Forsters

Housed in a substantial portion of a Georgian terrace in Mayfair, private client and real estate outfit Forsters feels more like an upmarket boutique hotel than a commercial law firm. A small annual trainee intake of just ten adds to the intimate vibe. “Mayfair is a great place to work, and I always look forward to coming to work in our offices,” one tells us. Another reckons that working in a listed building with rooms featuring ceiling frescos is delightful but notes that the building is “getting a bit short of space”.

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”. Rookies also get the opportunity to do six 4-month seats, meaning they get to sample a broader range of the firm’s practice areas.

Forsters’ lawyers have been busy of late, with a growth in the high net worth individual market seeing solid revenue growth following the financial crisis. Since the Brexit referendum in 2016 that growth has slowed to single figures, but the firm is still expanding. In Forsters’ latest financial results revenue had grown 3.6% from £58 million to £60.09 million, whilst profit per equity partner (PEP) rose by 7.1% from £405,000 to £434,000.