FAQs - Recruitment at Michelmores Solicitors

Q: Michelmores - What's it like?

A: Certainly, no ordinary practice.

Long established, yes. Traditional values? Yes, why not?

Progressive - few firms are more so. A commitment to IT and a total corporate rebranding demonstrate a willingness to adapt and take on fresh ideas.

Michelmores is a firm with distinct identity. It's growing fast and knows where it's going. It's a firm with high levels of quality work, blue chip clients and a well-honed sense of humour.

It attracts top lawyers, many from City practices because of three factors:

• The quality of work
• The quality of life in and around Exeter
• The quality of the working environment which values individuality while being supportive

Q: It's still in the sticks, isn't it?

A: Exeter consistently comes top of any quality of life survey because it has plenty of lifestyle choice.

You'll find everything you want to do with knobs on whether it is cultural, sporting or just having a good time in the pubs and clubs.

You have all the benefits of a substantial University City, financial centre and regional capital but can still be windsurfing half an hour after leaving work.

The partners are an eclectic mix who number amongst their ranks a Rock Guitarist, a Round Britain Sailor, the Under Sheriff of Devon, two Marathon Runners, an aspiring Actor a Double Bassist and a Volcano obsessive.

In recent months, we at Michelmores have competed in a tag rugby competition, a cricket match, a Dragon Boat race, a treasure hunt, a variety of BBQs and we were the very first to introduce human table football as a competitive if, non-contact, sport.

Michelmores also runs its own annual yacht race with over 50 competing boats, a massive City Centre Road Race for Charity and has even run a corporate rowing challenge (if you can 'run' a rowing event!).

Q: What type of trainee are Michelmores looking for?

A: Anyone capable of becoming a partner and these qualities are not necessarily to be found purely in academic prowess alone.

We want well-rounded individuals who will develop. We want lawyers who want to live in the South West and become part of the culture here. We want them to stick around, spot the potential in this part of the world and contribute to its realisation.

Q: What form does the training take? Is it flexible?

A: Typically the two-year training period involves four seats - property, litigation, company commercial and private client.

There is some flexibility within what we agree is right for both the firm and the trainee but we place a high value on continuity and relevant experience.

Q: How is my billing target calculated?

A: For those expected to record 1200 hours, the billing target is calculated at achieving the recovery of at least 1,000 hours.

Q: What would my holiday entitlement be?

A: Legal staff start at 20 days p.a., plus the 8 annual Bank Holidays, together with an extra day at Christmas each year when the firm remains closed. The basic holiday entitlement then increases to 25 days (plus the Bank Holidays and extra day) after 12 months' service. (Pro rata from anniversary date to end of holiday year, which is 31st December)

Q: What will my chargeable hours target be?

A: Michelmores generally works to a 1200 hour annual chargeable time target, although some streams of work may require more. Trainees are not expected to reach these levels.

Q: What resources are available for research?

A: We have a full-time Librarian, together with Professional Support Lawyers in Private Client, Commercial Property and Company Commercial departments. We subscribe to online services such as PLC, Westlaw and Lexis Nexus Butterworths. There is a central library, as well as departmental sections, and our intranet has a comprehensive knowledge management section.

Q: What social activities are there?

A: Lots! These are split between client/contact focused events which staff have an opportunity to be involved with and wholly internal events for staff. The former include the four largest and most successful corporate events in the South West - a charity run, a yacht race, a set of prestigious property awards and a breakfast club. The latter include regular informal drinks in the conservatory, a massive Christmas party, garden parties, annual quiz, treasure hunt etc. Additionally, all departments have an annual training and team building day out of the office.

Q: When is my salary reviewed?

A: Salaries are reviewed individually in December each year for payment from 1st January. The main exception to this is for our Trainees, who are reviewed when they embark on their second year of training and on admission.

Q: How is the firm organised?

A: Internally, the firm is split into four departments: Company Commercial, Litigation, Commercial Property and Private Client. The heads of these Departments all sit on the firm's Executive Committee. Externally, we emphasise three main general areas: Business, Property and Personal. These are supplemented by several areas of economic specialism, such as Licenced Leisure, Residential Developers, Distribution trades etc.

Q: How would I become a Partner?

