Forsters

Training here means lots of exposure to quality work at an early stage. As one Forsters’ rookie reports: “The amount of responsibility we are given is incredible –– we are able to run our own (albeit small fry) files and are given plenty of client contact. Thorough feedback is provided at regular intervals”. Another adds: “I feel I am constantly involved in work outside of my comfort zone, but it is very stimulating as a result”. Trainees receive formal training sessions with members of the team or knowledge development lawyer specialists, as well as more ‘informal’ at desk overviews.

Whatever the department, there’s ample opportunity to get stuck into a range of interesting and often high-profile matters here, with one trainee describing it like so: “I have consistently been given a very high quality of work and responsibility. Trainees are trusted to work on complex and interesting matters, sometimes running files for smaller transactions/disputes.” Recent deals coming out of London include advising on the £56 million sale of a five-story office block in the West End and the successful defence of a €50 million fraud claim brought by ex-Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

Headline grabbing work aside, the culture remains one where reasonable hours are the norm. With no expectation to hang around in the office, just in case, once you have finished your tasks for the day and partners being “very hot on wellbeing”, work/life balance has exceeded many trainees’ expectations. “I’m not sure I’ve ever worked past 8pm in my nearly two years as a trainee,” one spy tells Legal Cheek. ”On the couple of rare occasions I have done a few hours on a weekend –– out of my own choice –– this led to a concerned, ‘Is everything okay?’ email from my supervisor.” Another source details: “Holidays, CSR days, external interests and down time are all encouraged. It is clear that many of the lawyers here have come to Forsters looking for excellent work/life balance. Longer days are rare and, in my experience, arise only when a team is working towards a deadline; there is a sense of groups of colleagues putting in the hours together rather than certain unlucky individuals having to stay late”.

And if you thought that all these reasonable hours came at a cost, think again. The latest figures show revenues were up 8% this year, from £75 million to £81 million. Profit per equity partner (PEP) is also understood to sit at approximately £550,000.

Trainees have now bedded down in their swish new digs at 22 Baker Street, Marylebone –– a space that continues to impress. It’s decorated to a “high specification”, one source tells us, and now means “all teams are back under one roof”. The ultra-modern gaff is quite the contrast to the firm’s previous HQ, a collection of converted Georgian terraces near Bond Street station that featured a warren of separate rooms. Break out space is everywhere in the new place, with an imaginative selection of pods and meeting rooms for collaboration, dotted with frequent cafes and coffee stations. A stunning roof terrace overlooking the West End tops it off. In fact, the only criticism rookies had for their abode was that the canteen is a little hit-and-miss with the salad bar said to sometimes “look a little malnourished” –– how awful!

Trainee ranks are particularly close-knit, according to our spies. “As a trainee cohort, we really have each other’s backs,” one source tells us. Another expands: “We eat lunch together and socialise on the evenings and weekends. You always have a few trainees who can share their experience of the seat you are going into, providing helpful tips for success.”

And this cordiality continues at partner level, with one source telling LC: “as a trainee, I have personally formed close working relationships with lawyers of all ages and positions within the firm”. Trainees really appreciate how partners take the time to provide feedback and to get to know everyone. “Partners are very approachable and will happily take time to answer any questions,” says another insider. A couple of respondents gave a slightly different view on this, with one saying: “Generally the firm is highly approachable, and superiors take great interest in trainees, however, due to our four-month seats, it sometimes feels as though superiors are more detached with trainees as they change over regularly.” However, on the whole, Forsters’ culture and community appears to be one of its strongest assets.

There aren’t many gadgets or gizmos to help trainees with their workloads, as the tech is described by newcomers as “far from innovative” but trainees appreciated this was an area that was being looked into by higher ups.

The perks are nothing to write home about but equally, we heard no real complaints. As well as the usual benefits, sources told us they had decent shared parental leave, the option for a sabbatical every five years, up to two weeks’ qualification leave, and “some sports tickets available to take clients too which is excellent!”

There are no MoneyLaw salaries on offer, but that’s the trade-off for reasonable hours. First and second year rates currently sit at £45,500 and £48,500 respectively, while newly qualified associates earn £86,000. International secondments, meanwhile, are not a thing –– having said that, it is relatively common to take trainees on business trips. But to some the upsides of ploughing a different furrow across town in the West End will no doubt override such considerations.

The firm also demonstrates its charitable side through a recent partnership with the Marylebone Project, which provides life-changing services for women facing homelessness. Forsters supports the project through fundraising, material donations, social activities and volunteering.