates with people here - some of them came to my wedding!, Wellbeing became a big topic at the firm during lockdown, and this has something Macfarlanes has continued to address as the pandemic eases: Zoom talks on topics like good sleep and how to manage stress are common. The industry-leading media platform offering competitive intelligence to prepare for today and anticipate opportunities for future success. This estimate is based upon 4 Macfarlanes Trainee salary report (s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods. Genuinely academic culture. The firm, which is now paying NQs almost 100,000, is a tax specialist. For more information about our training programme or the financial assistance available, please contact our early legal careers team. And you benefit from the challenge of adapting to the different sets of skills needed by each. All these steps are in place to ensure you feel supported throughout your training programme. You need a 2:1 degree or above, though we do take account of extenuating circumstances. During this week you receive training from people across the firm to equip you with everything you need to know before starting your first seat. The interview stage is comprised of two interviews (one with a partner who will have seen your application in advance and a business case study scenario to test your problem solving skills) as well as a group task and a written exercise (both application blind). You can find out more in our privacy policy at any time by going to the link in our footer. You complete modules that are bespoke to Macfarlanes. As this insider puts it: A lot of time, effort and resources are spent on training. The programme combines classroom and digital learning to embed knowledge and uses business simulation exercises to help you apply your knowledge in realistic practice scenarios. Vacation students will spend each week in a different practice area working alongside a partner, solicitor or trainee. You also take part in our trainee charity day. Now restrictions have lifted, the firms hired a hotel for its tax conference and even run a ski trip: We have a good social life. In the past 10 years we have increasingly focused on disputes and are one of the foremost firms in this area. Trainee. Diversity Schemes. Summer/Autumn 2024 - begin studying for the SQE with BPP. We want students to have the opportunity to meet everyone from the senior partner to our future trainees,says senior graduate recruitment manager Catherine Morgan-Guest. The swish new Surface Pros are apparently not great for big documents and the tech breaks down frequently, which one rookie claimed can add on at least an hour of waiting each day. You are also invited to social events at the firm so you can start building your network before you join us. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. The coffee is free now, but they still donate 50p for every coffee ordered. The firms charity of the year is the Rainbow Trust, which supports the families of children who have life-threatening or terminal illness. It is possible to get a training contract without experiencing a vacation scheme first but a vac placement is one of the easiest ways to show your commitment to law and that youve done your research before applying. We give you all the support you would expect from a leading law firm, along with the benefit of regular reviews and close mentoring from partners. Insider Scorecard Grades range from A* to D and are derived from the Legal Cheek Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey 2022-23 of over 2,000 trainees and junior associates at the leading law firms in the UK. For more information about our training programme or the financial assistance available, please contact our early legal careers team. Communication and speaking skills can be developed during your studies by taking part in . These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Possibly, according to U.K. law firm Macfarlanes, which announced on Monday it had created a trainee experience app. Spring/Summer 2023 receive your training programme offer from Macfarlanes. To help gauge your progress, you have mid-seat and end of seat reviews. There are roughly 20 compulsory training sessions per seat: Each department has a knowledge team which overseas the sessions, so theyre very well curated. Theres also a learning and development programme which runs the course of the training contract and helps trainees with skills like drafting and communication: I think the training here will have prepared me really well for the leap to NQ. Macfarlanesqualificationprocess kicks off six to eight weeks into trainees last seat. It advises national and multinational companies, business leaders and high-net-worth individuals in the UK and internationally across the full range of corporate and commercial matters as well as on their private affairs. Tax isnt so bad though apparently. An average leave time of around 8pm is not bad for high-end corporate law. Unfortunately for jet-setters, the more ESG-minded side of the firm is actively exploring and encouraging partners and associates to use less flights, so everyone is encouraged to consider the events they are invited to and be more selective if it involves international travel (or explore non-flying options). We have a strong international network who share our values and standards. Macfarlanes has increased the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) lawyers to 100,000, Legal Cheek can reveal. This gives you direct, regular access to your own Trainee Solicitor Committee partner, who can discuss any issues you may have. Your choices regarding cookies on this site. SQE timeline (for training programmes due to start in 2025). All the resources you need to research law firms and barristers' chambers, Banking & Finance: Borrowers: Mid-Market (Band 1), Banking & Finance: Fund Finance (Band 2), Banking & Finance: Lenders: Mid-Market (Band 2), Commercial and Corporate Litigation (Band 2), Corporate/M&A: 100-800 million (Band 1), Corporate/M&A: 800 million and above (Band 3), Real Estate: 150 million and above (Band 2), Employee Share Schemes & Incentives (Band 3), Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (Corporates) (Band 3), Investment Funds: Open-ended Funds (Band 2), Investment Funds: Private Equity (Band 3), Private Equity: Buyouts: Mid-Market (Band 1). To impress during the application process, Bains said its important to demonstrate certain traits: Obviously were looking for brain power, but we also want people who work well with others and who are resilient to the demands of clients. We handle work of the highest quality and complexity for our clients which could be anything from corporate, real estate or litigation through to private client advice. Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP. Vacation scheme students have the chance to apply for a training programme during their placement. Macfarlanes has created a new mobile app that it says will give wannabe lawyers a flavour of life as a trainee at the City law firm. Inevitably hard work, but thats City law what do you expect?, states one. We also run a practice area open day where you can meet representatives from every practice area. While many of our practice areas can be found at other firms, the mix cannot. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. Macfarlanes raised the trainee salary in November 2021: first-years now earn 2,000 more whilst second-year salary has increased from 52,500 to 55,000. Great teamwork skills, which include being kind and considerate. Resilience - that is a grit and ambition to take on real responsibility. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. In each seat a partner or senior associate supports and supervises you. You complete modules that are bespoke to Macfarlanes. All elements, including the bespoke Macfarlanes modules, are paid for by the firm. Copyright 2023 ALM Global, LLC. Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers. After all, it appears to be quite unique to the sector and as the trainee admits: "No one knows what work really entails until you're there - I didn't.". Some of the work which is largely high-end M&A can be slightly terrifying though. How many individual achievements/extracurriculars would you mention using this structure then? Macfarlanes is a fully paid-up member of the silver circle, distinguished by high-end corporate work, a reluctance to expand internationally (it remains single-site, with one office off Chancery Lane) and very high profits per equity partner. The firm even has the former Lord Chancellor David Gauke as head of public policy! Part of the United Kingdom's "silver circle" of law firms, Macfarlanes holds considerable prestige in London's legal market.It advises national and multinational companies, business leaders and high-net-worth individuals in the UK and internationally across the full range of corporate and . Schemes commonly last between one and four weeks and give you an opportunity to: Experience first-hand what life as a trainee solicitor is like. The programme has been developed in-house, and all tasks have been modelled on real work and created by our associates and trainee . Others, like Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Macfarlanes and Slaughter and May, say that they do not ask for specific grades. You need a 2:1 degree or above, though we do take account of extenuating circumstances. The form is designed to give you every opportunity to tell us about yourself and show your interest in Macfarlanes. Kirkland & Ellis The corporate insurance and pension risk transfer team at Macfarlanes comprises three partners, one senior counsel, two associates and one trainee. Most of the City of London's mega law firms have offices spanning the globe, but Macfarlanes gets by with just two. The first year insight scheme is for those in their first year of a three year course or second year of a four year course at university who are considering a career in law. Macfarlanes has confirmed that full equity partners are paid an average of about 2.02 million each. Explore the firms key areas of legal practice and client base. Our transactional groups operate internationally in both the public and the private markets, advising on complex deals. I am a final year student at the [University] expected to graduate in June, [year]. This means wider exposure for you and greater insight into the issues facing our clients. We also continue to provide additional financial assistance in the form of a 13,000 grant during this time. However, other qualities that are listed in their brochure include resilience, . The mid-seat review takes place around three months into each seat, and you meet with both your principal partner and Trainee Solicitor Committee partner to discuss how your seat is going so far and your development points. We give you all the support you would expect from a leading law firm, along with the benefit of regular reviews and close mentoring from partners. A 'strong private client practice and the ability to do corporate work alongside this' gives Macfarlanes its edge. One of the assessments requires applicants to talk through three different business case studies (which have been designed to test their commercial awareness) with a partner and senior solicitor who wont have seen their application. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package which allows individuals to select a range of benefits to suit their particular lifestyle, including: Our approach is simple. All Macfarlanes staff get one community day a year which they can spend however they like, so long as its related to charity work. This will be in the year between receiving your training programme offer and starting your studies for the SQE. At Bright Network we use cookies and similar technologies to help deliver you the best possible experience. We have a strong, independent culture, which is challenging and supportive, creating an environment where everyone, at whatever level, can thrive. Seat rotation As a trainee you will spend six months in four different practice areas, with most of our trainees completing a seat in corporate and M&A seat. explore the world through the prism of knowledge. Law Offices of Frank L. Branson seeks associate with ten plus years plaintiffs' complex, multi-defendant, personal injury trial and appellat Health Law Associate CT Shipman is seeking an associate to join our national longstanding health law practice. 14 Jun, 2021 How secure are secured liabilities? But if you can draw on your work placements and previous roles to help illustrate why you have the requisite skills or why you have a genuine interest in the law then this could make all the difference. We know each other personally which means we work together with more cohesion, and less formality. I would advise trainees to get as involved as they can in every aspect of life at Macfarlanes. