Survey Results - Trainee feedback on Anthony Collins

The lowdown - Trainees (in their own words) on Anthony Collins

Why did you choose this firm over any others? ‘Its clear goals and values stood out to me’, ‘the work/life balance’, ‘due to the social impact and values of the firm; with the clear motto to improve lives, communities and society. I had also previously spoken to trainee solicitors from the firm who informed me that the quality of work for a trainee is very high, with trainees being given responsibility from the start of their training contract’, ‘I was originally a legal assistant at the firm. I enjoyed the culture, the focus on social impact, and the work and clients that the firm has’

Best thing about the firm? ‘Social value isn’t just lip service – it is at the forefront of everyone’s minds’, ‘there is a real humility in the leadership. I remember being offered a cup of tea by a man in my first week as a trainee and later realised he was the partner that oversaw the whole department I was in!’, ‘there’s no feeling of hierarchy; partners often go out of their way to introduce themselves to trainees, and also speak to them in the lift or at the coffee machine’, ‘its social purpose’, ‘the firm as a whole is friendly and welcoming, and it’s actually a great place to work’

Worst thing? ‘Potentially some of the disruption that has come with the building renovation work, but that is all finished now and we have a lovely new office as a result’, ‘the work-from-home policy for trainees; the majority of the week you are expected to be in the office’, ‘probably the pay’, ‘although the retention rate is going up, there’s still some concern among trainees that they will not be kept on as NQs’, ‘the financial remuneration could be better’

Best moment? ‘Getting to progress my own caseload (with supervision) in my first seat’, ‘getting my first- choice seat’, ‘being able to attend court with clients and counsel and being given the opportunity to get actively involved with clients from an early stage in the training contract’, ‘attending an approval hearing for a child abuse case which got approved by the judge’, ‘conducting advocacy at an application for strike out of a trial judgment before a District Judge’, ‘winning an employment tribunal case’

Worst moment? ‘Fears about seat choices’, ‘some of the teams are very segregated from each other. There isn’t a lot of contact between the private client teams and the commercial/corporate teams. This can be quite overwhelming for a trainee moving between these different teams, and it takes away from the ‘togetherness’ of the firm’, ‘doing debt recovery’, ‘getting used to learning everything all over again every six months’, ‘collating a massive trial bundle for a file I was not familiar with whilst the solicitor with conduct was on unexpected leave’

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Anthony Collins

Anthony Collins ‘places a big focus on social value’ and ‘has a purpose of improving lives, communities and society’. This ethos, which ‘goes beyond just a statement on the website’, aligns with many of AC’s trainees’ own personal values. At the Birmingham firm, recruits enjoy a ‘mix of commercial and private client seats’, and ‘there is a sense of equality, whatever your job title. There is a seating plan which makes ‘everyone accessible’, where ‘secretaries and trainees often sit next to partners’, which in turn results in junior lawyers receiving ‘quality advice and useful feedback on tasks’. AC trainees receive ‘high levels of client contact’ and ‘more opportunities to lead on files early on’, which ensures that they are ‘more than ready for practice’ when the time comes. For one respondent, ‘sending a piece of work to a client that I had made a big contribution to’ was a standout moment. What made it even better was that ‘the partner in charge really made me feel like an equal when working alongside her’. Although ‘NQ salaries here may not be as high as other firms, this is offset by the acceptability of working your contractual hours here’. There was some concern about the retention rate. Second-year Anthony Collins trainees can do a ‘double seat’ if there’s an area of law they particularly enjoy; the downside is that this comes at the expense of first-years getting their preferred seat. This rang true for one trainee, whose worst moment was ‘finding out I had got my fourth seat choice’. Anthony Collins ‘genuinely cares about its staff as people’; the work/life balance is ‘much better than at larger firms’, and ‘senior lawyers are very careful not to give you too much work’. To feel like ‘the work you’re doing is helping the right people’, where ‘partners are so approachable they might offer you a cup of tea’, consider Anthony Collins.

