SJ Berwin

Author: Legal Week

21 Aug 2009 | 09:11 | 86 comments

Law firms:
SJ Berwin

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Overview

A firm that divides opinion like few others, upper-mid market City practice SJ Berwin is famed for its robust, entrepreneurial style. SJs' admirers celebrate the relatively young outfit as a firm built along similar lines to the classic US model - including a partnership and culture many would define as 'eat what you kill'. However, some are turned off by a culture once memorably described by one of its own senior partners, perhaps as a joke, as being built on "sharp elbows and insecurities".

Whatever your view, the firm's growth has been rapid until recently, when in common with many of its peer group it has been hard-hit by the slowdown in property and private equity. As such the firm saw a 49% fall in profits per equity partner in 2008-09, down from £801,000 to £410,000, while turnover fell from £215m to £184m. It will be interesting to see if the financial challenges facing the firm will impact on its recent efforts to soften its image after a period several years back when it is accepted that it suffered from poor internal morale.

The other main challenge will be moving beyond the European stage, which will require a move into key emerging markets, no mean feat. There has also been much talk that SJB will one day hook up with a like-minded US practice, though the firm has always denied that this is its strategy.

History

One of the youngest firms in the UK's top 25 by revenue, SJ Berwin was founded by the legendary Stanley Berwin along with a handful of like-minded lawyers in 1982. The firm was once often compared to its partial namesake Berwin Leighton Paisner, a firm that SJs has as many similarities to as it now does sharp contrasts. SJs was driven forward by Berwin through the 1980s before he was succeeded by Christopher Haan. In 1992, leadership of the firm was handed over to the much-admired David Harrel, a diplomat with a healthy sense of irony. Harrel led the firm for 13 years, along the way winning plaudits for managing a firm packed with strong personalities.

It was on Harrel's watch that the firm in 2000 dramatically hiked its pay-rates for assistants, which contributed to a series of dramatic rises across the City that arguably became the UK's first-ever legal 'pay war'. The move was, however, partly a response to poor assistant morale, a weakness the firm's critics would argue that SJs still has yet to entirely overcome. Harrel also oversaw SJ Berwin's daring but risky strategy of European expansion; at the time the firm was the only mid-tier City practice to commit to sustained international growth.

The management of the firm passed to heavyweight fund formation partner Jonathan Blake in 2005, who took on the senior partner role alongside existing managing partner Ralph Cohen. The firm has continued to divide opinion in the City, in late 2006 becoming embroiled in controversy over its bonus system (see salaries, below).

In January 2009 SJs launched a redundancy consultation putting up to 40 jobs at risk, with the firm also closing its four-partner media team entirely. The firm also in 2009 announced one of the sharpest falls in profitability seen from a major UK law firm, and in September it emerged that the firm had not paid out any quarterly profit distributions to partners since November 2008.

Click here to read Legal Week's in-depth analysis of the post-crunch challenges facing SJ Berwin.

News, deals and comment on SJ Berwin

Culture

A pragmatic view is offered by one lawyer at the firm, describing the atmosphere as "very intense" but recognises that "this is to be expected".

"You get pushed and get your opportunity to succeed," offers another pragmatist. "Those that don't manage to do that or aren't driven are usually the ones that moan."

Partner Stephen Kon, meanwhile, in his Dealmaker interview describes the firm thus: "While I know this may contrast with the way the firm has been characterised in the press, the firm has never been 'hard-nosed'. We work hard and are driven as a firm and as individuals; but at the same time, we look out for each other and try to be as caring as possible towards each other, while having fun."

A positive sign was the firm's move in spring 2008 to introduce a new appraisal system for partners, handing associates the scope to provide feedback on criteria including leadership skills and people management.

There were further signs of progress in Legal Week Intelligence's 2009 Employee Satisfaction Report, which polled more than 4,000 UK-based assistants. The firm managed a considerable improvement on its previous ranking from the 55 associates that responded to the research with the firm receiving particularly strong ratings for client interaction and quality of work.

Key departments

Essentially a full-service outfit, SJ Berwin was in previous years associated with several sectors, notably property, technology and media and private equity. The property influence is as strong as ever on the firm, which acts for some of the top names in real estate. Private equity is also a key area, especially fund formation work, where until recently SJs would have been considered the unassailable leader.

