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Law firms as businesses
Chambers Student Guide is an excellent starting point for finding out about law firms, their practice areas, and clients. It contains essential information for students when researching and applying to law firms. The ‘True Picture’ feature gives insight into the life of a trainee at 120 firms:
http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk.
The Law Society website contains comprehensive information on the legal profession, including invaluable information for students, for example on training contracts and ‘top tips for applications’:
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk.
However much anyone may tell you about an individual firm, it is always best to find out for yourself. Make sure you look at (at least) one website for each of the categories of firm.
- Magic Circle:
- Allen & Overy: http://www.allenovery.com
- Clifford Chance: http://www.cliffordchance.com
- Freshfield Bruckhaus Deringer: http://www.freshfields.com
- Linklaters: http://www.linklaters.com
- Slaughter & May: http://www.slaughterandmay.com
- Silver Circle:
- Ashurst: http://www.ashurst.com
- CMS Cameron McKenna: http://www.cms-cmck.com/
- Herbert Smith Freehills: http://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com
- Hogan Lovells: http://www.hoganlovells.com
- Simmons & Simmons: http://www.simmons-simmons.com
- US London firms. E.g.:
- Weil, Gotshal & Manges: http://www.weil.com
- Mayer Brown: http://www.mayerbrown.com
- Mid-sized commercial. E.g.:
- Macfarlanes: http://www.macfarlanes.com
- Trowers & Hamlins: http://www.trowers.com
- Smaller commercial. E.g.:
- Wedlake Bell: http://www.wedlakebell.com
- Collyer Bristow: http://www.collyerbristow.com
- National and ‘multi-site’ firms. E.g.:
- Eversheds: http://www.eversheds.com
- DLA Piper: http://www.dlapiper.com
- Regional firms. E.g.:
- Bond Dickinson: http://www.bonddickinson.com
- Walker Morris (Leeds): http://www.walkermorris.co.uk
- Wilsons (Salisbury and London): http://www.wilsonslaw.com/
- Wright Hassall (Leamington Spa): http://www.wrighthassall.co.uk
- Niche or boutique firms. E.g.:
- Actons (equine law): http://actons.co.uk
- Thomas Cooper Partners (maritime law, trade & finance law): http://thomascooperlaw.com
- General practice/high street firms: A wide selection to choose from!