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Trainee lawyer besties give TikTok fans a look at life inside a US firm in London

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Meet Akin rookies Rebecca McNeill and Simrhan Khetani — aka ‘becsandthecity’

Ever wondered what it’s like to work with your best friend? Rebecca McNeill and Simrhan Khetani are doing just that: sharing insights into trainee life at one of the highest-paying US law firms in London.

McNeill, 24, and Simrhan, 23, studied law at Cambridge University, where they lived together, and now work in the London office of Akin.

The study buds turned work besties regularly post ‘day in the life’ videos on TikTok, where they are known as ‘becsandthecity’ and have over 10,000 followers.

From pastry-filled breakfasts to lunch trips to after-work drinks to events at bougie venues, the first-year trainees share the high-points of working in corporate law. Both are currently in their second seats, in corporate, with McNeill in private equity and Khetani in M&A.

Their most-viewed vid (below), at over 767,000 views, shows McNeill get set a “massive task” at 5pm, before the camera pans to her ordering a Deliveroo meal at 8pm, grabbing coffee at 1am, leaving the office in a cab at 3am and arriving home at 4am. “I’m well compensated for working like this and I enjoy it — I would leave if I didn’t!” she wrote in the comments, adding that she doesn’t have to work late very often.

First-year Akin trainees are among the highest paid in the City, earning £57,500 when they start their training contracts and a dollar-pegged £179,000 salary upon qualification.

@becsandthecity … and night in the life #london #corporatelawyer ♬ original sound – ice spice

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Speaking to Legal Cheek, the rookies said it was their criminal law supervisions during their university days that brought them together. “We both had criminal law supervisions together and would cycle down to these every Wednesday,” they said. “We realised we had lots in common and quickly became great friends.”

They started their TikTok account during lockdown, initially trialling different takeaways ordered through Deliveroo and sharing their thoughts. “During a time where a lot of people felt lonely, we hoped that we could spread some lighthearted fun,” they said.

Soon after leaving university and securing training contracts at the same law firm, they decided to continue documenting their journey and friendship. “It’s since been really rewarding to inspire other aspiring lawyers, debunk myths about the lifestyle and also have a creative outlet,” they told Legal Cheek.

@becsandthecity foodie day #corporatelaw #london ♬ Oh Boy – Cam'Ron

On how they balance content-creating with trainee commitments, the duo said: “We, of course, prioritise our trainee work. However, as our videos follow our day-to-day lives, it does not require too much effort to film what we are already doing. We usually edit our videos at the weekend, which is an enjoyable way to unwind and reflect on the week.”

The besties were shortlisted for ‘Best Use of Social Media 2023’ at our Awards last month, and documented their attendance on the night in a recent clip.

Did you know Legal Cheek is also on TikTok? Give us a cheeky follow — @legalcheek.

23 Comments

- 3PQE

I’m impressed they find the time!

(55)(2)

If a tree falls in the forest

Can it be described as a “day in the life” when these working hours mean they have no life?

(70)(3)

Aww

Awwww how cute 🥰 . Now go back to bibling.

(72)(4)

Life and no balance?

So basically virtually their entire work and downtime revolves around work?

(66)(4)

Or

Do they want to be lawyers or social media influencers?

(54)(9)

functional brain

These comments scream bitter that they’re enjoying their job. Christ.

(89)(20)

Based and truthpilled

Cope

(10)(6)

Uhm

Don’t trust people who use the word ‘based’

(7)(2)

Jane

Exactly and my husband and I had a baby when I was a trainee so I would come home to b reastfeeding the baby half the night as well; but conscious choice to work for a firm with long hours (and have a baby) so what is not to like! Those who don’t want these kinds of jobs can just not take them.

(0)(1)

Anon

Is this a joke?

(12)(3)

Anon

I genuinely do not understand all the negative comments here. They seem to like it, why it that triggering so many people here?

(34)(11)

Normal human being

All the negative, whiny commenters need to grow up a bit. Just because you don’t enjoy your job/life doesn’t mean everyone else has to be miserable too… lighten up!

(32)(9)

Anon3

Genuinely curious to know what Akin thinks about this? I would feel super nervous from a compliance perspective filming inside my office…

(60)(3)

Archibald O'Pomposity

“Genuinely curious to know what Akin thinks about this? I would feel super nervous from a compliance perspective filming inside my office…”

They will have curated every word and facial expression.

(13)(2)

WLB Enjoyer

Brothers and Sisters, do not allow yourself to be swayed by this Biglaw psyop. Stay focused.

(41)(2)

John

Both privately educated and attended Oxbridge.

In other news,
water is wet
grass is green
pope is catholic

(49)(9)

Archibald O'Pomposity

They work hard and enjoy themselves in the process: a hallmark of many Oxbridge graduates. Don’t be sad.

(6)(37)

Factos

Actually Rebecca went to a state grammar.

(7)(31)

Millennial

The new generation is just built different. As a junior lawyer one of my priorities was to avoid looking silly at work – social media would be the last thing I’d want my seniors to see me do. But I guess times are changing.

(15)(2)

Anon

This is very cringe ngl

(14)(0)

Anonymous

I thought that AI lawyers were already in existence. May be these two need to catch up. Join the real world not one based on fantasy and virtual reality. Swap a life for some extra$$$$$$. Shame, about not teaching future A1 lawyers about a famous comment once quoted to the best of my knowledge by Sir Richard North a famous legal Scholar in Queen Vitoria’s Reign ” A man but only has but one youth, for all the treasures of the world, could never purchase another”. But, it seems they didn’t teach these two trainees this at Cambridge nor it seems are they doing in this A1 Magic Circle USA. Talk about “Selling your Soul, to the Devil”. God help us all.

(2)(0)

Anonymous

WHAT THE WORKING TIME REGULATIONS! WHAT’S THOSE???????$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Your employer can’t make you work more than 48 hours a week on average. It doesn’t matter what your contract says or if you don’t have a written contract. If you want to work more than 48 hours a week, you can sign an agreement to opt out of the maximum weekly working time limit. So, talk about a fair work life balance at this friendly family Goldmine!!!!!! Or was it Solomon’s Mines. Your Guess. Is Better than Mine$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

(0)(1)

Annoyed

JESUS, just leave these girls alone, it’s obvious others need to get a life rather than just leave negative responses
How would you all feel if the negativity was about you?

(2)(1)

Comments are closed.

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