However, competition in the sector has dramatically increased in recent years, partly due to a sustained push from magic circle giant Clifford Chance and a wave of new US entrants into the City market. One of those entrants, Kirkland & Ellis, in early 2007 landed a major blow to SJs' fund team with the recruitment of a respected three-partner team. Opinions are split between those who feel that the firm has such a strong funds brand that it will not struggle to rebound and those who argue it has suffered serious damage. SJs counters by saying that the funds team has had a "phenomenal year" since the K&E departures, arguing that the critics will be proved very wrong in the near future.

There is also the issue for SJ Berwin that property and private equity are two of the areas that have been worst impacted by the recession, leading some to predict the firm will seek to further diversify.

Elsewhere SJ Berwin's practice has continued to mature, particularly its M&A and banking teams. The firm is also a respected player in competition.

National/international coverage

The firm has an expansive European network. While many were initially sceptical of the firm's European strategy, SJ Berwin is now widely regarded to have made a success of its international network. The firm's full list of offices is: Berlin, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris and Turin.

In April 2008 it emerged that the firm was narrowing its relationships with its US referral partners - including Boston private equity shop Goodwin Procter. For an analysis of where next for SJB, see Editor's Blog: SJs - thinking beyond Europe

Key clients

In property, the firm acts for major names such as British Land, Prestbury, Brixton Estates, Schroders Property Investment and Morley Fund Management. In corporate the firm acts for a host of private equity houses including Apax, Bridgepoint Capital, Macquarie, Lion Capital, Morgan Grenfell Private Equity and MidOcean Partners. Banking clients include Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and Standard Chartered.

Leading partners

SJs has many partners with a real client following. Senior partner Jonathan Blake is still regarded as Europe's top private equity funds lawyer. Corporate partner Steve Davis is credited with doing much to invigorate SJ Berwin's corporate practice in recent years, alongside fellow partner Rob Day.

Competition partner Stephen Kon and property partners David Ryland and Jon Vivian are respected names, while other notable performers include finance head Gillian Smith and head of litigation Craig Pollack.

Career prospects

Good in the sense that this is a very expansive, ambitious firm that has promoted aggressively over recent years, as could be seen in 2007 when the firm made up 16 partners. In common with many firms, promotions were sharply down in 2009, when SJ Berwin made up six partners, including three in London. Set against that, recent research from Legal Week Intelligence found the firm had above average rating from its own assistants for partnership prospects.

Still, not everyone is happy.

"Unfortunately, SJB has not had the foresight to develop an alternative career path to partnership," one contributor laments. "Instead, the old-fashioned carrot of partnership is used to try and 'motivate' associates." This could be changing, with SJs currently looking at flexible working arrangements - perhaps a sign of new career paths to come - although readers commenting on Legal Week's report on the move do not seem particularly optimistic. One Aussie contributor at the firm warns compatriots they are likely to end up in the 'cannon fodder' category.

"For other [Aussie and NZ lawyers] thinking of coming to work at SJB, they should do so with their eyes open," he says. "You will get a pay cheque for your time but if you are interested in developing your career in London, look at joining a different City firm." This Australasian flavour is apparently not reflected at partner level.

"At my count, there is one Austalian who might fall into that category," says one poster. "Nathan Briner in banking. Apart from him there are two others who, at a stretch, might class themselves as Antipodean. The first, Stephen Maffey, has lived and worked in the UK for over 20 years. The second, Michael Bywell, has lived and worked in the UK for over 15 years and was a lateral partner hire from DLA Piper about two years ago."

"My view is that [Aussie and Kiwi fee earners] are mostly well-trained lawyers who provide a good floating resource in a booming market," observes one contributor.

Salaries

The firm pays newly-qualified lawyers £59,000, rising to £64,000 at one year PQE. Past that, the firm operates a more variable model.

The much-discussed bonus scheme is in theory very generous, being worth up to 75% of salary, but the firm has faced some criticism as a considerable proportion of the award is based on assistants billing more than 2,000 hours a year.

Trainees receive £31,500 in their first year and £41,500 in their second.

Recruitment

Key contacts are Sharon Doberer in graduate recruitment and Karen Chalmers in general recruitment.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance simply "doesn't exist" according to one corporate fee earner, who presumably (hopefully) is exaggerating a touch. Either way, the contributor's commitment to getting the job done is admirable. Perhaps they'll let him out of the office eventually. The poster adds that the "primary focus is on hours billed" - but surely that's true of every firm in the top 50.

