United Kingdom

• London

  “The new state-of-the-art offices have really changed the way we work. We now have a floor dedicated to intra-departmental collaboration, where teams can decamp to focus on deals and projects undistracted.”                                          

  
  

  While London is the largest capital city in Europe and one of the world’s leading financial and cultural centres, outside of the city it’s more of a collection of urban villages and commuter suburbs, each with its own distinct identity. To the uninitiated, the prospect of a City career can appear exciting and intimidating in equal measure – but the quality of work, the training prospects and social opportunities at our magnificent new International headquarters are everything you might expect, and perhaps more. An extraordinary city that can offer you an exceptional future.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  137 Partners, 365 Lawyers, 277 Support Staff; 779 in total.

  
  

  Openings for graduates

  
  

  Our London head office employs 52 trainees in total, with 26 being recruited each year.

  
  

  Reasons why…

  
  

  Engaged on the M25 Upgrade Project, the largest road PPP in the UK

  
  

  Advising Horizon Acquisition Company plc on its $855m (£527m) acquisition of APR Energy (no. 2 in the global high growth temporary power market)

  
  

  Acting for the Costain Group on the acquisition of ClerkMaxwell (an engineering and operations support business)

  
  

  Advising the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s (DCMS) £530m project to deliver super-fast broadband across the UK

  
  

  Representing TEVA, the world's biggest generic pharmaceutical company, on UK patent revocation proceedings against Astra Zeneca

• Aberdeen

  Translated as "between the Don and the Dee", Aberdeen is bordered by two great rivers which provide a stunning backdrop to this historic and culturally rich city.  Combining history and heritage with award-winning restaurants, great shopping and a vibrant nightlife.  Aberdeen is cosmopolitan, lively and just waiting to be discovered.

  
  

  Equally, if you love to escape from it all, then wider Aberdeenshire is the place for you.  Benefiting from a rich and vibrant surrounding wildlife and unrivalled scenery, the area can provide you with a snapshot of all Scotland has to offer.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  8 Partners, 31 Lawyers, 11 Support staff; 50 in total. 

  
  

  Openings for graduates

  
  

  There are currently 5 trainees in the Aberdeen office.

  
  

  Reasons why...

  
  

  Recently advised on the acquisition of a stake in Global Energy Group by Mitsui

  
  

  Acted on the US$1bn acquisition of oil services firm PSN Limited by John Wood Group PLC in one of the largest private company trade sales in recent years

  
  

   

• Belfast

  Belfast's history is punctuated with civil unrest, great poverty, revolutionary fervour, several industrial world records and, in spite of everything, an enduring spirit of optimism and renewal.

  
  

  The prosperous signs of peace surround today's Belfast.  New bars and restaurants are opening on a weekly basis; the Cathedral Quarter, Belfast's answer to Dublin's Temple Bar, is booming.  Most recently, the city has seen the opening of the multi-million pound Titanic Belfast attraction to coincide with the 100^th anniversary of the ship's fateful maiden voyage.

  
  

  Once an industrially depressed backwater, the Belfast Waterfront area has been transformed by peacetime investment into the city's most glamorous skyline.  At night, the lights from the Waterfront Hall and the impressive Odyssey Arena (Ireland's largest entertainment complex) sparkle across the blue, floodlit lagoon.

  
  

  If you're interested in seeing a city in transformation, look no further than Belfast.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  13 Partners, 41 Lawyers, 41 Support staff; 95 in total.

  
  

  Openings for graduates

  
  

  There are currently 7 trainees in the Belfast office.

  
  

  Reasons why...

  
  

  We advised local firm W&R Barnett on its £70m acquisition of Tate & Lyle's global molasses business. This particular deal involved a number of legally complex issues including due diligence on businesses in 15 jurisdictions and 11 UK sites. It also required the coordination of local counsel in France, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Philippines, South Korea and Jersey.

  
  

  We are advising the FSA on enforcement action in relation to an alleged multimillion pound 'Ponzi-scheme'-style fraud perpetrated by a local businessman.

