Firms

Covington & Burling

Web:  www.cov.com 

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Web:  www.cov.com 

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Survey results

Survey results

 

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 

 ''Excellent profile in IP/IT and life sciences regulatory law'; 'interesting links to policy-making establishment in Washington, DC'; 'size of firm'; 'size of office'; 'client list'; 'people'; 'atmosphere'; 'size of trainee intake'' 

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 

 ''Less formal training'; 'some training is quite US-focused'; 'more emphasis on learning-by-doing'; 'much more responsibility'; 'better treatment for trainees here'; 'training is less structured'; 'effort is made to accommodate our interests, especially seat choices'; 'you do work on a regular basis that many people don't experience regularly until they qualify'' 

Best thing about the firm? 

 ''Hard-working but 'humane' work culture'; 'interesting clients'; 'friendly atmosphere'; 'trainees are instantly made to feel part of the team'; 'we wear jeans on alternate Fridays'; 'the quality of work product is paramount, but this doesn't translate into an overly stressful, "bottom line" kind of place'; 'lawyers are generally empathetic and receptive to the issues'' 

Worst thing about the firm? 

 ''Some long hours due to time difference with the US'; 'there isn't a big trainee social scene'; 'lack of secretarial/legal support services'; 'fair number of compulsory US-centric training sessions'; 'the coffee'' 

Best moment? 

 ''Writing a memorandum that was approved by lead counsel in a case'; 'attending the new joiners retreat in Washington, DC'; 'successfully resisting a £2.1m debt claim'; 'day-to-day management of an interesting case in the life sciences field with lots of client contact'' 

Worst moment?

 ''Unpredictable hours in corporate department'; 'PSC course'; 'IT issues are always incredibly stressful'; 'a few very late nights negotiating a deal with a US-based client'; 'realising that I was going to handle a close, by myself, on a Sunday!'

The Lex 100 verdict

 The Verdict

The firm

US firm Covington & Burling is active in private equity and investment trusts, advising both funds and investors. The firm is well-known for its expertise in the life sciences, technology, pharmaceuticals and insurance sectors, with healthcare and media other core areas for the firm. It also has an impressive anti-corruption and bribery practice in London. 

The star performers

Arbitration; Commercial litigation; Financial services; Insurance and reinsurance litigation for policy holders; Investment funds; M&A: smaller deals/US law; Media and entertainment; Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology; Product liability: defendant; Venture capital.

The deals

Advised Baltic Oil Terminals on a £4.1m placing on AIM; advised Baltic Oil Terminals on its $10.8bn acquisition of Petroval Bunke.

The clients

Brookings Institute; ExxonMobil; Goodrich; Gothaer Asset Management; HealthpointCapital; ITT; Merck & Co; Pantheon; Textron; Zapata.

The Verdict

A Lex 100 Winner for job satisfaction, living up to expectations and quality of work, trainees sing Covington & Burlington's praises when it comes to the friendly and relaxed atmosphere at this US firm. Although it doesn't have a large London office, current trainees like that it combines an 'intimate working environment' with 'global contacts and clients'. They are quickly exposed to work that others 'don't experience regularly until they qualify' such as 'taking part in a fascinating investigation into an online services provider' and 'successfully resisting a £2.1m debt claim' and appreciate that 'a real effort is made to accommodate interests, especially in seat choices'. This US firm may not organise a lot of social events due to having a small trainee intake but when it does they are good fun. It is easy to feel 'part of the team' and most feel 'comfortable enough to ask questions'. You can even wear jeans every other Friday! The firm, which boasts 'excellent' IP/IT, life sciences, regulatory and pharmaceutical practices, also invites its trainees to its annual new joiners retreat in Washington, DC, an excellent chance to get to know colleagues abroad and learn more about the firm's links to the policy-making establishment in the city. With great salaries, a smaller, friendly office and a global client list, one trainee points out, Covington & Burling offers 'the best of both worlds'.

A day in the life

A day in the life of.....

Kate Milson, trainee, Covington & Burling LLP 
Departments to date:  Corporate, dispute resolution
University: University College, London 
Degree: Law, 2(1) 

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8.45am: I arrive at the office and check my emails. I am part of a team, made up of lawyers of all levels from the London, Washington and Beijing offices, which is conducting an internal investigation for a client into alleged bribery and corruption of foreign public officials. My involvement to date has been to review documents to establish the facts but this morning I have been asked to attend a telephone interview with one of the key persons involved. This is a fast-paced and exciting project. The subject matter is extremely pertinent in light of recent, and pending, legal reform and the client has given us a tight timeframe within which to work.