For its part, SJ Berwin strongly rejects the 'sweatshop' tag, pointing to a fairly civilised - by City standards - annual billing target of 1,575 hours. The firm also says that it is now moving to raise its game as part of a strategic initiative championed by senior partner Blake dubbed Phase 2, which the firm says includes: developing a statement of values; winning the war for talent; growth models; international strategy; working together and CSR; as well as the development of core business areas. Part of that initiative will involve talking to the firm's Assistant Solicitors' Forum to help draw up its firm-wide strategy.

SJs promises that flexible working and learning and development will be top of the agenda, so the firm will get a chance to show if it can walk the talk. SJs also thinks it has a secret weapon in the 'quality of life' battle with its genuinely impressive new Queen Street Place City HQ. Aside from attracting headlines for its revealing elevators, the hyper-slick office (pictured right) boasts the latest in design and a not-half-bad rooftop terrace that overlooks the Thames.

Diversity

As mentioned above, there are plenty of Aussie and New Zealand lawyers at the firm, perhaps reflecting a more general trend in the City to recruit from far and wide with homegrown talent in such high demand. But, again as mentioned above, this is apparently yet to translate into many Aussie/NZ partners.

Pro bono/corporate social responsibility

SJ Berwin's CSR policy is split into five strands, outlined by the firm below:

"Pro bono - An active programme covering debt counseling; housing advice at a local community centre; receiving referrals from the Environmental Law Foundation; acting as 'Honorary Legal Advisers' for the Law Courts Citizens Advice Bureau at the Royal Courts of Justice and playing a leading role among City solicitors who act on death row appeals to the Privy Council.

Community involvement - we are in partnership with a local primary school and provide over 60 volunteers a week who read to school children. We also offer careers advisory work. We have been involved with the local community centre by funding their school holiday activity programmes; 'team' days where a group of SJ Berwin employees spend time making a physical difference to the centre's environment (examples include laying turf and clearing the ground to make way for a children's play area). We also donate presents for their Christmas party.

Environment - SJ Berwin was the first UK law firm to become carbon neutral and we have been off-setting our emissions for six years now. We have an established and active environment committee which ensures the firm maintains its environmental commitment as set out in our policy and manages initiatives which seek to reduce our emissions; this committee is confident of achieving an ambitious target this year to reduce our energy use significantly.

Charity - Each year we appoint an official charity and match funds raised by our partners and staff pound for pound. This year's charity is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, for whom we have raised over £90,000. These funds will provide a training grant for a cystic fibrosis specialist at the Royal Brompton Hospital.

Developing our People - The firm is undertaking initiatives to ensure that we offer equal opportunities for all. Our diversity working group is managing our policies regarding age, sexual orientation, religion and ethnic backgrounds and has introduced a number of initiatives recently including a flexible working policy and a sabbatical policy."

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COMMENTS (TOTAL 86 COMMENTS)

Great place to work

assistant -08 Mar 2007 | 18:49

Re: Career prospects... unfortunately, SJB has not had the foresight (like some other firms) to develop an alternative career path to partnership. Instead, the old fashioned carrot of partnership is used to try and 'motivate' associates.

SJ Berwin -09 Mar 2007 | 14:22

Work life balance doesn't exist; long hours culture; primary focus is on hours billed.

Corporate associate -09 Mar 2007 | 14:37

Some departments are worse than others e.g. corporate and litigation.

Former SJB trainee -12 Mar 2007 | 09:48

I recently commenced from an Australian top-tier law firm. I am in the private equity group and find the support, training and size/quality of deals second to none.People do work very hard and the environment is very intense, however this is to be expected, given the nature of the team.The office is incredible and overall, the people seem quite nice. So far, the firm seems better than any law firm I worked for in Australia ...

Associate/SJ Berwin -17 Mar 2007 | 13:48

I am an Australian solicitor who worked at SJ Berwin for two years (corporate). I'm now at another City firm which is, in my opinion, more akin to life in a top-tier Australian firm. I note the previous posting by an Australian lawyer. I have to say that I would actually prefer to work as the Pakistan cricket coach than have a job at SJ Berwin.

Anonymous -21 Mar 2007 | 16:23

I am interested to read the two postings by the Australian lawyers. Having had experience at SJB, I agree that the quality of deals is of a pretty good standard but I also agree that it can be a miserable place to work. Being an Australian myself, there is just one other comment I would like to add. There are a large number of Aussie (and NZ) lawyers at SJB.For any others thinking of coming to work at SJB, they should do so with their eyes open. You will get a pay cheque for your time but, if you are interested in developing your career in london, look at joining a different City firm.

