Offering our legal trainees a bright future

A legal training contract with Maclay Murray & Spens LLP places emphasis upon developing you as a professional within a highly stimulating environment.

Our strength across a wide range of practice areas gives us an exceptional reputation not only for corporate transactional work, but also for other specialist areas including Banking, Intellectual Property, Employment, EU, Competition & Regulatory, and Tax.

We are now one of the largest law firms in Scotland with a sizeable office in London. Add in our membership of Lex Mundi and we are part of a global legal network.

The training contract

Your training contract with MMS will be varied, eventful and rewarding. We will provide you with a very broad range of practice experience, including, legal writing, drafting, research work, and an element of client contact.

Our thorough training, combined with real responsibility, consistently opens doors to the profession in the UK, Europe and beyond.

The programme operates over 2 years and consists of three 8 month seats. You will work closely with a qualified lawyer who will be on hand to offer guidance and encouragement.

Development

We aim to provide trainee solicitors with a clear insight into the areas of law in which we practice. We encourage trainees to develop their skills and abilities in each department in which they work and to explore specialist fields.

Each department runs internal seminars on a wide variety of topics of interest to both trainee solicitors and qualified lawyers. Regular discussion groups take place on current developments in the law and their effect in practice.

Progress is discussed and reviewed at regular intervals and individuals are encouraged to give their own assessment of their performance.

Culture

As a forward thinking firm, we offer all our trainees the opportunity to experience life as any employee of MMS would. Our Sports and Social committee have a number of events which trainees are encouraged to join in.

Along with the main events that occur for all employees of the Firm, the trainee team have an annual trainee dinner, which they organise and attend, inviting fee-earners from across the Firm.

Should you have any queries regarding training contracts, please contact [email protected].

Graham Macdonald

Why did you apply for a Training Contract with MMS?

MMS ticked a lot of boxes for me. Through work experience at MMS, before applying for a traineeship, I learned that the firm do a lot of things differently compared to other firms – most notably the eight month seats and a culture that is extremely welcoming. I knew I wanted to be exposed to high quality work for top quality clients, and MMS fulfils this objective. MMS has a long and proud history and has attracted many of the best legal minds in our jurisdiction – I knew that having the opportunity to work alongside such experienced and knowledgeable lawyers would provide a fantastic learning environment.

What type of work do you get involved in?

My first two seats are based in our Aberdeen office. I have completed a seat in corporate law and am currently sitting in a split seat between employment and litigation. Even very early on in my traineeship, I have had the chance to get involved in some fast-paced and high value deals working for some of Scotland’s best known names. I have been given a lot of exposure to drafting documents which before joining MMS, I didn’t think would be trainee tasks. For example, in corporate I often drafted a variety of corporate ancillary documents and covering advice emails which would be used by the Partner to forward to the client. In employment, I drafted a settlement agreement and presented the documents I drafted at a client meeting, which was a good feeling.

What have been the highlights so far at MMS?

Perhaps the best part of being a trainee at MMS is the exposure to Partners and the resultant client contact. From speaking to my peers at other firms, I know this is unusual but I am invited along to the meetings the Partners and fee-earners I work for attend. The result of this is that you gain a solid understanding of what is important to clients and how experienced practitioners handle, often very complex, issues face to face. This experience, from a commercial awareness perspective, is invaluable. 

What has surprised you the most about working for MMS?

In Aberdeen, our teams are small and this means that there are no passengers. There is very little mundane work here – the work I am assigned whether research, drafting or reviewing documents makes me feel a necessary part of the team and not just a number. You might think that, given our history, MMS would be a stuffy or hierarchal place to work, as law firms often are. At MMS, it is surprising just how down to earth everyone is; even the most senior members of the firm are very approachable and I find our culture really makes a difference to my learning on a day to day basis. 

Hannah Cockayne

Why did you apply for a Training Contract with MMS?

I applied for a training contract with MMS because I wanted to train with a medium-sized UK firm which had exposure to high quality clients and also only recruited a limited number of trainees in order to maximise my training and exposure. I had the benefit of gaining first-hand experience of the firm by completing a Summer Internship in the London office which enabled me to see what the firm was like in practice and get involved in ‘real work’. I was impressed by the attitude, approachability and friendliness of everyone – there wasn’t a ‘typical’ kind of person at MMS. It was great to learn how much responsibility trainees had day-to-day and the wide range of work that they got involved in. 

What type of work do you get involved in?

My seat in Commercial Dispute Resolution involved attending court, client meetings and meetings with counsel from a very early stage. I drafted a wide range of documents and had the responsibility of running some of my own files (under supervision!). My seats in Commercial Property and Corporate were busy and fast-paced; I assisted the teams on some high value deals such as large property portfolio acquisitions and share and asset purchases for renowned asset/investment managers and private equity clients. I had more responsibility in the transactions than I had anticipated which is great for training and means you get experience which you wouldn’t necessarily get at other firms.

