VWV

About the firm

Legally Blonde did a lot to inspire the next generation of lawyers. It did so, for example, by pairing the prestige of Harvard Law School with dazzling pink outfits, inserting an animal sidekick (à la Bruiser the chihuahua) and providing us with the first cardinal rule of getting a perm. But perhaps most importantly, Elle Woods taught us that ambition doesn’t have to come at the expense of having a life. A sentiment echoed by our interviewees at VWV: “I knew I wanted a firm that had high-net-worth clients, but at the same time had a good work-life balance.”

“I knew I wanted a firm that had high net-worth clients, but at the same time had a good work-life balance.”

The Bristol office resides as the firm’s HQ, with its other offices sitting in London, Watford and Birmingham. UK-wide, the firm receives accolades in education: institutions (schools), charities and medical. And it doesn’t stop there; in Thames Valley it also receives top marks for corporate/M&A and real estate, whilst in the South West it receives the highest commendation for personal injury. What, like it’s hard?

VWV also paints an interesting picture of its AI implementation for trainees. Laura Chesham, partner in the charities team, spoke to the firm’s trainee AI pioneer programme: “We are probably one of the front-running firms for AI adoption and how we involve our trainees in that… for a firm of our size, and in the areas we work, we’re taking really big strides.” Insiders told us about a programme, explaining: “We create a project using the firm’s AI system, Mosaic, and present it to the head of department and the managing partner.”

Why trainees joined the firm

Specific sector focus

As exemplified by its rankings, the firm’s focus on charities and education has paid off. Juniors have a range of opportunities within different seats to work with high-profile names in both sectors, assisting with everything from corporate governance to commercial property.

Word of mouth reputation

Trainees located in Bristol noted how it would be impossible to not know the firm if you grew up in the area: “You hear of VWV, they are well known in Bristol.” Insiders also told us how the firm regularly spoke at career events and highlighted that the firm came highly recommended by their friends: “My friend spoke really highly of the culture, and I’m so glad I applied here.”

DEI commitment

Insiders shared that diverse hiring practices were one of their reasons for applying to the firm. Safe to say they got it here, with one sharing: “I know DEI is one of their core pillars as part of their responsible business strategy, and it definitely shows.”

Trainee satisfaction rankings

Training contract structure

Seat allocation

When it comes to seat allocation, trainees told us how, for their first seat: “We don’t get a choice.” It felt like this was a random allocation which ultimately came down to business needs: “At the end of the day VWV is a business, so seat allocation is based on business needs, but they do work hard to try and give people the training contract that they wanted.” After their first seat, juniors are able to list two preferences as to where they would like to rotate next. We were told: “Second-year trainees get more priority as they’re closer to qualification.”

Client secondments

With regard to client secondments, interviewees told us that they are an exception rather than a regular occurrence. In the past, the firm has sent a few lucky trainees to second at London Zoo, and sources stated that “the firm is constantly on the lookout for new secondments.”

Seat Experiences

Trainee life

Culture and environment

Data from our annual trainee survey

The firm’s Bristol office has recently been refurbished, and trainees have nothing but praise: “It’s all very fancy machinery now, it’s nice coffee, lots of snacks, and we also have an atrium which helps with morale.” The firm follows an open-plan hot-desking system, which juniors are enjoying: “I like that the firm is open plan,” shared one interviewee, “you can sit next to a partner, and it doesn’t make you feel like there’s a hierarchy.” Trainees told us how the location of the London office was absolutely stellar, since “you can look out and see the Shard!” Another beaming junior told us: “Every day I walk in and I’m like OMG I can’t believe I’m here!”

“People are really busy, but they still make time to chat which is really nice and makes all the difference.”

There were some qualms about the Watford office, in particular to do with the less-than-great parking situation. “We have a car park, but you have to pay,” grumbled one insider. However, we heard praise for the social life in Watford, with special mention given to the office’s non-traditional summer party which included face painting, rounders, and a game of tug o’ war. Overall, interviewees had no complaints about the firm’s culture: “People are really busy, but they still make time to chat which is really nice and makes all the difference.”