Australian lawyer -26 Mar 2007 | 15:57

The question of whether there are "dozens" of Antipodean partners at SJB is laughable. At my count, there is one Austalian who might fall into that category; Nathan Briner in banking. Apart from him there are two others who, at a stretch, might class themselves as Antipodean. The first (Stephen Maffey) has lived and worked in the UK for over 20 years. The second (Michael Bywell) has lived and worked in the UK for over 15 years and was a lateral partner hire from DLA Piper about two years ago.

SJ Berwin -27 Mar 2007 | 19:07

I think the Aussies and Kiwis need to adjust their sights a little. They are useful at cricket and rugby but, on the whole, I don't think they've got the mentality to be a quality partner in a top City firm. My view is that they are mostly well-trained lawyers who provide a good floating resource in a booming market.

Senior associate at SJB -02 Apr 2007 | 11:52

I left SJ Berwin earlier this year and now work at another top 20 firm. It may not be a scientific comparison, but I am much happier now with the way I am treated and supervised. I only regret not leaving earlier.

Anonymous -11 Apr 2007 | 18:24

I think that most of the comments above are slight bitterness from people who have failed to get on at SJB - its easy and fun to gripe. I have been here for nearly 5 years and am really very happy. I work hard but still have a life and am very content with my lot. Sure, there are things that the firm could do better, but isn't that the same in any organisation? Overall, I have always found it to be a good environment to work in - you get pushed and get given your oppertunity to succeed. Those that don't manage to do that or aren't driven are the ones that usually moan.

SJB associate -26 Apr 2007 | 12:26

It appears from this thread that quite a lot of people have "failed to get on at SJB". Maybe that says more about SJB itself than anything else. However, it is heartening to hear that there is at least one person who merrily enjoys the push at SJB. From what I hear, there can be no more deserving candidate for success than someone who enjoys their lot at SJB!

NQ, City Firm -26 Apr 2007 | 20:45

"I work hard but still have a life." I wish people wouldn't post such butt-clenchingly embarrassing comments. It seems to me that the firms that have landed themselves in hot water on Legal Week Wiki are those that have tried desperately to over-publicise themselves as something they are not. It must be foolhardy to market yourself on the outside without first convincing those on the inside of the value and accuracy of the message being given.

SJB -27 Apr 2007 | 10:14

Stephen Kon: "The firm has never been hard-nosed"SJB Graduate Recruitment Magazine (PLUM): "If it's the ferocious, hard-nosed, take no prisoners beast within that you are anxious to set free, then this could be the [place] for you." Not to be out done by... "I see myself as the person responsible for irritating my fellow partners and the associates to the requisite degree that ensures they stick to the game plan..." (Craig Pollack, SJB Strategy Committee)http://www.sjberwin.com/careers/graduate_recruitment/plum.html

SJB Trainee -28 Apr 2007 | 16:04

Bizarely, in the same "PLUM" brochure, the SJB heads of department variously liken themselves to members of the animal kingdom, including a camel (Steven Davies), a badger (Michael Metliss) and a 'chinese fire monkey' (Tim Taylor). Gillian Smith, head of banking, believes she has all the traits of a "suitably elegant" panther, and, helpfully for our clients, David Calligan describes himself as a rhino because "you've got to charge like one". Great!

Trainee -30 Apr 2007 | 11:10

Another inspired comment from Craig Pollack of the management committee; when asked what advice he would give to people starting a career in the law, he quips: "Don't be fooled by the glamour and the promise of endless free time to pursue other interests". More of a plum than a visionary!

SJB associate -30 Apr 2007 | 15:22

The firm has great work but there is too much faith in the partnership carrot.

Former SJB associate -30 Apr 2007 | 15:54

I thought SJ Berwin was like a zoo when I was there. Now I know why!

Anonymous -30 Apr 2007 | 16:06

SJB is a Jewish-led firm with a large swathe of antipodeans in the lower ranks of the assistant base. (This comment is intended to be no more than an observation of the inside profile of the firm).

NQ at SJB -22 May 2007 | 18:32

What else could it be?

Anonymous -14 Jun 2007 | 19:04

The 'Senior' associate (SJB doesn't actually have such a position) who thinks Aussies/Kiwis don't have the mentality to be a partner in a London law firm is a racist. Change Aussie/Kiwi to black or Asian and tell me that it is not racist. People like him are the main reason why it is unpleasant to be at SJB. Working on an escape plan!

