Addleshaw Goddard

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Addleshaw Goddard

‘I was attracted by the opportunity to be involved in sector-leading work alongside down-to-earth people’, said one Addleshaw Goddard trainee, echoing the feelings of many of their peers. The ‘international firm with a northern soul’ has an impressive network of offices, and offers training contracts in London, the north of England, Scotland and Dublin. AG recruits are grateful for an ‘excellent back office and the huge paralegal resource’, which ‘frees up time for work that will develop you professionally’. Trainees benefit from plenty of ‘collaboration with qualified solicitors’, as well as ‘regular, direct contact with partners’, which not only helps expand their skillset, but also allows them to build relationships with people across the firm. The firm is a Future Lawyers winner for sustainability, legal tech, diversity and international secondments. One thing that frustrated respondents was that the ‘training varies within each seat, which means that sometimes you’re left to your own devices’. Some trainees outside of London also feel that ‘the pay in the regions is on the low side, despite the high costs of living’. On the plus side, enthusiasm and proactivity are encouraged at AG: ‘everyone makes time to explain things to you, especially if you show a genuine interest in what you are working on’. Best moments include ‘helping my first deal complete (at silly o’clock in the morning), right in time for the Christmas break’, ‘going to a trial in London with the financial disputes team’, ‘closing two big-ticket and very complex transactions in succession’, and ‘attending client meetings and seeing my ideas in action’. For ‘a firm with ‘exceptional clients, top-quality work, friendliness and support rolled into one’, research Addleshaw Goddard. 

Trainee profile Liam Murray, trainee, Addleshaw Goddard

Departments to date: Corporate; Infrastructure, projects and energy

University: Newcastle University

Degree: Law LLB (2:1)

The training experience at Addleshaw Goddard provides a fantastic variety of the highest quality work. From High Court hearings to managing deal completions, no two days are ever the same.

As trainees, we are able to work with multiple fee-earners across a wide range of sectors. From day one, you are trusted to take on responsibility and communicate directly with clients, allowing trainees to develop their skillset quickly.

My experiences during my first two seats demonstrate this. As a corporate trainee, I worked on a number of deals acting either buyer or seller side, many of which were backed by private equity houses. Day-to-day tasks included regular communication with external lawyers and internal specialists, managing the transaction documents/due diligence process and drafting ancillary documents. There were also smaller ad hoc matters which I was able to run with, providing me with excellent opportunities to build relationships with clients. A highlight of the seat was working on a public takeover with our London team and attending a High Court sanction hearing, highlighting the cross-office work available when training at AG.

During my time in infrastructure, projects and energy, I worked on extremely interesting projects that are often significant in value and size. The team operates in heavily regulated sectors and is called upon to advise both the public and private sector on novel transactions and projects, as well as supporting clients on more routine commercial matters. Day-to-day tasks included reviewing and drafting contracts relating to the operation and maintenance of sporting venues in London, attending client calls, supporting on a first-of-its-kind water infrastructure project, managing completions for local authority grant funding agreements and undertaking complex research tasks. The team are also keen to get trainees involved in tender pitches, which was a great way for me to better understand how the firm wins work and operates as a business.

Training at AG provides a raft of exciting opportunities outside of the day-to-day legal work, with trainees in particular being encouraged to participate and often lead in the organisation of such social events and activities. Personal examples for me include being a member of our social mobility network, representing the firm at multiple early careers events, volunteering at a hospice with the infrastructure, projects and energy team, and participating in a client five-a-side football tournament at St George’s Park. All of these examples highlight the amazing culture at AG and the opportunities for trainees to build their network from the outset of their career.

About the firm

The firm: Where talented people come together.

Welcome to Addleshaw Goddard – an international law firm, almost 250 years in the making. We’re trusted by over 3,000 major organisations, including 51 FTSE 100 companies, to solve problems, deliver deals, defend rights, comply with regulations and mitigate risk. Our work spans more than 50 areas of business law, paving the way to deliver the best possible outcomes for clients across multiple industries.

