Firms

McGrigors

 

Survey results

Survey results

 

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 

 ''The size of the firm'; 'the opportunity to undertake seats in different offices'; 'strong energy practice'; 'vacation placement'; 'I found the firm to be friendly and welcoming'; 'the people seemed friendly and unpretentious'; 'good general commercial training'; 'summer vac scheme was the best'' 

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

 ''Good variety of seat choices'; 'interesting clients'; 'smaller teams'; 'better work/life balance'; 'a lot more time and money spent on training sessions'; 'our training seems to be of a higher standard'; 'greater amount of responsibility and client contact'' 

Best thing about the firm? 

 ''The social aspect'; 'getting the opportunity to learn in four different seats'; 'very friendly and down to earth and always helpful'; 'the team spirit and trust and reliance that you share with colleagues'; 'partners are also great for general chit-chat and take a genuine interest in your life outside of work'; 'the varied work'' 

Worst thing about the firm? 

 ''The lack of space'; 'no canteen'; 'salary'; 'uncertainty of job security'; 'location'; 'open-plan office'; 'obsessive mind set towards developing into a national firm'; 'little cohesion within the London office'; 'the hours'' 

Best moment? 

 ''The opportunity to go to a conference organised by McGrigors in London in respect of the Russian Law Week'; 'working on a completion'; 'being trusted to do more work'; 'assisting in high-value tribunals'; 'getting the opportunity to go to NYC for a mini-secondment'; 'sipping champagne on the balcony of a London law firm overlooking Tower Bridge after completing a major energy deal'' 

Worst moment?

 ''Having to work solidly for 48 hours on a corporate transaction'; 'IT issues!'; 'a few all-nighters'; 'composing a schedule of costs '; 'sending an important document to the wrong address''

The Lex 100 verdict

 The Verdict

The firm

One of Scotland's 'Big Four' firms, McGrigors has UK offices in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Aberdeen and Manchester. There have been some significant firm-wide developments in recent years: its London office continues to grow, following the 2008 merger with West End boutique Reid Minty; a Manchester office opened in 2008; and the Belfast office merged in 2009 with L'Estrange & Brett. Strong in corporate and real estate, the firm is also known for its prowess in oil and gas and renewables work, much of which has an international flavour. 

The star performers

Banking and finance; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Construction; Corporate and commercial; Corporate tax; Employment; Energy; IT and IP; Insolvency and corporate recovery; Licensing; Parliamentary; Pensions; Planning; Private Finance Initiative (PFI); Property litigation; Tax litigation.

The deals

Advised Superior Energy Services on its £103.5m takeover of AIM-traded Hallin Marine Subsea International; advised the shareholders of PSN Limited on the tax aspects of its sale to John Wood Group; advised Nevis Capital in relation to its investment in Dieselec Generators Limited; acted for Glasgow Housing Association on £700m term loan and grant facilities provided by a combination of an RBS-led syndicate of banks and the Scottish Government.

The clients

BP; Balfour Beatty; Barclays; Gala Casinos; Hilton Hotels; Ignis Fund Managers; KPMG; PizzaExpress; Prezzo; Scottish Power; the Royal Mail.

The winners

Legal Business Awards 2011

Highly commended dispute resolution team of the year 

The Verdict

Top Scottish firm McGrigors stands out because of its legal reach and its driving ambition. With an 'extremely strong' energy practice, trainees like the firm's attitude to work and the fact that it is 'friendly and welcoming'. Despite being a member of the Scottish 'Big Four' the people here are 'unpretentious' and employees are 'treated extremely well'. Training at the firm is 'much better' and it is obvious that 'a lot of time and money is spent on training sessions and the induction'. A highlight for many is the training week at a hotel outside Glasgow where part of the professional skills course training is done along with other training. This is seen as a 'great chance for everyone to meet each other and cement friendships'. An added bonus is the fact that partners attend the evening meals and do a quiz giving trainees a relaxed opportunity to meet them. Compared to some other firms there is 'a greater amount of responsibility and client contact' and trainees say it is exciting to work for a firm that is 'growing internationally and domestically'. The four-seat system is popular and opportunities such as 'going to NYC for a mini-secondment' and 'assisting in high-value tribunals' keep trainees very happy. There could be 'more cohesion within the London office as a whole' and the lack of canteen and the open-plan office are not popular. However, with its great reputation and highly rated training, those looking to train with a Scottish firm would do well to set their sights on McGrigors.