• Birmingham

  “For those who worry that if you’re not in London you miss out on the real work… from what I’ve seen you couldn’t be more wrong.”

  
  

  The UK’s second city, Birmingham is a switched-on modern environment and a dynamic business hub, with an international airport running flights to over 100 destinations. But it’s also a friendly and close-knit place to work, with a strong office social scene and profusion of bars and pubs.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  42 Partners, 155 Lawyers, 192 Support Staff; 389 in total.

  
  

  Openings for graduates

  
  

  The Birmingham office employs 26 trainees in total, with 13 being recruited each year.

  
  

  Reasons why…

  
  

  Advised E.ON on the third successive disposal of wind farm assets from E.ON's historic stock of boutique wind farms. (January 2011)

  
  

  Advising Barclays Bank PLC on bank facilities availed to Igloo Regeneration Partnership to fund the development of the BBC Media Centre in Cardiff

  
  

  Advised Newcastle City Council on the Scotswood regeneration project, which covers a substantial area of the west end of Newcastle upon Tyne

  
  

  Winners of the Law Firm of the Year 2010 (Birmingham Law Society Awards)

  
  

  Winners of the West Midlands Community Impact Team Award 2010 (Business in the Community)

• Edinburgh

  "Pinsent Masons is the largest law firm operating in Scotland.  When combined with the firm's wider strength in the UK and international markets this allows our Scottish offices to win top quality work."

  
  

  People fall in love with Edinburgh. As the capital of Scotland, it is a city of great character and a sense of purpose. Surrounded by volcanic hills on the southern edge of the Firth of Forth it has one of the most beautiful cityscapes in the world, with Scotland’s most famous castle dominating the skyline. There are stunning vistas from almost every street and when Edinburgh talks of its New Town it means the orderly Georgian terraces – old means medieval.

  
  

  But Edinburgh is modern in its attitude to business. It has an exciting financial centre, with a thriving business community, and an international airport. You’ll discover world-class museums and galleries, top-class restaurants and bars, fabulous shopping, even a zoo on your doorstep – and we haven’t yet mentioned the world-famous Festivals. Edinburgh is a place of contrasts, in minutes you can leave the sophistication of the city behind and be enjoying all the amenities of country.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  27 Partners, 123 Lawyers, 74 Support staff; 224 in total.

  
  

  Openings for Graduates

  
  

  The Edinburgh office employs 22 trainees in total.

  
  

  Reasons why...

  
  

  Acted for Diageo plc in the construction of a new malt distillery and a massive expansion of a separate distillery facility.

  
  

  Advised on the sale of Forth Ports to Arcus Global Infrastructure Partners; one of the most high-profile deals in Scotland during the past 12 months.

• Falkland Islands

  An archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located almost 500km east of the continent of South America.  The Falkland Islands are a remote and beautiful group of islands offering a temperate climate, and a warm and welcoming community.  The islands are unbelievably rich in wildlife, historical and cultural sites, and offer a unique way of life.

  
  

  As you would expect in a small community, the lawyers there are involved in a wide range of legal issues, from private law for individuals to dealing with huge energy companies, following the discovery of oil and gas in the region.

  
  

  There is an opportunity for UK based trainee solicitors to spend six months on secondment to the Falkland Islands office during their training contract.

• Glasgow

  "Pinsent Masons is the largest law firm operating in Scotland.  When combined with the firm's wider strength in the UK and international markets this allows our Scottish offices to win top quality work."

  
  

  Scotland's largest city and the UK's second largest retail shopping centre with plenty of niche stores to explore, Glasgow is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan modern cities in Europe. It thrives as a centre of style and vitality, stunningly set against a backdrop of Victorian urban architecture.

  
  

  Lively and colourful, Glasgow boasts more than 20 galleries and museums mostly with free admission and no less than 11 theatres and concert halls. There’s an exciting and entertaining nightlife. And whether you favour a traditional Scottish or international cuisine you will find what you want among Glasgow's hundreds of restaurants. Property in Glasgow is still affordable compared with many parts of the UK.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  30 Partners, 137 Lawyers, 148 Support staff; 315 in total.

