Goodwin

About the firm

Every year, while the country is busy digesting sprouts, rock band Slade urges us to look to the future. Goodwin, for one, takes this plea seriously and has done for some time, with trainees noting the firm’s “really good strategy for the future.” Perhaps we can assume their legal dominion has only just begun…?

“a really good strategy for the future.”

If that is indeed true, the firm’s five Chambers UK accolades to date show promising signs for what’s to come; our sister guide awards the firm top marks for its work in intellectual property in East Anglia, mid-market leveraged finance in London, and real estate investment funds, transactional life sciences and private equity (venture capital investment) nationwide.

As training principal Justin Cornelius notes, “We’re very specific in terms of focus and industry specialisms.” Indeed, Goodwin has a firm focus on six industries: healthcare, investment funds, life sciences, private equity, real estate and technology, offering trainees “an industry immersion experience in those sectors,” according to Cornelius.

On home soil, the firm has two offices across Cambridge and London. Though trainees aren’t based in the Cambridge office, certain seats like corporate tech & life sciences provide trainees with the opportunity to visit. Goodwin has a further 15 international offices spread across North America, Europe and Asia.

Why trainees joined the firm

Transatlantic connections

Founded in Boston, Goodwin has a fantastic reputation stateside. But that’s not to say the firm’s London office plays second fiddle. Far from it; trainees were quick to reassure is that the firm’s London office feels like “anything but a satellite office.”

Smaller trainee intake

The firm takes on up to 14 trainees each year, and it’s uncommon for trainees to work in groups of more than five, which, according to one trainee, “leaves lots of scope for trainees to get involved in work that would usually be the preserve of junior associates.”

Complementary practice areas

The firm serves clients across multiple industries, though trainees noted the firm’s practices are “all really complementary,” which makes for a more seamless experience when rotating between departments. At any given time, insiders told us they were “often working across multiple teams,” giving them a “good grasp of inter-team interactions.”

Trainee satisfaction rankings

Training contract structure

Seat allocation

The seat selection process takes place towards the end of each seat, and trainees are asked to rank a list of seats according to preference. A follow-up meeting with the graduate recruitment team then takes place, and trainees can use this time to put forward their case for certain seats. Overall, our sources had no qualms about the process, reassuring that “you don’t really ever hear stories of people being unhappy with the outcome.”

As a largely transactional firm, it’s possible for trainees not to sit in any contentious practices over the course of their training contract. Trainees will be expected to sit in at least two of investment funds, private equity M&A, and corporate technology & life sciences. Although trainees are encouraged to try out new seats with each rotation, with permission from the graduate recruitment team, some trainees are able to sit in one department twice.

Client secondments

Goodwin offers one rolling client secondment with a real estate client which is made available during the seat selection process.

International secondments

N/A

Seat Experiences

Trainee life

Culture and environment

Data from our annual trainee survey

Trainees praised the firm for being “full of very bright people who don’t take themselves too seriously,” and for being a place where “people can still have a laugh while working hard.” Insiders also pointed to the relatively flat hierarchy at the firm, with partners putting “notable effort” into making the firm a fun place to work.

More often than not, trainee socialise through pre-planned social events rather than informal ones. Although impromptu pub trips are few and far between, Goodwin’s social calendar is far from boring and drab. Team specific socials, client events and organised talks are frequently pencilled into diaries. Trainees are also allocated a budget for socialising, which we heard has previously been spent on cooking classes, afternoon tea and trips to Fairgame. All things considered, “We have a pretty busy social calendar!” said one trainee.

As for the physical environment, trainees can feast their eyes on views of St Paul’s Cathedral and feast their stomachs in the firm’s subsidised cafeteria – a place, according to insiders, with a reputation for making it “easy to be healthy!”

Working patterns

Data from our annual trainee survey

Insiders didn’t mince their words when speaking about the hours; these can be long, though never without a word of thanks for going the extra mile during evenings or weekends. “If you’re working hard, then everyone will be working hard as well,” said one trainee of the busier times: “People aren’t asking you to work late just because they can.” Trainees further emphasised that there’s certainly no face-time culture here.

Trainees are asked to be in office four days a week. “We don’t have that policy so people do four days in the office for the sake of it,” Cornelius notes: “It’s about purposeful presence. There’s going to be a benefit to you and your colleagues by being in the office.”

Pay

Data provided by firm and our annual trainee survey

“The NQ salary is very competitive!” one insider headlined. As for the trainee salary, “It has increased recently, but in terms of the market, it used to be more competitive,” said another.

Supervision and training

Data from our annual trainee survey

Trainees noted supervisors tend to take a more hands-off approach, instead allowing them to learn by doing. That said, insiders were keen to highlight that their supervisors were always happy to set time aside to explain anything or answer any questions.

Current trainees have been the first to benefit from a revamped end-of-seat review process, which sources described by interviewees as “really useful going into the next seat.” And, as a cherry on top, “It’s a rewarding opportunity to reflect!” added another.

A mix of general, firmwide and seat-specific training sessions are on offer to trainees. General training often covers core soft skills, ranging from resilience to developing research and bundling skills. Trainees are also welcome to dial in to US training sessions if they fancy brushing up on seat-specific knowledge.

Additionally, the firm’s adoption of AI was something trainees were particularly keen to highlight. Sources were adamant that the Goodwin’s approach to AI remains “ahead of the curve.” The firm makes use of a range of AI tools with the appropriate training sessions. The firm also hosts things like AI breakfasts to facilitate conversations around the implementation of AI.

Inclusion

The firm has ten inclusion networks, and often host events ranging from dinners to jewellery making sessions. All of the networks are open to everyone at the firm to join.

Further, trainees agreed that support for mental wellbeing was an “integral” part of Goodwin’s culture. “The firm is very vocal in highlighting where you can reach out to if you are struggling,” highlighted one.

Pro bono & CSR

Trainees are encouraged to get involved with a range of pro bono work, including criminal law cases, civil disputes and legal research projects on behalf of the firm’s partner advisory clinics and partner charities. Highlighting the extent of Goodwin’s involvement in pro bono, one trainee noted, “The firm doesn’t sing enough about its pro bono and charity initiatives!”

While we heard there are some trainees who don’t get involved in pro bono at all, one insider explained that “the firm’s line on pro bono seems to be, ‘If you want to be involved, you can get stuck in and it’s appreciated.’” That said, those planning on staying at the firm as NQs might well do with warming up to pro bono work as involvement forms part of the associate billable hour target.

Other opportunities include:

• Working with the charity KIND (Kids in Need of Defence) UK, a charity that works to strengthen the rights and protection of children and young people in need of immigration support.

Qualification

During their fourth seat (usually around the middle), trainees apply for NQ vacancies in the department(s) they are hoping to qualify into. The application process involves a formal application and an interview. Overall, trainees felt the process was transparent, and felt well-informed going into it.

Dispensing some valuable advice, one trainee noted, “If you’re enjoying a seat and thinking about joining, it’s a good idea to communicate that.” Another added that, ultimately, keeping in touch with those in departments you’re hoping to join makes approaching the qualification application feel less formal.

A win…

Goodwin’s chair emeritus, Regina M. Pisa, was the first woman to chair a leading US law firm.