Associate -06 Jul 2007 | 23:07

Two of my friends have recently handed in their notice. Both are highly-regarded mid-level associates whose departure will be a real loss to the firm. Unfortunately, this happens frequently at SJ Berwin. The partnership seems to think that paying market-matching salaries will suffice to contain discontent. They don't seem to realise that they are dealing with highly intelligent adults many of whom have their own view of the future and are not dazzled by PEP or the over-worked, under-stimulated existence of so many of their seniors.The one lesson I have learned in my time here is that money alone really is not the answer. It takes much, much more than that for a firm to retain its best talent. SJ Berwin is trying to plug the gap by recruiting from elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Whoever thought short-termism in the City was dead?

Associate, SJ Berwin -02 Aug 2007 | 11:34

I have just been reading these posts and it is incredibly eerie. i feel like that man who grew up in Jersey thinking he was the only gay man on the planet, before realising to his enormous relief that he wasn't a freak.

sj berwin -03 Aug 2007 | 16:05

I'm a third seat trainee but have noticed a lot of good associates leave since I joined. I feel misled by the image the firm presented to me during recruitment. I turned down a US firm and two MC firms to come here, thinking I would get the right balance of training, prospects and experience. Instead it appears the best people leave for the very firms I turned down.

Trainee -05 Aug 2007 | 22:16

Gosh.... I understood that trainees at SJB were "living the dream" - as referenced by the SJB trainees on Facebook. Such shame, I was under the impression that they had successfully achieved a great balance.

MC Trainee -20 Aug 2007 | 16:03

Further departures from the private equity funds formation team are expected - and not just from the junior ranks. People are leaving because there are more pleasant places to work that pay substantially more and which don't require sacrificing prospects.SJB has for a long time assumed its staff would not leave the "flagship" department. A mistaken view.The firm has been quoted saying that departures are of no concern because clients have a relationship with the firm, not particular lawyers.

Funds associate -03 Sep 2007 | 11:08

Current joke doing the floors:There's a new bonus scheme for the best associates - they won't hold you to your notice period.

Associate, SJ Berwin -19 Sep 2007 | 11:26

Stop whinging! One has to remember that being a successful lawyer and a happy person depends on you and you only. There are some truly great characters at SJB, but like any other firm, it exists for the sole purpose of making a profit (as distinct from making you happy). Have your lunch, play a bit of table tennis, be entertained at an in-house theatre on the 2nd floor - enjoy it. Partnership is but a carrot. Do your calculations - is it worth slaving away for 10 years? Also, would you trust those new partners to grow the business - they seem to be just little soldiers themselves. Stepping stone is the magic word. Open mindedness is one ingredient missing at SJB. Come on SJB, get that entrepreneurial feel back (hide your army routines)!

ex-SJB Associate -20 Sep 2007 | 09:30

Being a successful lawyer and a happy person is not dependant on the individual alone. Both can be negatively affected by the individual's working environment. i think that is why there are a large number of disgruntled comments on this wiki about sj berwin.

Assciate, SJB -20 Sep 2007 | 15:48

I agree with you - to an extent, of course, we are affected by those around us. My driving point was that the ultimate success and happiness is in your hands. No point staying somewhere where it does not feel right. I think part of the problem of the SJB culture is that partners do not spend any time with associates outside work and interact effectively at work. Having worked at other UK and US firms, it seemed to me an odd phenomenon, and it is damaging to that vital human relationship. Clients and lawyers are all a law firm has, and affability is key in both courts. One cannot develop a strong relationship without genuine interaction (business or associate development is the same game - the latter not being played at SJB). Do you agree?

ex-SJB Associate, Funds -20 Sep 2007 | 19:58

I have two friends at SJ Berwin, one in corporate and one not, and both are looking for their next jobs. I have never worked there myself so will not pretend my views have authority, but whenever I see SJ Berwin people outside work they are always talking about how political and internally divided the firm is. A recurrent theme is that the firm recruits perfectly pleasant juniors but that the partners and more senior associates treat the firm as a closed club and view new hires with suspicion and as little more than "resource". Having done two years as a trainee at Clifford Chance I have myself experienced bad treatment and the usual office politics, but SJ Berwin sounds worse, since colleagues of mine do not spend half their free time saying how dreadful their employer is and plotting their next moves.

