Lovells	For more information about Lovells click here
Our view...     After a slightly bumpy couple of years Lovells is back on form. A restructuring of the partnership and a boom market has helped profits bounce back by a colossal 40%, and it's the highest grossing firm outside the Magic Circle. It is also the 8th largest firm in the world, and has as many partners in continental Europe as Slaughters has in total. In the past Lovells has struggled to convince the legal world that it is the firm most likely to break into the Magic Circle, but the firm has notably raised its profile over the last few years. But not at the expense of the office atmosphere - assistants continue to praise the firm for its friendly atmosphere and excellent training programme. "Lovells is surprisingly unstuffy and friendly" one insider told us, another claiming that partners are "very approachable".     The work is top drawer, with deals last year including advising Softbank on an £8.9billion buyout of Vodafone Japan, and, more interestingly, working for private equity house Cinven. Unusually for a firm of this size, it's not just corporate which makes the headlines: Lovells all of its litigators are put up for higher rights qualifications.     The firm has made huge strides in Europe over the last couple of years, with significant mergers in Germany, Holland and France complementing an already-strong network (including two offices in the US). Spain used to be the achilles heel, but Lovells put paid to that by launching an office in Madrid in September 2004. We can't even be rude about its famously shabby London offices any more, as it's finally moved into swanky new Atlantic House (still in the same handy Holborn Viaduct location).     All the expansion has cost money, which meant that 2004/2005 was a lean year for partners - profits fell to £427,000 per equity partner, a big drop from the £590k they took home the previous year. But the figure is back to £585k for 2006/2007, so things seem to be back on form. And if you're an assistant you should at least have a vague prospect of actually making this - the firm has a good record for promoting promising young lawyers to the partnership.     The combination of good pay, good quality work, a supportive environment and a well developed international network make Lovells a serious alternative to the Magic Circle.     For more information about Lovells click here Email your comments	Salary, new trainee	37000
	Salary, newly qualified	65000
	Salary, 1 PQE	68000
	Salary, 2 PQE	80000
	Salary, 3 PQE	88000
	Salary, 4 PQE
	Target hours	1700
	Holiday	25
	Pension	Matched contributions up to 5% of salary depending on age.
	Healthcare	Yes
	Maternity policy	Statutory, but enhanced after one year's service
	Gym	On site and free
	Restaurant	Yes, subsidised
	Other	Trainees get £1000 bonus at start of contract, plus option to receive advance pay of another £1000
	Number of training places per year	80
	% of trainees retained	90
	24 hour photocopying support	Yes
	24 hour secretarial support	Yes