Working patterns

Data from our annual trainee survey

Chesham told us that for first-seat trainees the in-office policy is at least four days a week, but she did qualify this with: “The minority of legal teams will require trainees to be in five days, but it’s very much based on the work of the team.”  Trainees echoed this message of in-office requirements being largely based upon team needs, with one stating: “I’ve seen some do four days and some do less,” adding that “the firm takes a relatively flexible approach, generally a lot of trainees work in-office which is beneficial for us and the teams we work in.”

When it comes to hours, you won’t find any of those big, scary, long nights here, as our interviewees noted that “the standard is 9 - 5.30pm, there isn’t an expectation to do overtime, they just expect you to manage your workload.” The firm does not give trainees billable-hour targets, but it does allocate minimum required hours (MRH) targets for how many hours each person records for work matters, which increase into their second year and then once they have qualified.

Pay

When it comes to compensation, trainees emphasised how the work-life balance they receive makes their salary feel justified. “It’s a good balance,” highlighted one insider, “the firm really values work-life balance, and that’s not to say they aren’t a business who do important key work, because they do.” Some juniors did point out that other similar firms have a higher salary, but as one insider concluded: “I could earn more if I went to a bigger firm, but then I’d have to work way longer hours and that’s not something that is important to me.”

Supervision and training

Data from our annual trainee survey

“…they make sure I’m getting the support and supervision I need.”

“We have constant catch-ups,” smiled one trainee, noting how their supervisor “makes sure I know what I’m doing, and they make sure I’m getting the support and supervision I need.” Interviewees noted that supervisors at VWV are “very aware that that’s exactly why we are here, to learn and improve our professional development.” The firm hosts a trainee away day every rotation, which interviewees praised for both the training and networking aspects, providing them with an outlet to socialise with colleagues outside of the office. As well as the core department training, juniors also have the opportunity to attend optional courses to further their non-law skills via the VWV learning academy.

Inclusion

“It’s a big thing they promote.”

Insiders emphasised that the firm is “really diverse,” adding how “it’s a big thing they promote.” We were told that the firm puts on lunch-and-learns and engages in workshops to promote DEI, highlighting the area being part of the firm’s responsible business commitment. There are also multiple policies in place internally, as well as VWV’s Engage Network, which houses DEI groups relating to different communities such as LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, race, and religion, all of which are readily available for all colleagues to join. Externally, the firm participates in the 10,000 Black Interns Initiative, which aims to widen access to the legal profession, which trainees specifically praised.

Pro bono & CSR

When it comes to pro bono, trainees told us how the firm still has room for improvement: “It’s an area where I know that we do it, but there’s not much awareness of it.” That said, juniors did note how the firm is trying to change that. In the employment practice in Bristol, trainees are able to help out at the Bristol Law Centre Legal Clinic, where they give advice to people once a month on any employment-related issues. When it comes to charity, VWV knows what it’s doing. Each office has a charity of the year, and they hold fundraising events to raise money. The firm also offers a volunteering day which everyone is entitled to, with trainees highlighting how “they encourage people to use it.”

Qualification

Trainees told us that when it comes to the qualification process, “the firm is transparent, but they do publish the jobs list late.” We learned that at the start of juniors’ fourth seat, they get the opportunity to speak about their interests to HR, who then speak to heads of departments to see if NQ spaces can be offered. Once the vacancy list is published, trainees apply for roles, and interviews are scheduled in.

Sources noted that these can be either informal or formal, detailing how it entirely depends on the department and the number of people interested in any one role. Trainees can apply for as many roles as they wish, even for seats they didn’t complete during their training contract. However, if they haven’t sat in the department they apply for, they are required to do a written assessment for the practice area to assess their level of knowledge.

You’ve got a friend in VWV…

Trainees were thrilled with the opportunities for collaboration: “The teams are constantly pushing cross-referrals between departments; it creates a friendly atmosphere.”