Magic Circle associate -21 Sep 2007 | 11:22

I used to work at SJB and made the leap to a hedge fund and couldn't be happier - the work is better, the pay is better (gotta love hedgies), my work is appreciated and I am feeling worthwhile again. However, having been in pp at a few firms I think it is a pp thing.

Legal Counsel -26 Sep 2007 | 20:33

I had a short stint at SJB and absolutely loved it. "Why short then?", you may ask. Fate (and commitments in Hollywood). Great bunch of people - I am still seeing people across 4 departments on a weekly basis and would recommend the place to anyone. Superb seared tuna, perfect sunbathing terrace, plenty of sport and strong espresso. It is not nasty at all - I would say they are a bit on the soft side. (FYI - the fashion as of September 26 is "stay positive" - follow me, feel the vibe).

Ex-SBJ (or was it ex-KGB?) associate in Private Equity -27 Sep 2007 | 01:11

Self-promotion is not the best strategy. It is the only strategy. Think about it logically: promotion, in the law firm context, means getting a slice of profits (little by little your slice will get bigger). Why would you be interested in promoting anyone unless that person had something great to offer? And how would you know what they have to offer (in addition to being a billing soldier) if that person did not show or tell you = self-promotion. You don't need to have thick skin, but you need to open up your eyes. Being a genuinely pleasant person can co-exist with self-promotion. More to the point, what stops you from correcting your mistake?

Ex-KGB -09 Oct 2007 | 23:53

The attrition at SJ Berwin is a closely guarded secret. Another issue is the state of its funds team, which has been demoted to rank 2 in Chambers for private equity fund work, behind Clifford Chance. We in the property group are feeling rather smug and secure, because despite all the problems elsewhere in the firm, our market position is strong and getting stronger. To be fair, the firm is not everyone's cup of tea (see attrition comments) but it's probably no worse than many places.

Insider -26 Nov 2007 | 23:40

They are still smarting over the three private equity funds partners who went to Kirkland & Ellis in 2007. That has left a gaping hole in the funds practice that no amount of PR can fill. SJ Berwin's says the London office has nine dedicated funds partners. In reality, the corporate department has three and they presumably count non-corporate partners with an involvement in funds. It appears that SJ Berwin's reputation for style over substance is catching up with it.

ex funds assistant -03 Jan 2008 | 16:20

To the Senior Associate who derides Antipodean lawyers for not having the quality to make it in a top City firm, you must be kidding! All I have seen in my two years is the Aussie and Kiwi associates running rings around their English counterparts and rising quickly through the ranks as star performers in the various top City firms.

Aussie Associate (not at SJB) -04 Jan 2008 | 13:47

I quit recently after realising that practically all my friends at other firms were happier and learning to be good lawyers more quickly than me. A number of its star associates (not to say partners) have left in the past year, since I bothered keeping track. They tend to go to higher-tier UK and US firms that they originally passed over in the hope that Berwins really would offer faster progression in a more meritocratic environment. A common theme is frustration that being loud and politically astute counts for far more here than being dependable and good at the law, both commercially and academically. On the plus side, the free lunches and new offices are undeniably very pleasant.

Resignee -24 Jan 2008 | 09:58

Probably the exact opposite of Slaughter and May, since the stress is on presentation over ability. This is reflected in the firm's intake. I think that is why the firm attracts so many outgoing but less than brilliant juniors. It's one way to make money.

Gemma -27 Jan 2008 | 17:18

I appreciate the two years of training I received but, having left as an NQ, I can honestly say I am infinitely happier in my new role. My last few months at the firm saw the loss of some great people and the recent partner hires have been nothing short of extraordinary.

SJB escapee -06 Feb 2008 | 12:04

....in that the firm needs to look at solving the retention issues at the junior end first, rather than brining in new big guns at the top.

SJ Berwin escapee -06 Feb 2008 | 12:54

They have not been able to find replacements for the private equity funds partners who left last year for Kirkland & Ellis. That says something about the direction the firm's supposedly flagship department is heading.

Corporate associate -22 Feb 2008 | 09:12

The firm is becoming a mid-tier M&A and property shop along the lines of BLP. US firms have seriously crashed the funds party and are hiring all the funds staff.

trainee -11 Mar 2008 | 18:52

The Vauxhall Astra of law firms (to the Magic Circle's Bentley).