A: The firm operates an excellent Associate Development Programme which is designed to help lawyers develop skills and expertise in a wide range of areas, such as management and leadership, business development etc. Successful completion of the programme will certainly enhance your chances of reaching partnership level, provided that the area in which you work is able to develop a suitable business case. We are very keen to develop as many of our own Partners as possible.

Q: What are your pension arrangements?

A: We have a Stakeholder pension provider but do not currently make contributions to this on behalf of staff. This is under active review at the moment.

Q: Do you have a bonus scheme?

A: There is no formal bonus scheme below Fixed-Share Partner level but other staff can receive ad hoc bonuses for exceptional performance.

Q: How much travelling is involved?

A: This will depend entirely upon the area in which you work and the clients you become involved with. Several staff regularly visit our London office from Exeter and vice versa in order to service clients effectively. Lawyers working on some Projects and Public Sector work may need to travel to various sites around the country. There is occasional need for international travel but this is rare.

Q: Do I get a laptop and Blackberry?

A: If the role and its method of working requires it - yes.

Q: Is there a relocation allowance?

A: Not as a matter of course but this can form part of a negotiated deal for certain individuals.

Q: Do you have a car scheme?

A: No

Q: Do you have a crèche or arrangements with a nursery?

A: We do not have a crèche but we do run a Childcare Voucher scheme. Please click here for details

Q: Do you pay travel expenses for interviewees?

A: No

Q: How do you organise CPD and Training?

A: Each department has a specialist available to help design and fulfil individual training plans. We organise in-house events where appropriate and encourage lawyers to undertake wider training than solely law-related. Our Associate Development Programme will attract CPD hours and we also encourage article writing and seminar development and delivery as valuable routes to CPD hours. When the time is right, we also offer a specialist business development training course.

Q: Will I be required to make presentations?

A: This will depend upon the area in which you work but it is possible, If it is, training and practice will be offered. All applicants for the Associate Development programme will have to make a presentation to the Selection Panel as part of the assessment process.

Q: How much client contact will I have?

A: Our general aim is for all our lawyers, whether Trainees or very experienced, to have plenty of client contact. Much will depend upon the area of law in which you work.

Q: How do you organise cross-selling?

A: There are two main ways. The first is that lawyers attend the departmental meetings of other disciplines in order to raise awareness of the work undertaken in other parts of the office and to help colleagues identify suitable opportunities to cross-sell and, therefore, meet the needs of our clients more fully. Additionally, our focus on economic specialisms, such as licenced leisure and residential developers is driving a much wider approach to clients and targets, ensuring that all the services we offer are discussed rather than just the area of law undertaken by the lawyer making the contact/visit.

Q: What benefits will I receive?

A: Click here to go to the Benefits page

Q: How much holiday entitlement will I get?

A: Support staff entitlement starts at 20 days (plus etc) and rises by 1 extra day per year after twelve months' service for each of the next 5 years which means that support staff reach the maximum entitlement of 25 days (plus etc) after 6 years service. (Pro rata from anniversary date to end of holiday year, which is 31st December)

Q: What social activities are there?

A: Lots! These are split between client/contact focused events which staff have an opportunity to be involved with and wholly internal events for staff. The former include the four largest and most successful corporate events in the South West - a charity run, a yacht race, a set of prestigious property awards and a breakfast club. The latter include regular informal drinks in the conservatory, a massive Christmas party, garden parties, annual quiz, treasure hunt etc. Additionally, all departments have an annual training and team building day out of the office.

Q: What benefits will I receive?

A: Click here to go to the Benefits page

Q: When is my salary reviewed?

A: Salaries are reviewed individually in December each year for payment from 1st January. The main exception to this is when Trainees qualify in September.

Q: What are your pension arrangements?

A: We have a Stakeholder pension provider but do not currently make contributions to this on behalf of staff. This is under active review at the moment.

Q: Do you have a bonus scheme?

A: There is no formal bonus scheme below Fixed-Share Partner level but other staff can receive ad hoc bonuses for exceptional performance.

Q: Do you have a créche or arrangements with a nursery?

A: We do not have a crèche but we do run a Childcare Voucher scheme. Please click here for details.

Q: Do you pay travel expenses for interviewees?

A: No