Firms

Pannone LLP

Web:  www.pannone.com 

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

 

Web:  www.pannone.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? 

 ''Reputation for top quality work'; 'broad-based firm'; 'very friendly, laid-back ethos'; 'work/life balance'; 'Manchester-based'; 'wide areas of expertise'; 'balance between commercial and private client'' 

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

 ''Less stressful'; 'better hours'; 'friendlier and more fun!'; 'more support given'; 'better work/life balance'; 'given a lot of responsibility'; 'more social events'; 'more organised'; 'more of a community'; 'trainees' choices of seats are considered'' 

Best thing about the firm? 

 ''The people'; 'emphasis on social activities'; 'good communication about what's going on in the firm'; 'lots of employee benefits'; 'very ambitious'; 'dress down Friday'; 'free drinks every month'; 'no-one is off limits to speak to if you need help'' 

Worst thing about the firm? 

 ''Too many treats in the kitchens!'; 'the lifts'; 'due to the number of trainees there is pressure on seat allocation'; 'limited space in some departments so very few places to gather during a lunchtime on a social basis'' 

Best moment? 

 ''Assisting with groundbreaking cases'; 'winning a sports injury case'; 'having my own caseload'; 'conducting my own client meetings'; 'attending conferences with counsel'' 

Worst moment?

 ''Preparing bundles'; 'doing an overnighter in corporate and the deal not even completing!'; 'dealing with a difficult client'; 'not having enough work to do''

The Lex 100 verdict

 The Verdict

The firm

Manchester-based full-service firm Pannone LLP has an impressive record in claimant injury work and family advice, but also has depth on the corporate side in mid-market deals. Pannone was voted 18th in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to work for survey 2010, and remains the highest-placed law firm since the survey began. 

The star performers

Charities; Clinical negligence: claimant; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Crime; Debt recovery; Employment; Family; Personal injury; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Property litigation; TMT; Transport.

The deals

Advised Wayne Rooney's agent in a major breach of contract dispute brought by his former employer; represented numerous claimants in professional negligence actions brought against financial advisers relating to investments made in the now insolvent Icelandic bank Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander; advised Manchester City Council in relation to council tax and business rates recovery work.

The clients

Balfour Beatty; Bank of England; Burley Borough Council; Chevron; Doodson Broking Group; Kellogg's; Luxfer Group; National Grid; Tesco.

The Verdict

A Lex 100 Winner for social life, you won't get bored at Manchester firm Pannone, thanks to the 'impressive' social activities and diverse workload. With a reputation for 'high-quality work' and a 'very friendly and laid-back ethos,' it has a good variety of seats on offer balancing commercial and private client nicely. With better hours than a lot of other firms in the region, current trainees also like the fact that colleagues are 'extremely hands on' and provide 'endless amounts of guidance and help'. Due to the number of trainees there can be some 'pressure on seat allocation', however if trainees feel a little overwhelmed at the idea of choosing their next seat (a common concern) then heads of departments are on hand to discuss their department and the work undertaken, which is always encouraging and helps make their minds up. Other grumbles concern the 'rubbish' lifts and a desire for more transparency concerning NQ jobs. Other than that other concerns seem to involve too many treats in the office kitchen! With an active social itinerary ('free drinks every month, dress-down Friday, employee of the month, raffles where you can win a half-day holiday'), good employee benefits, plenty of responsibility and an open-door policy, Pannone is a great choice for those looking to put down roots in the North.

A day in the life

A day in the life of.....

Sarah Bazaraa, second-year trainee, Pannone 
Departments to date:  Dispute resolution, corporate and commercial
University: Manchester 
Degree: Law 2(1) 

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8.15am: I tend to get into the office around now and begin my day by checking my emails and considering the tasks on my 'to-do list' over a cup of tea. This morning I am attending a client meeting with a partner in my team on a new matter involving an alleged copyright infringement. I am a trainee solicitor within the contentious intellectual property and media team, and although this is the type of dispute we come across frequently, the facts of each matter are always different. I familiarise myself with the background documentation to this dispute in preparation for the meeting. Client meetings are always great experience for trainees as you get brilliant exposure to a wide range of cases. In terms of trainee development, meetings give you the chance to see how the law applies in practice and to learn more about client care, interviewing and advising. I make a detailed note of the meeting as this will then form the basis for the letter of advice we will send to the client.

