Kingsley Napley

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Kingsley Napley

Kingsley Napley stands out from the crowd thanks to its ‘wide range of practice areas, which are very different from traditional corporate law firms’. Trainees ‘experience all the ‘usual’ seats, such as commercial, real estate and dispute resolution’, but, unusually, also ‘criminal litigation and clinical negligence’. Not only does this give recruits insight into more niche areas of law, but also means that ‘we don’t have to make a decision on the kind of practice we want to qualify into too early, which is a huge benefit because you really don’t know what you want to do before you do it’. Kingsley Napley doesn’t ‘look for a cookie-cutter candidate, but rather values a diverse range of people’, which creates a ‘positive culture’ where ‘everyone is genuinely nice’. Trainees here are ‘developed as entire people, and not seen as cogs in a huge machine’. When it comes to training, ‘there are some fantastic leaders and teams’, who ‘really invest their effort and time in training you’. What’s more, ‘the work/life balance is much more even; partners and supervisors don’t tend to want you working overly late’. As one respondent elaborated: ‘if I am ever the last one working, there will always be someone coming over telling me to go home’!  When asked about the negatives, trainees pointed to the NQ process, which is ‘arduous’. Recruits also feel that ‘there is less certainty around securing a NQ role than there may be at other firms’. The ‘inefficiencies and inconsistencies in the quality of the training experience between departments’ aggravated respondents too. Back to the positives, the pro bono offering is ‘fantastic. There are excellent opportunities to get involved with and you are encouraged to do so as a trainee, which really complements your training’. For a firm with a ‘wide range of practice areas’ where the ‘work and clients are really interesting’ and the ‘atmosphere is collegiate and relaxed’, consider Kingsley Napley.

A day in the life of... Maniver Grewal, Trainee

Departments to date: Real estate and construction; Regulatory

University: University of Westminster BPP Law School University of Law

Degree: Law LLB (Hons), LLM in Commercial Law, LLM in Legal Practice 

I am a first-year trainee, currently in my second seat in the regulatory department.

8.00am: I arrive at the office at 8.00 am and head straight to our in-house gym on the third floor. I head down to the basement to freshen up. We have some fantastic facilities including GHD straighteners.

9.00am: We officially start work at 9.30am, but most people come in a bit earlier to catch up with colleagues and have some free breakfast in our excellent restaurant, Lennie’s. I also make myself a copious amount of coffee. After breakfast, I head to my desk and check my emails. I see if anything has come in overnight and peruse my ‘to-do’ list, numbering the tasks in order of priority for the day ahead. Today I have several tasks, including drafting instructions for counsel, drafting two witness statements and finalising submissions for a pro bono matter. I begin the day by drafting instructions for counsel and then send off to the lawyer to review.

11.30am: I head to our kitchen and cut some fresh fruit. Every floor in the office has its own kitchen with fresh fruit and an excellent coffee machine. I settle back down and begin drafting the first witness statement of the day. This particular case has a 2,000-page bundle, over 50 allegations and 14 witnesses. It involves a huge number of different stakeholders; it was an ample opportunity for me to develop my client care skills and my case managements skills. Once drafted, I save the witness statement to our online system and provide to the lawyer to review.

1.00pm: Often the regulatory department arranges a ‘lunch and learn’ where colleagues or external speakers will present a topical case/legislative development. However, today I am heading to Lennie’s to meet a few of the other trainees for lunch and to take in some vitamin D on Lennie’s balcony. Before heading back to my desk, I grab another coffee from the award-winning barista, Anna Bevza.

2.00pm: I begin working on the final witness statement and prepare it for the lawyer to review.

3.00pm: I take a short break to read through some current awareness articles that have come through my inbox. I notice an interesting article on a blog I am writing on the Care Quality Commission’s new inspection and regulation regime. I save the article with a view to adding it to my blog research.

3.30pm: In the afternoon, I join a call with a client who is seeking advice on regulatory compliance. Our team of specialists and highly experienced lawyers helps clients to navigate regulatory investigations and interventions, ensuring the protection of their personal reputation and continued operations during critical times.