I also had the opportunity of going on a client secondment which was a valuable experience in terms of understanding a client’s business in practice and developing relationships.  

What have been the highlights so far at MMS?

I have had several highlights including the responsibility of facilitating the exchange of contracts in respect of an acquisition of a shopping centre portfolio for an American private equity client, which involved taking 4 flights to different countries in 24 hours; attending numerous exchange/completion meetings and having sole responsibility for managing the meeting and the correct execution of documents for the client; and going on a client secondment to a client for a few months. 

What has surprised you the most about working for MMS?

As you are in your seat for eight months, you find that you get a high level of responsibility and find yourself completing the work of an NQ solicitor towards the end of the eight months of your seat, especially when you are second year trainee. Trainees work is genuinely appreciated and although at times you can all work long hours on deals, your work life balance is, on the whole, very good at the firm. Overall, the experience is far more diverse that I could have anticipated. It provides trainees with a training contract that is well rounded and sets you apart from your peers for your future career as a solicitor.

Should you have any queries regarding training contracts, please contact [email protected].

The key skills we look for in our trainees are:

• An alert, inquiring mind and a keenness to learn
• Commitment
• Professionalism
• Determination to see a job through
• First class communication skills - the ability to get on with colleagues and clients at all levels
• The ability to operate under pressure to meet deadlines and client expectations
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment
• A sense of humour

Should you have any queries regarding training contracts or summer internships, please contact [email protected].

Interview tips

• Make sure you have a good background knowledge of the firm
• Think about the questions that will be asked and have your own questions to ask
• Present a professional image ensuring that you are smartly turned out
• Speak clearly and concisely
• Ask if you are not sure about something or if you would like some time to think about your answer
• Try to appear confident however nervous you feel
• Try not to be over-rehearsed
• Most importantly, we want you to be yourself!

Role play tips

Throughout your traineeship, you will have the opportunity for lots of client contact. This exercise is looking for you to demonstrate your behaviour in a client-facing situation, in particular, your verbal and non-verbal communication skills, presence and impact. Again, it is important to be yourself!

Research exercise tips

Research is a fundamental part of being a lawyer. Within this exercise, we are looking for you to produce a brief which demonstrates that:

• You have clearly explored all the issues logically and in some depth
• You interpret the law correctly
• You understand the question fully and have provided a clear and well structured answer
• Your grammar and spelling are correct

Trainees and Representatives from the HR team will be attending Law Fairs later in the year and will be able to answer any queries you may have regarding the MMS Traineeship.

MMS will provide you with a very broad range of practice experience, including, legal writing, drafting, research work, and an element of client contact. This is one of our strengths as a business and a long standing attraction for candidates.

By working as a team member on more complex transactions, you are given the opportunity to gain experience over a broad range of work. You will also be encouraged to meet and work alongside clients from different backgrounds and diverse areas of industry and commerce.

Our strength across a wide range of practice areas gives us an exceptional reputation not only for corporate transactional work, but also for other specialist areas including Banking, Intellectual Property, Employment, EU, Competition & Regulatory, and Tax.

Where Will I Work?

We have a wide range of practice areas for our trainees to choose from. Our trainees are asked to let us know their preferences and we plan their seats taking these preferences into account ensuring that our trainees receive a broad traineeship equipping our future solicitors with the skills and experience they require.

See our Practice Areas to access further information about each of the departments within MMS.

Trainee Continuing Professional Development - Scotland (TCPD)

Trainees have to complete TCPD over the 2 years of the traineeship and the Firm has recently received accreditation to run this training for our own trainees. TCPD is defined as structured learning over and above on the job learning and trainees have to do a minimum of 60 hours over the 2 years including a mandatory Ethics Course. We have already planned a programme of TCPD Essential Skills and Elective Skills. There will also be training within practice groups that may also count towards TCPD.

Professional Skills Course - London (PSC)

London based trainees are required by the Law Society to undertake the Professional Standards Course (PSC) which builds upon the Legal Practice Certificate (LPC) ultimately providing training in three main areas:

• Finance and Business skills
• Advocacy and Communication skills
• Client Care and Professional standards

Within these broad areas trainees will be expected to complete the required number of hours on the compulsory modules (48) as well as elective modules (24) MMS support our trainees in every manner possible throughout these sessions as well as providing full funding for all courses selected.

Trainee Development

Training is very important to us at MMS and on top of the structured learning element of PEAT 2 and PSC, there are numerous other opportunities to learn. When you begin your traineeship in September, we have a bespoke 3 day induction programme to help you settle in, familiarise yourself with IT systems and various procedures, set objectives for your traineeship and meet key people within the Firm. We also run a wide variety of informal training sessions, ranging from lunch & learns to legal seminars to debates. There are plenty of opportunities to learn within the practice groups including on the job experience and participation in practice group seminars and meetings.

In order to ensure that trainees are developing the skills required during their traineeship, it is important that we give all trainees the opportunity to reflect upon their performance and experiences under the guidance of an appraiser. We believe that this will further ensure a well rounded traineeship allowing us to support trainees with any development needs.

