Ashfords

Recent projects reflect the firm’s growing presence across energy, infrastructure, tech and investment work. These include matters connected to the Thameside Energy Recovery Facility, which is expected to process up to 350,000 tonnes of waste annually and generate enough energy to power around 93,000 homes, alongside investment into accessible travel company Limitless Travel, which helps people with disabilities experience holidays and travel more easily. Ashfords has also become increasingly active advising entrepreneurs, early-stage companies and investors on funding rounds, acquisitions and digital innovation projects.

The Bristol office in particular sees a lot of technology-related work, whether that’s advising app developers on data security or helping a Silicon Valley company with venture capital investment. Those in Plymouth, meanwhile, have been involved in some exciting coastal real estate developments, including the restoration of the historic Fort Bovisand and helping open Cornwall’s first coastal aparthotel.

Trainees are generally positive about the breadth of work they are given, with one offering this buoyant review: “Exposed to high level, and high value work from day one, with genuinely interesting subject matter.” This does vary by department, with some seats said to have “more opportunities and supervision” whilst others were burdened with more “lackey tasks,” but the general trend is that rookies are entrusted with higher-level work the further they progress. “As much client contact as I could ask for, with an ability to take on your own caseloads/files under supervision. I’ve got a lot out of the firm trusting me and encouraging me to go into situations I might initially have been unsure of,” said one TC veteran. Another trainee told us: “The vast majority of the work I have done thus far has been engaging. I’ve had amazing opportunities such as attending hearings in the Royal Courts of Justice which I found rather enjoyable. The day-to-day life is slightly less exciting but still provides new challenges every day to learn something new. I can’t say that two days are ever the same here.”

The training on offer at Ashfords receives equally positive reviews. “The quality of instruction, the variety of work, and the contact time with fee earners is excellent. The firm engages with our training needs, and ensures we are exposed to valuable work, and welcomes our input on where we feel we would like exposure,” one insider told us. Another gave this insight: “I’ve really been able to make the training contract my own, by asking for supervision, explanation and the type of work I want. The partners are very accessible and make a lot of time available to help with your progression should you want it, this has been in multiple departments and appears indicative of the firm.” Training can be seat dependent, with the structure said to vary between departments, but supervisors always “tend to ask what you would like to have a go at doing.” Some trainees noted there can occasionally be variation between seats, with one rookie observing that whilst the “range of tasks remain wide,” quieter departments can sometimes leave trainees “at loose ends.”

One happy camper put it well: “The training I have received so far is great. I have been encouraged to get stuck in at the deep end and have definitely been given the opportunity to demonstrate my capability which, in turn, has afforded me more autonomy in the role as I have developed. I am now able to effectively manage caseloads in addition to supporting with ad-hoc tasks but feel comfortable that I can reach out to my supervisor or any of the fee earners in the team to get supervision whenever I need it. In addition to the day-to-day stuff, if you want to get involved in some training, all you have to do is ask; whether it is in the form of a webinar or in-person. For example, I wanted to attend a training session put on by a chambers in Birmingham and my supervisor helped arrange for the barristers leading the training to come to our Bristol office to put on a training session for the whole team.”

Partner approachability is a real standout feature and a “hallmark of the firm,” according to one trainee. All those we spoke with praised the firm’s “no hierarchy approach,” which is reinforced through open-plan office spaces. “I have never felt uncomfortable or nervous approaching a more senior member of the team. We all sit on the same bank of desks, there are no offices, we all chat and are friendly with one other. It’s very much a ‘no such thing as a stupid question’ approach.” This attitude extends pretty far up the food chain, with one insider telling LC: “The overwhelming majority of superiors at the firm are fantastic; they’re approachable and will happily give you their time to chat about the nature of their work.”

Unsurprisingly, this ethos of camaraderie also extends to juniors and trainees. Our insiders rated their peers as “very supportive and uplifting,” adding that “everyone is happy to help, even if it’s a ‘silly’ question.” Others add that they have “really great relationships in and out of work” with their fellow trainees: “We are genuine friends as well as supportive colleagues which is really refreshing,” one newcomer gushed.

