The Legal Cheek View
If money talks, then US colossus Gibson Dunn is fluent. Boasting some of the best trainee and NQ salaries the City has to offer, this self-proclaimed “well-oiled machine” is scaling-up operations in London and beyond.
Trainee intake in the City is set to increase 50% from 10 to 15 from September 2027, giving even more budding recruits the chance to sit atop the junior lawyer money-tree. At £180,000, Gibson Dunn offers the joint-highest NQ salary in the City. And trainees aren’t short-changed either, with a starting salary of £60,000, which rises to £65,000 in year two. It’s not just more green recruits you’ll be seeing around the office either, as the firm have recently gone on a hiring spree, snapping up partners from City competitors such as A&O Shearman, Linklaters, Jones Day, White & Case, DLA Piper and Milbank. There’s even been change at the very top, with real estate and finance expert Robert Carr being appointed to take charge of the ever-growing London office alongside disputes partner Osma Hudda.
With a modus operandi of expansion, it should come as no surprise that Gibson Dunn have some solid financials backing them up. The firm has recently recorded its 29th year of consecutive growth, with global revenues increasing 16% from $3.07 billion (£2.37 billion) to $3.6 billion (£3 billion) with the London office making up $238 million (£175 million) of total. It’s been an even better year for profits per equity partner (PEP) which has soared 28% to $7.2 million (£5.3 million) amidst a 10% decrease in the firm’s equity partnership. To add a bit of context to these hefty numbers; PEP at the top performing Magic Circle players sits just above the £2 million mark.
Indeed, the firm has come a long way from its LA beginnings. After being founded in 1872 by 34-year-old corporate lawyer John Bricknell, the firm quickly became the biggest player in the City of Angels, before expanding across California, the US and, by the 1970s, overseas. Gibson Dunn now boasts 1,900 lawyers across 21 offices worldwide.
M&A remains the firm’s fastest growing global practice, but the London office has a mixed bag of expertise including private equity, arbitration, energy and infrastructure. That’s not to say headline mergers are off the cards –– those in the City have recently been advising Blackstone on its acquisition of the largest marina and superyacht servicing business in the US –– but London rookies might equally be involved in financing billion-dollar commercial aircraft leases or advising on the set-up of luxury travel ecosystems. Those who get a chance to be involved in litigation may also meet a rather notable partner: Charlie Falconer KC, ex-Lord Chancellor and first Secretary of State for Justice under the Blair government!
Trainees rotate around four six-month seats with the opportunity to spend time in corporate, finance, dispute resolution, employment, tax, competition and funds teams. The training is not particularly structured with our sources telling us that “Gibson trainees tend to learn on the job rather than have comprehensive formal training” –– a trend adopted by many US outfits across the City. That being said, there are some “regular training sessions that are offered which are very helpful for the day-to-day tasks trainees do”, according to one LC insider.
As far as the work goes, our sources tell us “the transactions we work on are often cutting-edge and high profile meaning the work tends to be exciting even if mundane in nature”. Rookies are encouraged to get involved with as many matters that interest them and this fluidity has its advantages. As one insider points out: “What is great is the amount of flexibility you are given and control over your own work.” Trainees frequently share a room with either a partner or senior associate, so that they can discuss any queries they may have about work (but don’t panic!). Our sources rate their higher-ups as very approachable, and partners are said to be “always happy to discuss matters with you and share their views”. What’s more, all new lawyers in London –– not just trainees –– are also assigned a “buddy” to ensure their integration into the firm is as smooth as possible.
Counter to its harsh US cut-throat image, trainees at Gibson Dunn support each other and maintain close relationships. “We have an incredibly close trainee cohort which socialises outside of work when we can,” one rookie tells us. The small trainee intake is said to foster a really supportive network amongst new recruits, with regular socials like Gibson’s annual bake-off. “We always pitch in to help each other out where required!” another insider told Legal Cheek. It helps that they get to know one another during Gibson Dunn’s trip to California for the ‘New Lawyers Academy’. The firm has flown lawyers from all 21 offices to the luscious Palm Springs –– quite an experience! The supportive vibes are spread across senior levels of the firm too. Partners and superiors are generally approachable and, according to one insider, “My colleagues are genuinely some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.” Another source agrees: “Partners really want you to get as fulfilling a training experience as possible and I learn a lot from them.”
Juniors are also encouraged to engage in business development (BD) with clients and a $1,000 (£830) allowance for BD each year is provided to support this.
Besides a market topping pay packet, there aren’t a huge number of perks at the firm and trainees are definitely expected to earn their keep. “I have had very busy seats, and I find myself working on weekends and late at night more often than not,” one weary rookie reports, “there are, however, nice periods that are quieter.” Another source offers this more detailed overview. “Work/life balance varies. In some seats I’ve been consistently busy but have not had to work weekends and finished most nights at 7-8pm whereas in other seats it’s been much more up and down with some quiet weeks and some very hectic weeks where I’ve worked until the early hours of the morning and sometimes weekends.” That said, the source goes on to explain that the “firm is very supportive of people maintaining hobbies and interests outside of work and I have been able to go to twice a week hockey sessions pretty much every week since I started, by communicating this with my team and ensuring the work is done thereafter.”
Fortunately, the firm’s location next to some of London’s finer pubs makes for great catch-ups on days that trainees finish early. The office –– an impressive Grade II listed building overlooking the Thames –– is between Blackfriars and Temple, near the Royal Courts of Justice. Next door is Temple Gardens, a nice spot for an office break or meet-ups with any barrister chums as many chambers are located around the gardens.
Budding trainees looking further afield will be happy to learn that international secondments are also available, with a handful of recruits this year enjoying a seat in Abu Dhabi, whilst past offerings included equally far-flung destinations such as Hong Kong and Dubai. Newbies can also do a client secondment, with one rookie reporting a six-month stint at a large investment bank.
The firm has adopted a flexible WFH policy, allowing its lawyers to structure their own office schedules, taking into account client and mentoring needs. Rookies are “screens, laptops, latest generation iPhones, keyboard, mouse, headphones” on top of a £300 per year budget!