Anonymous -07 May 2008 | 17:49

I left when I realised I was smarter than the partners I worked for but working harder than them principally for their benefit. The ego vetoed that.

ex sjb -14 May 2008 | 12:52

SJ Berwin's brand equates to telling potential recruits that there is still everything to play for if they join. Since the average joiner has a less glittering CV than the standard magic circle recruit, the firm is able to pack them in. This works in a boom market when clients are less interested in the quality of the lawyers, so long as deals get done. But in a downturn it leaves firms like SJ Berwin exposed, since at such times clients ask closer questions about what they are paying for. As someone who joined during the good times but with offers to go to "better" City firms, I wonder whether I have made a mistake. The trouble is that the recruitment market now seems to have dried up!

Anonymous -17 May 2008 | 20:12

I wouldn't reccommend this firm to anyone.

Anonymous -20 May 2008 | 18:29

As a trainee I am ok with my supervisors but they do not inspire me. Kirklands here we come...

trainee -30 May 2008 | 10:04

I have a relation working there who told me to choose the Magic Circle for a TC if they offered me. So now I am happily going to A&O.

Anonymous -04 Jun 2008 | 10:51

I don't believe you. Anyone else hear the sound of axes grinding?

Anonymous -04 Jun 2008 | 19:11

Someone needs to spinkle some loving on the above people.

Anonymous -06 Jun 2008 | 01:59

No it's not! It's a great place to work and most people here are really happy. I look at the posts above and I simply don't recognise the firm these people [if it is more than one person] are describing.

Anonymous -10 Jun 2008 | 11:43

hello sj berwin pr dept

Anonymous -10 Jun 2008 | 14:58

I`m not in the PR department and I don`t recognise all the comments above either!

Anonymous -10 Jun 2008 | 19:17

I have accepted a TC with SJB starting next year, and I am horrified by what has been written here. During the Vac scheme and the recruitment process, the firm was painted as a supportive and enjoyable place to work. But 90% of these comments are negative. Whats going on SJB?

Trainee-to-be -11 Jun 2008 | 13:21

Do not fear, Trainee-to-Be. There is a great deal of resentment amongst the contributors and that is a real shame. As far as I can recollect, trainees had brilliant time there. Remember that law firms use you and so you have to learn to do the opposite, whilst junior. Don't forget to have fun!

Ex-KGB -11 Jun 2008 | 17:34

so they were nice to you during the recruitment process? whatever next!!

gb -12 Jun 2008 | 12:14

Trainee2b - the only good thing about an SJB traning is that you will be employable by superior firms once you leave.

Ex SJB -25 Jun 2008 | 11:32

If these supposedly 'superior' firms are so keen to employ people trained at SJB, the firm's training must be really good.

Anonymous -29 Jun 2008 | 19:20

Although I personally did not enjoy my time there, from what I saw the training appeared to be excellent.

Also Ex-SJB -07 Jul 2008 | 12:17

Will SJB be increasing trainee pay along the lines of its competitors?

LawSchool22 -24 Jul 2008 | 09:00

Loving the aggro above! It is true I would say that SJ Berwin is slightly blue collar and not about technical excellence, but we try to get the job done and are not afraid to work as hard as we need to work to get it done.

sjb associate -29 Oct 2008 | 17:42

Oxbridge candidates need not apply - the partners are afraid of you.

Anonymous -14 Nov 2008 | 14:53

The wheels are really coming off the brand.

Anonymous -24 Feb 2009 | 09:07

It is very 'Stepford Wives' here. You either fit in or you don't!

Ex-SJ -16 Apr 2009 | 18:16

Hilarious the way SJ Berwin have just dropped the slogan "The European Law Firm" and started talking about themselves as an "international" firm. The place survives on marketing spin. It is the opposite end of the legal universe from the likes of serious law factories like Slaughter and May (and no, I don't work at Slaughters).

Tim -11 Jun 2009 | 10:07

SJ Berwin

That's a little unfair. Why should SJ Berwin continue to market themselves as a "European law firm", now that they have expanded to Asia as well?

They may not be close to Slaughters, but name me a single firm which has come as far as SJB in 25 years!

And to be perfectly honest, their competition department is widely seen as perhaps the best in the City. What do Slaughters do so well in any case? Lots of large scale mergers involving (let's be honest) filling in fairly mundane and monotonous forms over and over again!

Mike -01 Jul 2009 | 14:22

Name me a law firm that has blah blah blah...