10.15am: The telephone interview was both eventful and extremely informative, and it has taught me a lot about how to ask the most effective questions. The supervising lawyer, a partner in the Washington office, who conducted the interview, seeks my opinion regarding the information that we have learnt. In my experience, one of the features of being a Covington trainee is that you are expected to demonstrate initiative and your views are actively sought out and valued.

10.30am: I return to my desk. I have been instructed to prepare a summary of the key points of the telephone interview and a formal attendance note. I review my notes and I prepare the summary. The supervising associate reviews my work and provides me with a mark-up with minor amendments.

12.45pm: I play netball for the firm team, the 'Covington Cupcakes'. Today, we have a crucial match against another law firm. Having changed into my Covington kit, which a partner kindly bought for us at Christmas, I head down to reception to meet up with the rest of the team. The match is closely fought, but we emerge victorious. I find this a great way to stretch my legs and to catch up with colleagues in an informal setting.

2.15pm: I have volunteered to assist with some work for a potential new pro bono client. I meet with the associate, who is supervising me on this project, to obtain my instructions. Trainees are actively encouraged to take on pro bono work, as it provides an excellent opportunity to access early responsibility and to enhance professional development.

3.00pm: My supervisor asks me to draft a without prejudice save as to costs letter in reply to correspondence we have received in an ongoing contentious matter. This is a creative task and I am urged to put my own stamp on the letter. As a Covington trainee, I have been given challenging work and have been entrusted with early responsibility, which I find is an effective and valuable way to learn. At the same time, there is a robust support system in place. Covington truly has an 'open door' policy and the other lawyers with whom I work are always willing to answer questions and give guidance where needed.

5.30pm: I am currently assisting my supervisor in writing a chapter on ad hoc arbitration. I have already completed my research and now I begin a first draft of the chapter. This is another good opportunity to practise my drafting skills.

7.00pm: I check with my supervisor and the associates with whom I am working that there is nothing more that I need to do tonight. I jot down the tasks that I plan to tackle tomorrow and, once again, head down to reception. I am meeting with the other members of the dispute resolution practice group for celebratory drinks. The drinks are to toast two of the second-year trainees, who will be joining dispute resolution as associates upon qualification.

About the firm

About the firm

Address: 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH

Telephone: 020 7067 2000

Fax: 020 7067 2222

Website: www.cov.com

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Managing partner: Roger Enock (London office)

 

Other offices: Beijing, Brussels, New York, San Diego, San Fransisco, Silicon Valley, Washington. 

Who we are:  Covington & Burling LLP is a leading international law firm founded in Washington DC that has over 800 lawyers.

What we do: We represent some of the world's most sophisticated clients in a diverse range of fields. Apart from our work in the corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, and regulatory areas, we are known for our expertise in cutting-edge fields, including life sciences, internet and IT, software and communications.

What we are looking for: We are looking for outstanding students who are committed to providing quality legal advice in an imaginative way, so that we can maintain our ability to respond to the evolving needs and expectations of our clients. We look for team players, but above all else, we look for intellectual distinction, imagination and integrity. We are looking for consistently high academic performers that have or are on target to achieve a minimum of 2(1) degree in any discipline.

What you'll do:  We split the two-year period into four six-month seats rotating between practice areas. All trainees will spend six months in the corporate and dispute resolution practice areas. Currently, the other seats are in the life sciences, employment, tax, technology and media, and IP practice areas. A secondment to the in-house department of a client may also be possible.

Perks: Group personal pension scheme; private medical insurance scheme; group income protection scheme; life assurance scheme; 25 days' holiday per annum; interest-free season ticket loan; childcare vouchers; and access to our employee assistance programme.

Sponsorship: We will pay tuition and examination fees for the GDL and the LPC. Maintenance will be paid at the rate of £8,000 per annum.

 

Facts & figures

 Facts and figures

Trainee places available for 2014: 6

Applications received pa: Over 700 

Percentage interviewed: 10% 

Salary

First year: £40,000

Second year: £44,000

Newly qualified: £80,000

 

Total partners: 240

Other fee-earners: 830

Total trainees: 13

APPLY NOW

Application process

Apply to: Graduate recruitment manager.

How: Online 

When to Apply: 31 July 2012. 

What is involved: One interview for a summer placement and two interviews for a training contract position. 

 

 Vacation schemes

Summer: Three one-week schemes in June and July (apply by 27 January 2012).