Update:
After a very quick turnaround, I was offered a TC at
Slaughter and May. I've been thinking hard about NRF vs
Slaughter and May over the weekend so that I can make an informed decision quickly when they give me an outcome. Here's my thought process:
Office and Location
The trainee I met at
Slaughter and May told me that this did not matter. An office is an office. I disagree. An office is going to be where I spend a significant part of my week and its layout often gives an insight into the way in which people work.
- A fully open-plan office is something I don't really like. Whilst I appreciate why this style of working is used, and I appreciate what is trying to be achieved, I don't like the lack of privacy.
- Individual offices are also something I don't like very much. Whilst it allows for privacy, I don't think it facilitates an environment in which it is easy to foster a sense of teamwork. I prefer this to open-plan offices and hot-desking, however.
Slaughter and May has individual offices, but trainees sit with their supervisors, which would be ideal during a training contract. Norton Rose Fulbright had offices with 4-6 desks in them, which is a fantastic long-term working environment to me. For me Norton Rose Fulbright has the best balance for me to create a good working environment. I also think that Norton Rose Fulbright's location is superior as it is much easier for me to travel there.
Work
I can't really complain about the work at
Slaughter and May or Norton Rose Fulbright. They are both doing top of the range work. I suppose the main difference is in the type of work that is being done. At Norton Rose Fulbright, there is a strong sector focus and a lot of this is to do with the energy industry. In comparison, the corporate work at
Slaughter and May is stronger than NRF, and they have a multi-specialist approach. This is more practice area based (e.g. financing which includes all elements of this: asset finance, project finance, bonds etc). I find it difficult to choose which I prefer. Both options give me the opportunity to have a wide range of experiences on a training contract.
People
I was told by an ex-
Slaughter and May partner that I should choose the firm where I got along with the people better. I actually really liked the people at both firms, but I think there is a difference between liking people and being on the same wavelength as other people. I think I was on the same wavelength as the people at NRF, as I didn't have to try particularly hard with them socially. Whilst I liked the people at
Slaughter and May, I felt like I had to try a little bit more.
Due to the above, I have decided that I will definitely be signing with Norton Rose Fulbright! Both firms are excellent, but I think NRF is the better firm for me, and I am ecstatic to be joining them!
Thanks for following my journey!