Editor's weekly: 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 Linklaters for example. At its Silk Street offices you can have a work out in the inhouse gym, visit the dentist and get your dry cleaning done. Norton Roses swanky new riverside building, meanwhile, has a music room with its own Baby Grand piano where staff can take subsidised music lessons. And rumour has it that Lovells has visits from a chiropodist, reflexologist, masseur, and even a beautician.

Oh and how could I have forgotten Clifford Chances swimming pool after all that was the only reason I wanted to secure a training contract with the worlds biggest law firm!

Therell 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 Lovells infamous sleeping pods.

But I disagree because when youre stuck on the deal from hell having the worry of getting your dirty laundry to the dry cleaners before closing time is fantastic. That said, Im not too sure about the Lovells beautician because I certainly wouldnt want my legs waxed while chatting about deal tactics with a partner.

What do you reckon? Do you think law firms offers services such as inhouse 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 youre taken on the office tour during your assessment days.

Incidentally, this is my last newsletter until 4 September as Im off canal boating in France. But dont worry, Ill be thinking of all of you who are stuck in assessment centres vying for that all important training contract place.

Last but by no means least dont forget to read Chris Snells final blog where he discusses the age old debate of whether size matters.

See you in September.

Husnara.begum@thelawyer.com

PS - congratulations to Anglia Ruskin University law student Carol Thomas who won an iPOD in the Lawyer2B.com Lawyer Instinct Quiz.