Long hours are generally a feature of corporate, where they will increase as a transaction comes to closure and climax with the dreaded all-nighters. The bigger the firm, the more likely this is. Outside London deals tend to be smaller and the pace less frenetic. However hours are intense at the nationals and the largest regional firms. In the current busy climate everyone is finding the hours longer.
Most firms surveyed provide the traditional training structure of four six-month seats.
The trainee will physically move from department to department. They share a room with a partner or senior assistant for whom they mostly work. Some firms vary the number and length of seats. A number of firms provide radically different training contracts. At Gouldens trainees don t move.