Firms

Wedlake Bell

Web:  www.wedlakebell.com 

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

 

Web:  www.wedlakebell.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? 

 ''Extremely varied practice areas so a very broad base for training'; 'a small number of trainees'; 'very friendly atmosphere'; 'work/life balance'; 'high exposure to quality work and clients'; 'general firm ethos'; 'completely sold on the vacation scheme'; 'quality work and excellent hands-on training mixed with a friendly atmosphere and supportive culture'; 'small enough to be friendly yet large enough to have high-profile work'' 

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

 ''Better hours'; 'higher-quality work'; 'great social life'; 'greater client contact'; 'fewer administrative tasks'; 'higher standard of work and client contact'; 'I have a lot of client contact'; 'friends are surprised that I'm involved in negotiating documents'; 'the atmosphere really seems a lot more collegiate'; 'responsibility'; 'partners much more friendly'; 'approachable'; 'better work/life balance'' 

Best thing about the firm? 

 ''The chocolate brownies that you get in client meetings'; 'very friendly staff including all the partners'; 'the variety of seats'; 'its open, friendly and supportive ethos'; 'it's large enough to provide a full and quality service to clients but small enough that its friendly character doesn't get lost'; 'everyone is very friendly and approachable'; 'not afraid to ask if I don't understand something'; 'opportunity to sit in on client meetings and attend client events'' 

Worst thing about the firm? 

 ''Slightly less well known than other firms'; 'a canteen would be nice'; 'pay is not great compared to other London firms'' 

Best moment? 

 ''An unexpected phonecall from a celebrity client who confirmed she was pleased with my work'; 'running a file on my own from start to finish'; 'getting involved in and attending a four-week High Court trial'' 

Worst moment?

 ''Court run in the pouring rain'; 'being deferred for one year'; 'making a mistake in work I was doing for a partner, they were very supportive, but I still felt terrible''

The Lex 100 verdict

 The Verdict

The firm

Wedlake Bell is extremely well-regarded for its expertise in advertising, sponsorship and franchising, and the firm acts for some leading household brands. Private client and commercial property are other key strengths. The corporate team continues to work on some major deals. 

The star performers

Brand management; Commercial property; Construction; Employment; Pensions; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Property finance; Property litigation.

The deals

Advised new client KIRKBI Real Estate Investments on the demolition and refurbishment of a 12-storey office block in central London; advised Convergys Corporation on the sale of its HR management division to Northgate Arinso in 2010.

The clients

Athos/Carlyle; Aquascutum; Bank of Scotland; the Dairy Crest Group Pension Fund; Diageo; Hyatt; Kawasaki Pension Scheme; the Natixis Pension Schemes; Warburg-Henderson KAG.

The Verdict

Candidates report being 'completely sold' on the vacation scheme at Wedlake Bell so it is little surprise that the firm is a Lex 100 Winner in that category. One of the oldest firms in London, it offers a 'broad base for training' thanks to its 'extremely varied practice areas' including advertising and franchising. The 'very friendly' staff (including partners who are 'very approachable') aim to give trainees a 'high level of exposure' to some quality work and thanks to the great level of client contact you could find yourself receiving 'phonecalls from celebrity clients'. Being deferred for a year at the peak of the financial crisis caused a few complaints and having a canteen in the office would be nice, although as one trainee points out given the firm's size 'really isn't feasible'. The firm is also a Lex 100 Winner in another three categories; friendliness, client contact and social life ('we have a great social life'), overall a very impressive tally. Wedlake Bell is a really good option for those looking for a meritocratic outfit where you will get opportunities to meet clients, experience high-quality work and get some 'excellent hands-on training'. The chocolate brownies at client meetings aren't bad either!

A day in the life

A day in the life of.....

Rebecca Doherty, first-year trainee, Wedlake Bell LLP 
Departments to date:  Private client, commercial property
University: National University of Ireland, Galway 
Degree: Law, first 

---

9.00am: I arrive at the office, grab a fresh coffee from our break-out room and review my to-do list for the day. I then check my emails and calendar reminders to ensure that the list is up-to-date and also review my post. Commercial property is a fast-paced seat and I often receive a number of letters from the Land Registry each morning. Today I have received a letter confirming that the transfer documentation I sent to them last week has completed so I email the partner and client to update them.

