First-hand experiences

Transcript

How do the practice groups at Taylor Wessing integrate and exhibit teamwork?

One of the most important things we’ve got to consider as lawyers at Taylor Wessing, and any law firm, is how we cross-sell between different groups of practice areas. I think the key to successful cross-selling is knowing what other people do in the Firm. We have instigated various initiatives to make sure that the different groups within the Firm know what each group is doing, and the way that we’ve set up our structure is done to maximise that.

Why did you choose Taylor Wessing?

I started thinking about doing law back in the early nineties when I was applying for training contracts. Actually I did a history degree at Durham University, and at that stage there were three things I was considering doing: I was either considering being an investigative journalist, a TV producer or a lawyer. Then I was leafing through the brochure of Taylor Wessing – this is before the internet – and I found that there was an area of the law called Media Law in which you could basically work with the industry sectors that I was interested in, but also work as a lawyer. I managed to, and still manage to, maintain my keen interest in journalism and those sort of areas and also do the work of a lawyer so that’s why I decided to join Taylor Wessing. Taylor Wessing then, and now, is well known in that area.

What is your favourite thing about working for Taylor Wessing?

As a lawyer, I think you need to look at two things in the law Firm that you’re working in – the quality of people that you’re working with, and the quality of work you have. On both those two fronts, I think Taylor Wessing scores very highly. I work with great people at the Firm and I have great quality work, so I’m very happy.

Why would you recommend Taylor Wessing as a firm to begin a legal career with?

I think there are many different reasons why you should join Taylor Wessing. And as I’ve spent the whole of my career here, I’m speaking as someone who started here as a trainee. I think firstly you have a very good career structure at Taylor Wessing. I started as a trainee and became a partner within six and a half years – we see our future trainees as our future partners. I think because of the small trainee intake we have, you get a hell of a lot responsibility here. Also, given the clients that we work for, you have excellent quality work.  Having said all of that, as well as the responsibility, you have a great supportive environment to work in. So you have a good balance between getting the right level of responsibility, but also the supportive environment that we have at Taylor Wessing.

What does Taylor Wessing look for in their trainees?

Taylor Wessing, when we’re looking for what we want out of prospective trainees, we’re not looking for clones, we’re looking for individuals. It’s a given that our trainees will have good academic backgrounds but what we’re really looking for is individualism and commerciality.  We want people who not only know the law, but who can understand the client’s business and give commercial advice to clients. Also, we’re looking for future partners. That’s how our training programme and our recruitment programme is based – to find those things in trainees.