Mills & Reeve

More importantly, they’re a nice bunch over at Mills & Reeve, with both trainees and partners scoring consistently well for their respective supportiveness and approachability in the Legal Cheek Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey. One merry trainee told us that the partners are just “so approachable. And because superiors are so approachable, they are so easy and valuable to learn from. The office does not feel hierarchical, so I could be sat next to a Partner with no apprehension. Due to the open plan office, it’s also highly valuable for learning via osmosis, and hearing them on calls.” Another echoed this sentiment, adding that “people are incredibly supportive at this firm, there is no Machiavellian culture among the trainees and we all help each other out and provide advice.”

A lot of cross department working on transactions and that coveted open plan office definitely help to create a “genuine flat structure.” As one recruit puts it, “culture is everything here! Having worked at other firms previously, I can safely say the M&R culture is not the norm (in a good way)! Superiors are very approachable, it does not feel hierarchical at all.” One rookie reports: “Superiors in the business love to get to know trainees, to find out your interests and to learn more about you,” and another adds, “It is not just my immediate superiors that are approachable, but I feel like I could reach out to any partner in any team, any office and they would be happy to speak with me.”

There’s said to be a decent senior turnout at social events too, with the social life as a whole said to be “excellent”: “Most teams have regular socials and everyone is very friendly. Each office has a social committee (which trainees are encouraged to take part in and even lead) that puts on subsidised events and runs sports teams that you can get involved with. However, there is no pressure to go out for drinks every week, and people are respectful of commutes and children!” Whether it’s five-a-side, netball, running clubs, walking trips, firmwide summer and Christmas parties, or even an office Olympics that tickles your fancy, there’s a bit of something for everyone at Mills & Reeve. No wonder the firm is known to report high retention rates.

The firm’s employee-focused ethos feeds into some fantastic work life balance, with most people out the door around 6pm. “The hours are a dream,” we are told, with “people working hard and staying as long as needed, with no facetime culture.” Rookies rarely find themselves “burning the midnight oil,” even in seats which get a slightly worse rep, such as construction and corporate. The occasional late night does naturally rear its head, but M&R’s rested recruits seem well supported and ready to tackle it head on: “There is a culture of trying to avoid trainees staying very late. However, on occasion this will be necessary (meeting deadlines, ensuring documents are signed, etc.).” Another trainee offered this summary: “Great place to work if you want the experience of doing exciting work, working for big clients, but also wish to have a life outside of work. Not many law firms get this right, but M&R do.”

As far as big clients go, you won’t find many bigger than the NHS, and Mills & Reeve acts for more than half of the NHS foundations across the country. Other recent highlights involve working on the mega-merger between the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent, and working with a University of Cambridge spin-out, Illumoin, to transform battery research and development. And would you believe it, the firm even helped Chelsea’s Cole Palmer obtain a trademark for his famous “Cold Palmer” celebration, hand gestures and all.

This would usually be the point at which we tell you that you won’t be working on these types of projects every day as a trainee, but at Mills & Reeve apparently you will. “The classic ‘trainee task’ culture doesn’t really exist at M&R,” one insider tells us, “supervisors and partners are keen to get trainees involved in high level work from the outset.” Trainees enjoy six four-month seats as opposed to the usual four six-month seats, meaning “you get to try more areas of law and figure out what works for you.” Supervisors are said to essentially give new recruits as much as they can handle, and fee earners “will involve you in the strategy, and truly listen to your opinion and advice,” according to one source LC spoke to.

Another recruit had this to say: “You are given such hands on experience and are given far more responsibility and play a key part in transactions, which lends itself well to fast learning. The supervision is excellent, and due to everyone’s approachability and genuine desire for you to succeed, feedback is always helpful and I don’t fear getting shouted at, rather constructively criticised.” Insiders also rate M&R’s “very active sports sector,” where the work is “particularly varied and exciting,” and the acquisition of renowned claims handling business SiS is sure to mean plenty more insurance-related work heading trainees’ way soon.

Mills & Reeve is also said to offer “top quality training.” One rookie told LC: “the firm takes a real interest in your development and it is very structured. Your development is prioritised over your time doing chargeable work, and that’s reflected in there not being an hours target as a trainee. If you are looking to learn and grow, M&R is an excellent space to do so.” Another added, “Training style varies team to team, with some ‘throwing you in at the deep end’ and others providing formal training at the start of each seat. Whichever method is used, I have always found people will make time to explain things to you and provide you with detailed, workable feedback.” What more could you ask for?