Name of law firm (that has done (much) better): DLA Piper.

Response to Mike -27 Jul 2009 | 12:08

You can always tell when someone is clutching at straws to establish why their firm is so great - they start asking what is so great about Slaughters. Clearly Slaughters have a highly profitable highly prestigious practice that consistently achieves high client satisfaction and consistently achieves headline mandates. Any lawyer who suggests that they are a bunch of form-fillers has lost the plot. I am not from Slaughters, but I recognise that they are a class act. The only doubt I have about the place is what it is like as a place to work, and I don't know enough about that to form a judgement.

Boo -29 Jul 2009 | 10:09

Have you seen their 'profits'? Exit the silver circle stage left!!

Anonymous -28 Aug 2009 | 21:12

21% margin on a turnover of £184m, PEP of £410,000 and an equity spread that goes up to £640,000 according to Legal Business. I wouldn't say no to some of that, personally....

Anonymous -03 Sep 2009 | 14:36

It was £801,000 a year ago.....

Anonymous -04 Sep 2009 | 19:59

Having trained at SJ Berwin, worked there as an associate, and having spent the last three years working for a magic circle firm, I can assure you that the job satisfaction and quality of life along with the training and development of staff is far superior at SJ. I guarantee that the comments posted above openly slating the firm are written by bitter competitors, who are no doubt jealous of SJ's rising reputation.

Pete -04 Dec 2009 | 10:15

What is "rising" about seeing profits collapse by 50% in one year and partner drawings frozen for virtually the whole of the past year?

And if SJB is so much better than where you are now, why did you leave?

Confused -08 Dec 2009 | 11:54

I don't see what the hoo-ha is about; the fall in profits at SJ Berwin was only natural. Being so focused on the private equity and property markets meant that profits were always going to be overinflated in the boom years and then hit hard in the recession. They also kept spending up, opening several new offices and they didn't make as many redundancies as they might have done. There's nothing particularly surprising about it when you look at it objectively.

Anonymous -20 Feb 2010 | 04:01

I think the point is that no other firm saw such a spectacular collapse in profits. If anything it shows that the "silver circle" badge means little. How can SJ Berwin be bracketed with blue-chip Macfarlanes, for heaven's sake?

p -05 Mar 2010 | 09:43

I accepted a TC at SJB before reading the discussions above. Can someone please tell me it isn’t that bad?

sjb2b -15 Mar 2010 | 10:17

Sorry...

but it is that bad. I'd really rethink...

Outtahere -16 Mar 2010 | 10:51

I disagree

I work at SJB and I'm perfectly happy. Law firms aren't The Fun House and there'll always be moaners.

Anonymous -16 Mar 2010 | 15:24

Life is too short to work somewhere miserable. This discussion was enough to persuade me to reject an offer for SJ Berwin in favour of another firm. I am a four-year qualified associate. I cannot say yet whether I made the correct decision but at the end of the day you have to go on what you hear?

s -16 Mar 2010 | 18:05

I refuse to believe that two people have based their career decisions on an anonymous discussion board in the space of two days. There is something fishy going on on this wiki; not least that the anti-SJB messages are all written in an identical writing style and the negative questions with their accompanying negative answers always appear within a day of each other. Legal Week needs to reassess their moderation system.

Anonymous -18 Mar 2010 | 00:09

What a fatuous remark. If you have to tell yourself that people on here are making this stuff up then you should ask whether you are really being honest about the place you work.

impartial -09 Apr 2010 | 10:14

Well

Enough with the SJB bashing. If you all think other law firms are better places to work, you may be in for a rude awakening. 'Bluechip' Macfarlanes does exactly the same type of work as SJB and was every bit as badly hit. They just have 'better' accountants.

Anon -18 May 2010 | 08:39

I suppose Slaughter and May also have "better accountants". You're right, all law firms are the same. Duh!

Anonymous -19 May 2010 | 12:35

Grossly unfair

What utter tosh! Macfarlanes were nowhere near as badly hit as SJB. Macfarlanes' profits are more than double what SJB's profits are and its revenue did not dip as much as SJB's did. If you are looking for a firm that suffered a comparable drop in profits and revenue and that does similar work then look towards Travers Smith, which currently has a similar PEP figure to SJB.

anon -20 May 2010 | 13:28

Another year, another set of decimated profits. I don't see how SJB can pretend to be a silver circle firm any longer. It was demoted two years ago.

m -30 Jun 2010 | 08:46

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