For Scottish qualifying trainees Law Society reviews must be carried out quarterly, with 8 required in total throughout your traineeship. No such system is currently in operation for English qualifying trainees. Scottish Qualifying trainees are also required to complete an End of Seat appraisals as part of our internal aprpraisal process.

English qualifying trainees are required as part of our internal appraisal process to submit Interim and End-of Seat appraisals.

No matter which office or Practice Group you are in, you will not be left on your own. You will always work alongside a qualified solicitor. In each Practice Group there is a senior solicitor, generally an associate, who has the responsibility for the continuing wellbeing of each trainee, to talk to quite openly if there are any queries or problems that you may have. This does not prevent you from being able to discuss any issues with your partner or with a member of the HR team should you wish to do so. We encourage openness at all times and at all levels.

You will also be allocated a buddy when you start with the firm as well as each time you move seat to a new Practice Group. We feel this provides an excellent way of introducing the trainee to those in the Practice Group, ensuring they are aware of the facilities and the health and safety arrangements in the Practice Group as well as ensuring they have everything they need at their desk. It is also an identified person to whom the trainee can direct questions.

The aim of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is to support the community in which we live and work, primarily through employees donating time and money, to local projects and organisations. Action groups have been set up in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London & Aberdeen and organise a number of fundraising activities and project work during the year.

Every year, staff in each of the offices are invited to nominate and vote for their Charity of the Year. Whichever charity is selected will receive all funds raised by that MMS office during the Financial Year. Funds are raised in a whole host of different ways from marathon running and sponsored cycles to (slightly less energetic) dress down and bake sales, with all funds raised for the Charity of the Year being matched by the MMS Charitable Trust. Previous charities have included Macmillan Cancer appeal, Great Ormond Street Hospital, CHAS, Cancer Research and SANDS. Last year the Glasgow office alone donated over £19,000 to the new Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre at Gartnavel.

In addition to fundraising, the CSR committees organise regular volunteering days for staff to come along and get involved with local projects. Previous projects have included painting/gardening/restoration of various local community centres and other environmental projects such as supporting the Water of Leith Conservation Trust with their clean up efforts. 

Work Out For Sport is a unique corporate volunteering programme, supported by sportscotland, which matches the skills of volunteers from the business community with sports clubs and organisations to help create stronger, more sustainable clubs. Staff at all levels can participate in this worthwhile programme.

Other regular activities include blood donation drives, harvest collections for homeless charities and donation of Christmas gifts for children to the Women's shelter and also to the Cat and Dog home.

Here at MMS we’re not all work and no play...we have a Sports & Social Committee based in each of our offices comprising staff members who help with the planning and implementing of various sports and social events.

Our events range from quiz nights (with a difference!); monthly boardroom drinks; ten-pin bowling; Summer and Christmas Parties; even a Children’s Christmas Pantomime for our staff's children. For the sporty among us there are golf outings, yoga classes and a Maclays football team.

We believe that the sports and social events help to encourage good working relations between staff and is a great way in getting to know colleagues socially especially when different people work on different floors and may not meet each other otherwise. Above all the Committee's main aim is to ensure we all have fun!

Why do we have three 8 month seats?

Our trainees rotate seats in September, May and January which means there is a 4 month overlap of first and second year trainees in the Practice Group. This allows the new trainee the opportunity to learn from one of their peers with experience of the Practice Group when they are just starting out.

We feel that this system differentiates MMS from other firms and that having eight months in a Practice Group enhances the trainee’s employability.

Is there an opportunity to work in another jurisdiction?

MMS has offices in both Scotland and London. We may therefore be able to offer our trainees the prospect of allocating one of your seats to an alternative office (subject to business need), be it a swap from Scotland to London or vice versa. Should the opportunity arise, we will support you fully during the time you are away including the provision of accommodation, should you require it.

Am I able to choose my Practice Group and location?

Yes, you will be able to submit your seat preferences and preferred location. We will endeavour to accommodate your seat preferences, depending on business needs.

What contact is there from MMS between accepting an offer and starting?

We have a future trainee programme to enable us to keep in touch with you prior to starting. We arrange a couple of events for trainees who have been recruited during the year leading up to your start date

Firstly, we hold an informal event in December which enables you to meet your future peer group and current trainees within the Firm to give you an understanding of what life as a trainee will be like.

We will also invite you to a presentation evening 6 months prior to starting your traineeship where you will hear from lawyers from across the Firm who will provide some insight into our legal practice groups before you select your seat preferences.

What happens once I qualify?

During the course your traineeship, you will develop a feel for the areas in which you may wish to specialise. In spring of your second year we will discuss with you the newly qualified positions that are available across the firm. If you have completed your traineeship successfully, we will hopefully be able to offer you a job in the department of your choice. Experience of the past few years shows that we have been able to keep on a high proportion of those qualifying who want to stay with us. Many have remained with us to become Associates and Partners.