The Legal Cheek View
Having set up shop in the capital as Trollope & Winckworth in 1777, this established London outfit has since sprouted two further offices in Oxford and Manchester, though only London and Oxford currently offer training contracts. The name change to Winckworth Sherwood came in 1998, not long before the firm moved out of its parliamentary digs in Westminster.
Since then, the firm has moved again, into the eighth and ninth floors of the environmentally sustainable Arbor building in Bankside Yard, Southwark. The net-zero eco-hub is described as a “modern, comfortable and lovely location” and we hear that “the views are incredible,” overlooking the Thames and touristy landmarks. Another source points to the “excellent environmental credentials” and “great wellness facilities in the basement including a yoga studio.” We also hear there are standing desks and individual call-pods throughout the office, along with a table tennis table, pool table, and a “balcony which is lovely to sit on as a social space in the summer.”
Wincks continues to leverage its history as a firm of parliamentary agents, offering something quite different to its City competitors by allowing trainees to do seats in parliamentary or ecclesiastical law. The lion’s share of Winckworth Sherwood’s work, however, is in real estate. That said, the firm has a full-service offering, so trainees might also find themselves working on litigation for employees of X (formerly known as Twitter) or supporting the acquisition of a new sweet factory in M&A.
All this leads to some pretty stimulating work, according to the trainees we spoke to. “In my time here, I’ve realised that although a business law firm, what makes WS’s work interesting is that nothing any of the firm’s teams do is ever purely commercial. There is usually always an extra socially purposeful layer on top, and that makes the work on offer really stimulating,” one spy tells us.
Recent examples of the firm’s work include advising on a £1 billion affordable housing strategic partnership, alongside regeneration and development projects in some of London’s most recognisable areas, including Wembley, Fulham Wharf and the Olympic Village. The socially conscious angle to this work, particularly around housing and urban regeneration, is likely to appeal to students keen to see the wider impact of their legal work. We’re told that trainees should still be prepared for “a fair amount of procedural work”, especially in real estate which, because of its size, is said to be particularly prone to less exciting trainee tasks. But this is all down to personal preference: “I personally have enjoyed litigation more and found this more interesting, but the more transactional seats still have something to offer, they are just a bit more admin heavy,” noted one recruit.
Alongside this, budding WS trainees can expect “absolutely top notch” training with “contact and support from all levels,” according to our insiders. Recruits were quick to point out that “the learning and development side of the firm is really great” because “they really care about you as a person, not just as an employee.” One trainee highlighted the breadth of opportunities on offer: “There’s a variety of work to get involved with — client calls on your own, going to the High Court and tribunals, client site visits and client lunches. The firm is invested in your business development too, whether that’s client lunches or barristers’ chambers drinks, which helps develop key networking skills. There aren’t really any stereotypical ‘trainee tasks’ either — you won’t be given menial printing or admin work — and there’s genuine responsibility with client calls and drafting, so you feel like a ‘mini solicitor’.”
Wincks is said to focus on providing its trainees with business skills coaching and network development alongside their legal training, and you can expect direct client contact from seat one. You’re also given a bespoke training diary which is regularly reviewed, as well as bi-annual appraisals from seniors. Another junior lawyer offered this insight: “There is a sense that my supervisors care about the quality of my training and there is an emphasis on me making sure I get as much experience as possible, and that I get varied tasks. I also have had a lot of time with my various supervisors across my seats and always feel that they are willing to explain things and answer questions. The mid-seat reviews are also a great opportunity to look at gaps in your training and for your supervisor to work with you to try and help fill them.”
As you might expect, WS newbies rated their superiors highly, with most said to be “very approachable.” “I never felt intimidated asking any fee earner for help, no matter their level. Open plan and usually being sat next to your supervisor assists. It’s a very open and welcoming environment.” Our sources also tell us that almost all seniors “will make time for trainees and are invested in trainee learning,” and the higher-ups at Wincks are praised for their ability to strike a “good balance between knowing where your boundaries are and then pushing you to develop.”
Rookies are equally supported by a “super friendly” and tight-knit cohort. We’re told that “NQs, juniors and trainees would support each other consistently,” and this closeness is helped in part by the firm’s encouragement of trainee and junior socials. As one recruit detailed: “My trainee cohort has become very close and we all have lunch together every day, and it is lovely to have a group of people that are all going through the same thing. I have also found my colleagues in the various teams I have been in very helpful and supportive, and they really understand that you do not know everything and are always happy to help you and answer questions.”
The firm’s social scene includes a football team which is said to be “good fun”, as well as two trainee socials a year and a firmwide Christmas party. Past events have included quizzes, shuffleboard and darts. The small trainee cohort, around eight each year, means a lot of direct partner and senior lawyer contact, and the firmwide open-door policy encourages a flat hierarchy.
Another high point for Winckworth Sherwood is the “excellent” work-life balance on offer. As one rookie tells us: “Overall, there’s no crazy late nights or early mornings.” Some departments vary, with real estate having longer hours than most, but we’re told the “silent expectation is to stay until at least 6-6:30pm each day.” That’s still a very welcome change of pace from the regular midnight stays reported by juniors elsewhere in the City. Whilst it varies from department to department, trainees usually report working from home one to two days a week.
A select few trainees will have the opportunity to go on client secondments, with trainees enjoying stints at housing association Notting Hill Genesis and other clients.
Perks leave a little to be desired, with “good coffee” and “free fruit” being the highlight for at least one rookie. Employees do get a standard package of private medical insurance, dental cover, subsidised gym memberships, a cycle to work scheme and childcare vouchers. The firm also hosts regular corporate responsibility activities that trainees can get involved in, with a group of Winckworth walkers recently conquering the Brecon Beacons to raise money for Women’s Aid.