  
  

  Openings for graduates?

  
  

  The Glasgow office has 21 trainees in total.

  
  

  Reasons why...

  
  

  Advising Lend and Lease on the sale of Overgate Shopping Centre, one of the largest property transactions in Scotland in 2010.

  
  

  Advising NHS Scotland and several health boards on the procurement of electronic patient management systems.

  
  

  Advised Bank of Scotland and West Coast Capital on the sale of the Garden Centre Group for a reported consideration of £276m. This included advice on corporate and debt restructuring matters.

  
  

   

  
  

   

• Leeds

  "National and international clients consistently tap into local knowledge and expertise, resulting in high quality work, which would rival that of any City firm."

  
  

  More than 750,000 people live in Leeds and over 100,000 people work in the city centre. Leeds is considered by many to be the UK's favourite city. Whether you agree with this or not, it certainly is a lively and vibrant city, rich in culture and heritage, with plenty of pubs, clubs and bars to suit all tastes.

  
  

  The Leeds office is situated in the heart of the city and a stone's throw away from the train station.  It is one the UK's top cities for restaurants (Which?, Good Food Guide) and the UK's best shopping destination (Rough Guide to Britain).  Leeds also has the benefit of being located within easy reach of York, Harrogate, Manchester and Sheffield and is of course the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.  Nearby Headingley homes several top flight sporting teams and football fans will be familiar with Leeds United who play at Elland Road. 

  
  

  The Leeds Waterfront has also been transformed with live music venues, late-night bars, and a thriving club scene.  The city it is also home to art galleries, museums, grand country houses and the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  42 Partners, 143 Lawyers, 94 Support staff; 279 in total.

  
  

  Openings for graduates?

  
  

  20 trainees currently work in the Leeds office.

  
  

  Reasons why...

  
  

  Advising Asda on its strategic purchase of Netto Foodstores Limited.

  
  

  Advising Barclays Private Equity on the £75m secondary buyout of Allied Glass.

  
  

  Advising Leeds City Council on the development agreements for the central £600m+ Eastgate Quarter development and £350m+ Trinity Leeds Development.

• Manchester

  "We're a big player in the market up here and the quality of the work and clients is excellent.  All that and I can walk to work from home in fifteen minutes."

  
  

  Known as the capital of the north, Manchester was the trail-blazing spirit behind the Industrial Revolution, and has had an exciting track record for enterprise and innovation ever since. It provides an exciting mix of the old and the new. The futuristic design and eye-catching shapes of its contemporary architecture sit side-by-side with the spires and grinning gargoyles of its proud past.

  
  

  It’s also known also for its passion for football, gritty realism seen through the eyes of the painter Lowry and its excellent state-of-the-art sports facilities – a legacy from the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

  
  

  The people of Manchester have an attitude to life and way of doing things all of their own. They enjoy eating out and having a good time as the many restaurants, cafés, clubs and bars testify. And, as any student will know, Manchester has a thriving music scene. This is a city that knows how to make things happen and to enjoy its success.

  
  

  Who works here?

  
  

  29 Partners, 93 Lawyers, 53 Support staff; 175 in total.

  
  

  Openings for graduates

  
  

  Our Manchester office employs 14 trainees in total, with seven being recruited each year.

  
  

  Reasons why...

  
  

  Advised ECI Partners on the £50m management buy-out of Fourth Hospitality.

  
  

  Advised on the sale of Premex for US$100m to ExamWorks Inc, an NYSE listed company.

  
  

  Advising Barclays Private Equity on the management buy-out of Wilton Engineering Group.

  
  

  Advised Romec Limited, a facilities management services joint-venture co-owned by Balfour Beatty and Royal Mail, on a deal which will see the Stockport-based business provide services to the postal group for a further 10 years.