Firms

Penningtons Solicitors LLP

Web:  www.penningtons.co.uk 

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

 

Web:  www.penningtons.co.uk 

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? 

 ''Location'; 'work/life balance'; 'range of work and expertise'; 'vacation scheme - very much enjoyed it'; 'I liked the culture'; 'atmosphere of the firm'; 'it's a nice mixture of a medium-sized firm in a City environment'; 'I liked the broad practice areas'; 'reputation for friendliness combined with good-quality work';' 

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

 ''Much better quality of work'; 'higher level of responsibility compared to larger law firms'; 'I am getting more client contact'; 'I am making valuable contributions to the team'; 'trainees here are valued for the work they do, they are not just there to do the work that partners do not want to do';' 

Best thing about the firm? 

 ''I believe that the partners and other staff are a lot more approachable here than in many City firms'; 'working hours'; 'helpful and friendly senior solicitors and partners'; 'great quality of work'; 'the firm has a nice social aspect'; 'the people'; 'the appropriate levels of responsibility'; 'a very good work/life balance'' 

Worst thing about the firm? 

 ''Lack of social events'; 'busy partners do not always have time to train'; 'departments tend to be top heavy'; 'having a fairly large number of partners with relatively few junior fee-earners'; 'there certainly does seem to be quite an age and experience gap in many departments'' 

Best moment? 

 ''Being left to conduct a negotiation on behalf of a client - even if it is just a small issue it makes you really feel like you are developing your skills'; 'single-handedly negotiating a settlement for a client'; 'when clients started phoning me directly for advice and to thank us for work we did instead of my supervising partner'' 

Worst moment?

 ''Having to sit in on a meeting with unhappy clients'; 'having to ask for work'; 'feeling inundated with work from many different fee-earners and struggling to meet everyone's deadlines'; 'impossible research tasks'; 'not getting a payrise for third year in a row'; 'delivering documents by foot in the snow''

The Lex 100 verdict

 The Verdict

The firm

Penningtons has offices in London, Basingstoke and Godalming, and offers some intriguing niche areas. The private client team is recommended for its offshore tax structuring expertise, and the firm also advises on both personal and business immigration. The healthcare and travel sectors are core features of Penningtons Solicitors LLP's M&A practice, with the majority of deals falling within the sub-£50m bracket. 

The star performers

Agriculture and estates; Clinical negligence: claimant; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Employment; Immigration; Personal injury: claimant; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Professional discipline; Social housing.

The deals

Acted in a judicial review of a decision made on a language teaching case; acting in Ferneley v Napier, which clarified the standard of proof required when trying to prove a will where no copy exists.

The clients

The General Pharmaceutical Council; The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; financial services providers; government bodies/organisations.

The Verdict

Following the merger with Lincolns Inn stalwart Dawsons in May 2011, Penningtons is an exciting firm to join. Candidates are immediately impressed with the 'highly enjoyable' vacation scheme. There are also positive comments about the culture and atmosphere with one trainee describing it as 'a medium-sized firm in a City environment'. Another comments on the 'very good feeling' that they got during their interview. A Lex 100 Winner for quality of work, there are many opportunities to make 'valuable contributions' to the team and trainees are given a 'higher level of responsibility' than peers at some other firms. You could find yourself 'single-handedly negotiating settlement for a client for £1.25m' or, thanks to the good level of client contact afforded to trainees, 'conducting a negotiation on behalf of a client'. The 'open, helpful and friendly' senior solicitors are always there to help if needed. Training here is described as 'very good' and the training staff are 'friendly and supportive'. Some would like more social activities but as a whole there are few complaints. If you are looking for a national firm with a London office in growth mode then Penningtons is worth considering.

A day in the life

A day in the life of.....

James Sedgley, first-year trainee, Penningtons Solicitors LLP 
Departments to date:  Commercial property, private client
University: Bristol University 
Degree: Geographical sciences, 2(1) 

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8.30am: My day begins with a 30-minute cycle ride to the office.

9.00am: I arrive and make my way to the kitchen where I pick up a coffee and catch up with the other trainees. The first thing I do when at my desk is check my emails. There are a few from clients that I have been expecting that will allow me to finalise some matters that I have been working on. I am often involved in numerous matters running simultaneously, usually working with several different partners and fee-earners in the department. It's important that I take a moment to plan my work for the day.

