Ashfords

About the firm

Choosing a law firm is a bit like house hunting. Plenty look perfect on paper: great reputation, solid foundation, even a fancy coffee machine. But the right fit is often harder to pin down. You can view ‘the one’ and feel nothing, or find yourself somewhere unexpected and just know. So, what is it that makes Ashfords, Ashfords? Well, whilst the worlds of commercial and private client law are quite distinct, the firm has made a name for itself across both: “We have a growing national and international client base as well, covering both the commercial and private client sectors,” construction partner and training principal Laura Reeve tells us. Our sister guide Chambers UK also speaks volumes. UK-wide the firm is awarded top praise in charities disputes and horse racing & equestrian, while in the South West the firm has solid standings in corporate/M&A, information technology, real estate litigation, construction and social housing.

“They’re a great employer in the South West.”

The South West is undoubtedly where the firm’s regional strength lies, with offices in Exeter, Bristol and Plymouth, as well as an office in London. Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth remain the primary destinations for trainees at the firm. As one trainee put it: “They have a London office, but the main hubs are Exeter and Bristol. They’re a great employer in the South West.” As Reeve explains, “we are continuing to experience very impressive growth.” A particular focus, from the trainee perspective, was to make sure “the growth hasn’t come at the expense of our culture and working environment. So, trainees can still expect that real quality training and exposure to very exciting and wide-ranging matters, but they also get that unrivalled culture of approachability and respect across the business.”

Why trainees joined the firm

Size

When discussing what drew them to the firm, size was an answer that kept coming up. As one insider stated: “There were so many different areas of law I could try.” “You might think you would be limited going to the South West,” another added, “but a firm like Ashfords gives you exposure and works similar to London firms.”

Sector balance

The firm’s balancing of commercial and private client work was a big part of the draw, with a number of current trainees highlighting that they wanted a firm that covered both: “I wanted to stay in the South West, but I still wanted a large commercial firm.”

Sustainable hours

We heard that, at Ashfords, “you get commercial and corporate work without the hours; that’s the recipe for people to stay.” As one trainee put it, “the work/life balance was a big thing for me.”

Trainee satisfaction rankings

Training contract structure

Seat allocation

Trainees explained that there is an “unspoken rule” at the firm where it is likely that trainees will complete one property seat, as the firm is “big on property work.” When starting out, a trainee’s first seat will be assigned based on business need and trainees do not have a say in the process. However, for their second, third, and fourth seats, trainees are able to submit three preferences per rotation. As one put it: “They try to accommodate you as best as they can, but there are circumstances where someone may not get what they want.” The good news? Those who have to settle for something lower down the preference list “will get better standings for their next location.”

Client secondments

Client secondments are offered to trainees who spend time in a commercial seat at the firm. Insiders did tell us that it’s more common for a second-year trainee to be placed on one, and that it tends to be based on business need. As one interviewee put it: “You need to speak to people about your desire to do it, but it’s a balancing exercise as you are a trainee and you have to add value to where you’re going.”

Seat Experiences

Trainee life

Culture and environment

Data from our annual trainee survey

One of the challenges facing any firm with multiple offices is how to create a consistent feel of ‘the firm’ between them. But it’s a challenge the folks at Ashfords have risen to: “As I’ve gone from one office to another, I’ve been able to really integrate into groups,” one trainee told us, “everyone is so friendly and the partners are so nice.” As Reeve puts it, it’s vital for trainees to be properly integrated into the culture of the firm: “We recognise the value and importance of getting trainees and junior colleagues directly involved with clients and very much encourage – and, to a degree, actually expect – our trainees to be actively involved in the running of the firm.”

As well as regular pub trips after work and a well-attended summer party, sources praised the Exeter office in particular for its facilities. They told us about its free parking, onsite gym, and the large common room that includes a TV, ping pong table and even a tuck shop! Whilst the other offices “may be smaller, they are pleasant offices.” One big factor that trainees praised was the open-plan structure: “You really get to know everyone, which is really important as a trainee.”

Working patterns

Data from our annual trainee survey

We heard that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to remote working, but the firm’s expectation is that its lawyers should be in the office at least three days a week. That said, different departments will have slightly different expectations around office days: “I could go to one department where it’s two days a week, then the next could be five,” one trainee explained. Reeve is quick to highlight the importance of having trainees in the office more often than not: “From a trainee perspective specifically, you can’t beat learning by osmosis in the office environment. It is so important just to be able to draw up a chair and speak to a partner next to you.”

If you’re looking for a firm where late nights aren’t the norm, look no further. Trainees told us that “it’s not that often where I’m working later than 6pm,” while another added: “there’s never any pressure to work after then.”

Pay

Trainees told us that they believed their salary to be “competitive. It’s one of the highest in Exeter.” Sources also explained that a discretionary bonus is available if the firm feels you are hitting targets. The generally positive feeling around the trainee salary was put down largely to the fact that “the firm respects work/life balance,” offering high-quality work without the higher hours that typically come with it.

Supervision and training

The best learning environments are always those in which making mistakes is part of the process: “No question is a silly question; everyone here wants you to do well.” Trainees are assigned a different supervisor for each seat, and we heard that they were a good source of regular feedback. Training is generally quite department-specific, and some departments include internal refreshers once a week in certain areas of focus. One area of real strength at the firm is the networking opportunities available: “They put a lot into their training of juniors, there’s also so many chances to do networking, we have training on networking. There’s always something on at the firm.” Trainees told us about XYBC, a networking group for aspiring business leaders and young professionals in Exeter. The group is designed to provide a space for juniors to network across various industries to help grow their professional networks.

Pro bono & CSR

While there isn’t much by way of pro bono work on offer at Ashfords, trainees praised the amount of charity work they can get involved with. One source told us how there is a charity client in every sector of the firm, but the largest number can be found in disputes. Additionally, the firm allows trainees to do two volunteer days per year for their chosen organisation.

Charities:

• The Ocean Conservation Trust

• The Trussell Trust

• St Mungo’s

Inclusion

“The firm is very inclusive and very celebrative of all kinds of cultures,” one newbie was keen to point out. Of course, as a result of the firm’s South West location, “we are limited in that respect due to the demographic.” But interviewees did tell us how the firm has a strong focus on increasing people’s awareness of neurodiversity. One source told us that “we have informal workshops and seminars to make people more aware of the challenges and benefits that can occur with neurodiversity.” Insiders also noted how the firm has strong support in relation to menopause awareness.

Qualification

As trainees approach qualification, the firm sends out an email to let them know about the timeline for the process. “They’re very on top of it” highlighted one source, while another called it a “smooth process.” Trainees can apply for more than one role, and if another also applies for the same role, or if you are an unexpected candidate (in other words, you didn’t spend time in the group during your TC), a more formal interview process takes place. Once the jobs list is circulated, trainees have a week to submit their applications. It’s often a good idea, we heard, to use this time to speak to the relevant heads of department, ask questions, and register your interest.

From contracts to competitions…

A TC at Ashfords comes with more than just legal experience. If you want to practice your duck herding and archery skills, the firm hosts two firm-wide ‘away days’ a year.