K&L Gates

As one rookie told us: “The work you get exposed to as a trainee at K&L Gates is excellent. A perfect mix of domestic matters, large multi-office international matters and some smaller matters which trainees are given greater responsibility for.” Although you can expect to do “less stimulating admin tasks” like bundling and cross-referencing on some of the larger projects, our insiders told us that it’s not uncommon for trainees to be charged with running smaller matters “which is of course very stimulating”.

However, budding recruits be warned: “If you want stimulating work, you must be committed, conscientious and willing to learn at all times. The opportunities to then run with transactions can become very involved,” as one LC spy revealed. This does of course vary by department — work in disputes comes recommended for being “wide ranging” whilst corporate can occasionally be a “churn of due diligence reports and drafting basic documents”. Overall though the work is said to be “varied, interesting, and at times highly topical and confidential” — maybe we’re being held out on the good stuff!

One topic which trainees are less secretive about is the training at K&L which receives high praise: “Training is very hands-on, with further opportunities available if you ask the firm. The partners are always responsive to a can-do attitude and appreciate the care you give their work. As a result, they take the time to give feedback and involve you throughout the course of matters/transactions. The training I received from our debt finance and aviation team was especially memorable. All of the fee earners were highly approachable and there was a sincere camaraderie.” On top of all that, trainees can expect regular teamwide training, occasional whole firm sessions and monthly talks by external speakers who are invited to present on a topic of their choosing. Another K&L insider offered this insight: “The training has been excellent. As each trainee sits in a room with their supervisor, the training and support received is very direct and hands-on. Feedback is regularly given and trainees are very much supported.”

As you might have gathered, recruits at K&L Gates rate their superiors very highly. “Partners at all levels have always been approachable, happy to answer questions, and supportive of difficulties,” one source tells us. “The firm operates an open-door policy and trainees are encouraged to reach out to their supervisors and to ask any questions they may have.” A far-cry from the “dog eat dog” of some other City firms, K&L Gates is described as being full of “genuinely lovely people who want you to do well”.

This sentiment also extends to your fellow trainees, who we’re told are positively bonded by the relatively small intake: “we have a very good network amongst the trainees given that there are only 12 of us across the office”. Even when there is known competition for seats, insiders tell us that “everyone is polite and attempts to find solutions. Where one of us has a particularly strong preference, that preference is often respected”. Socials include monthly drinks trolleys, a firm-wide summer party and team Christmas dinners. Although one gregarious rookie longs for more “junior facing events”, they confess that the lack of more organised socials is more than made up for by “the friendliness of the firm during work hours”.

With the firm’s international spread as exciting as it is, you could be forgiven for assuming K&L Gates is some type of international secondment haven. But surprisingly the firm offers very few opportunities to its trainees and junior solicitors to spend time abroad. Client secondments, however, are on the cards with juniors frequently enjoying stints at Amazon.

In any sense, it seems no-one is trying to leave the firm’s “incredible” digs over at One New Change anytime soon (we think the private terrace overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral might have something to do with it). As one smitten newbie tells us: “The office is beautiful, modern, and has direct access to a rooftop bar. The private terrace is fantastic for summer lunches.” Another had this to say: “The office is well-kept and the views of St. Paul’s are a real privilege. However, I am personally most grateful for the dedicated office space we each have. Every trainee shares an office with their supervisor. We have privacy when we want it, but there is also a strong drop-in culture so everyone feels involved. If you need a break at any time, you can do a lap of the office and stop to chat with any trainee with their door open. Everyone is friendly and happy to talk.”

In fact, praise for the firm’s office is matched only by praise for the canteen (and especially the in-house chef, Quentin). “Quentin is more than a chef, he is a genuine delight. The meals he prepares are always delicious and typically varied. He and his team are probably the best-kept secret of K&L Gates,” raves one trainee-turned-food critic. “We have a really great chef, Quentin, who creates a unique menu every day. The food is subsidised by the firm too so you can get a very filling lunch for quite cheap — my personal favourite is the chicken fried rice he makes every few weeks!” boasts another. Rookies only complaint is a wish for more vegetarian and vegan options.

One downside K&L’s trainees do report is the money. Trainees take home £50,000 in their first year, £55,000 in year two and a very respectable £115,000 at newly qualified level — but some insiders feel the salary is “quite stagnant, especially when compared to competitors”. But where K&L doesn’t quite match its compatriots over the pond for pay, we’re told it far exceeds them in terms of work-life balance: “For a US law firm, the hours are shockingly good,” reveals one insider who is presumably home in time for The Chase. “If you work diligently throughout the day, there is no expectation to stay late for the sake of it. Weekends are also mostly respected,” explains another. Naturally, rookies still report peaks and troughs depending on the department and time of year but one trainee reports being able to plan “workday evenings with no issues” — a unicorn amongst the ranks of US firms!

“As a trainee you expect to work long hours and be put under pressure at times,” another spy explains. “Generally there are lots of peaks and troughs though. I have months where I am working in the office until 10pm every evening, but I also have months where I am considerably quieter and leave at 5pm. Partners seem to be very cognisant to the fact that trainees and associates work hard so don’t have issues with us making the most of quieter times and lulls in work.”

Tech at K&L receives mixed reviews with some commending the firm’s effort: “the legal technology is advancing and updates are constantly being made to improve this area” — whilst others are less impressed — “computers are slow, the document management system is slow, phones are out-dated.”

Luckily, K&L rookies are more positive about the firm’s WFH policy which is said to be “flexible”. Many trainees report a 60/40 split between office and home working with the firm providing standard equipment such as a monitor, keyboard and mouse. There are a few grumbles around the lack of office chairs and desks but most accept this trade-off for the ability to have such a flexible working schedule: “Personally, I invested in WFH equipment and find the option incredibly useful for maintaining a better work/life balance. Alternatively, the office is very peaceful on Fridays, which can be a pleasant environment to work in.”

Other perks include a standard package of a subsidised gym-membership, eye tests, subsidised rail tickets and health plans. “Nothing too out of the ordinary for a law firm in terms of ‘extra’ perks, but nothing to be sniffed at either!”