A-Z Of Employers: Norton Rose

What does it do?

Norton Rose is an international law firm centred in London, with a network of offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Specialising in business law, the firm has strengths in international corporate finance, transport, energy and infrastructure, and technology. It's worked on some heavy-duty deals, for example HSBC's recent joint venture with Marks and Spencer's financial services division, the establishment of Islamic Bank of Britain plc as the first Islamic retail bank in a Western country, and acting for Standard Chartered Bank on the financing of five new wind farms in Britain. The firm's roots stretch back to 1794, but the rapid growth came through the Victorian railway and investment booms in the 19th century.

Vital statistics:

There are 1,100 lawyers and 190 partners in a total global workforce of 2,000.

The office:

The international headquarters are in London's financial district, near Liverpool Street station. But next year, the firm is moving south of the river, into that "leaning-over" building that's already home to the Greater London Authority.

Is this you?

Every year 60 trainee solicitors are taken on. You'll need to be expecting a 2:1 in any subject, and have a minimum ABB at A-level. Commercial awareness and some work experience, particularly in a legal setting, will also help.

The recruitment process:

Online applications, at www.nortonrose.com, are sifted manually and candidates chosen for what the firm describes as a relaxed and informal interview process. This involves an assessed written task and a group participation exercise. There is also an opportunity to meet current trainees and associates, and find out what the job's really like. Training lasts two years and follows Law Society guidelines, including a Professional Skills course, covered in a three-week induction period, and exposure to a number of different legal areas. However, Norton Rose rotates trainees around six different four-month "seats", rather than four of six months' duration, which most firms practise. This, it argues, gives trainees more chance of finding an area of law that really suits them. The six placements might include a seat in an international office and a secondment to a client business.

Top dollar?

Pay in the first year is £28,500. That goes up to £30,000 after 12 months, and £50,000 on qualification.

Beam me up Scotty?

Once you're a qualified solicitor, you'll settle into a permanent role in one of the firm's nine main practice areas. The firm also encourages its solicitors to gain advocacy rights, enabling them to stand up and speak in the higher courts, until recently something reserved for barristers in wigs.

Who's the boss?

Since 2002, Peter Martyr has been the firm's chief executive, a position that replaced the more traditional title of managing partner - a move designed to create a more streamlined and corporate image.

Little known fact:

One of the firm's early partners, Sir Philip Rose, acted as personal lawyer and adviser to Benjamin Disraeli in the second half of the 19th century.