The Legal Cheek View
Meet Marriott Harrison at Legal Cheek’s next Virtual Law Fair on 18 November 2025
Small cohort, big exposure. That’s what trainees at Marriott Harrison can expect. The firm takes on just three to four trainees a year, meaning there are usually no more than six at any one time. With nearly 70 fee-earners, including 29 partners, trainees work closely with senior lawyers and receive strong support from day one, our spies report. For those eager to learn, the rewards are an accelerated learning curve, early responsibility, and the chance to make a real impact on matters early in your training contract.
Marriott Harrison is perhaps best known for its work in venture capital and M&A. The firm is well regarded in these areas and regularly advises on transactions for high-growth tech companies, early-stage investors, private equity and venture capital houses, entrepreneurs, banks, and other financial institutions.
Working with start-ups can put you at the centre of some top notch deals, our insiders report. Take MH’s advice to space-tech start-up Space Forge on its $30 million Series A — the first major growth-stage injection of venture capital — led by the NATO Innovation Fund. This record-breaking deal marked the largest Series A for a UK space-tech company. MH also advised on CuspAI’s $100 million Series A, a landmark investment into an AI start-up developing advanced materials with backing from heavyweights like Nvidia and Samsung.
That’s not all the firm does, though. Trainees highlight the high standard and quality of work across all seats, including banking & finance, employment, corporate, disputes, real estate, restructuring, and more. Of course, there are also some more admin-y type tasks — but that’s part and parcel of trainee life across the City!
Often being the only trainee in a department at any one time, expect lots of interaction with clients and even more with partners. “The work I have been given has been extremely stimulating,” one insider tells us. “Due to the small size of the firm, trainees are often given greater exposure as evidenced by me being able to lead on the implementation of new LLP agreements for a firm undergoing an IPO.”
But don’t worry — you won’t be thrown in the deep end without armbands. Current trainees praise the structured appraisal process at the start, middle and end of each six-month seat, as well as plenty of ad hoc feedback from constant interaction with your supervisor. Trainees equally highlight the firm’s push towards more regular training sessions, covering specific practice areas, and monthly “venture capital lunch and learns”. The message seems clear: the firm wants you to learn, develop, and ultimately stick around as a future partner.
Training contract structure is the familiar four seats of six months each, but as a boutique the options are more limited than at a full-service giant. Still, for those who want to immerse themselves in corporate and related workstreams, there’s plenty of variety. One seat in corporate is pretty much a given, but after that it’s up to trainees to balance things out with a mix of contentious and non-contentious areas.
You’ll gain experience across both contentious and non-contentious work. While trainees are given plenty of responsibility, MH insiders highlight the firm’s particularly favourable work–life balance. One trainee explained: “There are, of course, busier periods when the balance tilts more towards work. However, my superiors have always been mindful of ensuring I can maintain my life outside the office. Even at my busiest, I’m never expected to work weekends, and any late nights are met with genuine appreciation. When I mentioned I’d have my laptop with me on holiday, my supervisor made it very clear that under no circumstances should I be logging on while away.”
First and second-year trainees earn £40,000 and £42,000 respectively, solid figures for a boutique firm. Newly qualified solicitors take home £80,000, which is especially appealing given the absence of a punishing hours culture. To top it off, the firm also covers SQE course fees.
The culture is described as open and “extremely supportive”, with a flat hierarchy that allows trainees to work closely with partners, ask questions freely, and build genuine relationships. Social life is another standout: half of junior respondents gave it a perfect 10/10. Frequent trainee socials, firm-wide events, and impromptu pub trips keep morale high. Thanks to the firm’s smaller size, “everyone is well-acquainted, so spontaneous after-work gatherings are commonplace.”
MH was founded in the mid-1980s with roots in media and tech, but over the past 40 years has pivoted towards corporate and venture capital work while remaining deliberately compact and London-based. Its headquarters at 80 Cheapside put it a short walk from Bank station, the Courts, and the City’s investor hubs. The office itself is “well-designed with a modern, open-plan layout… ideal for commuting and socialising at the heart of the City.” While there’s no sprawling global network of satellite offices, the firm still handles deals with a strong international flavour.
As for what MH looks for in its trainees: a keen interest in the venture capital and growth company ecosystem is a definite plus, along with the confidence to work independently in a responsibility-heavy environment. Applications for training contracts are made through the summer vacation scheme, which offers around 20 places a year — most TCs are filled via this route.
For students eager to break into the growth economy — think start-ups, VC rounds, and investor-backed buy-and-build strategies — MH offers an excellent alternative to the traditional City path. Expect early responsibility, direct client contact, and exposure to some of the most exciting deals in the tech and venture space, all without sacrificing your evenings and weekends.