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. Trainee submit their preferred departments to HR and if multiple candidates apply for a role, there may be interviews. 850. Trainee solicitor, Macfarlanes LLP London, United Kingdom Rosie.Marriott@macfarlanes.com +442077914216. Ashurst To Work With Eight Recruiters to Address Diversity. We are also unusual in having market-leading teams servicing the tax advisory needs of both individuals and corporates, which cannot be found elsewhere. And without all those costly overheads, it reaps a profit that is significantly higher than most. Operating profit sits at 164 million, up 15% year on year, while its 2021-22 turnover increased 16% to almost 304 million. If you studied a non-law subject at undergraduate level, you have to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) at BPP. How does the braking system work in a car? First-rate instruction is combined with plentiful seminars from internal and external speakers to deliver a grounding in corporate law matched by few firms. Above all, it is an enduring commitment to the development of trainees, which is woven into every aspect of life at the firm. Macfarlanes' recent work with the RLC was accredited at the People in Law Awards 2021 where they were crowned winners of the 'Best CSR Initiative'. The hiring process at Macfarlanes takes an average of 21.92 days when considering 28 user submitted interviews across all job titles. When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The firm's most junior lawyers will now. The programme combines classroom and digital learning to embed knowledge and uses business simulation exercises to help you apply your knowledge in realistic practice scenarios. 50% of trainees will have completed a vacation scheme with the firm. Does macfarlanes recruit on a rolling basis? The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience. In one pool, for example, youll find investment management, litigation and dispute resolution, and financial services. I applied about two weeks ago and haven't heard from them since - do you know how long they usually take to respond? An ever increasing proportion of our lives is being lived through our smart phones but could the experience of entering corporate law soon become an on-screen experience too? This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas. Our application process opens towards the end of September each year. As you might expect, wills and estates work is prominent in private client, but sources were pleasantly surprised by how relevant and forward-looking the practice is. The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change. Applications should be made online via the website and will close on 27 January 2023. Macfarlanes Graduate. Candidates have a chance to speak with partners, trainees and graduate recruitment over lunch. SQE timeline (for training programmes due to start in 2025) Spring/Summer 2023 - receive your training programme offer from Macfarlanes. Some are necessary to help our website work properly and can't be switched off, and some are optional but support Bright Network in building and running the service that we provide to you. Cookies enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Macfarlanes' app. Macfarlanes hosts a number of networking events, in-house presentations and its flagship event, a virtual practice area open day, which allows students to explore each of the various practice areas. Macfarlanes has confirmed that full equity partners are paid an average of about 2.02 million each. Those who are concerned about a lack of legal experience can be reassured that the firm sees the value in all types of work experience: For example, we recognise that waitressing in a coffee shop can be extremely demanding, especially if you have to deal with tough customers, said Bains, adding: Our application process isnt a case of who you know or how many internships youve done, its about personal attributes., 20 Cursitor Street, London, EC4A 1LT Website www.macfarlanes.com. To find out what it is like to work at Macfarlanes LLP read the firm's Meet the Lawyer profile. Macfarlanes' London office City law firm Macfarlanes has increased the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) associates by 7.5%, Legal Cheek can reveal. I hadnt expected to be that involved. The odd bit of grunt work, like sifting through documents, is inevitable, but trainees explained these tasks often affect the trajectory of advice-giving, which is cool. We work with some of the worlds most high-profile organisations and business leaders. Follow the firm on LinkedIn,Instagram and Facebook. Candidates applying for Trainee Solicitor had the quickest hiring process (on average 1 day), whereas Associate roles had the slowest hiring process (on average 61 days). There is no denying that securing a vacation scheme can be extremely hard. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Qualification salary: 107,500. Trainee's Perspective of the Transaction. Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALMs deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that cant be found anywhere else. Applicantsneed to demonstrate commerciality, practicality, ambition and a desire to work within the firm.. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. Macfarlanes advises Hyve on 320m takeover. We do not recruit on a rolling basis so you can expect to hear back from us once applications have closed. We handle work of the highest quality and complexity for our clients which could be anything from corporate, real estate or litigation through to private client advice. We deal with NFTs and registration of property ownership, which is going through the legislative process as we speak. Irrespective of the type of work theyre doing, trainees get tonnes of client contact: You become their personal adviser so there are lots of calls! word count than a guideline, if you know what I mean. Following a survey of 3,000 trainee solicitors from 165 top UK firms, Macfarlanes was ranked as a winner in the "Confident of being kept on" category. Trainees can expect to work from home one day a week. $87 Million. Any contentious private client matters are handled by the litigationdepartment. What makes a successful application to Macfarlanes, Pride Matters: Striving for actual equality, Types of student and graduate opportunities, Essential cookies to make this website work, Third party cookies used for personalised ads and content, Well rounded candidates who will make the most of our varied seat rotations, Great teamwork skills, which include being kind and considerate, Resilience that is a grit and ambition to take on real responsibility, Brain power clever people who can think on their feet. Vacation scheme Complete this application form if you would like to apply for a place on one of our vacation schemes. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalised web experience. The scope of our services is distinct. We work on high-profile deals and cases, and you will often help manage the smooth delivery of service to our clients across jurisdictions. The Legal Cheek View. Around 15% of direct training programme applicants are invited in for an assessment day, which lasts from 9am until 2pm. How to approach a vacation scheme application form. Has anyone heard back from Macfarlanes for AC? Its partners salaries have risen by more than nine per cent over the past year following a 10 per cent rise in revenue to nearly 261m. This was a major selling point for interviewees who were looking for "classic City work in addition to the individualized side of law. Another interview reminded us of a second anomaly: Not many firms have a private client practice and if they do, its usually an add-on to another group. Thats not the case at Macfarlanes, which boasts a team of more than 50 dedicated private client lawyers. I am applying for a training contract . To understand more about how we use cookies or to change your cookie preferences, click on Showsettings. Its really important that your application isnt just generic if you want to make it through to the interview stage. Macfarlanes will retain all six trainees due to qualify next month, giving the firm a 100% retention score for spring 2023. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. https://www.law.com/international-edition/2021/10/29/we-tried-the-macfarlanes-trainee-experience-app-heres-how-it-went/. All elements, including the bespoke Macfarlanes modules, are paid for by the firm. A 'reputation for excellence' drew applicants to the City firm, as did the 'smaller trainee intake, good workplace culture and social life, and the high quality of . Free barista coffee is also (unsurprisingly) a big hit amongst Macfarlanes lawyers. Site Map, Advertise| Drinks down the local pubs on a Friday remain a weekly feature of trainee life, while all the departments have hotly-anticipated parties throughout the year. Our training programme combines hands-on experience with a first-class education programme. There are around 65 places in total across the three schemes, with pay that matches the London living wage. How much does a partner at Macfarlanes earn? Applications for the first year insight scheme . You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. As with the SQE preparation course, the firm covers your fees, and you receive a 13,000 grant. List of largest law firms by revenue. Well rounded candidates who will make the most of our really varied seat rotations. Can graduates apply for vacation schemes? Leadership skills. I settled in very quickly and the suppprt and training were very good. Normally is about 2 weeks but they're probably busy this time of year, I applied ages ago (over a month) so unsure if they're busy or if it'll be an imminent rejection lol. Trainees set to qualify this spring started at their firms as the first UK lockdown loomed in March 2020. The interview covers the applicants motivation for a career in law at Macfarlanes and a discussion around their application. Newbies submit their preferences two months before each rotation: Out of the 90 trainees across first and second year, about four dont get their top choice. Some of our interviewees got their top choice every time. Tech, however, was a bugbear for some. NQs arent being left out either. Were delighted to announce the launch of the Macfarlanes trainee experience, an app giving you the opportunity to complete mock trainee tasks and gain an insight into our unique culture. They are a very nice firm to work for, friendly and inclusive. The end of seat review takes place in the final few weeks of your seat. Private client tax issues are also common (this is Macfarlanes after all.) Vacation students will spend each week in a different practice area working alongside a partner, solicitor or trainee. These sessions help build your legal knowledge and inform your seat choices. There are three schemes one in spring and two over the summer and each lasts two weeks. Induction marks the start of your training programme. Theres a personal element that you dont get in other seats, like planning what happens to children if their parents die. Others pointed out: "Private clients tend to care more about the work because it concerns their own money, which is much nicer than just dealing with a company representative." Macfarlanes' investment funds expert Lora Froud has, since making partner in 2015, become one of the firm's standout players, carving out a niche for herself in the world of retail. This still relatively new gaff described as homely and understated by insiders has its very own branch of the hipster coffee chain The Department of Coffee & Social Affairs, alongside a very pleasant roof terrace. You are also invited to social events at the firm so you can start building your network before you join us. It's worth noting that Macfarlanes doesn't recruit on a rolling basis and waits until the application deadline has passed to review applications. Cookies enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. But be warned that this varies from department to department. Macfarlanes LLP is a corporate law firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. We have opportunities for qualified lawyers, trainees and business services who are looking for outstanding career development. It consists of seminars and workshops at the beginning of each seat to explain all the intricacies of the area you are about to work in, supervisors explaining matters in depth, and then further training throughout the seat alongside knowledge updates as well as opportunities for trainees to present legal knowledge to their team and develop their soft skills.