9.30am: Every fortnight the team has a meeting to discuss progress and report on any topical legal developments. This morning I have been asked to provide a brief update to the team regarding any client news or developments that might be of interest.

10.30am: A partner approaches me to confirm that we have completed on a property transaction worth £2.25m that I have been assisting him with and asks me to help with some of the post-completion formalities. The partner is very approachable and has ensured that I have been involved and understood the various principles of the transaction from the outset.

11.30am: I receive a phone call from a client who owns a large portfolio of properties in London, with a tenant who wishes to alter his use of one of our client's premises. He asks whether I would be able to draft an alterations licence for him by the end of the week. I check the file in order to review the terms of the lease and then contact the tenant's solicitors to request an undertaking from them for our costs, prior to drafting the licence.

12.00pm: I call the solicitors on the other side of a lease transaction that I have been dealing with to discuss the various comments they have made on a side letter they have sent us. We are encouraged to pick up the phone and interact with both our clients and the solicitors on the other side of transactions and to take responsibility for tasks.

12.30pm: I do a number of Land Registry searches on titles that one of our clients has expressed an interest in purchasing and email the results to the client.

1.00pm: It is a lovely day so I head out with some of the other trainees to have my lunch in the sunshine.

2.00pm: I receive a phone call from the Land Registry to discuss an application I have made to remove a notice from a particular title; I make various amendments to the application and contact the partner to update him.

2.30pm: I receive an email regarding the alterations licence from the tenant's solicitors providing us with an undertaking for our costs. I open a new matter and begin drafting the licence. When it is completed, I pass it to my supervisor for her review and she explains everything that I was unsure about, and makes a few amendments.

4.00pm: I finalise a research task I have been assigned regarding changes to the Stamp Duty Land Tax regime.

5.00pm: I draft a notice of assignment to inform the landlord of one of our client's properties that the lease has been assigned and send it to him together with the relevant enclosures. I email the client to let them know it has been sent.

5.45pm: I finalise a number of general administrative tasks before preparing my to-do list for the next day, prioritising tasks which need to be dealt with first thing.

6.30pm: The firm has arranged drop-in drinks at a local pub. This is a regular occurrence at Wedlake Bell as it is a very sociable firm. I look forward to a couple of relaxing drinks with my colleagues.

About the firm

About the firm

Address: 52 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4LR

Telephone: 020 7395 3000

Fax: 020 7395 3100

Website: www.wedlakebell.com

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

Senior partner: Martin Arnold

Managing partner: Philip Matthews

Who we are:  Wedlake Bell LLP is a leading London law firm. We provide a full service to UK and international corporate and private clients.

What we do: Our expert teams cover the following core areas: commercial; IP and IT; corporate; dispute resolution; employment; pensions; private client; property and construction.

What we are looking for: Academic excellence together with commercial aptitude, common sense, enthusiasm and a personable nature.

What you'll do:  Six months in four different practice areas. Trainee solicitors are closely supervised but have client contact and responsibility from day one.

Perks: Pension, health insurance, life assurance, season ticket loan, corporate gym membership, cycle to work scheme.

Sponsorship: LPC funding available, subject to the terms and conditions of any offer.

 

Facts & figures

 Facts and figures

Trainee places available for 2014: 6

Applications received pa: 300-400 

Percentage interviewed: 8-10% 

Salary

First year: 

Second year: 

Newly qualified: 

 

Total partners: 40

Other fee-earners: 60

Total trainees: 12

APPLY NOW

Application process

Apply to: The graduate recruitment department.

How: Application form via the Wedlake Bell LLP website. 

When to Apply: By 31 July 2012 for September 2014 start. 

What is involved: Two-stage interview process and open day. 

 

 Vacation schemes

Summer: First three weeks of July 2012 (apply by end of February 2012).