Lawyers at Ashfords are “always having office socials for various things, e.g., Wimbledon, the Euros, a breakfast social just to catch up, there is something going on at least once a month,” sources told us. There are also two team days a year, an office Christmas party, a firmwide summer party, football and netball teams, charity walks and events, and external clubs such as the Devon and Somerset Junior Lawyers group. The firm also has its own social networking group, XYBC, which organises events for rookies to meet local professionals and develop their networks. There’s plenty to get involved with at Ashfords, even if those in Exeter have to travel a fair distance from their out-of-town office to join in.

Another trainee had this to say on the social life: “It is thriving! I am an introvert and have very little availability outside of work but am still included by my team when things are being arranged I might be interested in. I also haven’t experienced any cliquey behaviours arising from the regular groups which is really nice. For more formal events, plenty of notice is given so you can arrange childcare etc. Often first thing in the morning the kitchens will be filled with lawyers and non-lawyers alike catching up and supporting each other.”

Although everybody is incredibly busy, the long hours culture so prevalent at City firms is mercifully absent at Ashfords. “If I work late, it is either few and far between or a conscious choice as I enjoy the work. I have not yet needed to work a weekend and I am not expected to. I have a better work life balance now that I am working than during the SQE.” Cancelling plans, weekend work and presenteeism are unheard of here, though there are still some departmental discrepancies. Litigation is said to be unpredictable whilst residential property is “pretty good with average working hours.” All in all, wherever you end up, it’s a pretty good gig at Ashfords.

South West working hours also mean South West pay. Trainees earn £36,500, rising to £38,500 in year two, and then £62,000 on qualification. Not quite City rates, but not too shabby either.

The Exeter office continues to impress following a refurb a few years back. It’s well kitted out with good breakout areas, on-site parking, a gym and changing facilities, and is “just lacking a canteen to be a 10/10” according to one trainee. Rookies also appreciate the open-plan layout: “One key benefit of our office arrangement is that people of all levels sit together (i.e. partners do not have their own private office space), meaning that trainees can sit with partners and learn directly through observation.” The “very pleasant” Bristol hub comes equipped with “very well looked after live plants, including some enormous ones, which really add to the experience,” along with great views of the river and a “nice client space downstairs.” The London office is said to be fairly standard but “could do with a little more colour.” One thing trainees across the firm unanimously rate is Ashfords’ open-door policy on dogs, so don’t be surprised to see some wagging tails on your first day.

Trainees are “encouraged to be in the office as much as possible,” though there’s no hard-and-fast rule. As one describes: “in some teams, you are expected to come in as it makes it easier to learn from peers/seniors but even if there is an expectation, no one minds if you WFH for a day. In other teams, you get “anchor days” which effectively mean that you are expected to be in for two to three days a week, the rest is up to you.” A common gripe is that rookies are expected to purchase their own tech when working from home. Judging by the reviews of Ashfords’ in-house setup, though, recruits should perhaps be careful what they wish for: “no real tech solutions” and “no legal tech / AI capabilities” were commonplace complaints. Others were more optimistic about “new systems being put in place,” even if they felt “the firm could be doing more to embrace AI.”

Chances of a client secondment are slim but possible. One trainee reports having completed a three-month secondment to the Post Office, while others have enjoyed spells at tech firms in London.

On perks, the package includes a cycle-to-work scheme, a Calm app membership, money back on some medical and dental treatments, “good” pension contributions, a “pretty good” maternity package and a “good” holiday allowance. Trainees also get their birthday off, and at least one feels the best perk is the holiday purchase scheme, which allows employees “to buy up to 5 days extra holiday for the following year.”

On sustainability, one rookie reports joining office beach cleans in support of the firm’s dedicated charity, the Ocean Conservation Trust. There are also litter-picking sessions, a new recycling system, and the firmwide summer party has been made waste free.

Overall, the quality of work, range of seats, genuinely supportive environment and generous work/life balance make Ashfords a serious catch for anyone looking for well-rounded training.