10.00am: Following the meeting, I am asked to carry out research in relation to some technical points of copyright law. I prepare a memo of my findings and email that over for my supervisor to review. I share an office with a partner and so am able to discuss various points that arise during my research with her.

1.00pm: I have arranged to meet some of the other trainees for lunch. You get to know the other trainees really well as there are plenty of social events organised by the firm. It's always lovely to catch up on how everybody is doing with work and outside of work.

2.00pm: I get back to my desk and finalise preparations for a second meeting I have been asked to attend on behalf of a client. I have been asked to attend a meeting to interview potential witnesses to a defamation dispute. I have prepared a questionnaire in order to ascertain exactly what was said during the event at which the alleged defamatory comments were made. The answers to the questionnaires will then form the basis of witness statement evidence. It is great being given this level of responsibility and involvement in ongoing cases. Following my meeting I diarise the preparation of the witness statements for the following day.

4.00pm: I then begin research preparation for our IP know-how presentation. We have weekly update sessions, presented by the trainees on a rota basis, to members of our intellectual property and media team. I consider various updates in case law and legislation and produce a handout which I will go through at tomorrow's session. The sessions are a good way to keep updated on legal developments and brush up on presentation skills.

5.30pm: I meet with several members of the team as we are due to attend a seminar on recent changes to the Patents County Court presented by a barrister. We meet with many other lawyers and agents in the field of intellectual property and there is the opportunity to network after the seminar. This is a good chance to catch up with both members of the team and attendees at the seminar. It seems to be a really sociable crowd and there are plenty of drinks and nibbles to keep people entertained.

This is an example of the day in the life of a trainee, but in reality every day is different. The type of work I am involved with includes client meetings, carrying out research, drafting letters of advice, attending court, drafting court documents and liaising with clients, opponents and experts. There is a lot of hard work involved, but the firm is also great at organising social events and with monthly drinks evenings, department parties and firm parties, there is also plenty of fun to be had.

About the firm

About the firm

Address: 123 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BU

Telephone: 0161 909 3000

Fax: 0161 909 4444

Website: www.pannone.com

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

Senior partner: Steven Grant

Managing partner: Emma Holt

Who we are:  Our clients tell us we are different. With a passion for winning, you will find our lawyers confident, friendly and easy to work with. We expect to be measured on quality, integrity and, above all, results.

What we do: Through our specialist divisions we offer a range of legal services to a diverse client base, split almost equally between businesses and private individuals.

What we are looking for: High academic standards, people who can organise themselves and others, good communication and debating skills, a life beyond the law.

What you'll do:  Training will be mostly through four seats that the trainees choose themselves, plus a structured programme of induction, seminars, monitoring and support.

Perks: Season ticket loan, subsidised gym membership, healthcare, sports and social events, and pension, plus a range of other benefits.

Sponsorship: LPC plus fees at the College of Law, Manchester.

 

Facts & figures

 Facts and figures

Trainee places available for 2014: 8

Applications received pa: 1,200 

Percentage interviewed: 10% 

Salary

First year: £24,000

Second year: £26,000

Newly qualified: £36,000

 The money

(from Legal Business magazine)

Turnover in 2010: £49.1m (-6% from 2009) Profits per equity partner: £211,000 (-4%)

Total partners: 110

Other fee-earners: 260

Total trainees: 30

APPLY NOW

Application process

Apply to: Andrea Cohen, partner.

How: Online via website 

When to Apply: 31 July 2012 for September 2014. 

What is involved: Application is primarily through one-week vacation placement, including first interview for training contract. Second interviews include lunch with our interviewing partners in the company of other candidates. 

 

 Vacation schemes

Summer: 4 June-27 July 2012 (apply by 15 April 2012)