Herbert Smith Freehills Reviews
Updated 22 May 2020
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Recommend to a Friend
Approve of CEO
Mark Rigotti
37 Ratings
Pros
"Ability to work flexibly assists with work life balance" (in 12 reviews)
"There are lots of committees to get involved with and the firm has regular social events" (in 11 reviews)
Cons
"Long hours, traditional atmosphere (but changing)" (in 24 reviews)
"Top tier firm pressures make work life balance impossible" (in 9 reviews)
"Great firm to work for, but long hours in corporate"
I have been working at Herbert Smith Freehills full-time for more than 3 years
Pros
Nice people, good culture, free fruit
Cons
Long hours, traditional atmosphere (but changing)
Herbert Smith Freehills2020-01-01"supportive culture"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI worked at Herbert Smith Freehills full-time for more than a year
Pros
I had great, friendly, ambitious colleagues
Cons
the hours were long and work was dull
Herbert Smith Freehills2020-05-22"Good firm"
I have been working at Herbert Smith Freehills full-time
Pros
Good development opportunities and training; good culture
Cons
Remuneration is not competitive compared to magic circle
Herbert Smith Freehills2020-04-17"Review"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Herbert Smith Freehills full-time
Pros
Great working environment and communication
Cons
Better opportunities for growth could be put in place
Herbert Smith Freehills2020-04-03"Great work and culture but horrible HR experience"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
RecommendsPositive OutlookDisapproves of CEOI have been working at Herbert Smith Freehills
Pros
The legal work and culture is amazing with exposure to top notch deals in the market. Senior lawyers are very willing to invest time in juniors and generally there is a friendly atmosphere at the firm.
Cons
The worst experience I’ve had thus far has to do with HR. Most of the team are friendly but some individuals are known to be rude, unhelpful, and unsympathetic in stressful situations. There is little to no flexibility in how they deal with difficult issues and there’s very much a feeling of indifference towards employees’ personal circumstances and well-being, especially on the junior end. It’s really disappointing that this appears to be a regular occurrence at such an outstanding firm.
Continue readingHerbert Smith Freehills2020-03-25"Avoid Respond Contracts, Mixed experience"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookNo Opinion of CEOI worked at Herbert Smith Freehills part-time
Pros
- Fairly competitive salary, when there is work - nice friendly team members. - some good social events
Cons
- poor handling of Covid - didn’t listen to concerns of people with health conditions - work is tedious and there is no variety - feedback is savage and demotivating. Some of the solicitors give positive feedback but managers turn it to negative. - diversity initiatives are tokens and worthless. Only done for the awards and photos. Very bad case of pink washing.
Continue readingHerbert Smith Freehills2020-04-21- Helpful (3)
"Ok salary, when there’s work but unkind"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
Doesn't RecommendNegative OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Herbert Smith Freehills part-time for more than a year
Pros
There are some good people there and staff who make an effort to help others and have a bit of fun. Some of the networks have good events (although a lot of it is for insta posts to attract applicants for respond and to win awards). Sometimes there are cake and sweets. The accelerate program is pointless as we don’t get any opportunities to use new skills. Salary is good, but legal analysts are all paid different salaries. Looks good on the cv.
Cons
Staff are only told at the last minute if there is work for the next week. Managers say that it is going to be busy but the work never happens. It’s very difficult to pay bills and rent when you’re only getting paid for 8 hours a week. Certain senior managers are aggressive and unhelpful if you want to work from home or need assistance. Solicitors are little cliques and don’t really like to socialise with legal analysts. Staff turnover means you’ll only have the same colleagues for a few months. Tea breaks and toilet breaks are timed and managers sometimes make passive aggressive comments about them. Grievances aren’t taken seriously and you’re told to put up and shut up. Virtually impossible to get a training contract or a raise.
Continue readingHerbert Smith Freehills2020-03-14 "Not for me"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
Doesn't RecommendNeutral OutlookNo Opinion of CEOI have been working at Herbert Smith Freehills full-time for less than a year
Pros
Free breakfast, flexible hours, young workforce in my department
Cons
not interested in technology, too political, lack of investment in development
Continue readingHerbert Smith Freehills2020-02-24"Very friendly law firm"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
I worked at Herbert Smith Freehills full-time for more than a year
Pros
Great facilities, very supportive managers
Cons
Ridiculously long working hours
Herbert Smith Freehills2020-01-13- Helpful (2)
"Good people to work with"
- Work/Life Balance★★★★★
- Culture & Values★★★★★
- Career Opportunities★★★★★
- Compensation and Benefits★★★★★
- Senior Management★★★★★
RecommendsPositive OutlookApproves of CEOI have been working at Herbert Smith Freehills full-time for more than 5 years
Pros
Good working environment and good benefits
Cons
Some of the work can be tedious
Herbert Smith Freehills2020-01-21
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