Profile (as at Summer 2007)

I feel incredibly fortunate to be working at Lovells. It's often hard to tell on paper what exactly sets many of the top firms apart. I initially had others in mind, but on carrying out a vacation scheme here I knew Lovells was the right place for me and have never looked back since!

I ended up choosing Lovells for a number of reasons. It has a large variety of high profile clients, competing at the top end of the legal arena, and has a good reputation in the City for its standard of work. Yet despite the fact that is has expanded so rapidly, one of the aspects I love the most is that the atmosphere has remained very personal, people tend to know each other across the firm, as well as between jurisdictions, and the culture is very supportive. As the firm is still expanding, you have the opportunity to add something, to help it grow and for your efforts to be noticed and appreciated. This was a particularly important factor for me, as I was keen not to become a cog in a corporate machine, yet wanted challenging work and big international deals and cases to work on. In this respect I believe Lovells achieves the perfect balance.

So far, I have completed a seat in Acquisition Finance (International Banking) and Insurance Reinsurance Litigation. I am currently sitting in Private Equity (Corporate) for my third seat. I have been quite taken with the level of responsibility that I have been trusted with. From my first day, I have been given work similar to newly qualified solicitors, yet with the support network in place so that I never feel completely lost. I am amazed at how much I have learnt in my first year, yet also the fact that my growth has felt quite natural.

The team structure makes for ideal learning, often a partner and senior associate dealing with the main agreements, and an associate and trainee dealing with all other documents, and co-ordinating other parties to make sure everything goes to plan and to time. I therefore learn plenty of skills from the associates, who are well placed to give guidance and advice, having recently been trainees. In addition I also learn a great deal from senior colleagues about the market, the nature of the deals and the way they structure a transaction. I find I work best when I have this overview, as I can understand what work needs to be done and see where my work fits in to it all.

I am a representative of the Trainee Solicitor Liaison Committee (TSLC), liaising between trainees, Human Resources, and Senior Partners to constantly make improvements to the training contract. Lovells is open-minded, and has been fair and flexible to all of the requests made whilst I have been a member, the opening up of international secondments during one's fourth seat as well as third, being a prime example. The TSLC organises a number of trainee parties, and events for vacation students throughout the year. Our intake size is large enough to give rise to many social opportunities, yet also not too large so as to prevent getting to know everyone else well.

There are also a number of sports teams, and numerous pro bono opportunities. I have played softball for Lovells, and hope to become involved with the hockey. In addition, I have been a representative for a lady claiming Disabled Living Allowance benefits and a victim of the 7/7 bombings claiming compensation from the CICA and London Charitable Fund.

My advice really would be to talk to as many people as possible to find out what the culture of a firm is actually like, as the experience of all my friends suggests that it differs a great deal between firms. Finding out where suits you is honestly the best way!