Maybe some legal tech to make your life even easier? Well, watch this space, because the consensus from all the trainees we spoke to is that the firm is channelling all its efforts into this space. As one spy told us, “We are trialling lots of different legal tech, and generally I feel I’ve had the tools required to get the job done efficiently. A big tech upgrade has made our systems more user friendly.” There are a number of tech-related groups at the firm dedicated to sourcing and implementing the best solutions, and M&R have recently appointed a head of legal AI as part of its 2030 growth strategy. At least one trainee has particular praise for the firm’s slow-and-steady approach: “The firm certainly aren’t tech magpies. They take their time to trial new software and to ensure it has a place, which is appreciated.” From what we’ve heard, legal tech on offer at the moment includes CoPilot and Legora for the firm more widely, as well as more niche platforms such as Kira for the real estate team.

The tech offering when working from home is also appreciated, with Mills & Reeve providing all newcomers with extra screens, keyboards, desks, chairs and anything else your heart desires upon request. The firm still operates a 50/50 WFH policy, whereby over a two week period you are expected to be in the office at least five days. However, our insiders told us that flexible working varies by seat: “It depends on the team you work in. Some are very encouraging of balancing office time and working from home depending on when the team is in. Other teams take a more traditional approach and expect trainees to be in the office full time.”

As is common with firms that have several UK offices, there are occasional tensions between the locations. The shinier Cambridge, London, Norwich and the refurbed Birmingham offices (which feature adjustable desks and a sauna) are the most coveted. But equal rookie pay across the firm helps minimise any politics. The Cambridge office is described by insiders as being a “nice building situated next to the city’s Botanic Gardens. The office has great views over the gardens and the city. Glass-fronted building gives lots of natural light. Nice cafe on the top floor.” The Norwich digs win some plaudits for their facilities, which include “changing rooms, showers, a drying room, very small individual lockers, nice client toilets, a nice client lounge and a cafe.” M&R’s Manchester hub is described as “stunning” by one trainee, and those in Birmingham are absolutely smitten with their new abode: “It’s such a beautiful new building, with lots of light and lots of different areas to explore. It’s more open plan than the previous office, so you’re able to chat and be involved with people in other teams throughout the day more easily,” gushed one.

Another perk which Birmingham recruits love to rub in their fellow trainees’ faces is their new “amazing canteen,” described as “a nice, bright space with incredible views and really good value food.” Although, fair word of warning: the London office does not seem to have a canteen at all, which is causing some grumbles amongst the rookie recruits. Outside of the “proper coffee” machines in Manchester and Leeds, a tub of “Nescafe instant” is all that is said to be on offer elsewhere, though there are also canteens in Cambridge and Norwich. The Leeds office is also said to be next in line for a full Mills & Reeve refurb, so we might soon see a new player in the M&R canteen wars.

While there are no in-house swimming pools or sushi chefs at Mills & Reeve, the perks are still pretty decent, with the best of the lot said to be the ability to “buy back an extra week of holiday and the outdoor office parties held twice a year.” Another spy put it like this: “To be honest, I didn’t join Mills & Reeve for the perks. I joined for the positive and supportive working culture and the interesting work and clients. I would rather have a good work/life balance and enjoy going to work every day than get financial perks. Saying that, we have a good pension, good holiday (including the ability to flex your annual leave), options to opt into dental/health/life insurance, etc. We also get a bonus that is not linked to performance. Our pay is commensurate with firms of the same size, and the firm will pay for you to relocate if you want to do a seat in another office.” The current salary for first year trainees outside of London is £33,800 a year, rising to £36,400 in the second year, with NQ pay rising to £60,000. In London, rookies start on £46,800, and those that stay to qualify net £82,000. The sentiment here is that the “salary could be better but is reflected in work life balance.”

Mills & Reeve is also increasing its sustainability efforts by reusing and recycling where possible, bringing a “waste not” range into office canteens (where food from previous days is reused into salads) and prioritising local suppliers. The firm also has a dedicated ESG officer to help minimise carbon footprint and is a member of the Greener Litigation Pledge.