I am a newly qualified associate in the real estate division. I studied at King’s College in London and I did a degree originally in genetics. I then did the law conversion course and the LPC at BPP Law School and started here in September 2008.
Our culture
I think the first thing you notice when you work at Herbert Smith is just how mixed and diverse the firm is. It’s a very international firm and I think that’s reflected in our trainee intake. I think that in itself fosters a very open, easy going and relaxed atmosphere, because there is a coming together of so many different cultures and views.
Why choose Herbert Smith?
I chose Herbert Smith after doing a two-week vacation placement in the summer of 2006. I really enjoyed my time here and the culture really appealed to me. I liked the people I met and it just felt right for me. As soon as I was given an offer after the vacation placement, I accepted.
The recruitment process
The process is challenging purely because there are lots of people applying for a relatively small number of spaces. But at the same time it’s fair and open; what you see is what you get. The process was more about your competency to apply the law and I think that’s what I appreciated. When I attended my interview it was technically challenging and the partners pushed me, but I appreciate that it was important for me to be able to demonstrate that I could handle pressure and being put on the spot.
Training and development
One of the key ways to describe Herbert Smith’s investment in training starts at the very beginning. You'll attend a customised LPC course that Herbert Smith and a consortium of other leading City law firms have put together. From early on it’s evident that the firm’s investment in you is tailored towards you becoming an excellent technical lawyer. It’s quite well-rounded; it’s not just technical training, softer skills are also nurtured.
Diversity
From a diversity perspective and as a person with a disability I think a key issue for me is that the firm is very open and flexible. There was never a problem approaching HR and disclosing the assistance I would need later on down the line and the adjustments I required. I think that it was very important for me that I could feel at ease discussing such issues. It created an easier working environment for me so that I feel I can now focus purely on the job at hand and not have to worry about anything else.