At your service
A butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker! Okay, not exactly, but some law firm offices have so many amenities they resemble an entire high street meaning there really is no need to venture outside.
Take magic circle firm Clifford Chance for example where I was earlier this week judging the “Intelligent Aid” competition (read more). Its swanky Canary Wharf headquarters boast an in-house gym, games room, dry cleaning service and even a hair salon. Oh and did I forget to mention the swimming pool?
Amenities at Linklaters’ newly refurbished Silk Street offices meanwhile include five staff restaurants, bedrooms, a travel centre, doctor, dentist, an ATM machine and prayer room. And rumour has it that Hogan Lovells has visits from a chiropodist, reflexologist, masseur, and even a beautician.
There’ll always be cynics who argue that law firms provide all the above facilities so they can squeeze as many chargeable hours out of their lawyers as possible. Indeed, why send lawyers home for sleep when they can catch 40 winks in HogLov’s infamous sleeping pods?
But there are advantages also. When you’re stuck on the deal from hell, for instance, having the worry of getting your dirty laundry to the dry cleaners before closing time sounds very helpful. That said, I’m not too sure about the Lovells beautician because I certainly wouldn’t want my legs waxed while chatting about deal tactics with a partner.
What do you reckon? Do you think law firms offer services such as in-house doctors and dentists to make their lawyers’ lives simpler, and would it sway your decision on which training contract offer to accept, or is it to keep them at work for longer hours? Also, let me know if you spot any other over the top amenities when you’re taken on the office tour during your assessment days.
PS - Lawyer 2B has teamed up with the College of Law to host a unique event for career changers and mature students. ’Not too Late for Law’ will be held on 19 April at the College of Law’s Moorgate Branch, where delegates will be able to gain an insight of how to break into the legal profession from some of the City’s top law firms. For more information click here.
