Legal 500 Future Lawyers recently featured Haynes Boone's London office, offering an inside look at the firm's trainee experience based on feedback from current and former trainees.
In its profile, Legal 500 noted that Haynes Boone offers "a rare combination" of the resources of a major U.S. firm and the camaraderie of a close-knit team. Trainees praised the firm's culture, the level of responsibility available early in their careers and the opportunity to work closely with partners and clients.
Read highlights from the profile below.
SURVEY RESULTS – TRAINEE FEEDBACK ON HAYNES BOONE
THE LOWDOWN – TRAINEES (IN THEIR OWN WORDS) ON HAYNES BOONE
Why did you choose to join this firm?
- “Culture.”
- “Despite being a U.S. firm, it is renowned for its culture.”
- “The firm had a community feel about it, and it was clear they cared about their employees.”
- “Small trainee intake within a large international firm, so vast responsibility coupled with high-level quality work.”
- “Practices on offer and knowing I will complete seats in the desired practices.”
What is the best thing about the firm?
- “The culture.”
- “The approachability of seniors, always happy to answer questions and have trainees become as involved as much as possible.
- “The inclusivity of the firm.”
What has been the best moment of your training?
- “Working with partners up close, and a work trip to the Netherlands.”
- “Attending client events and meeting clients in person is really nice; they are generally very appreciative of the work we have done for them.”
- “Getting a lot of responsibility in finance work, especially leading the efforts on a leveraged finance deal.”
THE LEGAL 500 FUTURE LAWYERS VERDICT ON HAYNES BOONE
For trainees seeking the best of both worlds, Haynes Boone offers a rare combination: the resources of a major US firm alongside the camaraderie of a close-knit team. With a “community feel” and a “small trainee intake within a large international firm,” Haynes Boone impressed respondents with its mix of responsibility, quality work and “inclusive culture.”
That welcoming atmosphere is there from the outset. Trainees highlighted the firm’s “intimate” recruitment process, the opportunity to build relationships across its U.S. network and the flexibility to complete seats in their preferred practice areas. Once through the door, recruits praised the “approachability of all colleagues,” and described a “supportive” environment where senior lawyers are “always happy to answer questions and have trainees become as involved as possible.”
The level of responsibility on offer at Haynes Boone is a major draw. Respondents reported gaining meaningful, hands-on experience early on, particularly within the finance teams, where one trainee recalled “leading the efforts on a leveraged finance deal.” Client contact is equally impressive, with insiders valuing opportunities such as “attending client events and meeting clients in person.” For many, key milestones came quickly: “Drafting my first letter to a client gave a real sense of achievement,” said one trainee.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF TOMOS LLOYD-OWEN, TRAINEE
Read the full profile from Legal 500 Future Lawyers here.