4.00pm: At 4.00pm, I take a break and go for a 15-minute walk. I then catch up on emails and update my trainee diary. This is also a good opportunity to check my case load, and identify any areas of work I would like to get more exposure to. Everyone in the department is very approachable and I have found it invaluable to work with such colleagues who take an interest in your professional and personal development. The department provides timely feedback and ensures you obtain a broad range of experience during your seat. Tomorrow, I have my supervision meeting with my trainee supervisor so I prepare a list of my cases and take a note of anything I want to discuss. The lawyer has now provided feedback on the instructions to counsel I prepared in the morning; I make any amendments and prepare to share with counsel.

5.00pm: I head to Lennie’s for a quick catch-up with colleagues who are arranging an event to commemorate Windrush Day in conjunction with our Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage (REACH) group. I liaise with catering, facilities and IT to ensure everything is set up for tomorrow’s event. I contact our external speakers and discuss any last-minute queries.

5.30pm: At the end of the day, I have a call with a pro bono client in respect of a social security appeal. I have a short call with our client and make the necessary amendments to the draft submissions. Kingsley Napley has a range of excellent pro bono initiatives as part of the responsible business strategy. Trainees are encouraged to participate and it is a fantastic way to develop your practice as a lawyer. We have the opportunity to interview clients, draft submissions and advocate at the tribunal.

6.30pm: I leave the office and head home. On most evenings, there is a team social or a larger firm gathering to attend. These events provide the perfect chance to connect with a diverse group of people, offering the opportunity to network with colleagues from within the firm and from outside as well.

About the firm

The firm: Kingsley Napley is an internationally recognised, UK-based law firm providing expertise for our clients’ business and private lives, when it matters most. The firm is highly regarded – and often recommended – by other lawyers and it enjoys a reputation for being innovative, creative and sensitive in its approach to complex legal issues. Over the years, the firm has played a central role in many cases which have had a profound impact on our legal system.

The clients: Clients include regulatory bodies, local authorities and government bodies, as well as large public companies, owner-managed businesses and individuals, many of whom are in the public eye.

Senior partner: James Fulforth

Managing partner: Linda Woolley

What we do: The firm has expertise in employment law, private client advisory and deputyships, public law, criminal defence litigation, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, family law, medical negligence and personal injury, regulatory and professional discipline, real estate, construction and immigration.

What we’re looking for: Our trainees are a top priority for the future of the firm. We look for candidates who are motivated, have enthusiasm and commercial awareness, and a passion for the areas of law we practise in. We want our trainees to be able to bring something to the table and to be creative and practical problem solvers.

What you’ll do: As a trainee at KN you’ll be working with a range of highly experienced, exceptional lawyers in each practice across a variety of matters. We like our trainees to progress quickly, so once they’ve learnt the ropes they are given more responsibility and offered the chance to meet clients, be responsible for their own work with appropriate supervision and will take part in marketing and client development activities.

Perks: Core benefits: life assurance, PHI, pension, private medical insurance, cash plan benefit and six free sessions of counselling per year through Self Space.

Flexible benefits: cycle to work scheme, dental insurance, give as you earn, health screenings, holiday buy/sell/bank, retail and technology vouchers, will writing, GymFlex discounted gym rates, 24/7 available employee assistance available through AIG.

Other benefits: discretionary performance award, wellness subsidy for use towards a wellbeing activity of your choice, conveyancing contribution, gym loan, holiday accrual with length of service, free independent mortgage advice, long service awards, season ticket loan, time off for good causes, wellbeing events – Pilates, HIIT and yoga.

Sponsorship

All of our trainees now follow the SQE route, and are given a £7,000 grant by the firm to support them. Trainees who have already completed the LPC are given a £10,000 grant by the firm.

Seat options

Immigration; corporate and commercial; private client; dispute resolution; regulatory; employment; family; public law; real estate; criminal litigation; clinical negligence; personal injury.

Diversity and Inclusion