Trainee Solicitor Review
at Macfarlanes
Graduate Scheme
Commercial Law, Legal/Law
London
Review Submitted: November 2025
Overall Rating
4.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.8/5
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Overview of the Role
4.6/5
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Experience & Company Culture
5/5
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Recommendations & Advice
Overview of the Role
Overall, how would you describe your experience at Macfarlanes?
Positive - learned a lot in each training contract seat and the teams are generally very friendly.
What are the main responsibilities of the role and which elements of the role do you enjoy the most?
The roles vary seat by seat but trainees generally get involved to a high degree on all kinds of matters.
Main responsibilities include: Drafting, matter management, and legal research.
I particularly enjoyed being tasked to come up with a first draft response to problems or queries posed by clients.
Main responsibilities include: Drafting, matter management, and legal research.
I particularly enjoyed being tasked to come up with a first draft response to problems or queries posed by clients.
To what extent does your role give you the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and feel valued by your team?
5/5
In every team I was trusted to liaise directly with clients and to take the lead, with appropriate supervision, in taking the matter forward.
In my first seat, I was trusted to lead a client call which made me feel valued and able to contribute to the team.
In my first seat, I was trusted to lead a client call which made me feel valued and able to contribute to the team.
How does your compensation package - including perks & benefits - fairly remunerate you for the work you do?
4/5
Generally well remunerated for the work done.
How well do you feel the role is preparing you for your future career?
5/5
The training is top-notch and very helpful for qualification. In particular, trainees often get started on tasks they will be doing as newly qualified solicitors so it has been instrumental in preparing me for my future career.
How would you rate the extent to which you were developing new or existing skills through formal training and your day-to-day role?
5/5
You learn a lot in each and every seat because of how varied each seat is - from the type of work done to the people you need to learn how to work with.
Each seat contributed in its own way to the skillset I now use when qualified. For instance, learning how a deal is structured and understanding the individual documents required at every step of the transaction in M&A or the land registry system and the conveyancing process in Real Estate.
Each seat contributed in its own way to the skillset I now use when qualified. For instance, learning how a deal is structured and understanding the individual documents required at every step of the transaction in M&A or the land registry system and the conveyancing process in Real Estate.
Experience & Company Culture
How is the support you receive?
5/5
Very happy with the culture - there is a strong support network for trainees (from partner principals, to early legal careers team, to a separate partner and trainee support group). There was always someone I could talk to about issues I faced in each seat.
How is your work-life balance?
4/5
Generally good, some all-nighters for sure but that seat dependant and part and parcel of the job.
What is the organisational culture, values and general atmosphere like?
5/5
Generally good - I have enjoyed most of the seats I have been in highly and people are appreciative for the effort and the long hours put in.
Again, team dependent but some teams really do have an excellent collegiate culture.
Again, team dependent but some teams really do have an excellent collegiate culture.
How would you rate Macfarlanes initiatives when it comes to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility?
5/5
Macfarlanes puts quite a lot of effort into these programmes, especially in recent years and this is reflected in the trainee intake which is increasingly diverse.
How would you rate Macfarlanes CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives?
4/5
There are a number of initiatives such as the charity of the year which pervades the firm's culture and a number of pro-bono clinics. The standout point is that the firm supports any CSR initiatives its employees feel strongly about and provides a platform to champion these causes.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Macfarlanes to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I've enjoyed my training contract here - you hear a lot of horror stories about the work culture in commercial firms but people here are generally really nice and genuinely invested in your development. Any late nights are usually accompanied by other associates and partners pulling similarly late or even later nights.
How well did the role match your expectations based on the recruitment process?
5/5
Generally fits what I expected.
When considering the recruitment & onboarding process, have you any specific tips or advice you would give to others applying to Macfarlanes?
Think of Macfarlanes' unique selling points - what makes it different? For instance, its small size is one (only 2 offices), and its specific mix of practices and strengths (tax, private client, full service m&a) is another. What does this suggest about the firm's priorities/strategy and the people it looks to recruit?
