Maples Teesdale

Regardless of where you start, our sources say the training on offer across the board is top-draw: “There is a solid on-boarding process in place for when you join the firm, so you feel well-informed from the start. The firm also hosts monthly commercial property talks where current issues and new developments are discussed which contributes to your development. Relevant email updates are circulated regularly, and there is a steady stream of feedback from senior colleagues, which is helpful for ongoing training and development!” Insiders also praised the “truly invested director of knowledge and development”, adding that there’s “good opportunities to meet clients” from the get-go.

Work comes thick-and-fast as the firm only takes on around two to four trainees each year. “Working on exciting deals and given high levels of responsibility and client interaction” was the representative response from the rookies we spoke with. As one trainee puts it, “I have a wide range of responsibilities which means that no day is the same. This keeps the role interesting and there is always something to do, even in quieter periods.” You might be excused for thinking that focusing solely on real estate might get a bit tedious — we’re looking at you land law — but trainees at Maples stressed that “while there is naturally some repetition in the work, there is always something new happening” to keep things engaging: “Exciting transactions regularly coming through, and getting to work on high value cases with household names adds an extra layer of interest” one new recruit told Legal Cheek.

Some recent examples include advising Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance on their new top-floor Bristol let and helping Away Resorts on their purchase of a holiday park and golf course resort in Lincolnshire. Maples is also a deft hand at helping out their fellow law firms, recently acting for City Corporation on a development and investment lease for Travers Smith’s new office at Stonecutter Court, as well as previously helping Eversheds Sutherland with their Manchester move.
Indeed, if you hadn’t already heard, property is a pretty lucrative industry and Maples financials are the proverbial proof in the pudding. With only around 50 fee earners, the firm manages to produce revenues of over £10 million and, although the firm doesn’t disclose its profit per equity partner (PEP) figures, we can tell you that its juniors are handsomely rewarded. Trainees in the City start on £41,837 and move to £44,218 in their second year. On qualification, Maples NQs can expect to earn £75,400.

These aren’t BigLaw numbers, but rookies aren’t working BigLaw hours for them either. As one trainee explains, “the work-life balance at the firm is excellent — it’s rare to work past 6 pm, and lunch breaks are a norm, not an exception. What really sets the firm apart is that while the work is of exceptionally high quality, there is still plenty of time to maintain a life outside of the office!” Our sources were unanimous in their praise of the balance on offer here, with another adding that there is no “’jacket on seat’ mentality. Target hours are achievable without losing your non-work life. There is the occasional later night but rarely ‘late’ by City standards.”

All that extra sleep makes for some pretty happy campers in the office, as our sources rated their peers and superiors very highly in Legal Cheek’s 2025-26 Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey: “I feel well-supported and part of a team. Everyone is approachable, friendly and always willing to help, which creates a positive and encouraging work environment” was the representative review from one current rookie. “Great team”, “lovely group” and “completely reliable” aren’t always the phrases bandied around about City law trainees, but the shoe seems to fit at Maples.

Even more impressive is that these phrases were also used to describe the higher-ups at the firm. “Everyone at the firm, at all levels, are very approachable and understanding. I feel that I can speak freely to anyone regarding work matters” was the feedback from one. Another added: “The superiors are very approachable — some of the most accessible and supportive I have worked with so far. They do not come across as intimidating, make time for you and are respectful of both you and your time. They are also accommodating, willing to adapt and support your needs where possible.” An open-door policy means trainees feel “free to ask anything, however ridiculous it may be” and supervisors are also said to be “very supportive and genuinely caring about work levels”. In fact, the worst feedback we received was “most are fab” — a damning indictment on the few un-fabulous superiors…

As you might expect, all this joviality and free time feeds into a pretty decent social life at Maples, with the firm hosting “quarterly socials” and the “occasionally outing” including an annual Christmas party, away days and other team socials. There’s also a decent amount of charity events to get stuck into with the firm getting involved in the London Legal Walk and the CBRE Great Property Bike Ride 2025 in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society earlier this year. On top of this, rookies tell us there’s “always someone to go out for lunch or a drink with” so you’re never too far away from a friend at Maples.

On the digs front,. MT’s office on King Street just off Cheapside is looking a “bit tired” and “needs to be improved”, according to insiders. Although the client-facing areas “do the job”, trainees are less than impressed with their own surroundings, and the lack of a canteen is noted as being a bit of a sore point. Thankfully, sources say the space is about to “undergo redevelopment and refurbishment” so watch this space!

For the meantime, agile working is an option with juniors telling us the firm provides “everything we need to work from home”. The policy seems to be pretty flexible with some spending up to two days in their home office, though trainees are encouraged to be in as much as possible and most do seem to appreciate making the commute to help their development.

Perks are what you might expect from a fairly small specialist firm with a Christmas bonus, Christmas shopping day, dogs in the office days, and wellbeing massages said to be some highlights. The rest of the package is made up of the more standard benefits including a cycle to work scheme, private healthcare, mortgage advice, a British cycling membership and some weekly fruit care packages. International secondments are a no-go but insiders tell us there’s client secondments abound (even if most like their life at Maples too much to go elsewhere!)

On the environmental front, Maples Teesdale is also leading the pack as one of only a handful of law firms with B Corp certification.