Michael Frost

From: London
University: Trinity College Dublin; Masters (LLM) at the London School of Economics
Year of training: Second
Current seat: Media Disputes

What made you apply to Farrers?

To be honest, the work. When I was researching the various law firms before making my applications, I found that Farrers had strong sports and media practices, which I’m particularly interested in. The more I researched, the more I was impressed by how the firm is set up, the work-life balance, the people, the characters, how the firm is different and a little bit quirky. I was also drawn by its heritage and ancestry; I was attracted by the idea of being part of something where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

How have your training Seats compared so far?

Disputes is very deadline-driven and can involve drafting long legal letters and having measured arguments with another party. Corporate, on the other hand, is more process focussed with a larger emphasis on project management, seeing a transaction through from inception to completion. Intellectual Property is very academically engaging and can include legal research on very discrete areas of laws which I have really enjoyed. The different approaches have required me to develop a broad skill-set which I hope will serve me well in the future.  

Is life here what you expected?

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I was very surprised by how many layers of support there are here. With a supervisor, principal and an enormously dedicated trainee recruitment team, I really feel that there is a keen interest in my development. From friends' stories at other firms, I was concerned that I would be working around the clock propping up a photocopier but this certainly has not been the case. At Farrers, you’re expected to have a certain amount of responsibility from the word "go" while getting your hands dirty and carrying out tasks you didn't initially envisage you would be doing so early on.

What would you say the firm looks for in a candidate?

Farrers look for someone who is a little bit different, someone who has the academic ability but can offer more than legal analysis. An awful lot of work goes into recruiting a group of trainees that will gel together and this is reflected by the collegiate bond amongst the trainees across both years. Trainees are seen as an investment and they want to see you stay here for a long time. Not only do they want somebody who will in time rise into the higher stations of the firm, they want people who are going to rise together.

What would you say to prospective candidates?

If you really want a training contract at Farrers but don’t get it, keep persevering. Many current trainees applied and were not initially successful, but were on re-application. So if you really want it, keep at it.