About the firm

The firm: Anthony Collins (AC) is a national sector specialist law firm with a clear purpose to improve lives, communities and society. We received B Corp accreditation in late 2022, only the fourth law firm in the UK and the first in the West Midlands.

The firm has 300+ staff including 40 partners, physical premises in Birmingham, Manchester and Macclesfield, and is a national leading advisor to the social housing, social care and charities sectors (among others), supporting clients with work in business and charity law, governance, property, housing management, employment, and dispute resolution, as well as individuals requiring personal planning, those affected by critical events and the organisations that support them. Our expertise is centered on a deep understanding of our clients’ needs, as well as developing and maintaining strong relationships.

We attract a diverse range of highly skilled and dedicated people whose passion for their work keeps us at the forefront of the crucial sectors we serve. With many of our partners qualifying and starting their legal careers with us, we put people first in an environment that is both supportive and close-knit, and which offers the challenges and exposure you would expect from a large, expanding and market leading firm.
https://www.anthonycollins.com/social-impact-report-2023/

Senior partner: Matthew Wort

Managing partner: Peter Hubbard

Other offices: Manchester, Macclesfield

Who we are: Anthony Collins (AC) is a thriving national sector specialist law firm with offices in Birmingham, Manchester and Macclesfield, and a national reputation for advising individuals, charities and other not-for-profit organisations, local authorities, public sector bodies and businesses throughout the UK. For nearly 50 years, we’ve been successfully combining market-leading legal expertise, with a commitment to excellence and long-term relationships underpinned by a strong set of values.

What we do: Our practice areas span seven different sectors that reflect our passion and expertise while focusing on client needs: charities; education; health and social care; housing; local government; private legal services; and social business.

https://www.anthonycollins.com/social-impact-report-2024/

What we’re looking for: A successful trainee will combine a strong academic record with innovative thinking, a compassionate and caring approach, and an appreciation of client needs and concerns. We’re looking for people who can build excellent relationships with colleagues and clients alike, and who share our passion and enthusiasm for making a difference to society.

  • Passionate about and committed to the values of AC. We want people who love the work that they do and are enthusiastic about it.
  • Innovative and creative thinkers. We want people who can help us evolve and reinvent ourselves.
  • Intellectually curious to research and enquire. We want diverse and independent thinkers.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and high levels of emotional intelligence – knows how to contribute most effectively in the workplace. We want individuals to join our firm.
  • Flexible team worker. We want people who contribute positively and proactively when working in a team.
  • Accomplished communicator. We want people with the ability to inspire and positively influence others.
  • Manages personal performance to meet expectations, demonstrating drive, determination and accountability while doing so. We want people who are committed to succeeding.
  • Resilience, perseverance and positivity when meeting new challenges. We want people who don’t give up.

What you’ll do: AC is made up of a variety of departments, allowing you to work on commercial and private client work aimed at transforming our society and the lives of individuals, alongside a range of fee-earners with different skills and talents. During your training, we’ll expose you to as many work areas as possible, helping you to discover which area of law best suits you. You will discover that you can use the law to make a real difference in society.

During your training contract, we’ll introduce you to a variety of clients and professionals. Responsibility for your clients and matters will naturally increase as you gain the relevant skills, knowledge, experience and confidence.

Training contracts are made up of four seats, each lasting six months. We will consider your experience, skills and preferences when allocating seats, together with business need and completion of SRA regulations.

As a trainee, you’ll be encouraged to get involved in a range of activities from client events and training seminars, to regularly attending trainee forums. It’s all about making the most of the opportunities available here.

Sponsorship

Anthony Collins provides funding towards LPC and SQE fees for those who are joining us as trainees.

Tips from the recruiter

  1. Throughout the whole recruitment process we are trying to find out the real you. Be sure to put as much of ‘you’ into your application as you can.
  2. Try not to provide ‘cookie cutter’ answers as to why you want to work for Anthony Collins. We want you to dig a bit deeper so we can understand your motivations for the work we do and type of clients we serve.
  3. Attention to detail is incredibly important. Proofread your CV and application multiple times before submitting. It could be the difference between getting progressed to the next stage and getting rejected.