Here's a look at the firms which scored over 70% for career development in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2017 survey, but which space precluded RollOnFriday from covering in the main story.
Clifford Chance scored 73%, with "genuinely impressive partners from whom I continue to learn every day", said a lawyer, who enjoyed "a fantastic and varied workload". The training and knowhow was also "top notch" and, as you might expect from CC, there was "market-leading" work.
Taylor Wessing drew level at 73% with Baker & McKenzie. Bakers lawyers praised the coaching system and "top tier international work" which was "genuinely cutting edge". There was scope, said a junior solicitor, to "seek out work that interests you", and "being in the London office you get the sense that you are in the hub of the entire global operation".
On 72%, Travers Smith was praised by staff who said that, even a a junior, "you get to play an integral role" on deals. The "smaller size of the firm means you can build relationships with partners across different departments", who were "both technically excellent and great teachers", making it "a first-rate place to train". Plus there were "plenty of inspiring, strong female role models".
Senior lawyers at Herbert Smith Freehills, which scored 71%, were praised for "taking time to support more junior members of the team". The litigation powerhouse had a "world-class" disputes practice, and the firm also offered "great opportunities" for international secondments. At Herbies, said lawyers, you "constantly get the feeling that you are working with the best of the best which is in equal parts inspiring and terrifying". Juniors receive, said a 3PQE, "great responsibility on high-profile cases".
Lawyers at Eversheds, on 70%, said responsibility was "actively encouraged to be assumed from the off", which, said one junior, "reflects well judging by how many partners (as opposed to peers) I come up against in deals on other firms". There was also a "real focus on letting junior lawyers develop relationships though BD opportunities", for which there was apparently "loads of budget".
Slaughter & May also scored 70%. There were "incredibly varied, interesting and complex transactions", and the good bits were not kept out of sight: the "level of responsibility afforded to junior associates is unparalleled", said one. Since qualifying, said another, "I have been involved in some of the biggest deals in the market in my area of specialty". Slaughters also offered the chance to "work with some of the smartest, most influential lawyers around". If one did leave, it provided an "incredible foundation to move elsewhere", and with the Slaughters brand it was "easy to transition to other firms".
Well done them. Less well done this lot.
Tip Off ROF
Clifford Chance scored 73%, with "genuinely impressive partners from whom I continue to learn every day", said a lawyer, who enjoyed "a fantastic and varied workload". The training and knowhow was also "top notch" and, as you might expect from CC, there was "market-leading" work.
Taylor Wessing drew level at 73% with Baker & McKenzie. Bakers lawyers praised the coaching system and "top tier international work" which was "genuinely cutting edge". There was scope, said a junior solicitor, to "seek out work that interests you", and "being in the London office you get the sense that you are in the hub of the entire global operation".
On 72%, Travers Smith was praised by staff who said that, even a a junior, "you get to play an integral role" on deals. The "smaller size of the firm means you can build relationships with partners across different departments", who were "both technically excellent and great teachers", making it "a first-rate place to train". Plus there were "plenty of inspiring, strong female role models".
Senior lawyers at Herbert Smith Freehills, which scored 71%, were praised for "taking time to support more junior members of the team". The litigation powerhouse had a "world-class" disputes practice, and the firm also offered "great opportunities" for international secondments. At Herbies, said lawyers, you "constantly get the feeling that you are working with the best of the best which is in equal parts inspiring and terrifying". Juniors receive, said a 3PQE, "great responsibility on high-profile cases".
Lawyers at Eversheds, on 70%, said responsibility was "actively encouraged to be assumed from the off", which, said one junior, "reflects well judging by how many partners (as opposed to peers) I come up against in deals on other firms". There was also a "real focus on letting junior lawyers develop relationships though BD opportunities", for which there was apparently "loads of budget".
Slaughter & May also scored 70%. There were "incredibly varied, interesting and complex transactions", and the good bits were not kept out of sight: the "level of responsibility afforded to junior associates is unparalleled", said one. Since qualifying, said another, "I have been involved in some of the biggest deals in the market in my area of specialty". Slaughters also offered the chance to "work with some of the smartest, most influential lawyers around". If one did leave, it provided an "incredible foundation to move elsewhere", and with the Slaughters brand it was "easy to transition to other firms".
Well done them. Less well done this lot.