9.30am: Before I get going, a partner finds me at my desk and asks me to undertake some research. The partner is meeting a client this morning and needs to know if there have been any reported cases on a technical point of the law. I get on to it straight away and manage to find something quickly. Legal research can be a bit of a maze; you need a logical approach and a bit of patience. Sometimes there is no answer so you need to be confident that you've checked the resources and back up your conclusions.

10.00am: I take the opportunity to deal with my emails and finish off one matter. I have been assisting a partner with a probate file and have just received the final summary of a large auction sale of antiques and jewellery from the estate. I finalise the accounts to be submitted to HM Revenue and Customs and email it to the partner for his final review.

11.00am: In half an hour I am joining an associate solicitor in a client meeting. The clients are a couple wishing to write new wills and discuss capital tax planning. The associate gives me all the necessary details given by the client in advance of the meeting. As is the case with many of our clients, there are a wide range of factors to consider and several options that we will need to discuss. We run through the likely structure of the meeting. It is important that I understand all the issues beforehand as I will need to make a detailed note and will likely be drafting the wills after the meeting.

11.30am: I make my way to reception with the associate and we greet the clients. The associate takes the clients through the full range of options and discusses the pros and cons. It's great experience to see the associate in full flow and I am learning a lot. The associate even refers some small technical points to me to explain to the clients. The clients have strong views on how they would like to structure their affairs and by the end of the meeting there is a defined plan. I have agreed to supply a copy of my note to the clients so I head back to my desk and make a start on this.

1.00pm: Lunch. Sometimes we have a technical session or a seminar, led by one of the team. These cover recent changes in the law or significant cases. Most lunchtimes, like today, I meet with the other trainees. It's nice outside so we pick up some food from a nearby shop and sit in the grounds of St Paul's Cathedral for half an hour.

2.00pm: I finish the note and send this to the associate for review. Next I start on the wills. I have drafted several of these, but this is the most complicated. I also have to write a full commentary explaining each clause and a letter highlighting the key provisions.

4.30pm: A solicitor asks me to register a transfer of a property. This is where my previous seat in commercial property helps.

5.30pm: Tomorrow I will be assisting our family team by attending court. I make sure I have all I need and review the papers.

6.30pm: A drinks evening has been organised for the new trainees who will be joining the firm this year. This gives me the chance to catch up with the trainees from other offices.

About the firm

About the firm

Address: Abacus House, 33 Gutter Lane EC2V 8AR

Telephone: 020 7457 3000

Fax: 020 7457 3240

Website: www.penningtons.co.uk

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

Chief executive:  David Raine

 

Other offices: Basingstoke (Hampshire), Godalming (Surrey) 

Who we are:  A thriving, modern law firm with a 200-year history, and a deep commitment to providing innovative legal solutions that precisely match clients' needs.

What we do: Our main practice areas are: dispute resolution, corporate, commercial, immigration, property and private client, provided through our business services, commercial property and private individuals divisions.

What we are looking for: We seek high-calibre candidates with enthusiasm and resilience. A high standard of academic achievement is expected: three or more good A-level passes and preferably a 2(1) or better at degree level.

What you'll do:  We recognise the value of giving trainees responsibility and allowing direct contact with clients. Our broad-based practice areas ensure trainees receive a varied training contract, avoiding too specialised an approach before qualification.

Perks: Life assurance, critical illness cover, pension, private medical insurance, 23 days' holiday (minimum), interest-free season ticket loan, sports and social events.

Sponsorship: Full fees and a maintenance grant are payable for the LPC.

 

Facts & figures

 Facts and figures

Trainee places available for 2014: 7-10

Applications received pa: 1,300 

Percentage interviewed: 6% 

Salary

First year: £31,000 (London)

Second year: £33,000 (London)

Newly qualified: £47,000 (London)

 

Total partners: 62

Other fee-earners: 108

Total trainees: 25

APPLY NOW

Application process

Apply to: Andrea Law, learning and development manager.

How: Online via website. 

When to Apply: 31 July 2012. 

What is involved: Two-stage interview, online test, presentation and written exercise. 

 

 Vacation schemes

Summer: One week in July 2012; apply by 31 March 2012.