Appointed time and again, we help them do business, operate and grow – effectively and safely – in over 100 countries worldwide. And while the challenges our clients bring us may vary, we approach and solve them with the same, single-minded focus: finding the smartest way to achieve the biggest impact.

The clients: Associated British Foods, SSE, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC and British Land.

The deals: Advised Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s leading property provider to the science and tech sector, on their successful bid to help deliver the £1.5bn ID Manchester innovation district; advised Southern Water on a first-of-its-kind partnership with Portsmouth Water to address climate-related water scarcity through construction of a new reservoir in Hampshire; advised Battersea Power Station Development Company on a number of high-value deals to support the financing and construction of a 42-acre regeneration scheme in central London, including the £1.6bn sale of the power station building itself and £600m development debt financing to create London’s newest high street; advised Terra Firma on the £110m acquisition of Kier Living from leading UK construction and infrastructure company Kier Group.

Senior partner: Aster Crawshaw

Managing partner: John Joyce

Locations: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester

Overseas offices: Berlin, Doha, Dubai, Dublin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Madrid, Munich, Muscat, Paris, Riyadh and Singapore. The firm also has a formal alliance with Tokyo-based Hashidate Law Office, and a worldwide network of strong relationships with chosen firms in North America, Europe and other emerging jurisdictions.

Who we are: From the work we do to the culture we foster and the partnerships we form, every last part of Addleshaw Goddard is driven by three core values: quality, imagination, and impact.

We welcome everyone, support people to achieve their full potential, and always seek smart ways to have a positive impact – for our clients, colleagues, and communities around the world.

What we do: More imagination. More impact.

We act for clients whatever the scale of their requirements. We have been instructed by 51 FTSE 100 companies in the last two years, including Associated British Foods, SSE, GlaxoSmithKline, HSBC and British Land. Our business is about strong client relationships built on successful delivery across national and international markets. Equally important is strong loyalty which is proven through the 75% of our clients who have been with us for more than ten years.

The range and scale of our work is compelling, and encompasses high-value strategic advice to the everyday. It means we are able to attract talented, like-minded individuals who love what they do, are committed to our clients’ success, and strive to build valued partnerships through our collective energy and expertise.

What we’re looking for: We require a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent). But what will really open doors to an outstanding career here is the real you. At Addleshaw Goddard, we’re looking for original minds and collaborative spirits alongside motivation, drive and commercial awareness. We’re constantly delighted by the diverse backgrounds of our best lawyers, and we’re open to law and non-law graduates alike, as well as those looking to change career.

What you’ll do: We are more than just exceptional lawyers here. We attract sparkling people from all backgrounds, who bring their own unique qualities, along with a collaborative approach, professional drive and a commitment to every client’s success. This is just one of the reasons we’re sure you will enjoy working with us.

As a trainee, important cases will come your way from the get-go. You will work on everything from multimillion-pound deals to high-profile fraud cases, employment disputes to complex technology contracts. Our success is intrinsically linked to yours, so we’ll always have your back and help you realise your potential.

Training contracts are four seats long, with opportunities to spend time in another of our offices as well as on secondment with clients. During each six-month seat, you will have regular two-way performance reviews with your supervising partner or solicitor. They will help you develop the skills you need to deal with the demanding work you will come across every day.

As well as learning on the job, you will also have access to high-quality in-house and external training, a buddy scheme in your first seat, and a mentor throughout your training contract and beyond.

The best advocates of our graduate careers are the trainees themselves. See what some of them have to say about life at Addleshaw Goddard.

Sponsorship

Fees paid for law foundations and SQE, plus maintenance of £8,000 in London or £5,000 in other UK locations. 

Seat options

A range of seats are available across our four groups of corporate and commercial; finance and projects; dispute resolution; and real estate. 

Diversity, equality and inclusion