Firms

Howes Percival LLP

Survey results

Survey results

 

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 

 ''Howes Percival is a regional firm with a very good client base'; 'offers a range of practice areas'; 'very friendly firm'; 'a good reputation'; 'did not want to work City hours'; 'work/life balance'; ' the high-profile clients'; 'City-quality firm outside the City'; 'pay'' 

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

 ''Less stressful'; 'less responsibility than those at smaller firms'; 'better quality of work'; 'more responsibility'; 'more client contact'; 'a lot more support from both fee-earners and support staff'; 'less file management responsibility'' 

Best thing about the firm? 

 ''Range of practice areas and clients'; 'quality of the work'; 'friendliness'; 'trainees are encouraged to be involved with marketing, at work events or independently'; 'general ethos of the firm is good - everyone works very hard, but there is a work/life balance'; 'trainees are well looked after'' 

Worst thing about the firm? 

 ''Limited responsibility in some areas'; 'staff are not always kept up-to-speed with all developments'; 'approach to trainees and training varies from department to department'; 'could be a little more consistency in approach'; 'the facilities aren't as modern as some firms'' 

Best moment? 

 ''Preparing and attending a without notice hearing of a freezing injunction'; 'I have been given a lot of responsibility in the commercial property department'; 'seeing a client on my own while waiting for a fee-earner to get out of a call'; 'getting really stuck into a major strategic acquisition'' 

Worst moment?

 ''I have not had any unpleasant experience so far'; 'having to work until 1am the night before a deal finished'; 'there have been times when the work has been stressful and the hours long''

The Lex 100 verdict

 The Verdict

The firm

With offices in Leicester, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Norwich, Howes Percival continues to dominate the Northamptonshire and Leicestershire regions, handling increasingly large corporate deals. The firm has restructured its management team and boosted its already busy corporate/commercial, outstanding employment and highly regarded litigation groups. 

The star performers

Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Corporate tax; Employment; Insolvency; Property litigation.

The deals

Advised the liquidator of Our Price Entertainment; advised on an £8m farm purchase; assists Paul Bassham Charitable Trust with accountancy and legal issues; handled the administration of a £3m estate.

The clients

Ashwell Property Group; Baker Tilly Restructuring and Recovery LLP; Ford Retail; Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Verdict

For those looking to settle in the East Midlands, Howes Percival might be at the top of your hit list. With a great reputation, a broad range of practice areas and plenty of high-profile clients it is one of the stars of the region. Trainees describe it as a 'City-quality firm without the City hours'. Prepare to be given a reasonable amount of responsibility at this friendly, mid-sizer but also 'a lot of support from both fee-earners and support staff'. The firm is a Lex 100 Winner this year for client contact; experiences such as 'seeing a client on my own while waiting for a fee-earner to get off a call' demonstrate the kind of contact you may get. 'Preparing and attending a without notice hearing of a freezing injunction' and 'completing a matter that I had seen from the outset and worked on myself (under supervision)' are two examples of the experiences on offer here. There are very few grumbles from current trainees. The firm has recently been 'a little light' on trainees as a result of the difficult economy but that is hardly an issue unique to Howes Percival. There are also times when 'work has been stressful and the hours long' but a trainee philosophically points out that this is just 'part and parcel of the job'. If you are looking to put down roots outside London but still want to get your hands on some City-worthy deals and clients then this firm is one to seriously consider.