Regions versus the City

There seems to be an overwhelming amount of attention paid in trainee-focussed literature to the dizzy heights of a training contract and subsequent newly qualified position with a Magic Circle firm.

Admittedly, being born and bred in the south west, I was hardly the biggest advocate of life in the Big Smoke to start with, but the ‘do or die trying’ and overtly competitive attitude one particular Magic Circle firm rammed down our throats at consequently the only ever careers session I attended very swiftly made up my mind on the issue.

As a result, I am confused by the focus of many trainee publications on the Magic Circle dream, as it does not reflect the reality or indeed my own career-based wishes and aspirations.

Although I resent the currently abundant stereotype of Generation Y, it is undeniable that there is a growing focus among my peers on obtaining a cohesive ‘package’ and balancing a glittering career with a fulfilling social life.

Nevertheless, I would argue that this desire spans genders and importantly generations rather than being a trait specific to Gen Y. I have spoken to more solicitors than I can recall who started their career in a large City firm to then relocate to the regions in the hope of achieving a better work/life balance.

Does this decision make them by default a lower quality of lawyer? Or do those who have served their time in the City get a hall pass from being tarred with the regional slackers brush?

Let’s not forget the glamour factor in this analysis of what prospective lawyers want from their career. One of my earliest blogs forewarned students against any misguided dreams of becoming Ally McBeal.

I have no doubt that my Magic Circle contemporaries would view my bucolic aspirations as somehow of less importance than their own. Is my ambition to work for a regional firm in any way less ambitious than their wish to join one of the top ten? On the face of it, yes. But I will always refute any assumptions that I am somehow of a lesser calibre than someone who chose a different but not more superior path.

The real question is what you are driving towards as an individual. Others may see my decision as a copout, I view it as a compromise between doing something I love and the remuneration I receive for doing it. My question for the Magic Circle trainees is what are they willing to compromise for salaries that admittedly turn me green.

I am passionate about what I do, but I have always known that I didn’t want post 9pm to be my average home time. On several occasions during my training contract I have worked late into the evening, and on the weekend. However, surely there comes a point for everyone where it doesn’t matter what your salary is, if you don’t have time to enjoy spending it then surely it is worthless? Does the limited scope of my ambition make me a less worthy or impressive trainee? In my own, albeit provincial opinion, not one bit. SJ

Pippa Allsop is a second-year trainee at Michelmores

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